Help with AI 35/2 -- looks like Holga

[Peter Forsell]

I got a cheap AI 35/2 that I suspect is not right. Some dust, no fungus, no scratches and no delamination. Aperture clean and snappy, focusing light but a bit dry.

But, the image quality wide open is like from a Lensbaby. Decentering? No obvious impact damage. Not worth a repair, I'm sure, but what say you, this isn't right, right?

I have a flickr album with 5 unedited full size pictures, if someone can find a few minutes to look at and comment, I'd be grateful.

Focused via LiveView and the focal point is always the larger flower pot.

ALBUM:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskAYjXMu

Thanks.

[John Geerts]

Doesn't look good, as if it is not aligned properly.  Wide open the 35/2 is sharper than the 35/1.4 at f/2. 

The last element of the lens mouth is a screw in/out element. Is that correctly connected?  Sometimes it can contain dust between the elements at that particularly spot.

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2016/11/05/repair-nikkor-o-35mm-f2/

an element must have been put back facing the wrong way 

[pluton]

https://richardhaw.com/2016/11/05/repair-nikkor-o-35mm-f2/

an element must have been put back facing the wrong way 

This, or the two halves of the optic were not screwed all the way together.

[Steven Paulsen]

Did you try "live view," magnified focus? Try it on an object fairly close, with a lot of detail, (live view/magnified.) My first guess was focusing was slightly off. I have an Ai'd 35/f2 and I would not consider it to be a gem on a digital body.

I have also experienced that certain lenses will "jump," when the camera's aperture lever trips the tab on the lens, sometimes blurred, sometimes camera shake. Also give the lens a try on a different camera body & see what happens.

Best Wishes

[David H. Hartman]

I've been very impressed with my 35/2.0 AI on my Nikon D300s and D800 so I suspect something is wrong with the lens. I think Richard has an article on repairing or doing a CLA on the 35/2.0 AI.  I'd start there.

I've seen focus creep on one of my manual focus Nikkor lenses but I can't remember which one. It may have occurred on the mirror return so focus between shots may be required. Focus creep is something to watch for.

Dave Hartman

[Macro_Cosmos]

That's not right.

I once tried to repair a dead Series E 28mm and put one element backwards, and that's what the pictures looked like. 
It is soft, did... kind of does focus, but lots of glowing artifacts.