55/3.5 at distance

[chals]

These pictures are taken with Micro-Nikkor 55mm 3.5 pre-Ai with the hill-and-dale metal focusing ring at 150-200 meters. The picture at 400% is with the 55/3.5 to the left and 50/1.4D to the right. The 55/3.5 seems very sharp to me, not bad AS Rørslett says?

[Birna Rørslett]

I have run series with the various 55mm Micro-Nikkors at infinity focus and see no reason to rephrase my earlier statement. This not to say the earliest 55/3.5 is bad at infinity, only that it is less good than the later versions. I prefer an early AI at present as it is less temperamental regarding focused distance. The 5/2.8 improves in general on all the f/3.5 models in most aspects, possibly apart from image contrast.

The post is somewhere here at NG. You might search for it.

[Erik Lund]

,,, the 55/3.5 to the left and 59/1.4D to the right....

59/1.4D Please correct focal length or whatever is misleading me... Thank you


Yes as B states, this has been debated in a thread here, also stating the various versions,,,


http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,224.msg1511.html#msg1511
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,3308.msg48068.html#msg48068



And just to be complete the compensating version, with links as well,,,


http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,7231.msg116482.html#msg116482

Topics are like most issues in life,,, reocurring from time to time,,, 

[chals]

I saw the test Rørslett made ( I think). But they were performed at f3.5. Hardly an ideal aperture. How will those two lenses from the same breed perform at 5.6 or f8 at far away distances?!

[Birna Rørslett]

It is not forbidden to use a lens at its designated widest aperture ... On the contrary, it is often required or wanted for visual effects.

[chals]

55/3.5 at  f8

[Øivind Tøien]

A couple of examples from a late 55mm f/3.5 AI version at f/8 on a DX sensor, both at ISO 400. Open image in new tab to view full resolution:

#1


#2


I should really use this lens more often in landscape mode.

Of the two samples I have of the same vintage, the first one was best with respect to corners when stopped down to f/8 while the last one I acquired is performing very well in the corners already at f/5.6.