Nikkor 35mm f2.8 photos

[Zang]

Hello all,

This lens is quite a controversial one. There are divided opinions on the internet, but not many photos taken by this lens are found. Owners of Nikkor 35 mm f2.8, Please kindly share you pictures here

I bought mine last month but I do not have anything worth sharing for now (we have some crazy snow storms here which turn people away from any inspirations, including photographic one LOL). I will do as soon as I take some pictures.

Cheers,
Zang

[Birna Rørslett]

The reasons for the divided opinions, presumably, are the various versions of the lens in existence.

The oldest one silver-nosed model accompanying the Nikon F in its time was, well, not the best lens the company ever made. The mid '70s 6/5 design (K) is much better, followed by a smaller 5/5 version that is according to memory a more modest performer.

This is the 35/2.8K (AI- and CPU-modified by Erik Lund) on my Df. Actually a sweet little lens.

[Zang]

Thanks Birna. Mine is probably from the last AI batch. BTW, the picture is awesome

[Zang]

Actually I have one photo, a test one. The crop shows the lens is razor sharp!

[Zang]

The crop:

[Roland Vink]

There are 4 optical versions of this lens:

Nikkor-S 3.5cm 1:2.8 Auto (7 elements, 5 groups) - serial nos 920101 - 9275xx. From early 1960s, difficult to build due to fine tolerances required so is uncommon and soon replaced.

Nikkor-S 35mm 1:2.8 Auto (7 elements, 6 groups) - serial nos 176911 - 392xxx. Common pre-AI version, improved performance and easier to build so was relatively common.

K/Ai 35mm 1:2.8 (6 elements, 6 groups) - serial nos 773111 - 870xxx. Highly regarded version, is sharp with very low geometric distortion, rendition not quite as smooth as older version though.

Ai/AiS 35mm 1:2.8 (5 elements, 5 groups) - serial nos 350001 - 593678. Simpler optical design not as well corrected for geometric distortion, maybe not quite as sharp but with smoother rendition. The Ai version has a very short focus throw, the AiS version is a little better.

5 versions if you include the Series-E 35mm 1:2.5. This has a similar 5 element design as the AiS version, but optimised for more speed and compactness, so the image quality is not at the same level.

7 versions if you include the two PC-Nikkor 35mm 1:2.8 lenses:

Early version with metal focus grip (8 elements, 7 groups) - serial nos 850001 - 886xxx
Upgraded to modern style with rubber focus grip and multicoating, same optics - serial nos 900001 - 909635

Later version (7 elements, 7 groups) - serial nos 179091 - 205761. Styled like AiS lenses, but with manual preset aperture ring is not Auto Indexing (AI). I haven't heard much about how these lenses perform?

[Øivind Tøien]

I have what I believe is a K-version which was used a lot the film days. I never thought my copy was very good on digital - while center is sharp, edges do not hold up near infinity. Here is an example at f/4 on the D200:

[Zang]

Thanks Vink for the comprehensive information. I suspect I have 5 element AI version.

[richardHaw]

not a lot of photos? there are even websites that show you whats inside 

https://richardhaw.com/2016/05/28/repair-nikkor-35mm-f2-8-ai/

https://richardhaw.com/2018/12/23/repair-nikkor-35mm-f-2-8-ai-s/

these are very nice lenses, i enjoy using ALL versions including my fancy tick-mark version.

i love them all. they all have their own quirks 

i am going to make some articles on the other versions but i am too busy these days. i only slept 3 hours the other day

[Zang]

@Rick - These ones were the last articles I read after tons of other before I decided to spend hard earned $80 on 35mm LOL. These and your other works as well as Bjorn's site made me want to joint this community LOL.

[Zang]

... BTW, Bjorn had a different opinion on 35mm f2.8, though.

[pluton]

Thanks Vink for the comprehensive information. I suspect I have 5 element AI version.

You can know for sure by looking at Roland's site, and clicking on the underlined I.D. of the lens, eg: 35/2.8.  Clicking will take you to a clear photo of an example of that specific model.

[Zang]

That was how I figured out my lens batch I do not know any other ways LOL Thanks anyway!

[John Geerts]

The K-version








And more to find here:  http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,1751.0.html

[Hermann]

5 versions if you include the Series-E 35mm 1:2.5. This has a similar 5 element design as the AiS version, but optimised for more speed and compactness, so the image quality is not at the same level.

Does anyone have any experience with the Series-E 35mm on a modern DX body? A friend of mine has got a copy which he doesn't use anymore, so I'm wondering whether it's worth it asking him to mail it to me. I'm trying to assemble a lightweight kit of primes for hiking, and the Series-E sure is a lot lighter than my AIS f2/35mm.

Thanks.

Hermann