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Nikon 35mm f/2
NIKKOR-Auto, AI and AI-s (1965-2005)
© 2015 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

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Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-s (FX, DX and 35mm coverage, 52mm filters, 10.0 oz./283 g, 1'/0.3m close focus, about $175 used). enlarge. I got mine at this link directly to them at eBay (see How to Win at eBay), they also come from Amazon.

 

April 2015   Nikon Reviews   Nikon Lenses    All Reviews

 

Introduction     top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

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I used the Nikkor 35mm f/2 AI-s as my normal lens on my F2AS and FA from 1983 through 1993. I used it more than any other lens. I replaced it with the 35mm f/1.4, which became my normal lens on my FA until I went to autofocus in 1999 when I bought my F100.

I bought it new back in the dark ages of the 1980s based on what I read in catalogs and maybe a magazine review. Back then there were no sources of useful comparative information with which to make educated lens choices. Based on what I read and presumed, this seemed like my ideal normal lens due to its low cost and high speed. The 35mm f/2.8 didn't cost much less, and the 35mm f/1.4 always cost far, far more. For me, 35mm is my normal focal length, not 50mm.

As I shot with it, of course it's sharp, but I grew to hate it because it has strong ghosts. Its poor ghost performance often destroyed my night photos. These ghosts take the form of ankh-shaped blobs opposite the source of the light.

This 35mm f/2 AI-s is an awful choice for night photography with bright points of light sources in the image, but just great for use in daylight so long as the sun isn't in the image.

The 35mm f/2 D AF lens, although plasticy, is better optically.

Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-s

Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-s at f/5.6.

Compatibility: On modern DSLRs and the F6, use the "Non-CPU Lens Data" menu option to input 35mm and f/2. This gives full matrix metering and EXIF data, and finder read-out of set aperture. It works great in aperture-preferred as well as manual modes on these cameras.

It won't couple well to the cheaper digital (D80 and below) and cheaper film cameras (N80 and below). It works perfectly every professional film camera (F, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6), with Matrix metering on the FA, F4 and F6.

See Nikon Lens Compatibility for details on your camera. Read down the "AI, AI-s"column for this lens.

 

Production History

This lens has had the same optics since 1965.

The only minor update was in 1973 when multicoating was added, otherwise it's been purely cosmetic and mechanical updates ever since.

Numerous changes have been made to the mechanics and coatings over the decades. At first it was single coated in amber, then blue (-C) and for the past three decades it's been multicoated.

Any of these lenses in at least the AI version made since about 1977 should be optically indistinguishable from this one.

The AI-s version seen here was made from 1981 - 2005.

Nikon made about 125,000 of these AI-s versions, and about 450,000 of all types of 35mm f/2 manual focus lenses combined. They are very popular for the same reason I bought my first one in 1983.

The 35mm f/2 D AF is a completely different design. It came out in 1989 (pre-D version) and is still made today.

 

Specifications    top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

Name

Nikon calls this the Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/2 AI-s.

 

Optics

8 elements in 6 groups, multi-coated.

Conventional spherical design.

 

Diaphragm

7 blades stopping down to f/22.

 

Close Focus

1 foot (0.3m).

 

Maximum Reproduction Ratio

1:5.7.

 

Filter Thread

52mm, metal.

Nikon's standard since 1959.

 

Size

2.0222" extension from flange (focused at infinity).

2.4752" diameter (51.36 x 62.87 mm), measured.

The widest thing is the aperture ring.

 

Weight

9.992 oz. (283.3 g), measured.

 

Performance    top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

This lens is standard issue Nikon wide angle: soft in the corners wide open due to coma, the usual barrel distortion, and falloff that goes away a stop or two down.

Also standard for Nikon, it is very sharp when stopped down two stops.

It is extremely well made mechanically.

 

Distortion

The 35mm f/2 AI-s has the same barrel distortion typical of most Nikon wide and fast normal lenses. The viewfinders of most non-pro Nikon bodies incorporate complimentary pincushion distortion to hide this.

Plug these figures into Photoshop CS2's lens distortion filter to correct the distortion. These aren't facts or specifications, they are the results of my research that requires me waiting for an extraordinarily clear day at the beach and then hours of data collection and computation.

 
FX and Film
Infinity
+1.2*
+1.1

© 2008 KenRockwell.com

* Several pixels of waviness remain after correction.

Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-s

 

Mechanics and Contruction

Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-s

The 35mm f/2 AI-s is made like they used to. It is built to the highest mechanical standards I have ever experianced.

Filter Threads: Metal.

Barrel: Metal.

Focus Ring: Metal, rubber covered.

Aperture Ring: Metal.

Mount: Metal.

Internals: Metal.

Markings: All engraved and filled.

Noises when Shaken: Very minor clicking from the diaphragm blade.

 

Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-s

 

Recommendations    top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

This lens works best on full-frame and manual-focus 35mm cameras. For DSLRs and AF35mm cameras, the plasticy, but optically superior, 35mm f/2D AF can give slightly better images.

This classic feels better for manual focus, while the AF and AF-D lenses have better optics.

Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-s

 

 

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