You may have noticed the upward trend in prices for Nikkor AI and AI-S manual focus optics. There seems to be a reevaluation in the street prices for these stalwarts of Nikon's heritage glass. And the release of Nikon's FX sensor will only intensify the interest in AI/AI-S Nikkors. Hey, it might even drive Nikon to retool and build these lovelies again!
AI/AI-S Price Trends
A 105/2.5 AI-S is averaging $200-$250 on eBay and elsewhere for a pristine lens. That's as much as $100 more than I paid for my excellent sample less than a year ago.
I just bought an E- grade used 20/2.8 AI-S at Adorama for $255 shipped - a fortuitous buy compared to the $350+ samples on eBay and at major retailers. This focal length, along with the 35/2 Nikkor is getting more scarce.
I bagged a clean, late model 24/2.8 AI-S earlier this spring for $169 shipped and that model is also starting at $200 at many retailers.
The 200/4 AI model is uniquely plentiful with average to brand new samples at many retailers and on eBay - but again, the pricing runs upward of $200+ for the better ones.
I'm currently looking for a pristine 50/1.8 AI-S Nikkor as it is more optically useful than the 1.4 model. It shoots better images wide open as well as holding up image quality further down the aperture ring. The 1.4 version only gets good at f4 and poops out at f8 - what good is a 1/2 stop of optical speed if it can only use 3-4 f-stops to get exceptional image quality? Ditto for the even worse f1.2 Nikkor... don't let the label fool you here.
AI Conversions
My 135/2.8 Q Nikkor was properly AI'd and shoots very good images compared to modern lens formulas. Not collectible, but as a quality AI conversion sample, it is well worth owning for the $75 I paid a year ago.
There are plenty of AI'd Nikkors to choose from at very reasonable prices - but do your research! Conversions vary as does the historic quality of pre-AI optics. Some shine and some make pretty paperweights. Bjorn Rorslett has dependable information on AI Nikkors and serial numbers can be tracked to determine year of manufacture, single or multi-coating and other specifications worth knowing. Yet, earlier Nikkors can be superb performers too, as in the case of the pre-AI Nikkor 50/1.8. And AI conversions are not very expensive for a worthy candidate.
AI vs. AF
The simple truth is, you can't buy a Nikkor zoom for under $1000 that will equal the image quality of these veteran optics. A good friend recently submitted unsharpened images taken with his 35/2 AI-S Nikkor and they were rejected by one microstock agency because they were 'too sharp'!
Several Japanese sources have a selection of exquisite samples that they sell at a premium - I enjoy the chase to hunt down top quality values at online retail websites as I keep an eye on eBay for good deals there too. Discriminating photogs who are looking for maximum sensor resolution are using AI's more and more for landscape and other high quality applications where a high-speed AF zoom is just not needed.
Even with rising prices, these lenses are solid values that are being honored in the D200, D2x, D3 and D300 DSLR bodies with full metering capability. Consider adding a critical focal length for your favorite passive shooting enjoyment - you won't believe your camera could shoot that good...
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