Nikkor-H 85/f1.8 - AI'd ?

jarski

jarski

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I've been recently reading good things about this lens, and happened to come across one in good condition in local camera fair. it came with a leather pouch, Nikons old UV-filter and lens shade with it. price was ok to me, comparing how much they're asked for in eBay, so I fell for it.

but, back at home I realized that ofcourse there was one catch, into which I always fell for 😛 its not AI version. I could use it with FE, but not with D200 and F100.

since the lens is really good sample of its kind, I am little in doubt that should I pay little more for irreversible AI-conversion or limit my use only to FE (which in practice means less action). opinions ?
 

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jarski said:
I've been recently reading good things about this lens, and happened to come across one in good condition in local camera fair. it came with a leather pouch, Nikons old UV-filter and lens shade with it. price was ok to me, comparing how much they're asked for in eBay, so I fell for it.

but, back at home I realized that ofcourse there was one catch, into which I always fell for 😛 its not AI version. I could use it with FE, but not with D200 and F100.

since the lens is really good sample of its kind, I am little in doubt that should I pay little more for irreversible AI-conversion or limit my use only to FE (which in practice means less action). opinions ?
Click to expand...

i had one of those! ahhh... the memories. Heavy. Soft contrast. It rot in a wet leather bag while travelling for a month to a rainy place. Painting on the inside of the lens all craking..
bought a 105mm 2.5 Much sharper, lighter to carry.
 
you can see 105/f2.5 in those pics as well. nice lens 🙂 actually am hoping to find still 28 or 35 wide for the set, then I should be "done".

but what am pondering with 85 and AI is that perhaps its worth more now, than if it had been converted ? there are still quite a few Nikon-F users out there. conversion itself costs something, so the whole process would be like throwing money from window.
 
Ronald M said:
It has no real collector value and Ai will distroy what there is. On a D200 it will have the angle of view of a 135 which you may or may not like.

Where you will like the lens is on a D700 full frame.
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yup this has been in the plans, when full frame Nikons become little more affordable, then these tele lenses will have more use, least for me.

comment about collector value was what I was wondering, thanks.

about DIY AI job, although there used to live little tinkerer inside me, I currently lack tools, and am little hesitant to try it out first with this lens. but thanks for the links nevertheless 🙂
 
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Some original Nikon ai factory conversion kits are still available. Just google ai conversion kits and see if there is one for the 85/1.8. I don't think you will hurt the collector value by converting it, especially if done with the proper conversion kit if available. I have a late model 85/1.8 with rubber focusing ring that was factory converted to ai and can tell you it works wonderfully well on a D700. I hope you can find a decent D700 in the future for a good price. I think you would enjoy that.

Bob
 
D40 / D40x might work

D40 / D40x might work

These use non AI lenses safely (not sure about metering capabilities or focus confirmation).

The D40x bodies are down to $269 on newegg. I like the lower megapixel D40 which I'm waiting to hit sub $200 or so for a body to use with some non AI lenses (I have 3 or 4, that I don't want to AI for a variety of reasons).

jarski said:
I've been recently reading good things about this lens, and happened to come across one in good condition in local camera fair. it came with a leather pouch, Nikons old UV-filter and lens shade with it. price was ok to me, comparing how much they're asked for in eBay, so I fell for it.

but, back at home I realized that ofcourse there was one catch, into which I always fell for 😛 its not AI version. I could use it with FE, but not with D200 and F100.

since the lens is really good sample of its kind, I am little in doubt that should I pay little more for irreversible AI-conversion or limit my use only to FE (which in practice means less action). opinions ?
Click to expand...
 
I would strongly recommend John White:

http://www.aiconversions.com/

Another thing you might want to look for, if you are worried about the collector part is pick up a messed up lens to harvest parts from.

An 85/1.8 was my first lens and I still have her. She is wonderful and fun, I hope that my new 58/1.4 will be 3/4 the lens that my 1.8 is. I had her AIed way back when from Marty F in NYC. I kept all the part, just in case.

B2 (;->
 
I have the HC version of this lens and had the factory conversion recently done by Dean's Camera (Torrance, CA). That's the good news. The bad news is that I believe he mentioned that was his last AI kit #38 :bang: - the proper one for 85/1.8 with serial No. below 410001. If your lens is above that serial no., the proper kit is #37. You might check with him.
 
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