Steve M.
Veteran
Thanks to some knowledgeable people here, I was informed that I couldn't use my non AI 50 2.0 Nikkor lens on an N8008s. It looked like my only options were to have mine converted, or simply buy an AI lens. I also, briefly, had this Plan C idea of modifying (butchering) an N8008s so I could use the lens on it. Well, the N8008s is on the way to me, and it wasn't quite as cheap to buy as I'd hoped ($35, which I suppose I should be quite happy about actually). So Plan C isn't as attractive as it was. If I screw it up, I'll have a nice $35 Nikon ashtray.
The path of least resistance says just keep the non AI lens on the Nikkormat, and buy an AI 50 2.0 for the N8008s. Problem solved. But are they optically identical? Cosmetically they look very different. All that nice metal on the earlier lens has been replaced by the more modern plastic/rubber body. The non AI lens I have is very good. Looking at photos from the AI lens that I used to have, it's better. But is this just sample variation, or is there an optical/coating difference? What I especially like about the non AI lens is that it's low contrast. I can always add contrast w/ a yellow filter or in printing, but it's harder to go the other way.
The path of least resistance says just keep the non AI lens on the Nikkormat, and buy an AI 50 2.0 for the N8008s. Problem solved. But are they optically identical? Cosmetically they look very different. All that nice metal on the earlier lens has been replaced by the more modern plastic/rubber body. The non AI lens I have is very good. Looking at photos from the AI lens that I used to have, it's better. But is this just sample variation, or is there an optical/coating difference? What I especially like about the non AI lens is that it's low contrast. I can always add contrast w/ a yellow filter or in printing, but it's harder to go the other way.