On Tue, 01 Sep 1998 20:44:33 +0200, Klaus Schroiff wrote:

>The MF version has a very different optical design - you cannot
>compare it to the current AF version which is supposed to be much
>better (e.g due floating elements).

>> I have the Manual Focus version of this lens and it's OK. I notice when looking
>> through my viewfinder that the view is very gray -- like zillions of little
>> gray dots in the way of everything. Other than that, it takes great pictures.

I have tried one sample of the 17mm ATX AF, which I bought from a
careful and good photographer who liked it. I did not. It was
good in the center only when well stopped down, and was not good
in the corners at any stop. The Nikkor 20mm f2.8 or 18mm f3.5
were far better in comparison. It may be good enough for
non-critical uses (or users...), but for a prime, its performance
was disappointing...