In article <14APR96.09153501.0031@UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA>, GOCH@UNB.CA says...

>I followed with interest the raves about the lamented Nikon
>28/2.8 AI-S. I think I have the non-S version of that lens.
>(I can never remember what makes a lens an "S".) Does anyone
>know whether mine (which is excellent) is of the same
>optical design as the AIS?? (Serial #6097xx, if it matters.)

AIS lenses have an orange-colored mimimum aperture number, and
a "scoop" out of the flat rear surface of the chrome bayonette
surface - AI lenses do not have these. The Nikkor AI 28mm f2.8
is not up to the AIS version at the edges and corners, and does
not have the floating element for maintaining good performance
over a wide aperture range. It does have uncommonly good
resistence to flare and related effects. See "SUBJECTIVE
Lens Evaluations (Mostly Nikkors)" for more information, and
possibly for an answer to your question below, at these sites:

-- Quang-Tuan Luong: (nice text format)
http://robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu/~qtluong/photography/35mm/
nikon-neuman.html
-- Niklas Nikitin: (nice table format)
http://www.cs.hks.se/~nicke/private/photo/lenstest/david.html
-- Jan-jaap Aue: (nice text format)
http://www.phys.rug.nl/mk/people/aue/nikon/david.html

Hope This Helps

>How does the quality of the 35/2 AI compare with the 35/2 AF?
>I have the AF version, but no longer have an AF camera. I
>prefer the feel of MF lenses, and I have a chance to get a
>used MF AI. Any thoughts/experience?
>Myron