Hi--

>This query comes about because I was considering changing my AI version
>of the 28mm to the AIS version. In your evaluations you have
>
>28mm f2.8 - earlier
> 3.6 (3) unusually resistant to flare, poor corners
>until well stopped down
>28mm f2.8 AIS
> 4.8 (4) good wide open short of corners

>My Nikon tech, after a check of the service manuals, says there were no
>optical changes between the AIS and AI versions of the 28 mm, (but there
>were between the F-mount and the AI versions, and there were between AI
>& AIS versions of a few other lenses) - other than the alterations to
>the diaphram mechanism so that the distance movements of the aperture
>ring were exactly the same for each f-stop of change (ie "S" calibration
>for the FA, FG Program modes), and, of course, the machined depression
>in the mount.

Hmmm.... Interesting.... ;-)
Can't explain that...
The AI was, as I recall, a 7-element non-CRC lens, the AIS an
8-element, with CRC. All non-AI/AI 28mm f2.8's I tried (a LOT
at this point...) have been rather poor at the edges (I still
have at least one...); all the AIS 28mm f2.8's I have tried
have been good over almost the entire frame (short of the corners)
wide open (and better stopped down, of course...!) - I still have
one of these, too (and recently compared it with the 28mm f1.4,
28mm f4PC and 28-70 slower zoom). I can only conclude that the
Nikon info is wrong, or I had a weird-but-large set of odd lenses! ;-)
Try one, and see! ;-).

>I just want to check with you whether your 4.8 rating does apply to the
>AI version.

No!!! ;-)

>The German photozone "cumulative rater" ratings agree with your
>assessment of the 28mm AF (non-D) version as "good-very good", rather
>than "excellent" for the AIS version
>http//www.cmpsolv.com/photozone/resultNikkor.htm
>
>Lot's of other agreements with your assessments
Simon Freidin

We often disagree, too - people have different sets of characteristics
of what they consider important. For me, uniform sharpness within the
frame at the widest reasonable stop is the most important - if a lens
isn't sharp at the stops I want to use, it isn't useful to me no matter
whatever else it does well.