On Mon, 24 Aug 1998 08:33:57 GMT, nortrade@newmedia.no (Harald Næss) wrote:
>On 18 Aug 1998 07:15:54 GMT, ddchao@garbanzo.engr.ucdavis.edu (David
>Daiwei Chao) wrote:

>>Recently I saw this lens (used) priced for $200. I only took a quick
>>look at it, but as far as I can tell, besides some cosmetic scratches,
>>the lens themselves look fine with no scratches. I'd rank it at least an
>>8 or even 9. I believe it is an AI lens, manual, and comes with front
>>and rear lens caps as well as a metal hood (scratches, no dents).

>I have owned a Nikkor 85/2 AIS and mine was very soft at f2, but very
>good from f5,6 to f11. Best f- stop was 8. I liked tihis lens
>because of the compactness, image quality and 52mm filter size. It
>was traded in for a Tamron AF 90 mm 2,5 SP macro. This particular lens
>is considerable sharper at f2,5 compared to my 85/2 AIS, but the
>difference declines towards f5,6 where they become almost equal.
>
>At last I will second Fred Whitlock's suggestion to check out David
>Ruether's site which I find very valuable.

For those interested, the URL is below - look under "I babble"...;-)
Regarding the 85mm f2, I have seen several that were quite good
(sharp to the corners at f2), but others report seeing samples that
are less good (note my comments in the Nikon list about performance
of the 85mm f2 near minimum focus - this may be the source of the
different reportings...). For me it is my favorite short tele - fast
and sharp enough to use indoors, and very compact and light (I carry
the f1.4 only when I know I will need the extra speed).