In article <3347387A.6F64@ix.netcom.com>, vpearman@ix.netcom.com says...

>I've been thinking about picking up a Nikon 24mm f/2.8, but
>the AI-S version of this lens runs about $70 more than the
>autofocus lens! Is there that much of a difference in quality
>between the AF and MF (AI-S) versions of this lens? If I can
>use the AF lens in my manual focus Nikons, *and* have the
>additional benefit of being able to use the autofocus in my
>wife's N50, why bother with the MF AI-S lens at all, especially
>when it costs $70 more?

While they have the same optics, one look at them both side-by-side
(plus a little handling of the focus and aperture rings) should
tell you why you may want to spring for the very slightly higher
priced (relative to the difference in build quality and feel) AIS.
You may feel that the trade-off in features/price/build-quality
leads you one way OR the other - but they are different...
Hope This Helps