Wjpowell wrote in message <19971203154301.KAA25768@ladder02.news.aol.com>...

>How can you tell if a Nikor lense is AI, AIS, Non-AI, modified AI, etc. And
>what about Nikor E-series lenses? I am looking at some used manual focus lenses
>and am unfortunately clueless as to how you tell them apart. What is the
>difference and is one better than the other?


Well, ALL Nikkors are good, so that part's not the problem...;-), ;-), ;-)
(Well, it is *almost* true..., you may want to see my Nikkor evaluation
list on my web page under "I babble". ;-) For most Nikon bodies, the
relevant distinction to be made is between AI (of any sort), or non-AI
- and that is easy. With non-AI lenses, the rear-facing edge of the
diaphragm ring is smooth all the way around; with AI lenses, you will
encounter ridges extending rearward, or a slot cut into the rear of the
aperture ring. Do not attempt to mount a non-AI lens on an AI body
(though the FM, FE, F2A, F2AS, F3, and F4 permit the swinging away of
the body AI tab, allowing non-AI lenses to be fitted and metered by
the stop-down method [the DOF preview button is held down while
metering...]).
Hope This Helps
David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether