In article <19970724100501.GAA00888@ladder01.news.aol.com>, camera1234@aol.com says...

>I own a 50mm1.8E that is very sharp no matter what kind of film is used. I
>once read(forget where) that E-series lenses have acrylic elements making
>them lighter. You might want to check that road,too.

Um - the E lenses had all-glass elements, and a couple of the designs
(the 50mm f1.8, and, unfortunately, the one dog in the series, the
28mm f2.8 [since improved in the "D" version]) became AF lenses
(with multicoating added...). The prime E lenses did have a
high percentage of plastic in the barrel construction
(though the zoom barrels were mostly metal, and their glass
was multicoated). In general, the E lenses were excellent, and are
a good buy (if in good condition) for those looking for sharp, compact,
light, and inexpensive lenses for their Nikon systems. The 50mm, 100mm,
135mm, 75-150mm, and 70-210mm (and some samples of the 35mm) are
top-quality optics - and generally very cheap used.
Hope This Helps
(David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether )