In article <32ccecb6.21978746@news.halcyon.com>, ipscone@halcyon.com says...

>There are many different series types for Nikon lenses.
>Could someone provide a brief description of the types (series E, etc)
>and the advantages of each.

Non-AI (always manual-focus, should not be put on AI-type cameras
[all newer ones] without modifying them to be Automatic Indexing
type [about $30 to have the groove cut in the aperture ring]).

AI (fits all bodies, but some functions may not work on newer bodies).

AIS (same as above, but some extra functions are enabled when used with
a couple of particular bodies - these are the current manual-focus
lenses [though E and AF lenses are also AIS], and generally represent
the peak in optical/mechanical/aesthetic characteristics for Nikkors
[though some pro-grade AF lenses are up there with them, and a few are
even optically superior to the AIS equivalent version]).

E (manual-focus, AIS, cheaper series of lenses [first plastics used in
Nikkor barrels] - the shorter lenses weren't outstanding, but the normal
and longer ones [including the zooms] were).

AF (auto-focus, in three barrel grades: earliest, with thin focus rings,
the current ones with rubber-covered focus rings, and the more pro-grade,
with painted plastic and metal barrels - generally the feel of the focus
and aperture rings, and the appearance of the barrels is inferior to
most of the other Nikkors, but optically they are generally fine lenses).

There are other variations, like the MF P, and AF S and I, but these are
esoteric, expensive lenses...
Basically, in use the only questions that need to be answered are whether
the lens is non-AI or AI, or MF or AF...
Hope This Helps