>> Hi-- Here is the latest version of SLE(MN), including what (I hope) is a
>> complete listing of all Nikon SLR lenses ever made (probably forgot a few!):
>
>Hi David,
>
>I included your wonderful SLE into the Nikon FAQ yesterday. A friend of
>mine seem to have a 55/2.8 MF micro Nikkor with exactly the problem you
>describe: the aperture blades run away and I turn the aperture ring in
>vain. Also, you don't seem to have a high opinion of any Nikkor fast
>wide especially 24/2.0, except 35/1.4 and 28/2 which looks pretty good.
>Thank you for your great contributions !
>
Hi-- Thanks for the comments and for including SLE(MN) - (maybe it is time
for a new name?). It seems like close to 100% of the 55mm f2.8's I have seen
have (eventually) developed the oil-on-diaphram-leaves syndrome - maybe it
is my karma.....;-). The 16mm f3.5, 28mm f2.8 AIS, 35mm f1.4, 35mm f2 (good sample), and 35mm f2.8 (late) PC are the only Nikkor wides that I would use
wide-open. Some 28mm f2's are good at f2.8. The rest of the GOOD wides
generally clean up by f5.6, except the 15's, but very slow shutter speeds
are o.k. with the super-wides, so speed is less essential. The 24mm is a
good lens by f5.6, just not wonderful at wide apertures - the point of
spending the bucks on it over the f2.8 is for the (non-existent) advantage
at wider apertures, alas (both lenses are excellent f5.6 and smaller, not
great wider). The 28mm f2 is usually better at f2 than the 24mm f2's.
David