On Tue, 21 Jul 1998 21:34:03 GMT, jimmi@mediaone.net (James Martin) wrote:

>I'm new to Nikon camera's, been using Canon the whole time and am
>making the switch to Nikon. My question about Nikon lenses is what
>does the AI, AIS, non-AI stand for when describing the type of
>lens? I know that AF would be Auto-Focus but for the others I'm lost.

The major difference of importance is AI ("Automatic [meter]
Indexing") vs. non-AI - but only since unmodified (about $30...)
non-AI lenses should not be mounted on (most) AI cameras.
How to tell the differences: AI bodies have a tab near the
edge of the bayonette that moves and engages a ridge at the
rear of AI lenses (AI, E, AF, P, I, and S - series lenses
are all AI...); non-AI lenses have a smooth rearward-facing
edge to the aperture ring, but AI lenses have a couple of
rearward extending ridges. BTW, you may find useful my Nikkor
evaluation list, under "I babble" on my web page...