From 1959 · Flange 46.5 mm
Nikon F (AI / AI-S) lenses
Nikon's F mount arrived on the Nikon F in 1959, a three-lug bayonet with a 44mm throat, and Nikon kept it on its SLRs into the digital era. The lenses in our catalog are manual-focus AI and AI-S Nikkors. AI, from 1977, added a ridge on the aperture ring that tells the body the f-stop. AI-S, from 1981, standardized the aperture's travel for shutter-priority and program cameras. Earlier pre-AI lenses mount the same way but couple to the meter with a prong.
Adapting Nikon F lenses
Manual Nikkors have their own aperture ring, so a plain F-mount adapter only has to hold the lens. Nikon's own FTZ and FTZ II take AI and AI-S lenses on Z bodies with metering and in-body stabilization. Nikon lists non-AI lenses as unusable on them and warns that forcing one on can damage the adapter or the lens. Check the photos for the AI ridge on the aperture ring, or for an AI conversion, before you buy one for an FTZ.
10 lenses we cover.
- 50mm f/2
Helios & Industar · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Helios 81N 50mm f/2
$100–$130 typical ask
17 on eBay
- 28mm f/2.8
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AI-S
From 1981
$430–$600 typical ask
92 on eBay
- 35mm f/2
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 35mm f/2 AI-S
1981–2005
$310–$440 typical ask
67 on eBay
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI
1977–1981
$120–$180 typical ask
29 on eBay
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI-S
1980–2005
$170–$260 typical ask
191 on eBay
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 85mm f/2 AI
1977–1981
$210–$310 typical ask
81 on eBay
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AI
1977–1981
$270–$340 typical ask
62 on eBay
- 135mm f/2.8
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 135mm f/2.8 AI-S
1981–2005
$150–$250 typical ask
94 on eBay
- 180mm f/2.8
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S
1981–2005
$280–$380 typical ask
129 on eBay
- 200mm f/4
Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S)
Nikkor 200mm f/4 AI-S
1981–1996
$100–$160 typical ask
55 on eBay
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