Nikon* Nikkor* AIS | Frank Titze

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Nikon* Nikkor* AIS

Overview

Nikon Nikkor AI-S lenses are a family of manual-focus lenses for Nikon F-mount cameras. They represent the third major evolution of Nikon's lens mount, following the original F-mount (pre-AI) and the AI (Automatic Indexing) system. The "S" in AI-S stands for "Shutter" or "Linear Diaphragm Control," and it signifies a key improvement that enabled more advanced automatic exposure modes.
Key Characteristics:

Linear Diaphragm Control: This is the most important mechanical difference. The aperture closes in a standardized, linear fashion as the camera's aperture lever moves. This is what enables shutter-priority and program auto-exposure on compatible camera bodies.
Aperture Direct Readout (ADR): Like AI lenses, most AI-S lenses have a second, smaller row of aperture numbers that are visible through a "periscope" window on the camera's prism. This allows the photographer to see the selected aperture in the viewfinder.
"Lens Type Signal" Notch: AI-S lenses have a small, scooped-out notch on the rear of the lens mount. This notch, located near the lens-locking notch, signals to a compatible camera that an AI-S lens is attached, enabling the advanced exposure modes.
Minimum Aperture Color: On many AI-S lenses, the smallest aperture number (e.g., f/16, f/22, f/32) is marked in orange on both the main aperture ring and the ADR scale. This is a common visual cue to distinguish them from earlier AI lenses.
Build Quality: AI-S lenses are known for their superb all-metal construction and smooth, well-damped focusing rings. They represent the pinnacle of Nikon's manual-focus lens engineering.
Film Cameras: AI-S lenses are fully compatible with a wide range of Nikon manual and auto-focus film bodies. They are particularly well-suited for cameras like the Nikon F2, F3, FE2, FM2, FA, F4, F5 and F6. AI-S-Objektive sind vollständig kompatibel mit einer breiten Palette von Nikon-Manuell- und Autofokus-Filmkameras. Besonders geeignet sind sie für Modelle wie Nikon F2, F3, FE2, FM2, FA, F4, F5 und F6.

In summary, while some AI-S lenses had updated optical designs compared to their AI counterparts, many were optically identical, with the key difference being the mechanical linear diaphragm control. Today, many photographers value AI-S lenses for their classic rendering and excellent build quality.
Digital Cameras: On most modern mid and high end Nikon DSLRs cameras like the D2, D3, D4, D5,D6, D800, D810, D850, AI-S lenses work as manual-focus lenses. An den meisten modernen, mittleren und professionellen Nikon-DSLRs – etwa D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D800, D810, D850 – können AI-S-Objektive als manuell zu fokussierende Objektive verwendet werden.

Evaluation

26.08.25

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