If juju can ...I can ... (Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-s wanted)

Question

Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-s
Sorry guys... bit cheeky I know but I am on a world wide search for a 28mm nikkor lens (see link) and I am hoping some one here may have one of these in a box , in a dark cupboard or somewhere that they will sell me to complete my set of Nikkor lenses for my Letus DOF adapter system.
I promise that anything I shoot with it, I will edit on CS4 Premiere Pro
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28f28ais.htm

Answer 1

Craig,
I have one, but it is pre-AI, and I never made the conversion, even when Nikon was offering it for nearly nothing. IIRC, even places like Marty Fourcher (NYC/USA) cannot get the parts for the conversion now. If mine had been updated, I'd gladly allow you to use it. I'm sure that the diaphram could use some working out. This would be predicated on my finding it amongst my historical stuff!
I'd look to some of the reputable used dealers, like B&H and Calumet. I'll also poke into Tempe Camera (PHX/USA) and see what they have in their used Nikon department. Though PHX is not the largest pro-photo market, Tempe Camera does have some interesting stuff. If I run across one of these, I'll shout at you.
I always thought that the Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 was the sharper, though slightly longer. I used mine with bellows and reversing rings for some good micro shots - until we got the Apo-EL Nikkor 105mm. That was the ultimate, but horribly pricey - ~ US$4k back in 1980 $'s. Still, it was the ultimate. We shot it and also used it for 8 x 10 dupe trans at 1:1. Wide-open, it was the sharpest lens I have ever used. However, as it was produced for NASA and then in very limited quantities, it saw little use in the real world. After about 10 years of service, we sold it for US$3k, so it did have its followers. It was, however NOT a wide-angle, unless you were shooting 4x5, or 8x10. No shutter, so you either used strobe in a dark studio, or the lens cap for a shutter.
If I find your lens, you'll hear about it.
Hunt