Nikon PC-E 45/2.8 D E on Nikon D700 — build quality

Following up on my previous report, reader Peter D reports using a dial gauge to measure the gap on his PC-E 45/2.8D ED at 0.12mm, which sounds small, but is still substantial in optical terms. I’m told that this is termed “piss poor” Down Under.

Both Peter and I have low serial number units, mine in the 400's and his in the 700's. Perhaps the really bad cases are with the earliest builds? So far, the sample size is too small to say. If you have any Nikon PC-E lens, please estimate the gap and send that and the focal length and serial number to me, and we’ll see if we can establish a pattern.

Full rise on the Nikon D700 with the PC-E 45/2.8D ED