Image quality? No real improvement, although certain Nikon legends were
never brought over to AF (and some, such as the 180mm, were apparently
improved on).

Clarification- the 180mm was improved on in the transition to AF, which
should indicate that manual focus lenses, despite their many merits, aren't
always top of the tree.

--
Martin Francis http://www.sixbysix.co.uk
"Go not to Usenet for counsel, for it will say both no, and yes, and
no, and yes...."