I have seen this topic come up several times. In each and every case, people who have tested the same lens, side by side report either no difference, or that the MIJ is better optically. For example, see Sandy Hancock's post. I haven't seen one single instance where the AIV was considered superior.
There are also always many people who have only had one, who either claim it does or does not make a difference, or claim whichever they have is superior, but with no basis in fact. As for me, I went with a low serial number 43 (mine is in the 600's). Just added a low # 77 to the collection just to be the same. Is it better? I don't know, but I did what I did because I can.
Originally posted by Sandy Hancock My FA43 has a very early serial number (in the 2000's),
Sandy, some of us wouldn't consider 2k to be a "very low" serial number! (LOL)