Nice video! I love this lens. Got two copies of the 3.5 which I paid €69.00 (!) each in mint condition. I'm quite pleased with the results on my D700 and D750. Beautiful natural colours and contrast, smooth bokeh. It renders also gorgeous black and white images with a sort of retro look... The size makes it easy to throw in the bag and the build quality is simply spectacular. The built in hood is so practical. Wish it was available also on modern lenses.
Good Advice Nikon lenses from this period are great value premium lenses. I miss the fantastic ergonomics feel and mechanics of lenses like this. And I miss most of my filters being the same 52mm...
I've had the f3.5 Ais version for a 2 or 3 years and it's one of my favourites. At £99 UK, I was really taken by surprise at how good every aspect of its images look. Use it wide open or f4, (pretty close) on a good tripod with a good ball head. Slacken off the ball tension slightly so you can move the camera a little to keep your foucs point on the eye - and it is easy to get super sharp eyes.
I've have 135/2.8 AI (5-elements) and used to have the massive 135/2.8 pre-AI (4-elements). Pre-AI had good center sharpness but I think the contrast depth is better on the AI. The AI version can easily out-resolve my 24mp FX sensor. I now adapt it to Fuji for a 200mm equivalent and have done headshots and some birding with it.
I'm not doubting your statement as to out-resolving your 24 MP sensor; I'm merely curious about how you arrived at that conclusion. Ken Rockwell states that the legendary (and masterpiece of construction) AI-s ED Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 outresolves even 50 MP sensors. And BTW, I own that lens, and it's a stunning thing to behold, both in its exquisite build quality, and in its incredible image rendering.
@@AntPDC Some time ago I shot a still life at about 3-4 meters distance and on pixel peeping the image it I noticed a strand of hair catching the light (a specular highlight) that was in critical focus. When I zoomed in the hair became pixelated before it became soft, undefined or had any chromatic aberration from the optic itself. I've always wanted the 180/2.8 ED myself.
I have the f2.8 version. Great lens. There is plenty of blur even at f/5.6 with this lens, due to the focal length, so I would not worry much about the f/3.5 being much different.
I have the older 135mm 3.5 Q lens (AI converted but not Nikon conversion) , the lens was on ebay UK at £10.50 starting bid and I won with a £20 bid. When it arrived it had the original clip on metal lens hood (not pictured on listing) and works great on dx &fx , the image quality is excellent and is the lens I use when shooting in to the light as it handles flare better than any of my other lenses. I had a minolta 135mm 2.8 mc when I used film and it was my reason to buy the nikon .
I will have to pick one of these up I love the image quality of these vintage lenses, I own a lot of Zeus s glass but still have these ais lenses glued to my z camera. I have a question I bought a mint 200f4 ais and am not sure how much more stiff then the smaller lenses the focus should be but finding it to be a pain maybe 4x stiffer then my 105mm f2.5 Is there anyway that I could tell if this is normal or just stiffer old grease .?
Fine presentation/good info. Thinking of getting 135/3.5 to complement my 50’ s. However, am total beginner with longer lens use so have question about the 135 length. Is OK handheld or tripod in order? Thanks.
Probably a little less sharp wide open especially on the older non ai Lens . Make sure when you test be on a tripod !! Remove all doubt of camera shake. Careful focus . Good luck !!!
I got my 135 f/2.8 together with an FM2 for 200 Euros. Both in mint condition. Was really suprised what build quality those real Nikkors had in comparison to the Series E lenses. Would not have said no to the f/3.5 either. I really like compact and (relatively) light lenses. Now that I have a 50, 105 and 135mm lens I consider updating my collection with a versatile and not too expensive wide angle lens. Any suggestions?
The best value wide angle lens is the Nikkor 28mm f/3.5. I'm very pleased with mine and I'll probably be doing a video about it soon. If money is not a problem, then I would go for the 24mm f/2 AI or AIS.
@@BriansPhotoShow Thank you for your answer! I am a bit budget-sensitive. Many of the Nikkor-primes are very pricy here in Germany. So maybe the 28mm is a good option. 24mm is probably too wide for my taste.
own it and use it in studio the past 3 years .... it is so good i just bought a backup the 3.5 has only four element so less glass than 2.8 and thus a little more micro-contrast in studio i dont need f2.8 i shoot mostly at f8 .... the best apperture for this lens is 5.6 f8
@@Snikkelbek lol havent realised i have been using that lens for so long i shoot film on the nikon f5 now, guess what lens i am still using after all this time in the studio ... these are made to last many generation and i am not even sure what lens is a worthy replacement i havent found anything so far maybe the 135mm f2dc but only for outdoor only not in the studio
@@GilbertCarosinPhotographywell, that’s a great lens, if you need the convenience of AF and the extra speed, but the Nikkor is incredibly good @ f/3.5 i find.
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Nice! I used this lens for many years and at the time this 135/3.5 maybe was the best in its class. Super performance even at full aperture.
Thanks for the review.
I have the Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 and the Nikkor 135mm f/2. Love them both.
I use them for reportage, portraits, and sports.
Just picked up a 135mm f3.5 AI for $90. Fantastic lens. Appreciate your video on AI vs AIS. Definitely saved me some money.
Nice video! I love this lens.
Got two copies of the 3.5 which I paid €69.00 (!) each in mint condition. I'm quite pleased with the results on my D700 and D750. Beautiful natural colours and contrast, smooth bokeh. It renders also gorgeous black and white images with a sort of retro look... The size makes it easy to throw in the bag and the build quality is simply spectacular. The built in hood is so practical. Wish it was available also on modern lenses.
Yes, I've always found it odd that nobody is making autofocus 135mm prime lenses.
@@BriansPhotoShow there are the Sigma 135 1.8 art and the older Nikkor 135 f2 DC. Beautiful beasts but much bigger, heavier and expensive
@@BriansPhotoShow that is the marketing ploy to sell lotsa zooms
A cracking lens indeed! Some might value the 2/3rds of a stop extra with the f/2.8 no doubt.
Hey it doesn't look like you ever made the 2.8 review video. Any chance that still coming? Love your content!
Good Advice
Nikon lenses from this period are great value premium lenses.
I miss the fantastic ergonomics feel and mechanics of lenses like this.
And I miss most of my filters being the same 52mm...
Agreed one hundred percent.
I've had the f3.5 Ais version for a 2 or 3 years and it's one of my favourites. At £99 UK, I was really taken by surprise at how good every aspect of its images look. Use it wide open or f4, (pretty close) on a good tripod with a good ball head. Slacken off the ball tension slightly so you can move the camera a little to keep your foucs point on the eye - and it is easy to get super sharp eyes.
I've have 135/2.8 AI (5-elements) and used to have the massive 135/2.8 pre-AI (4-elements). Pre-AI had good center sharpness but I think the contrast depth is better on the AI.
The AI version can easily out-resolve my 24mp FX sensor. I now adapt it to Fuji for a 200mm equivalent and have done headshots and some birding with it.
I'm not doubting your statement as to out-resolving your 24 MP sensor; I'm merely curious about how you arrived at that conclusion. Ken Rockwell states that the legendary (and masterpiece of construction) AI-s ED Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 outresolves even 50 MP sensors. And BTW, I own that lens, and it's a stunning thing to behold, both in its exquisite build quality, and in its incredible image rendering.
@@AntPDC Some time ago I shot a still life at about 3-4 meters distance and on pixel peeping the image it I noticed a strand of hair catching the light (a specular highlight) that was in critical focus. When I zoomed in the hair became pixelated before it became soft, undefined or had any chromatic aberration from the optic itself.
I've always wanted the 180/2.8 ED myself.
I have the f2.8 version. Great lens. There is plenty of blur even at f/5.6 with this lens, due to the focal length, so I would not worry much about the f/3.5 being much different.
Yes, agreed.
I know his is on old video, but I need to respond. Laughed out loud at the 3 subjects necessary for a lens review. Thank you for welcomed little lift.
I promised myself I wasn't going to buy another 135! I have the q. Love those built in hoods.
I have the older 135mm 3.5 Q lens (AI converted but not Nikon conversion) , the lens was on ebay UK at £10.50 starting bid and I won with a £20 bid.
When it arrived it had the original clip on metal lens hood (not pictured on listing) and works great on dx &fx , the image quality is excellent and is the lens I use when shooting in to the light as it handles flare better than any of my other lenses.
I had a minolta 135mm 2.8 mc when I used film and it was my reason to buy the nikon .
I've got a Nikkor 135mm f3.5 and I'm very happy using it with my Nikon DF. Also happy with my 100mm f2.8 E Series.
Yes, both of those lenses work quite well on digital bodies.
Another question. Do you have a feel for how this 3.5 works with split prism finders like on FM/FE? Concerned about blackout. Thanks.
Yes, that can be an issue though it varies by lighting and camera angle. Often one half will darken but not totally black out.
I will have to pick one of these up I love the image quality of these vintage lenses, I own a lot of Zeus s glass but still have these ais lenses glued to my z camera. I have a question I bought a mint 200f4 ais and am not sure how much more stiff then the smaller lenses the focus should be but finding it to be a pain maybe 4x stiffer then my 105mm f2.5 Is there anyway that I could tell if this is normal or just stiffer old grease .?
sounds like stiff old grease to me
Fine presentation/good info. Thinking of getting 135/3.5 to complement my 50’ s. However, am total beginner with longer lens use so have question about the 135 length. Is OK handheld or tripod in order? Thanks.
I hand hold 135s all the time. At 1/250 or above I have no problem.
Hello Sir
can I use in nikon dslr directly without adapter?
Hi Brian, I just got mine yesterday. 135mm f3.5 AI, about 50$, just tested, mine is not sharp at wide open, f3.5, is it bad copy?
Probably a little less sharp wide open especially on the older non ai Lens .
Make sure when you test be on a tripod !!
Remove all doubt of camera shake.
Careful focus .
Good luck !!!
can i use ai series for example nikon D700 or D300?
My 135 Zeis lens for my Contax lla is a sonar. Hard to beat that formula.
I got my 135 f/2.8 together with an FM2 for 200 Euros. Both in mint condition. Was really suprised what build quality those real Nikkors had in comparison to the Series E lenses.
Would not have said no to the f/3.5 either. I really like compact and (relatively) light lenses.
Now that I have a 50, 105 and 135mm lens I consider updating my collection with a versatile and not too expensive wide angle lens. Any suggestions?
The best value wide angle lens is the Nikkor 28mm f/3.5. I'm very pleased with mine and I'll probably be doing a video about it soon. If money is not a problem, then I would go for the 24mm f/2 AI or AIS.
@@BriansPhotoShow Thank you for your answer! I am a bit budget-sensitive. Many of the Nikkor-primes are very pricy here in Germany. So maybe the 28mm is a good option. 24mm is probably too wide for my taste.
Helow ..can i use ai lens on my nikon d750
Yes. Check the manual for use of "non-CPU lenses".
Hey Brian have ever tried the 135mm f2?
The f/2 version is twice the weight of the f/2.8 version. For me, the one extra stop just isn't worth the size and expense.
Great! I just ordered this lens from ebay :)
You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!
own it and use it in studio the past 3 years .... it is so good i just bought a backup the 3.5 has only four element so less glass than 2.8 and thus a little more micro-contrast in studio i dont need f2.8 i shoot mostly at f8 .... the best apperture for this lens is 5.6 f8
The F/3.5 has better contrast indeed, and in fact, better resolution as well (corners).
@@Snikkelbek lol havent realised i have been using that lens for so long i shoot film on the nikon f5 now, guess what lens i am still using after all this time in the studio ... these are made to last many generation and i am not even sure what lens is a worthy replacement i havent found anything so far maybe the 135mm f2dc but only for outdoor only not in the studio
@@GilbertCarosinPhotographywell, that’s a great lens, if you need the convenience of AF and the extra speed, but the Nikkor is incredibly good @ f/3.5 i find.