I took the chance and ordered a 135mm Plena from one if these "funny" companies.
I ordered from CostworldsCameras EU at around 1759 Euro which is a good price here in Denmark.

Here's the worldwide link
(it's Cotswold Cameras)

I live just a few miles away from them. I don't think I've bought from them, but I seem to remember them being long established in the UK

"We are proud of our strong connections to the beautiful Cotswolds with our office in Cheltenham and staff in Cirencester"

https://www.cotswoldcameras.com/Nikon-NIKKOR-Z-135mm-f-18-S-Plena-Lens

Gribskov forrest & Nikon Coolpix P50

Forest road


Fujifilm E900

Very nice images and good BW conversion. With MF lenses on digital it can be a challenge to hit exact focus where it should be.

The gritty focus I am quite sure it is because Nikon uses pure aluminium helicoids. When grease dries out it is more and more alu against alu which will destroy its other over time (helicoid slack will occur). Lens needs a CLA and it will be fine again (re-grease). Other brands uses either alu against brass which has a self-lubricating effect. Also brass against brass has lower friction than alu against alu. There are a few old Nikkors that uses brass helicoids but not the Nikkor-F and up (as far as I know). New MF Nikkors or re-greased was known to have a very easy moving MF focus where other brands were more "heavy" moving. I think that was by purpose by Nikon to be able to focus very fast when used for action shots. Also the aperture ring was easy to move (a bended flat-spring was used instead of a steel ball to implement the click stops). Spring loaded steel ball usually feels nicer but bended flat-spring usually makes it faster to move (my own subjective experience).

Yes certainly alu helicoids. I must say I prefer Canon and Minolta implementation of the helicoids since they fare better in time.

I have from time to time opened simple lenses to clean a glass element. But I often chicken doing so because of some memorable failures. I have never re-greased helicoids and this is certainly an error. Of course you can always find a professional to do the job. But I have the souvenir of a well reputed pro that fogged a Canon nFD 28 2,0 after servicing, probably due to excessive or incorrect grease.

In addition most of my lenses have been bought quite cheap and it does not make sense economically to service them rather than buying another sample. I hate writing that because I feel a kind of attachment to lenses that serve me well but that remains a reality.

I have a look from time to time to videos showing the greasing process but stubbornly pass on them. I should not.

Colin just stole my words

Great shots. My favourite is "chez le tailleur (1)".

Glad you liked it!