NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Lumens Pixel on May 02, 2026, 15:44:44

Title: Nikon AI 135 3,5
Post by: Lumens Pixel on May 02, 2026, 15:44:44

This is not a star. It is modest, humble and can be bought for next to nothing. No hype for sure.

It does nothing wrong. No defects, no "character". Perhaps a precursor of modern lenses. But there is no bad 135mm, right?

So it is a honest and straight lens. Size and weight are just perfect for someone like me who does not want to get embarrassed with gear.

My only problem with this lens? I do not grab it often enough for a sortie. But when I do, I never regret.


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55244099508_e8489a5f98_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2saJs7h)Portrait | Parc de Saint-Cloud (https://flic.kr/p/2saJs7h) by lumens pixel (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lumens_pixel/), sur Flickr


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54927772021_a10eec24cb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rFMbY6)Dieu de la Seine | Château de Versailles (https://flic.kr/p/2rFMbY6) by lumens pixel (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lumens_pixel/), sur Flickr

Title: Re: Nikon AI 135 3,5
Post by: David H. Hartman on May 03, 2026, 01:09:16

Many years ago the only lens longer than a 105/2.5 Nikkor that I could afford was a 135/3.5 Nikkor. I bought it in winter and before I got home the sun had set. I set up a tripod and took a 7 minute exposure at f/5.6. I could not believe how bitingly sharp that lens was in the absents of camera vibration and movement. The 135/3.5 Nikkor is a sleeper.

Dave

In the absence of VR forget the 1/focal length rule. It's probably only good for 3x5" prints.

Title: Re: Nikon AI 135 3,5
Post by: pluton on May 03, 2026, 07:35:35

I often take my copy, which has the highest--presumably the last--serial number for this model on Roland's site, with me when i want tele but minimal weight.  The very slight bluish haze that appears at full aperture disappears at about 1/2 stop down from wide open.  This shot was at f/5.6 or f/8.  Alas, the EXIF doesn't record the aperture.

Title: Re: Nikon AI 135 3,5
Post by: ggoodes on May 03, 2026, 13:22:13

Quote from: pluton on Today at 07:35:35

I often take my copy, which has the highest--presumably the last--serial number for this model on Roland's site, with me when i want tele but minimal weight.  The very slight bluish haze that appears at full aperture disappears at about 1/2 stop down from wide open.

Hah, another person who is honoured to be on Roland's serial-number page!  I have the earliest Canadian Df and Japanese 18/2.8D, which I get a kick out of when I visit Roland's site.  Incredibly useful resource BTW, especially when looking for a specific version of a lens (helped me buy my factory AI'ed 105/2.5 P "Sonnar" and Bellows-Nikkor 105/4).

I'm not a 135mm shooter, but it looks like the 135/3.5 is a really nice lens and very compact which is an attribute I value very highly when choosing a lens.

Title: Re: Nikon AI 135 3,5
Post by: MEPER on May 03, 2026, 14:32:51

This is the Nikkor 135/3.5 Q.C used on a D5200 body some years back.
I can't remember the aperture but probably stopped down a bit.
It was quite hard to get 100% accurate focus where you wanted it.
A 1900 pixel image and a 100% crop is attached.
A very small about of USM applied in NX studio (set to 2).
And yes, quality for the money is high.