Nikkor 135 AF DC f/2 D

[Erik Lund]

Bjørn or Erik,

Have you heard of any info on the improvement of the material of A-M ring?

Sorry I forgot to reply on this one

I have never had any issues with the A-M Ring on any of my lenses, and I still have the 20-35mm 2.8 AF-D and 14mm 2.8 AF-D both working perfectly,,,

Bjørn and many others reporting on cracks and breaking,,, I have only seen this in photos online,,, not on new or used lenses.

I believe there must have been a silent upgrade in material specifications for these rings, they appear to look different, the surface texture changed at some point. But this is just a guess - I believe it can bee seen/deducted from Rolands pages last time I had a look,,,

[Jakov Minić]

I agree with with Erik on every count.
My 85/1.4 D is 12 years old and I haven't encountered difficulties with the A-M ring.
Also, Roland needs to update the serial numbers since my 135 DC goes beyond his listing of 520919, and it's 521117

[Akira]

Erik and Jakov, thanks for sharing your experiences with the A-M rings.  Personally I think I have seen a sample with a cracked ring at a named camera store in Tokyo.

On Roland's website, 135 and 105DCs are the only lenses for which the images of two different samples can be seen.  I cannot detect any differrences.  The newer version looks a bit like CG.

Hope Nikon improved the material or construction to address the issue.

[Roland Vink]

Thanks Jakov, I'm sure all the serial numbers need updating, Nikon keeps making more! But I can only add numbers that I know about
I'll add yours to my database. When did you buy it?

As for the A-M ring, maybe in the cold it becomes brittle or shrinks relative to the barrel so is put under tension and therefore cracks at the weak point near the release button. That might explain why Bjørn has problems with the A-M ring in the Nordic cold, while others in warmer climes are unaffected ??

[Jakov Minić]

According to the 1st page of this thread I received the lens on 13th April

[Roland Vink]

Just refreshed my site, your lens (or the serial number at least) is now world famous

[Jakov Minić]

World famous at last, thanks Roland 

[chambeshi]

Thanks to all for your guidance on the intricacies of this remarkable lens. I have an early pre D model of the 135 f2 DC, and am using it on a D7200. Still much to learn.....

[Jakov Minić]

chambeshi, my name is Jakov. It would be great to know your name. We all like to know with whom we're talking to.
The second to last purple one is nice.

[Michael Erlewine]

Probably of only passing interest, if that, to most. These DC lenses can be stacked with the front of the image defocused AND the rear of the image also defocused.

Then, when the two images are stacked, you get a central image in focus, with both front and rear of the image defocused, as opposed to a linear grading in one direction, as most images demonstrate.

Shot with the Nikon D810 and the 135mm AF DC at f/2, both defocused and pushed as far as possible. You can clearly see this in the photo of the larger (taller) flower that the focus (such as it is) in the lower part of the front center of the flower, and there are defocused areas both in front and behind. Might be useful; might not.

[HCS]

Probably of only passing interest, if that, to most. These DC lenses can be stacked with the front of the image defocused AND the rear of the image also defocused.

Then, when the two images are stacked, you get a central image in focus, with both front and rear of the image defocused, as opposed to a linear grading in one direction, as most images demonstrate.

Shot with the Nikon D810 and the 135mm AF DC at f/2, both defocused and pushed as far as possible. You can clearly see this in the photo of the larger (taller) flower that the focus (such as it is) in the lower part of the front center of the flower, and there are defocused areas both in front and behind. Might be useful; might not.

Seems like a new concept to me, de-focus stacking 

[Jakov Minić]

Micheal I like the concept. Show us some more where the DC is more pronounced, please

[chambeshi]

two recent photos with the 135 f2 DC on moving subjects, a Chinese goose and flock of Indian Runner Ducks

[chambeshi]

One more portrait ISO 200, f6.3 on D7200

[Jakov Minić]

Chambeshi, these are nice portraits