nice pics! why do some people say that the 4/3 is superior to the 4/4?
There are two Nikkor-Q 135/3.5 versions:
The first was one of the original lenses released with the Nikon F in 1959. The optics of this lens were taken directly from the rangefinder version so the optical design goes back to 1950. Early production lenses have 9 aperture blades and the focal length is marked 13.5cm, later changing to 6 aperture blades and 135mm. I don't know much about the performance of this version, it seems to be fairly good, Nikon was certainly happy enough to keep the same optics going in one form or another form for 20 years.
In 1969 the lens was updated. It remains a 4/3 design with a similar arrangement, but is an all-new design and not a modification of the old one. The overall appearance is very similar with the chrome and black barrel, it can be distinguished by the scalloped aperture ring and 7 aperture blades (the older has a finely knurled aperture ring and 6 blades). The aperture blades are curved (similar to the gauss 105/2.5), so when stopped down the opening, while not fully circular, are nicely rounded septagons. The background bokeh is also smooth and sharpness is good (also similar to the 105/2.5), so the rendition is generally beautiful. I regard it as a longer, slower version of the 105/2.5.
The multicoated Nikkor-Q.C was introduced in 1973, now with an all black barrel but otherwise the same optically and mechanically.
The K version was introduced in 1975 with a modern styled barrel but the same optically.
In 1977 the completely revised AI 135/3.5 was introduced. It sports a new 4/4 optical design - very similar to the optics found in the AI 135/2.8, series-E 100/2.8 and series-E 135/2.8. The new lens is smaller and lighter, close focus limit is reduced from 1.5m to 1.3m, and it now has a built-in hood. The focus throw is longer than the pre-AI versions, but only because the focus range is greater, when focused to the same distance the focus throw is actually slightly shorter. It is a good performer, I found this version is very sharp but it lost some of the "roundness" of the previous version.
The AIS version from 1981 has the same optics as the AI version. The built-in hood is a little shorter and does not stay in place as firmly. The focus throw also reduced from 220° to a still respectable 180° (better than the 140° of the AIS 105/2.5). Externally the AIS 135/3.5 looks almost identical to the AIS 105/2.5. Due to the better hood and longer focus throw, I prefer the AI version.