50-135mm f/3.5 Ai-S

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2020/10/14/zoom-nikkor-50-135mm-f-3-5-ai-s/

what a complicated lens

[Jack Dahlgren]

https://richardhaw.com/2020/10/14/zoom-nikkor-50-135mm-f-3-5-ai-s/

what a complicated lens

It was my first zoom! I picked up a copy in Kyoto many years ago.

[John Geerts]

Thanks for the write-up and testing, Rick !!

There is already a special topic for this lens:  https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=1391

I like the lens, but there is some sample variation.

[Birna Rørslett]

I am inclined to believe the bad performance of Rick's sample has a lot to due with it being fungus infected? I used the 50-135 a lot on F4 and D2X and saw only good image quality throughout. Briefly tried with the Df and had the same impression there.

I salute Rick for having the guts to take this lens apart and being able to assemble it into working order again

[Bill De Jager]

I am inclined to believe the bad performance of Rick's sample has a lot to due with it being fungus infected? I used the 50-135 a lot on F4 and D2X and saw only good image quality throughout. Briefly tried with the Df and had the same impression there.

I had good results on a D7000.  Very sharp at distance, though I don't recall how closer distances were.  The 16 MP of the D7000 is almost the same as the 15 MP of the D800/D810 in DX mode, so that's a good result resolution-wise.

[richardHaw]

It was my first zoom! I picked up a copy in Kyoto many years ago.

wow, do you still have it?

[richardHaw]

Thanks for the write-up and testing, Rick !!

There is already a special topic for this lens:  https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=1391

I like the lens, but there is some sample variation.

thank you, i will go there

[richardHaw]

I am inclined to believe the bad performance of Rick's sample has a lot to due with it being fungus infected? I used the 50-135 a lot on F4 and D2X and saw only good image quality throughout. Briefly tried with the Df and had the same impression there.

I salute Rick for having the guts to take this lens apart and being able to assemble it into working order again

yes, this is what I am thinking, too.

the horrible distortion aside, it seems like a fine lens. the CA is kind of high on my sample

[richardHaw]

I had good results on a D7000.  Very sharp at distance, though I don't recall how closer distances were.  The 16 MP of the D7000 is almost the same as the 15 MP of the D800/D810 in DX mode, so that's a good result resolution-wise.

the D7000 served me very well

[Jack Dahlgren]

wow, do you still have it?

Yes I do. Used it on my old fg, then d200, then somewhat on df. Not so much on Z6 as I’ve built up a collection of other lenses.