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Nikon 135mm f/2.8
NIKKOR AUTO, AI and AI
-s (1976-2005)
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Nikon Nikkor 135mm f/2.8 Ai-s

Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AI-s (52mm filters, 15.2 oz./435g, 4.25'/1.3m close-focus, about $100 used). enlarge. This free website's biggest source of support is when you use any of these links, especially this direct link to this lens at eBay (see How to Win at eBay), when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks! Ken.

April 2013      Nikon Reviews   Nikon Lenses   All Reviews

 

Optics:
Ergonomics: (manual focus)
Usefulness:
Availability:

Overall:

 

See also:

Nikon AF-D 135mm f/2 DC

Nikon 135mm f/2 AI-s

Nikon 135mm f/3.5 AI

 

Sample Images

Pipe, Best Western Casa Grande, Arroyo Grande.

Pipe, Best Western Casa Grande, Arroyo Grande. 3:31 PM, 11 April 2012. bigger. (1977 Nikon EL2, 1990 Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AI-s, Nikon A2 (81A) filter, Fuji Velvia 50, process and scan at NCPS, split-toned print.)

 

Poppies, Montaña de Oro

Poppies, Montaña de Oro, 3:46 PM, 12 April 2013. bigger. (1977 Nikon EL2, 1990 Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AI-s, Nikon A2 (81A) filter, Fuji Velvia 50, f/4 at 1/180, process and scan at NCPS, Perfectly Clear.)

 

Red Fence against Green, San Simeon Creek Road

Red Fence against Green, San Simeon Creek Road, 5:25 PM, 12 April 2013. bigger. (1977 Nikon EL2, 1990 Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AI-s, Nikon A2 (81A) filter, Fuji Velvia 50, f/4 at 1/250 at 1.3 meters, process and scan at NCPS, Perfectly Clear.)

 

Introduction     top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

Adorama pays top dollar for your used gear.

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

I use these stores. I can't vouch for ads below.

This 135mm f/2.8 AI-s offers outstanding optical performance, high speed, exquisite mechanical quality in a tiny and inexpensive package.

This modern classic AI-s lens has been made exactly the same way since about 1983, and for twenty more years before that in different mechanical packages.

You can get them cheap, and even brand new they were very reasonable.

This lens is made to legendary professional mechanical standards, unlike many of today's autofocus lenses.

In the 1960s this used to be the most popular telephoto focal length and speed. Today most people use a zoom instead. The advantage of this lens is the fast f/2.8 speed at a much smaller size and much smaller price than any f/2.8 zoom.

 

Specifications    top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

Five elements in four groups.

15.1-15.3 oz. (430-435g)

Seven-bladed diaphragm stopping down to f/32.

Closest focus 4.5' or 1.3 m.

Takes standard small 52mm filters.

Built-in hood.

It's 2.5" (64mm) around by 3.1" (78mm) long.

 

Performance    top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

It's a great lens.

It's sharp at all apertures in all points of the image.

Its light falloff goes away by f/5.6.

 

Recommendations    top

Intro   Specifications    Performance    Recommendations

Since most people prefer the convenience of a big, heavy, expensive zoom, these lenses are plentiful used today.

Personally I prefer the field of view of an 85mm when it comes to fixed lenses thus I don't own one of these, but let's face it: it's the cheapest way to get f/2.8 in a fixed lens this side of the 180mm or an 80-200 zoom.

This is a great lens and therefore has no flaws to write about. If you want one, buy one. They are all over the place second hand or brand new.

 

Help me help you         top

I support my growing family through this website, as crazy as it might seem.

The biggest help is when you use any of these links when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. It costs you nothing, and is this site's, and thus my family's, biggest source of support. These places have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.

If you find this page as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.

If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!

If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.

As this page is copyrighted and formally registered, it is unlawful to make copies, especially in the form of printouts for personal use. If you wish to make a printout for personal use, you are granted one-time permission only if you PayPal me $5.00 per printout or part thereof. Thank you!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Ken Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.

 

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Aug 2023, April 2013, August 2011