Nikon 135mm f/3.5 Classic lens

The Nikon 135mm f/3.5 Classic Lens is a true gem in the world of vintage photography. Renowned for its exceptional optical quality, this lens is favored by photographers who appreciate the nostalgic appeal of film and manual photography. The compact, lightweight design makes it an excellent choice for both casual and professional photographers seeking a classic telephoto experience.

With its 135mm focal length, the lens is versatile enough to handle a variety of shooting scenarios. Whether you're capturing portraits, distant subjects, or nature photography, the Nikon 135mm f/3.5 provides an excellent balance of sharpness, bokeh, and ease of use.

This manual focus lens, originally designed for film cameras, still delivers outstanding results when adapted for digital mirrorless or DSLR bodies. It's a perfect choice for those who love the tactile experience of manual focus, and for those looking to add a vintage lens to their modern setups.

Features of the Nikon 135mm f/3.5 Classic Lens

1. Compact and Lightweight Design The Nikon 135mm f/3.5 lens is compact for its focal length, measuring just 2.5 inches in length and weighing approximately 250 grams. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry and perfect for travel, street photography, or casual outdoor shoots.
   
2. Sharp Optics The lens is known for producing sharp, contrast-rich images with excellent clarity. The 135mm focal length allows for beautiful subject isolation, producing excellent background blur (bokeh). The sharpness across the frame ensures detailed captures, whether you’re shooting portraits or distant objects.
   
3. Wide Aperture Range With an aperture range of f/3.5 to f/22, the lens offers good light-gathering ability for low-light conditions, while the smaller aperture settings allow for greater depth of field control in bright conditions.
   
4. Manual Focus The Nikon 135mm f/3.5 features a manual focus system that gives photographers full control over their compositions. Although this requires more time and skill than autofocus, it is highly rewarding for photographers who appreciate the creative process of focusing manually.
   
5. Close Focus Distance With a minimum focusing distance of approximately 1.5 meters, the lens offers good close-up capabilities, allowing you to photograph objects with intricate details, even at a distance.
   
6. Vintage Aesthetic This lens boasts a classic design, with a smooth metal focus ring that’s easy to handle and gives a satisfying manual feel. It’s the kind of lens that appeals to purists who appreciate the tactile experience of using mechanical devices.
   
7. Compatibility The Nikon 135mm f/3.5 lens is compatible with a wide range of Nikon cameras, including manual film SLRs and DSLR models. It can also be adapted for modern mirrorless cameras, making it a versatile choice for users who want to incorporate vintage glass into their digital setups.
   

Performance in Photography

• Portrait Photography The 135mm focal length is ideal for portraiture, offering a flattering perspective and excellent subject isolation. The lens’s soft, creamy bokeh helps to blur the background and create a pleasing separation between the subject and the surroundings. The wide aperture of f/3.5 allows for a shallow depth of field, perfect for traditional portrait shots.
  
• Nature and Wildlife Photography The reach of the 135mm lens is perfect for photographing wildlife and nature, allowing you to capture animals and distant objects without disturbing them. The lens excels at isolating your subject from the background, even in busy or cluttered natural environments.
  
• Street and Documentary Photography The compact size and lightweight design of the Nikon 135mm f/3.5 make it an excellent choice for street and documentary photographers who need a portable telephoto lens. While it may not be as discreet as smaller prime lenses, the 135mm focal length is perfect for capturing candid moments from a distance.
  
• Sports Photography Although not a fast lens by modern standards, the Nikon 135mm f/3.5 can still be used for sports photography, particularly in outdoor settings with good lighting. The reach of the lens allows for dynamic shots from the sidelines or stands.
  

Using the Nikon 135mm f/3.5 on Digital Cameras

The Nikon 135mm f/3.5 is originally designed for film cameras, but with the right lens adapter, it can easily be mounted on modern digital DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. This opens up the door to a world of possibilities for those who want to experience vintage optics while using modern technology.

When using the lens on a DSLR, you’ll need to focus manually, which can slow down your workflow but also gives you more control over focus. On digital cameras, you’ll experience no autofocus, so shooting quickly may require practice. However, once you get accustomed to using manual focus, you'll appreciate the precision it offers.

If you're using the lens on a mirrorless camera with focus peaking, the process becomes much easier. Focus peaking highlights the areas of your image that are in focus, making manual focusing faster and more accurate.

Conclusion: A Vintage Lens for Modern Photographers

The Nikon 135mm f/3.5 Classic Lens is a fantastic lens for those seeking excellent image quality and a classic photographic experience. Its compact size, sharp optics, and manual focus control make it an excellent choice for those who want to slow down and enjoy the art of photography. Whether you're shooting portraits, nature, or urban environments, the Nikon 135mm f/3.5 will add a timeless, professional touch to your work.

If you're a photographer in New Zealand looking for a lens with rich history and exceptional optical performance, the Nikon 135mm f/3.5 is definitely worth considering. Ideal for both film and digital cameras, it brings a classic touch to modern photography.

Description

Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 manual focus lens in excellent condition. Both the glass and the body of this lens are in fantastic condition. The focus action is exceptionally smooth. It comes with the original Nikon metal lens hood. Selling as I am divesting myself of Nikon equipment. See my other listings for other Nikon lenses.