Evin Grant
02-02-2007, 04:56 PM
Nikon 135mm f2 (AI,AIS)
http://www.keh.com/ProductImages/fullSize/NK06000079500.jpg
History:
This Nikkor was first introduced in 1976 and was an instant hit. It's quality was such that the design has not changed at all in the last thirty years.
Sharpness set at 10% in Adobe ACR.
All photos taken with a Nikon D2x and cropped to apropriate Red 4K equiv. Analysis photos at 100%.
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/jpgs/135mmf2WCU.jpg
Performance:
This lens truly lives up to its reputation. There is barely any improvement
from f2 to f8 at 10ft. Micro contrast increases slightly but over all detail is exemplary even at f2.
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/jpgs/135f2CU100%.jpg
This lens is great even at it's worst, infinity poses some tougher issues where chromatic abberation effects performance wide open, however there still is a lot of resolution even if micro contrast is being affected.
Things get much better stopping down, even at f2.8. By f4 there's no complaints at all.
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/jpgs/135f2W100%.jpg
Breathing:
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/135f2breathetest.gif
This lens does show a considerable amount of breathing, again not unexpected for a 35mm sill lens. Overall I do not consider this a major issue considering this lenses price/performance ratio.
Bokeh:
One word... Gorgeous. The nine bladed diaphram makes the background just blend into lovely soup, a real classic!
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/135f2bokehteast.gif
Build and adaptability to cinema shooting:
This is a heavy, all metal beast that can take whatever you can throw at it. Many of these lenses have been adapted for cinema by Century optics and Samcine by doing nothing more than replacing the mount and adding a focus gear. The focus draw is very long on all versions and the distance scale is dead on accurate.
Application:
Any close up or long shot is a perfect use for this lens, my only reservation would be using it wide open in bright daylight, which is not really ever necessary, f2.8 will give almost exactly the same DOF and much better CA control. However for dimly lit scenes feel free to shoot WFO as much as you like, this lens will not dissapoint.
Price/Value:
These lenses go between $300-$500 used depending on condition and boy is it a steal compared to other similar lenses. I would highly recomend this lens over the more common f2.8 version which at $150 is cheaper but definately a lesser performer.
Uncompressed Tiffs, 27MB each (Please be patient)
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf2.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf2.8.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf4.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf8.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2Wf2.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2Wf2.8.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2Wf4.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf8.tif
http://www.keh.com/ProductImages/fullSize/NK06000079500.jpg
History:
This Nikkor was first introduced in 1976 and was an instant hit. It's quality was such that the design has not changed at all in the last thirty years.
Sharpness set at 10% in Adobe ACR.
All photos taken with a Nikon D2x and cropped to apropriate Red 4K equiv. Analysis photos at 100%.
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/jpgs/135mmf2WCU.jpg
Performance:
This lens truly lives up to its reputation. There is barely any improvement
from f2 to f8 at 10ft. Micro contrast increases slightly but over all detail is exemplary even at f2.
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/jpgs/135f2CU100%.jpg
This lens is great even at it's worst, infinity poses some tougher issues where chromatic abberation effects performance wide open, however there still is a lot of resolution even if micro contrast is being affected.
Things get much better stopping down, even at f2.8. By f4 there's no complaints at all.
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/jpgs/135f2W100%.jpg
Breathing:
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/135f2breathetest.gif
This lens does show a considerable amount of breathing, again not unexpected for a 35mm sill lens. Overall I do not consider this a major issue considering this lenses price/performance ratio.
Bokeh:
One word... Gorgeous. The nine bladed diaphram makes the background just blend into lovely soup, a real classic!
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/135f2bokehteast.gif
Build and adaptability to cinema shooting:
This is a heavy, all metal beast that can take whatever you can throw at it. Many of these lenses have been adapted for cinema by Century optics and Samcine by doing nothing more than replacing the mount and adding a focus gear. The focus draw is very long on all versions and the distance scale is dead on accurate.
Application:
Any close up or long shot is a perfect use for this lens, my only reservation would be using it wide open in bright daylight, which is not really ever necessary, f2.8 will give almost exactly the same DOF and much better CA control. However for dimly lit scenes feel free to shoot WFO as much as you like, this lens will not dissapoint.
Price/Value:
These lenses go between $300-$500 used depending on condition and boy is it a steal compared to other similar lenses. I would highly recomend this lens over the more common f2.8 version which at $150 is cheaper but definately a lesser performer.
Uncompressed Tiffs, 27MB each (Please be patient)
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf2.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf2.8.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf4.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf8.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2Wf2.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2Wf2.8.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2Wf4.tif
http://www.reduser.net/evin/nikon135mmf2/tiffs/135mmf2CUf8.tif