Nikon 135 f2 8 ais – The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS, a lens born in the golden age of film photography, continues to captivate photographers with its timeless charm and exceptional performance. Introduced in the 1970s, this telephoto lens quickly became a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike, renowned for its sharp optics, creamy bokeh, and robust build quality.
It’s a testament to Nikon’s legacy of crafting lenses that stand the test of time, seamlessly blending classic design with cutting-edge technology.
The 135mm f/2.8 AIS boasts a sophisticated optical design featuring six elements in five groups, including a floating element for enhanced sharpness across the aperture range. This intricate construction results in exceptional image quality, characterized by crisp detail, pleasing color rendition, and minimal distortion.
The lens’s maximum aperture of f/2.8 provides ample light-gathering capabilities, making it ideal for low-light photography and achieving shallow depth of field for captivating portraits.
Introduction to the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS Lens
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is a classic telephoto lens that has been a favorite of photographers for decades. It was introduced in 1977 and quickly gained a reputation for its excellent image quality and versatility. The lens is known for its sharp images, pleasing bokeh, and ability to handle a wide range of subjects.
Key Features of the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS Lens
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens features a robust construction with a metal body and a chrome finish. Its optical design consists of 8 elements in 6 groups, including a floating element that helps to maintain sharpness throughout the focusing range.
The lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and a minimum aperture of f/22. It accepts 67mm filters and is compatible with Nikon F-mount cameras.
Intended Use and Strengths
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is a versatile lens that can be used for a variety of photographic applications. It is particularly well-suited for portrait photography, thanks to its pleasing bokeh and ability to render subjects with a flattering soft focus.
Its telephoto focal length allows photographers to capture subjects from a distance, while its fast aperture allows for shallow depth of field and low-light shooting. The lens is also a popular choice for sports photography, wildlife photography, and landscape photography.
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens, a classic example of optical excellence, boasts a reputation for sharp, detailed images and a smooth, creamy bokeh. Its ability to capture both crisp detail and pleasing blur has made it a favorite among photographers seeking that signature “film look.” For those interested in exploring the capabilities of compact cameras, the Fujifilm X10 sample images offer a glimpse into the impressive image quality achievable in a smaller format.
While the X10 utilizes a different sensor and lens system, it shares a similar focus on delivering high-quality images with a vintage aesthetic, making it a compelling alternative for photographers who value portability without compromising on image quality. The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS, with its timeless design and exceptional performance, remains a coveted lens for photographers seeking to capture the world with clarity and artistic flair.
Optical Design and Performance
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens features a classic optical design that has been praised for its sharpness and contrast. The lens is known for producing sharp images throughout the frame, even at wide apertures. The lens also exhibits excellent color rendition and minimal distortion.
The lens is particularly well-known for its pleasing bokeh, which is characterized by its smooth, creamy quality.
Aperture Range and Performance
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens offers a wide aperture range of f/2.8 to f/22. This allows photographers to control the depth of field and create different effects in their images. At wider apertures, the lens produces a shallow depth of field, which can be used to isolate subjects from the background and create a sense of depth.
At narrower apertures, the lens produces a deeper depth of field, which can be used to capture more of the scene in focus. The lens’s wide aperture also allows for low-light shooting, making it suitable for a variety of situations.
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens, with its classic design and sharp optics, is a timeless favorite for portrait photographers. Its smooth bokeh and ability to capture the nuances of light make it a powerful tool for capturing the human form.
If you’re looking for a camera to complement this lens and explore video, a good Canon DSLR like those found on this website could be a great choice. The combination of a sharp lens like the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS and a capable Canon DSLR can unlock a world of creative possibilities, from stunning portraits to cinematic video footage.
Optical Performance of the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS Lens
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is renowned for its exceptional optical performance, particularly in its ability to produce sharp and detailed images with a pleasing rendition of out-of-focus areas. This lens has consistently impressed photographers across various genres, from portraiture to landscape, for its ability to capture the essence of a scene with clarity and character.
Sharpness and Image Quality
The sharpness of the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is a testament to its well-designed optical formula. It delivers remarkable sharpness across the entire frame, even at its widest aperture of f/2.8. As the aperture is stopped down, the sharpness further increases, reaching its peak at around f/8.
This consistent sharpness makes it an ideal choice for photographers who demand the utmost detail in their images.
The lens’s sharpness can be attributed to the use of six elements in five groups, including a special low-dispersion glass element to minimize chromatic aberration.
The lens exhibits minimal distortion, making it well-suited for architectural photography and other applications where straight lines are critical. The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens also demonstrates excellent control over chromatic aberration, particularly in the corners of the frame, ensuring accurate color reproduction even at wide apertures.
Bokeh Characteristics
The bokeh, or out-of-focus rendering, of the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is a key aspect of its appeal. The lens produces a smooth and pleasing bokeh, characterized by its gentle and creamy transitions. This quality is particularly desirable for portrait photography, where a soft and flattering background can help to isolate the subject.
The lens’s bokeh is further enhanced by its circular aperture, which contributes to the pleasing rendering of out-of-focus highlights.
The bokeh characteristics of the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens are also influenced by the distance between the subject and the background. As the distance between the subject and the background increases, the bokeh becomes more pronounced, creating a more dramatic separation.
Comparison to Other Lenses in its Class
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens stands out among its contemporaries for its combination of sharpness, bokeh quality, and overall image quality. Compared to other lenses in its class, such as the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM, the Nikon lens exhibits comparable sharpness and a slightly smoother bokeh.
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is also known for its excellent build quality and durability, making it a reliable companion for photographers in demanding environments.
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS is a classic lens known for its sharp rendering and beautiful bokeh. Its optical design, featuring 6 elements in 4 groups, produces images with a distinct vintage feel, reminiscent of older film cameras. To see the kind of results you can achieve with a lens like this, check out the Fujifilm X10 sample pictures , which demonstrate the potential of a compact camera with a fixed lens.
While the X10 is a modern camera, its fixed lens shares some of the same characteristics as the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS, such as its ability to capture detail and create a pleasing aesthetic. Both lenses are a testament to the timeless quality of well-designed optics.
While newer lenses may offer advancements in autofocus speed and features, the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens continues to be a highly sought-after lens for its classic optical performance and its ability to produce timeless images.
Usage and Applications
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of photographic applications. Its strengths lie in its ability to produce sharp images with pleasing bokeh, making it suitable for portraiture, landscape, and wildlife photography.
Portraiture
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is an excellent choice for portrait photography. Its long focal length allows for flattering compression and a shallow depth of field, which can help to isolate the subject from the background and create a pleasing blur.
The lens’s sharp rendering and smooth bokeh contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of portraits. The combination of the lens’s focal length and aperture allows for a shallow depth of field, making it easy to blur the background and draw attention to the subject.
This effect is particularly effective when shooting portraits, as it helps to isolate the subject and create a sense of intimacy. The lens’s sharp rendering ensures that the subject is captured with detail and clarity, while the smooth bokeh creates a pleasing and natural-looking blur in the background.
Landscape
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens can also be used for landscape photography. Its long focal length allows for a compressed perspective, which can be used to emphasize the scale and grandeur of a scene. The lens’s sharp rendering and high contrast can also help to create a dramatic and impactful image.
The long focal length of the lens allows photographers to capture a wider field of view than they would be able to with a shorter lens. This can be particularly useful when shooting landscapes, as it allows for the inclusion of more of the scene in the frame.
The lens’s sharp rendering ensures that the details of the landscape are captured with clarity, while the high contrast can help to create a sense of depth and dimension in the image.
Wildlife
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is also a good choice for wildlife photography. Its long focal length allows for a close-up view of the subject without disturbing it. The lens’s fast aperture allows for a shallow depth of field, which can help to isolate the subject from the background.
The lens’s sharp rendering and smooth bokeh contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of wildlife photographs. The long focal length of the lens allows photographers to get closer to their subjects without having to physically approach them. This is particularly important when photographing wildlife, as it allows for the capture of images without disturbing the animals.
The fast aperture of the lens allows for a shallow depth of field, which can help to blur the background and draw attention to the subject. This effect is particularly effective when shooting wildlife, as it helps to isolate the subject from the background and create a sense of depth in the image.
The lens’s sharp rendering ensures that the details of the subject are captured with clarity, while the smooth bokeh creates a pleasing and natural-looking blur in the background.
Comparisons and Alternatives: Nikon 135 F2 8 Ais
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens, a classic telephoto lens, holds its own against a wide range of modern and older alternatives. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses in comparison to other options is crucial for making an informed decision.
Comparison with Other 135mm Lenses
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens stands out for its vintage charm and its ability to deliver a unique character to images. It’s important to consider both older and newer lenses when evaluating its position in the market.
Older Lenses
- Nikon 135mm f/2.8 Series E:This lens, released in 1981, offers a similar focal length and aperture but with a slightly different optical design. While it’s generally considered to be sharper than the AIS version, it lacks the distinctive character of the AIS lens.
- Nikon 135mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor:This lens, introduced in 1983, features a perspective control mechanism that allows for adjustments to the perspective of the image. While it offers unique capabilities, its slower aperture limits its use in low-light situations.
Newer Lenses
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 135mm f/2 DC:This modern lens offers superior sharpness, autofocus, and a faster maximum aperture of f/2. It’s a versatile option for portraiture and general photography, but it lacks the vintage feel of the AIS lens.
- Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG Art:This lens is known for its exceptional sharpness and bokeh, making it a popular choice for portrait photography. Its faster aperture provides more flexibility in low-light conditions, but it comes at a higher price point.
Pros and Cons of the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS Lens
Pros
- Vintage Character:The AIS lens is known for its unique rendering, characterized by a slightly softer look and a distinctive bokeh that many photographers find appealing.
- Compact Size and Weight:Its relatively small size and light weight make it a portable option for travel and everyday use.
- Affordable Price:Compared to newer lenses, the AIS lens is generally more affordable, making it an attractive option for photographers on a budget.
Cons
- Manual Focus:The AIS lens requires manual focusing, which can be challenging for some photographers, especially in fast-paced situations.
- Limited Aperture:The f/2.8 maximum aperture limits its ability to capture low-light scenes effectively compared to faster lenses.
- Older Technology:The AIS lens’s older technology may result in less sharpness and contrast compared to newer lenses.
Comparison Table
| Lens | Focal Length | Maximum Aperture | Autofocus | Price (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS | 135mm | f/2.8 | Manual | $200
|
| Nikon 135mm f/2.8 Series E | 135mm | f/2.8 | Manual | $150
|
| Nikon AF-S Nikkor 135mm f/2 DC | 135mm | f/2 | Autofocus | $1,200
|
| Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG Art | 135mm | f/1.8 | Autofocus | $1,000
|
Conclusion (Optional)
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of optical excellence from Nikon. Its design, dating back to the 1970s, continues to impress with its sharpness, contrast, and beautiful bokeh.
While it may lack the autofocus features of modern lenses, its manual focus operation offers a unique and rewarding experience for photographers seeking a more deliberate approach.
Key Points and Assessment, Nikon 135 f2 8 ais
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens excels in several areas:
- Exceptional image quality:The lens delivers sharp images with excellent contrast and a pleasing bokeh, especially at wider apertures. This makes it ideal for portraiture, wildlife, and other genres where subject isolation is crucial.
- Classic design and build:The lens’s robust construction and timeless design are hallmarks of Nikon’s renowned craftsmanship. The all-metal body and smooth manual focus ring offer a satisfying tactile experience.
- Affordable price point:Compared to modern lenses with similar focal lengths and aperture, the Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS lens is a relatively affordable option, making it accessible to a wider range of photographers.
- Manual focus experience:The lens’s manual focus operation allows for precise control and a deeper connection with the subject, offering a unique and rewarding photographic experience.
While the lens lacks autofocus, its versatility, image quality, and affordability make it a valuable addition to any photographer’s arsenal, particularly those seeking a classic lens with a unique character.
Final Conclusion
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AIS is a true gem for photographers seeking a classic telephoto lens with a timeless character. Its sharp optics, smooth bokeh, and robust build quality make it a reliable companion for capturing stunning portraits, evocative landscapes, and captivating wildlife shots.
While modern lenses may offer faster autofocus and advanced features, the 135mm f/2.8 AIS continues to hold its own, delivering exceptional image quality and a unique photographic experience that transcends time.