Score? Old Nikon 135mm
Mar 23, 2019 22:27:38 #
I often peruse various auction websites and on occasion take a chance on a bid for a Nikon item. Last week my $65.00 bid netted me a 135mm Nikon f/2.8 lens. It arrived today. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was absolutely pristine like new! Tight. Clean glass. Included an old Vivitar (vintage glass) filter and the original plastic storage container. First one I have seen like this in person. Not one blemish on lens. Sure it is no VR but it will go well with my pristine N2000 film camera. Right era.
The photos below show product as opened and a test photo with my D850 from 8 ft. distance of subject. Fairly tack sharp from my shakey old arms. LOL
The photos below show product as opened and a test photo with my D850 from 8 ft. distance of subject. Fairly tack sharp from my shakey old arms. LOL
Mar 23, 2019 22:31:14 #
Mar 23, 2019 22:32:59 #
Mar 23, 2019 22:45:49 #
Mar 23, 2019 22:50:44 #
Thanks Bob, ALX, and pesfls. I think the lens will outlast me! It is built like a tank. Stout metal and glass. Nikon craftsmanship first class.
Mar 23, 2019 23:28:43 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Jim Eads wrote:
I often peruse various auction websites and on occ... (show quote)
The serial number identifies it as the fifth iteration of the first f/2.8 Q version, non multi-coated, and appears to have been factory modified with the Ai kit 44.
You don’t see many Nikon plastic bubbles these days, especially in this condition.
A better test for sharpness would be to use a tripod, or flash. You did well for $65.
Mar 24, 2019 03:12:19 #
You got a bargain, I think.
I used one many years ago, from the late 60's I guess, until I got the Nikon D70 when that changed me to digital.
It needed to be modified to work with the D70 and the cost didnt bear keeping it, so I sold it and bought what turned out to be an almost all plastic newer zoom lens, which was horrible, in comparison.
I used it originally for portraits. It was very sharp and had beautiful bokeh.
It had to be modified to work with the D70 and the cost was prohibitive so sold it about 10 years ago on a local auction site.
I got about $300 from memory. Wish I hadnt sold it.
Make sure its been modified for DSLR attachment as I understood from Nikon here that it would damage my D70..
I used one many years ago, from the late 60's I guess, until I got the Nikon D70 when that changed me to digital.
It needed to be modified to work with the D70 and the cost didnt bear keeping it, so I sold it and bought what turned out to be an almost all plastic newer zoom lens, which was horrible, in comparison.
I used it originally for portraits. It was very sharp and had beautiful bokeh.
It had to be modified to work with the D70 and the cost was prohibitive so sold it about 10 years ago on a local auction site.
I got about $300 from memory. Wish I hadnt sold it.
Make sure its been modified for DSLR attachment as I understood from Nikon here that it would damage my D70..
Mar 24, 2019 04:39:46 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
Was it the 'Angry Photographer' (?) that gave this a "Top-mark" for sharpness ? I have two versions of the lens,(Ex-Military job lot) and agree about the sharpness.
Mar 24, 2019 08:21:48 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Jim Eads wrote:
I often peruse various auction websites and on occ... (show quote)
When I was a photo journalist for UPI (united press international) this was one of our GO TO lenses, other fav's included the 24 and 28 along with my favorite, the 200 f4.
Mar 24, 2019 09:24:09 #
Jim Eads wrote:
I often peruse various auction websites and on occ... (show quote)
Nice score...A few of the older AI and AI-S lenses (although yours appears even older) are superior to the newer AF-S/G lenses even though MF and lacking VR. For many subjects MF is fine and if you use a fast enough shutter you don't need VR either for this focal length. I am looking to get a 135/2.8 or 3.5 myself with some GAS money.
Mar 24, 2019 10:12:01 #
RWR wrote:
The serial number identifies it as the fifth iteration of the first f/2.8 Q version, non multi-coated, and appears to have been factory modified with the Ai kit 44.
You don’t see many Nikon plastic bubbles these days, especially in this condition.
A better test for sharpness would be to use a tripod, or flash. You did well for $65.
You don’t see many Nikon plastic bubbles these days, especially in this condition.
A better test for sharpness would be to use a tripod, or flash. You did well for $65.
The lens has been modified as AI but according to my records the serial number belongs to the very first model that remained in production from 1965-1974.
Mar 24, 2019 10:15:32 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
ssymeono wrote:
The lens has been modified as AI but according to my records the serial number belongs to the very first model that remained in production from 1965-1974.
Yes, first model, or version, fifth iteration.
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
Mar 24, 2019 10:20:55 #
Mar 24, 2019 10:22:07 #
Mar 24, 2019 10:22:32 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
The three 135mm f/2.8 Nikkors that I have, are numbered...226045...854486...and 878571
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