Used Nikon 135mm f/2 AF-D DC Nikkor Lens with Hood

2023-06-21T20:02:10

This lens is one of the greatest Nikon/Nikkor lenses ever made in my humble opinion. If you are looking for an insane 135mm prime lens for anything from portrait to landscape photography, this is it! It is not a lens for everyone as the DC feature may be confusing and will take a bit of work to master, however, when you do, it is simply awesome. If you are looking for Zeiss Otus clinical perfection performance, this lens is probably not for you. This lens offers a beautiful character and sharpness at all apertures. It is just pure perfection! This is not the easiest lens to shoot with, hence the often critical reviews that this is not a sharp lens. This is a sharp lens that offer insane character and sharpness to just love and behold! Think of the results as listening to a vinyl album vs. an SA-CD. Both are gorgeous, but offers completely different experiences. If you require SA-CD, get the Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2 (which I also own), but this is of course manual focus only. Please also remember the smaller sister to this lens, the Nikkor 105mm f/2 DC, which is an equally insane lens. Get them both if you can as I did!

Henrik B.

Originally posted at

2022-03-13T18:28:34

Sharp out of the box. Screw drive AF, so check the compatibility with some of Nikon?s latest bodies. An iconic portrait lens. Should shoot up in value when Nikon stops production some day.

Don V.

2020-11-29T12:03:06

If you want fine Bokeh control this is it - the King of Bokeh. It’s 135mm so you’re a bit far from the subject, but works like nothing else. Also makes a good “normal” 135mm - tack sharp.

SCOTT F.

2020-01-10T07:50:35

A specialized lens that is spectacular when used as intended. Plan on a professional learning curve to fully understand and implement this tool. I hesitated a long time before my purchase, very happy I did NOT wait any longer.

Barnet R.

2019-06-13T21:07:32

Everything it showed on line was accurate! Arrived in A-1 condition! Thank you for being a business O can depend on for quality & durability!

Mister V.

2018-08-15T12:06:44

Recently purchased this lens, mainly because I once owned a 135mm lens for another camera and I loved it. It's clear and the colors are gorgeous. Had no problems with the auto focus as some have indicated. I found it heavy so you wouldn't want to carry it around for snapshots but since I wanted it mainly for portrait taking, I have absolutely no complaints.

SHARON H.

2018-06-21T11:31:30

I had previously rented the Sigma Art 135mm and found it to be lacking. I calibrate all my lenses and even after calibration didn't understand the "hype" over the 135mm. So I went out on a limb with this one, knowing I didn't like the Sigma Art and to say I am thrilled I did is an understatement. This lens is a beast. It is not heavy, the bokeh is so creamy, wide open it is tack sharp and overall I do not have one bad thing to say about it. Just get one!!!

Amber S.

2017-11-10T17:17:23

Take advantage of your d810's shutter speed. The first image I took was 1/5000th of a second on an overcast day. To my amazement the image was sharp and properly exposed. This was my first d - series lens but hopefully won't be my last. The image quality is excellent and so is build. Nikon would be smart to return to steel barrel and glass design. The lens has a circled 10 indicating the life expectancy for a decade. This lens will last much longer than that under normal working conditions. I wish I could say the same thing about the g - series lenses I own. The weight of the 135mm balances well with the d810. Auto focus works fine for portrait and landscape however this lens is not well suited for sporting events. I like shooting in manual focus mode. This lens has the correct resistance when hand focusing unlike the loose feel with the g - series lenses. I have used the De - focus option many times matching the aperture to the lens barrel settings. I like the bokey effects on some of the photos. I understand why Nikon still sells this lens. More options in one lens. I use this lens as much or more than the new lenses.

mark T.

2017-08-25T20:00:00

Took this out for a good test run today to see how this great lens would work on some street shooting I was impressed. The bucket drummer was back lit on a street corner with sun light reflecting off every shiny surface it could tough light to say the least Nikon got it right here! She is heavy and be careful easy to miss your focus point its sharp so missing a bit will show up.

hazbob

Originally posted at

2017-07-16T20:00:00

this lens is reliable and will never let you down.

Marko

Originally posted at

2017-05-02T16:03:09

Very nice lens and great pictures for portraits. I am still waiting on the lens case that is on back order.

Jerry F.

2017-02-09T19:00:00

I have had the 135DC lens for a few years now and while I must be careful when I use it (easy to miss focus—when I am using the 85 1/4 for example, I never worry, but I do have to be careful with the 135.) Here are a few recent shots from a show I attend every year. I used the D5 and the 135DC lens this year, handheld. I processed in Lightroom, added punch, face sharpening and a vignette to a few of these.

Anonymous

Originally posted at

2016-11-24T10:54:03

Great lens, tack sharp, use as a standard prime and have the ability to defocuse great photos

Mike P.

2016-11-22T19:00:00

I have had my eyes fixed on this lens for a number of years. Off and on, I borrowed it from friends and created beautiful images. Finally, I bought my own about a month. It is like a dream come true. Honestly, my foremost reason to buy this lens was the unique DeFocus control. However, as it turned out, this lens is perfect even when the DeFocus ring is left alone. The lens creates creamy bokeh.

askhokhar

Originally posted at

2016-08-27T20:00:00

The defocus control function of this lens creates the most appealing bokeh of any lens I know. To my knowledge, no other lens, aside from the Nikon 105mm f/2 DC lens, offers this function. Attached is an example shot at 1/250, f/2, ISO 450, Manual Exposure Mode, Matrix Metering, and Auto White Balance.

Scripps23

Originally posted at

2016-01-06T08:39:27

I've only had it couple of days; snapped a few shots and I'm in love.

STACY C.

2015-04-18T21:00:00

I love my new 135mm F2 DC lens! This lens feels like a million bucks! It is truely a dream to work with. Super tack sharp & the bokeh is unbelievable. I love the defocus control where I can adjust the front or rear focus. I use this lens for portraits along with the 105mm F2 DC & my 85mm 1.8. I love shooting portrait with primes! This lens is contructed to last! Compared to my 70-200mm zoom I love this lens hands down.

SHARON W.

2014-11-06T19:00:00

I don't normally write reviews but this lens deserves five stars! So here we go. I have owned it for three years. Other primes have come and gone from my collection (105 2.8 VR, 85 1.8 D, and 85 1.8 G). This one will stay. If you have the working distance this lens will produce for you. I shoot theater and in low light, wide open I get consistently great results. Auto focus is fast and sure on a D700. The bokeh is really creamy. Outside I leave a ND on it and shoot wide open. No need to bother with the defocus control. Lens is built like a tank.

Timothy

Originally posted at

2014-07-31T20:00:00

I own a number of Nikkor lenses that I sometimes use for portraiture ( 70-200 f/2.8 VR, 85 f/1.8 ) but when I really want to flatter the subject with a beautifully blurred background this is the lens I choose. On a full frame D800e or even my old D300 it just blows everything else away for portraits. The fast aperture is great for available light shots from the audience in a theater too. Solid as a rock but not that large or heavy compared with many of the VR zooms people carry around today. My favorite lens.

oc1doc

Originally posted at

2014-06-30T21:00:00

The lens produces stunning images when manually focused. The AF system however is very finicky and the sample I got front-focused horrendously. Even +20 compensation did not resolve the problem. Also, while the construction is nice and sturdy, the built-in hood is a bit short for the 135mm focal length. The hood is also very flimsy and does not provide confidence that it will last. I ended up returning the lens and getting the Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO. A shame, I was really hoping to put this lens to good use photographing portraits. The defocus control feature is really nice but the hit-or-miss AF is overshadows all the other great features of this lens.

mzbarsk

2014-05-26T21:00:00

Love this lens! It's not too heavy. I use it for outdoor portraits It is sharp- even sharp when I pixel peep. It's focuses quickly although I have yet to try it out on a fast moving toddler or in low light. I pretty much shoot wide open withouth any issues. The bokeh is beautiful- it makes boring backgrounds look like a watercolor painting.

Milleama

2013-10-21T21:00:00

I have only had a chance to use this a few times, in all cases outdoors and on days that were intermittent dark clouds & bright sun -- admittedly a challenge to keep up with white balance. My real purpose in getting this lens was for indoor swim (low, poor light mostly), where even a good f/2.8 is just.not.quite.bright enough - and that, I have not tested yet. First off, the obvious: this is a prime lens. It took me some getting used to no zoom, especially on moving targets (kids @ soccer games). Next: because of the fast-changing lighting, I set the camera (D800, by the way) to Aperture priority, and then stopped the lens down to 2.5, 2.8, 3.2, or 3.5 - partly to see how it performed at different settings, and partly because at the lower f-stops, when the sun comes out, the brightness of the lens MAXES OUT the shutter speed of the D800! All of that said, with the shutter/aperture in a zone which should have given sufficient (but not too much) light on Aperture priority, I found that this lens went to extremes in many shots: 1) too dark when the clouds came out, or 2) too bright when the sun came out. Many shots were properly exposed, but I am mentioning because a fair # were too dark or light in exposure. I also noted some hazing/chromatic aberration at very low f/ settings (2, 2.2, 2.5) especially with a back-lit subject. I would say the sweet spot for this lens is between 2.8-3.5 based on my first couple of days with it. So, consider all of that to be the "fine print." Aside from those notes, I have to say the lens is very crisp in terms of focus, and netted a lot of good shots! This is a rugged lens, and although some focal length is obviously sacrificed with the 135mm, relative to a 70-200, it is a nice change of pace to carry something a little lighter.

MICHAEL S.

2013-10-21T21:00:00

Crisp and clean.

Maalik0915

2013-09-23T21:00:00

Amazing portrait lens Very sharp Relatively lightweight Autofocus is not as good as AF-S lenses, but it does a pretty good job

FRANCESCO S.

2013-08-19T21:00:00

This is the portrait lens you want. If you're doing full-frame portrait work (or head-and-shoulders video of a person), this lens will change your life. I had a Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 that I fell in love with on my Nikon D80 body. When I upgraded to the full-frame D600, I wanted a lens that would be similar in field and depth. This lens does not disappoint. One note, if you're shooting video with an on-camera mic, or if you're shooting portraits in a confined space, you may want to look at the 105 f/2 instead, as this 135 does require more working distance.

TIM M.

2013-06-10T21:00:00

Excellent lens that met all my high expectations. The entire order and shipping process was perfect. Great job on the part of the sales and shipping staff at Adorama!

Doug

2013-05-13T21:00:00

I know this lens is touted as great for portrait, but my primary uses are sports action and low light/mixed lighting environments. It is fast and sharp, works well with high ISO settings. I was using a 85mm f1.8 but needed a little more reach but still wanted fast and sharp autofocus. When I can read the "Wilson" on basketball during action shots I know the lens is performing.

ronald h.

2013-04-22T21:00:00

I've had this lens since September and I've finally decided to send it to Nikon to check it out. The focus is just not right. I took it to a local photo store and they said it looked good to them but I'm just not happy with it.

RB

2013-04-01T21:00:00

Portrait use is excellent - longer focal length means I can get futher back from subject - great bokeh. I use this one or the 50mm f1.4 for all portrait shots.

Scott

2013-04-01T21:00:00

This lens is made for the larger sensor but works on the DX format as well. It will certainly work on the D700. I have two D700s and the images are amazing with this lens.

Eugene C.