Nikon 135mm f2.8 Pre Ai Nikkor Vintage Lens Review on the Z6 Mirrorless Camera

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  • čas přidán 5. 09. 2024

Komentáře • 98

  • @randallbrander8157
    @randallbrander8157 Před 3 měsíci +2

    So four years later David I am bBin watching your videos and loving the content. Now it has been 2980 years since Solomon finished the Temple and how time flies. Cheers!

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 měsíci +1

      HaHa, yep! Time does fly, doesnt it?!? I never thoguht anyone would bing watch my channel. That is funny!

    • @randallbrander8157
      @randallbrander8157 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@davidsaylors I'm kinda unusual person. Been watching You and Phil for years but with this new CZcams algorythm now videos that have been posted in the past is now in the present. Example I have been seeing shorts all day with 3 Days of the Condor, Robert Redford version and You Guessed it, the movie is great. Cheers!

  • @tmewborn1
    @tmewborn1 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Born in Rome, Ga always enjoyed the park. I just bought a Nikor 135mm f2 DC lens, and using on my Nikon D850. Works great very sharo at 2.8 to around f8 Thanks for the review & images.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 měsíci

      Thabk you!

    • @tmewborn1
      @tmewborn1 Před 3 měsíci

      Sorry I mistyped, Sharp from around f4 to f8 is what I wanted to type.

  • @ErnestLloyd716
    @ErnestLloyd716 Před 4 lety +2

    Thanks David! I haven’t been able to get out and feed my habit the past few days due to work. You took the edge off by allowing us to vicariously go on a shoot with you. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to your next video.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Thank you, I am planning on many more small town videos in the coming weeks now that it is about to start cooling off a little. I really enjoy making these kinds of videos and I am glad that there are people out there that like seeing them too. Thank you. 😉📸👍

  • @KristiGay1973
    @KristiGay1973 Před 4 lety +7

    This lens is crazy sharp. I bought one because the angry photographer recommended it.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      I am now wondering if he recommended this particular model or the Ai-S version of it? He always favored the Ai-S lenses over the others, but he has chosen some of the more obscure ones too. Do you remember if it was this one or the Ai-S? This one is certainly very sharp, that was a wonderful trait of the lens for certain. Thank you!!!

    • @aussie8114
      @aussie8114 Před 4 lety +4

      David Saylors The angry dude that loves to hear himself talk recommended the Ai lens. Pretty sure it would be optically the same as your pre Ai. I might take my 3.5 out for a few test shots tomorrow with the D810. It’s minty but never really used it. I know it’s low saturation but dimensionally excellent. No doubt like all the old lenses it will have lots of CA and flare. But it is a nice feeling lens and nicely built with the retractable lens hood. The angry dude has a habit of praising a lens for a particular quality but fails to inform people of the negatives. Buy it or you’re a f*#king idiot is not exactly a well rounded review 😂

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety +2

      (Sarcasm)😂😂😂🤷🏻‍♂️ I am blown away by his logic. (/sarcasm) Honestly, I see your point though, I have noticed it too. It is a cool lens as long as you pay attention and don’t mind the flaws it has. 👍📸 I liked it at f4 just fine. Beautiful there, and to be honest, at f2.8 it only needed the contrast bumped in part to make it great there too... 😬

    • @aussie8114
      @aussie8114 Před 4 lety +3

      David Saylors I read an article on methods of selling a couple of years ago and one of those methods matched the Angry dude to a tee. It’s basically an approach of providing little detail about the actual product yet portraying to the buyer that the seller knows everything about it and that the buyer would be a fool not to buy it. I guess there are plenty of people that like to be told to buy something, personally I have zero interest in that approach, I have my own decision making process, I won’t be told what I need to buy. Better to do more insightful research and get the information needed to make a more fully considered decision.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Yeah, i noticed that approach too. He would say things like it is sublime, finer than this or that, your an idiot if you don’t buy it... i remember all too well, I didn’t put it together that this would b be an actual sales tactic till you said that though, makes perfect sense now that you say It... perfect sense.

  • @Seriouslycantplayguitar
    @Seriouslycantplayguitar Před 2 lety +2

    Thanks for the review! I have been looking at this lens for video work, sounds like a great lens. I love how those lenses feel, so solid and feels great while shooting.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 2 lety

      It is a wonderful lens. If you like Nikon glass, you will live this one for sure!

  • @Blue_Newt_01
    @Blue_Newt_01 Před 4 lety +1

    Nice images. And lovely little town. I’ve got the same lens which was factory Ai-ed and use it for portraits of my animals wide open. Now I’ll have to try using it stopped down and perhaps as a walk around too. Love how it’s sort of compact and lightweight too.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Yes this little lens is actually pretty awesome stopped down. It isn’t too bad wide open as long as you’re willing to work with it in post. Thankyou! 👍📸

  • @PhilThach
    @PhilThach Před 4 lety +1

    4:56 I'm pretty sure that was a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge. When I bought my 135 2.8 Hanimex I was actually looking for the lens you are reviewing today. Now back to the video. LOL

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      LOL 😂 I thought it was an Oldsmobile 442. But looking at it again, I think you are right... 😬🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks!

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach Před 4 lety +1

      @@davidsaylors I used to be a car nerd until I got in the car business, now they don't impress me much but that one was pretty. I enjoyed the video and your lens looks to be in amazing condition. Would like to see some portraits made with it at f/4 and wider. I've never walked around Chickamauga so thanks for the tour! Thumbs up!

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety +1

      Thank you MiataPhil, the racer driver, 😉 makes perfect sense now... 😬 I hope to get some good portraits with it at some point too... time...

    • @bassangler73
      @bassangler73 Před 4 lety +1

      I believe you are correct

  • @MycroftMobil
    @MycroftMobil Před 3 lety +1

    Just snagged a pre-Ai 135mm f2.8 QC multicoated for 28bucks. Did the Ai mod myself for my D700's.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 lety

      That is awesome!!! Those older lenses are super cool!

  • @jamesoliver6625
    @jamesoliver6625 Před 4 lety +1

    Those little stores are EVERYWHERE. They're always worth exploring because it's true that you never know what you'll find. Vintage woodworking tools are my shortcoming. My vintage camera gear almost always comes from Japan (they take really good care of it - almost a religion). Just wondering, how good the Mexican food in Chickamauga GA can possibly be.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      If it is anything like Trenton GA, it will be awesome! We have the BEST Mexican restaurant in Trenton, so I might be biased... 😁 I have bought a few lenses from Japan on eBay and they were as you describe, gorgeous is a good word for them... Thanks for supporting my habit too... 📸👍

    • @jamesoliver6625
      @jamesoliver6625 Před 4 lety

      @@davidsaylors Have to say David. I'm fortunate to live in central Texas and at the confluence of German, Czech, Southern, Creole, AND Mexican cuisines. It's a veritable orgy of great cheap feed.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Dude, you now have me craving Black’s briskett from Lockhart, TX... I get it every few years, and it has been a few years...

    • @jamesoliver6625
      @jamesoliver6625 Před 4 lety

      @@davidsaylors Black's is about 25 miles from me right now....and the beautiful thing is there are 1-2 dozen joints (of similar of better quality depending on who you talk to) within that 25 mile radius in all directions that might be cooking my lunch right now. However, the proliferation of "good" biscuits over here isn't what it is over there according to my niece (north of Atlanta).

    • @jamesoliver6625
      @jamesoliver6625 Před 4 lety

      @@davidsaylors Black's is about 25 miles from me right now....and the beautiful thing is there are 1-2 dozen joints (of similar of better quality depending on who you talk to) within that 25 mile radius in all directions that might be cooking my lunch right now. However, the proliferation of "good" biscuits over here isn't what it is over there according to my niece (north of Atlanta).

  • @bassangler73
    @bassangler73 Před 4 lety +2

    You had excellent audio in this vid btw

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Thank you! I am working on that more now to be honest... I had gotten kinda lazy with it during the “rona” so now I am working on it more. 👍📸

  • @aussie8114
    @aussie8114 Před 4 lety +1

    Did some comparison shots today comparing my 3.5 version of the 135 and my current model 70-200 fl lens at 135 which I know to be pretty wonderful. For sharpness the old lens did very well, the zoom was better at 3.5, 5.6 and f8. The difference at 3.5 was a little more obvious than at smaller apertures but it was still very reasonable. As a portrait lens it would be very fine at 3.5 and more than good enough at 5.6. CA was not great on the old lens improving once stopped down, that was to be expected and would cause little issue unless shooting into tree branches. Dimensionality was very good but I still like the zoom a bit better. Colour rendition was a bit cold on the old lens and could cause some cast issues on skin tones but maybe correctable. Flare was an issue when shooting into the sunlight and a significant loss of contrast (a bit like my old 300 f4). Some shots were completely correctable in LR but not all. It’s a lens very much unsuited to backlight. Overall it’s a nice little old lens and if used appropriately would serve well as a portrait lens, however I would favour the 70-200 because it has all the bells and whistles and non of the drawbacks, though it is a BIG lens and many times the cost of the old 135. Or even the 24-70 at 70. I much prefer having AF and a zoom range than being stuck at 135. But the compactness of the old 135 is nice.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      This is great information, thank you so much for collecting and sharing it with us. Let me ask this question then. In your opinion, would the 135mm make a good “training” lens for someone wanting to learn portrait photography? Like use it for a while to understand posing and how to apply light and backgrounds and such then when they start doing actual paid work, maybe then get the 70-200mm because it gives them better output as well as being more versatile? Something like an affordable tool to learn the craft with and then get the professional version once you are comfortable in your skills? Diid that make sense?

    • @aussie8114
      @aussie8114 Před 4 lety

      David Saylors Yes it could, with the exception of backlit portraits. I guess for a person learning portrait photography they may want to explore backlighting, if that’s the case then it may not be suitable. Side lighting or even if the light is more toward the lens is very likely correctable, but actual back lighting would cause a loss of contrast that I don’t think would be correctable. The 85 1.8g is probably a preferred portrait lens, I think it’s pretty affordable second hand. It has some CA issues but I don’t think it would be a practical issue. It has the benefits of a modern lens. I remember Matt Granger comparing the 85 lenses and he said he would have no hesitation using the 1.8g as his main portrait lens over the way more pricey 1.4g. Possibly with the awesome 85 S lens now out there the old 85 1.8g may be even more affordable second hand. But certainly if the old 135 is used with consideration for its shortcomings, which appear very typical of older lenses, then it would produce some lovely portrait shots of either people or critters. I presume the colder cast would be correctable on skin tones but it does seem to have a slightly distinctive cast, cool but also a tint to it. Moving the green and magenta slider did not appear to fully improve it. I think it would look fine but skin tones can be tricky to get right if the lens or lighting has caused an issue. I notice my 70-200 fl is a very warm lens, maybe a bit too warm, but no obvious cast, simply a couple of hundred K warmer than ideal. Warm looks better than cool but I will need to remember to keep an eye on the 70-200 in editing.

    • @aussie8114
      @aussie8114 Před 4 lety +1

      David Saylors I took some more pics with this today and it did very nicely indeed. The slight softness at 3.5 or 4 might actually be nice for a portrait, sharpness is a bit overrated for portraits. I like the front and rear bokeh which looks a bit nicer than the 70-200 even though that looks nice. I did notice that if I stop it down to 5.6 or 8 any bokeh balls look like octagons which I don’t really like. I like my bokeh balls to be round 😂 So for portraits that would have bokeh balls I would probably keep it at f4. I think there’s almost 400k difference in warmth between my 135 and the 70-200 fl zoom. The zoom is about 200k too warm and the 135 is about 200k too cool. CA under normal shooting was pretty well controlled actually. Only if shooting into tree branches against white clouds was it unacceptable wide open, ok at f8. The flare issue facing into light improves at f8 and could even be used artistically at f8 if the light source is off to the side, but not really suited to full backlighting at any aperture. A nice little lens that I would happily use for portraits with these slight considerations in place. Though manual focus is an acquired skill and requires some patience.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Have you tried the color correction grid in the D810? Where you can push to the four main color correctios ? I have not used it, but it sounds like maybe this could be adjusted in camera and maybe even get the raw files to be closer? It has me wondering now...

    • @aussie8114
      @aussie8114 Před 4 lety +1

      David Saylors I would have thought that would only effect jpegs but I will check it tomorrow. I do have the grid adjusted slightly anyway, I did that when I first got the D810 and was shooting in jpegs. From memory it is adjusted slightly away from green. But even if it effected RAW it would not help because every lens I have has a slightly different temperature and even different hue. My 24-70 emphasises yellows so I apply a preset upon importing to LR to reduce the yellow saturation and luminance. The 70-200 slightly emphasises yellows so for simplicity I apply that same preset to it also, but it needs about negative 200k as well. The 135 AI S and the Tokina both need about 200k added to it. The Tokina also needs -3/4 stop exp comp in camera because it always over exposes a bit.

  • @terrywbreedlove
    @terrywbreedlove Před 3 lety +1

    I have the 135mm F2 ais and I still shoot it on my F3hp. It is chunkier than the F2.8 and I was wondering how it would handle with the adapter . Thinking about the Z5 so glad to see this .

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 lety +1

      Thank you Terry! That lens would be a beast!!! Good grief!!! I would love to lay my hands on one of them at some point to see how it looks. Thank you for your time, I really appreciate it!!!👍📸

    • @PatrickBaltatzis
      @PatrickBaltatzis Před 3 lety

      There is a conversion kit no 43 for this one I believe. Still available out there on the internetz.

  • @CarmineTavernaPhotography

    Hey David, quick question..your neck strap in this vid..is it comfortable on the back of your neck? Or is it stiff as cardboard? Thanks buddy 😘

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety +1

      Actually don’t like that version as well as the smaller one. It is really stiff and one side is rubber coated which is nice in the winter, but annoying in the summer... the one I prefer is the Peak Design Leash. It is soft and comfortable and easy to setup and use. 📸👍

    • @CarmineTavernaPhotography
      @CarmineTavernaPhotography Před 4 lety +1

      THANKS DAVID 😊

  • @bassangler73
    @bassangler73 Před 4 lety +1

    Pretty cool vid...You documented it well...That ole lens is well loved by many ..It's not wildlife lens sharp but it just has a special look...I wish it could pair with the D810, I think it would be a very unique combo

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Yeah. It would need to be “Ai-ed” to do that, but I am pretty sure Nikon no longer offers that service and this particular lens is in REALLY good shape so I hate to carve on it myself to attempt to convert it and end up jacking it... it probably would work wonders on that camera! 👍📸

  • @shoottosave8117
    @shoottosave8117 Před 4 lety +1

    excellent insight, i use contax 135mm f2.8 in nikon mount simply out of the world sharpness . wanted an advice any vintage ais glass in between 16 to 24mm to be adapted on fujifilm or m4/3

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Nice choice with the Contax! Those are great lenses!!! As for a wide angle lens for Fujifilm, I really like the Nikon 28mm f2.8 Ai-S This lens is fantastic, I keep mine close at hand as I love this lens. 👍📸

    • @shoottosave8117
      @shoottosave8117 Před 4 lety

      If possible send a link where I can get it in Saudi Arabia

  • @Jupiter2ignite
    @Jupiter2ignite Před 3 lety +1

    I have the pre AI single coated version of this lens that I converted to use on my d700. Fantastic lens. It's nikkor Q auto c 135 2.8

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 lety +1

      People want to say bad things about vintage glass, but I have come to the conclusion that vintage glass works great for me, like you, and now I just use my old lenses and have a good time on the cheap 😉👍📸 I honestly think people have been trained to think that only newer is better and sometimes that is true, but not always... Thank you for sharing your experience with us! 👍📸

    • @Jupiter2ignite
      @Jupiter2ignite Před 3 lety +1

      @@davidsaylors yes I agree. Old nikkor glass is fantastic. I have quite a few I use. 50 1.4ai, 105 2.5pc, 50mm f2 auto nikkor single coated version, and a few it others

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 lety +1

      I have a bunch, but one I carry regularly is the 50mm f1.4 Ai Nikkor. Just wonderful for general purpose shooting.

    • @Jupiter2ignite
      @Jupiter2ignite Před 3 lety +1

      @@davidsaylors fantastic lens. Nice look wide open. If I want more sharpness I'll stop down to f2 or in-between 1.4-2

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 lety +1

      Me too. I use ít for night photos a lot. It works really well for low light. 👍📸

  • @advr2293
    @advr2293 Před 4 lety +1

    Liked the review, I did bought a 105mm 2.8 (which I didn't received) do you recommend a 135 over a 105?

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety +1

      For me, if I had to pick between those two, I would get the 135mm. It gives me enough focal length separation from the 85mm and the 200mm to be useful. The 105mm is legendary for portraits, but so is the 135... 😉📸

  • @gnphoto21
    @gnphoto21 Před 4 lety +2

    I have the AI version of that lens that I love using. Interesting town! Curious to know what the building at 9:33 was and I like those street clocks seen at 10:33.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety +1

      I am not sure what that building was, but the Crystal Springs building what a huge printing operation that did paper printing from what I can tell. I saw those clocks in the footage too, but didnt notice them while I was there in the town... lol. Thanks!!!

    • @CrispyOkra
      @CrispyOkra Před 3 lety

      What do you think about the converted AI lens? I'd like the AI version, but they're difficult to find these days.

  • @doreangrey1712
    @doreangrey1712 Před 4 lety +1

    That's what we going to vote Mr T in the house

  • @doreangrey1712
    @doreangrey1712 Před 4 lety +1

    That's why we like to go to them, because it's like hunting for buried treasure. Just like when we was kids!!!

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Yeah, there is some truth to that. 😬 I just can’t help myself!!! 😆🤷🏻‍♂️📸 Always looking for that gem!!!

  • @bassangler73
    @bassangler73 Před 4 lety

    The Church I need to get my rear back too streams the services so the elderly can watch at home..I think it's great of them to do that, I wish they all did

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety +1

      I agree, but it does cost money to do it and that sometimes is more than what is available. It falls back to the membership to be honest, some one in the congregation could stream it to FB for free with their phone I guess... see now you have me solving it. 😂👍📸

    • @bassangler73
      @bassangler73 Před 4 lety

      @@davidsaylors 👍

  • @deathspawn54
    @deathspawn54 Před 3 lety +1

    Do you recommend this or the 200 f4

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 3 lety

      I prefer the 200mm f4 for what I like to photograph. It works beautifully well for portraits as well as a simple wildlife lens as well.

  • @willapanews9761
    @willapanews9761 Před 4 lety +1

    I have one with factory ai conversion really sharp. There was a 13.5cm 3.5 for 30 dollars on eBay this morning that I would buy if I had an mirrorless camera.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Oh wow! That is the EARLY version!!!! I have never really used one of those... nice.

    • @willapanews9761
      @willapanews9761 Před 4 lety

      Yeah I have seen some pictures from that model and it seems to do pretty good, has a little vineting but good contrast and sharpness.

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      Thanks! I really appreciate it. There are what seems to be an endless supply of Nikkor lenses out there... 🤷🏻‍♂️📸

  • @FajriSiddiq
    @FajriSiddiq Před 2 lety

    i can put this on my d3300?

  • @svbui
    @svbui Před 4 lety +4

    "when Christ was here, whatever" :-)

  • @doreangrey1712
    @doreangrey1712 Před 4 lety

    Because I pity them fools

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety

      The younger crowd won’t even understand!!!! 😆😆😆

  • @CarmineTavernaPhotography

    HELLO AGAIN FROM MANHATTAN..YOUR VIDEOS ARE TERRIFIC..PEACE

    • @davidsaylors
      @davidsaylors  Před 4 lety +1

      You know what I see as awesome? That you live in what is generally considered the mecca off street photography and you like watching my videos. 😉 I consider that a huge honor, thank YOU!!!