This Nikon 135mm f 2 DC lens another species that belongs to the great Nikon DC lens’ lineup. You can get this lens from Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
It shares very similar characteristics with its Nikon 105mm DC brother both in terms of optical performance and build quality.
If you are new and don’t know what a DC lens is, it is pretty much a lens that will allow you to control the out of focus blur (bokeh).
Who’d wants to use this lens?
Professional portrait and still life photographers.
This lens is a heaven for both of them.
In terms of optical performance, it is tack sharp, just like the 105mm DC. Build quality is also very similar.
Those two, combined with the ability to control bokeh will make this a dream lens for any portrait or still life photographers.
If you want to get this lens, you will need to make a decision: which focal length that you need?
I am personally fine with the 105mm. However, there might be other photographers who wants to do a bit of sports photography and that’s where the extra 30mm focal length can come in handy.
Read my Nikon 135mm f 2 DC lens review below to dig in deeper.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Nikon 135mm f 2 DC Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Nikon AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2D
Focal Length Markings:
135mm
Features:
AF – Autofocus only compatible with non-entry level Nikon DSLR camera. It is not compatible with Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
DC – Defocus Control – Special lens that allows you to control the amount of background blur (also known as bokeh) on the lens.
D – Distance information will be transferred to the camera body for metering purpose.
FX – Compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor, film and full frame DSLR camera.
Full Technical Specs (from Nikon’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 6 / 7 |
| Angle of View | 12 (DX) – 18 (FX) |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 4ft. (1.1m) |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
| Weight | 28.7oz. (815g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.1 x 4.7in. (79 x 120mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.48X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Nikon 135mm f 2 DC Sharpness
Sharpness is excellent both on the center and on the borders. This is true even at the maximum aperture.
The point of maximum sharpness on this lens is at f/4.
See my sharpness test result below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Nikon AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2D Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 135mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Nikon AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2D Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 135mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Distortion
Typical for a telephoto lens on this range, distortion is extremely well controlled on this lens.
You can safely ignore the distortion.
See the distortion test result below.
Nikon 135mm f 2 DC Distortion
Vignetting
The vignetting on this lens is very minimum and can be neglected at any aperture. Even at f/2 you can barely notice it.
You can see the test result below.
Nikon 135mm f 2 DC Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is superbly controlled on this lens. It is negligible at any aperture even at f/2.
You can see the chromatic aberration test result below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Nikon AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2D Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 135mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Build quality is excellent on this lens excellent. It is made of metal with the Nikon’s classic crinkle finish.
The metal lens hood is built in on this lens.
Focusing
The autofocus is pretty fast and accurate on this lens. The length does not change during focusing and the front filter does not rotate thanks to the RF (Rear Focusing) design.
You switch from autofocus to manual by utilizing the independent ring on the lens. I’d personally prefer the newer switch on AF-S lens.
This is a non-AF-S lens meaning that it has no internal motor and so will rely on the camera’s drive mechanism. This will make the autofocus a bit noisy.
Also, this lens will only autofocus with non-entry level Nikon DSLR camera. Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100 will not autofocus with this lens.
Another thing to note is that the minimum focusing distance is 1.1m which is slightly longer than the 105mm cousin.
Image Stabilization
There is no VR or Vibration Reduction on this lens.
Compatibility
Being an FX lens, it is compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor DSLR and full frame DSLR camera. Also compatible with Nikon film camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample images that I taken with this Nikon 135mm f 2 DC lens. Click on any thumbnail to enlarge the images.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below is my conclusion for this unique and exotic Nikon 135mm f 2 DC lens.
This lens is a cousin to the well regarded Nikon 105mm DC lens. It shares very similar optical and build characteristics with each others.
For me, the only difference seems to be on the focal length. In terms of optical performance and build quality, the two lenses are quite similar.
This lens is sharp as tack both on the center and on the borders, have excellent distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration control.
Build quality is also very high. Autofocus speed is also fast considering this is an old lens.
Bottom line is, if you are into serious portrait or still life photography, you will want this lens.
The only decision you’ll need to make is to decide on the focal length that you want to go after.
Personally, I’d go with the 105mm focal length. However, if you also plan to shoot sport, the extra 30mm focal length might be a good addition as well.
Drawbacks
- Moderate degree of autofocus noise
- Expensive
Positives
- Tack sharp on the center and borders at any apertures
- Distortion is non-existent
- Superb chromatic aberration control
- Fast autofocus performance
- Solid build quality
- Beautiful bokeh (out of focus blur)
Good For
- Serious portrait photography
- Serious still life photography
- Moderate sports photography
Not So Good For
- Beginner’s photography lens. This lens is made for specific photographers in mind.
What Others Are Saying…
by “Scooter SRD”
Superb medium telephoto lens which will last an entire career. This lens is not just a specialty ‘portrait lens’ but a superb piece of optical excellence from Nikon, and a lens that you can buy now and use for an entire career or lifetime of photography. It is among Nikon’s sharpest lenses ever produced…
Click here to see the full review
by “A. Crowe”
I have shot Nikon lenses and cameras since 1969. At that time I had the Non-AI Nikkor 135mm. Just a great lens for a short to medium Tele. with my old and venerable FTn. Bokeh was sweet. Some of the best shots I had taken were with this lens…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Nikon 135mm f 2 DC lens from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
See the following related lens reviews to see more options.
Thanks for reading my Nikon 135mm f 2 DC review, hope you’ve enjoyed it and I will catch you in the next one!
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
Have I Helped You?
Do you find this post helpful and think that you should have paid to read it?
If so, you can help me in return to keep the good karma flowing.
All you need to do is visit one of my partner from any of the links here: Amazon
I'd be thankful if you can drop them a visit. I'd be even more thankful when you actually purchase anything from them. It can anything be it camera, lens, TV or even underwear.
The funds that I got from them is what I will use to pay for this site's maintenance so people like you can get access to great information for free.
Now, If you don't want to purchase anything but want to drop some tips as a token of appreciation, I'll be more than happy to receive $5 donation from you. You can make the donation by clicking on the donate button below.
For those of you who have helped, I consider you my family in this vast photography world. Thank you very much!
I hope to be able to keep sharing my knowledge and expertise with you and you'll always have my best interest in mind.
Best,
Andrew Suryono
P.S: If you are into social media, join me on Facebook and Twitter from the link below. Don't be shy!
Andrew Suryono | Create Your Badge
|
