Nikon Zoom-NIKKOR 35~135mm 1:3.5~4.5 Ai-S Lens (35-135mm f/3.5-4.5)

Review of the Nikon Zoom-NIKKOR 35~135mm 1:3.5~4.5 Ai-S Lens (35-135mm f/3.5-4.5).

Overall Rating:

See the related "normal" Ai-S zoom reviews: 28-50mm, 28-85mm, 35-70mm, 35-105mm and 35-200mm.

This 3.9× zoom lens is made in Japan and was introduced in 1984, long before there were digital cameras. It was designed for film cameras like the Nikon F3. While a new design in 1984, its optics lived-on for a longtime as an autofocus lens for cameras like the Nikon F4 and F5. Both the Ai-S and AF versions were discontinued in 1998. There were approximately 92,000 Ai-S units manufactured.

It is hard to keep the EXIF data on Nikon DSLR cameras accurate thanks to it being a variable aperture all-manual zoom lens (no electronics).

The cumbersome macro function is at f=135mm — as it should be — and it is quite good for a zoom lens like this. The 35-105mm Ai-S and 35-200mm Ai-S also performed well at their "macro" distances. When entering the macro function, this lens shortens its focal length and probably its optical formula is optimized for near focusing.

Nikon
sunflower, macro to 0.26× magnification (detail)
Nikon
sunflower, macro to 0.26× magnification (detail)
Nikon
yellow bells, macro to 0.26× magnification (detail)

A lens like this could have benefited greatly from aspherical elements and ED glass. But, alas, this was made at a time before asperical elements existed and before ED glass elements were as common in lens design as they are today.

Distortion of the barrel type is present on the wide end and pincushion distortion on the long end. This is not unexpected.

This lens has some color fringing which is easily removed in post or by shooting JPEG, which is not recommended. There's some mild vignetting, too.

Nikon
transformer, f=135/8 (detail)

This is a fairly shaprness zoom lens.

It is not so great for infrared photography. There is a very slight infrared hotspot at all focal lengths and at the minimum aperture.

Nikon
infrared at f=35mm/22
Nikon
infrared at f=135mm/32

Ghosting is high. Flaring at f=35mm is just enough to be unwanted and flares a lot a f=135mm no doubt due to the high number of elements.

Nikon
ghosting at f=35mm/3.5
Nikon
flaring at f=35mm/22
Nikon
ghosting at f=135mm/4.5
Nikon
flaring at f=135mm/32

Bokeh is fair at the 135mm focal length. It does not focus closely enough at f=35mm to have much bokeh. The diaphragm is not round so highlights in the out-of-focus areas take on its shape.

Nikon
bokeh at f=135mm/5.6
Nikon
bokeh at f=135mm/8

Diffraction has begun by f/11.

This is an Ai-S lens meaning it will work in program and shutter priority mode on some older model film cameras. It takes 62mm filters and the front element turns as it is focused making use of a polarizer difficult. It has a macro function ring and when turned a reproduction ratio of 1:3.8 can be achieved, which is better than the 35-200mm and 35-105mm lenses achieve. There is an infrared focus index for all focal lengths, a focus scale and a depth of field scale. The focus collar has a short throw like most Ai-S lenses. This is an all metal lens with rubber focus/zoom collar so as to prevent "brassing" as is typical on early Nikkor lenses. The zoom does note creep as it is pointed up and down.

The optics are spot on for such an old design so it's no wonder why it endured so long as an Ai-S and AF lens.

Using Teleconverters

This lens can take a Nikon TC-14 and TC-14B if not focused to infinity (∞). It can accept the Nikon TC-300 and TC-301 teleconverters if an extension tube is used. It does take the TC-14A, TC-201 and TC-200 teleconverters without real issue.

Nikon
transformer, using TC-201, f=270/16 (detail)
Nikon
transformer, using TC-14A, f=189/11 (detail)
Nikon
coins, using TC-201, f=270/16 — DX mode (detail)
Nikon
coins, using TC-14, f=189/11 — DX mode (detail)
Nikon
coins, using TC-14a, f=189/11 — DX mode (detail)

Generally, this lens does not impress when used with teleconverters, particularly when used with the TC-201. There is very little vignetting added when using these teleconverters.


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Nikon
Nikon lens construction legend

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