Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

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Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

There are two versions of the Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 lens:

  1. MKI, which was produced from 1986 to 1988 and a review of which can be found here.
  2. The MKII presented in this review was produced from 1988 to 1998. Visually, the versions can be distinguished by the rubberized focus ring on the MKII.

And also there is an older version Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (AI-S) without support for auto focus.

MKI and MKII have a completely different case design, zoom method and macro mode. But the optical scheme of the lenses remained unchanged, however, visually only the modernization of the enlightenment of the optics can be observed. Also, the lenses have the same weight, the number of aperture blades, the diameter of the front light filter and use the same Nikon HB-1 lens hood. The MKII version is much more pleasant to the touch, especially due to the rubberized focus ring (which was not the case with the MKI version).

The MKII version was released almost immediately (2 years) after the first version was released, and for some time it was released in parallel with MKI. It’s strange to see how Nikon updated its line of 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 class lenses. First, the first manual Zoom-Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5 ~ 4.5 Ai-s with push-pull design has been updated to version with auto focus Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 MKI, which now has the familiar method of setting the focal length using ring rotation. After version MKI Nikon again decided to return to the push-pull design and released an update - Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 MKII. Although the MKII lens was in production until 1998, it was never updated until 'D'-versions.

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) at 135 mm focal length and MDF

Nikon AF 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 MKII - very similar to his 'little brother' - Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII).

Nikon AF 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 MKII design is classic for those times - 'push-pull': to change focal length, pull the front of the lens “towards you” or push “away from you”. At the same time, this is the 'correct push-pull', i.e. in the shortest position it has the smallest focal length, and in the longest - the largest (for example, Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D MKII all the way around). The instance that I visited in the review slightly changes the focal length under its own weight.

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) in macro mode

The Nikon AF 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 MKII has a macro mode. To go into macro mode, you must set focal lengthequal to 35mm, press the special button and turn the wide, rubberized ring to the mark 'M f = 35'. In this position, the front of the lens extends slightly forward (as shown in the picture above), which allows you to shoot macro with a maximum magnification ratio of 1: 3.5 (focusing distance is 39 cm). Macro auto focus does not work... In macro mode, the Nikon AF 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 MKII focus ring becomes almost useless and does not affect focusing, and to focus on focus, you will have to move the camera towards the subject.

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

Nikon AF 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 MKII has a fairly fast autofocus. But the MDF (in the normal state of the lens) is as much as 1.5 meters, which is very, very bad when shooting small objects, because you don't really want to switch to the inconvenient manual macro mode. This is a drawback I see in all lenses in the 35-135 series and 35-105.

The focusing ring is rubberized, during automatic focusing it rotates and cannot be touched at this time. The stroke of the ring is approximately 75 degrees. During focusing, the front lens of the lens travels forward and rotates. During zooming, the rear lens moves inside the lens, the trunk of the lens lengthens, but does not rotate. There is no focus mode switch on the lens itself; to put the lens in manual focus mode, you should put the camera in manual focus mode using the switch located near the camera mount.

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

Autofocus with Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) lens is only available when used on cameras with built-in motor focusing. An exact and complete list of Nikon CZKs that support auto focus with 'AF' lenses can be found in the 'Auto focus on Nikon cameras'.

The lens has a manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern central control valves, you need to turn the control ring to the F / 22 value and fix it with a special lever, which is located to the right of the marks aperture... If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (aperture ring not set). Some cameras with diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses.

Please note that Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) does not transmit focus distance values into the camera, which may give errors in exposure, especially when shooting with flash in TTL auto modes.

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) and Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) and Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)

Like the MKI version, the optical Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) is rather weak, especially at the longest end and the open aperture. I believe, that Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) optically much better.

On Nikon DX cameras, the lens is not the most convenient EGF, which is 53-203mm. But on a full-frame camera, the lens proved to be a very pleasant zoom when working outdoors. 35mm is enough for scenes that require a wide angle, while 135mm allows you to shoot a little from a distance, which is important, for example, for portraiture.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 430 MB, 43 photos in .NEF format (RAW) from the Nikon camera D700 (FX).

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) on film ZK

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) on film ZK

List of all Nikon FX 35-XXX autofocus lenses:

  1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)
  2. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
  3. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)
  4. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII)
  5. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80 mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKI)
  6. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80 mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKII)
  7. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)
  8. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)
  9. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 D (MKIII)
  10. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)
  11. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

The catalog of modern universal lenses for Nikon can be look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Results

The optical performance of the Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) did not increase much compared to the first version. Only the case design has changed, macro mode (now it is available at 35 mm instead of 135 mm) and the enlightenment has been updated. But still, the second version seemed to me much more pleasant than the first.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: alexey_laa

 

 

Comments: 36, on the topic: Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

  • Do_Oraemon

    Budget 135 :)

  • alexey_laa

    I recently bought myself a Zoom-Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5 ~ 4.5 Ai-S for a mirrorless camera. I noticed that in the “macro” mode, if you do not turn the focus to “M”, then you can shoot with a lower magnification and a longer focusing distance.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      on autofocus 135s the same way :)

      • alexey_laa

        And here's another interesting photo from the store where I bought the lens: https://db.tt/7GaQMix7 :)

      • ALEXANDER

        Arkady advise as a specialist. So all the same, which is better to buy a lens better than Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105 / 3.5-4,5 V / or Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 / for the quality of the photos taken through them ???

        • ALEXANDER

          Arkady advise as a specialist. So all the same, which is better to buy a lens better than Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105 / 3.5-4,5 D / or Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 / in terms of the quality of the photos taken through them ???

  • Jury

    Where is the place so beautiful? Something like Khortitsa :)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Taken in the Kievan Rus Park, towards Obukhov.

  • Sergei

    On Fotika.kom. The Nikon 2-24 f / 4 lens appeared. A big request to Arcady to test it. Thanks in advance.

  • Sergei

    Sorry 12-24

  • Maximum

    //
    On Nikon DX cameras, the lens does not have the most convenient EGF, which is 53-203mm.
    //

    Regarding this phrase I do not agree with a respected author.
    Let me explain with a personal example. The overwhelming part of my photo archive is photos of my own children, friends and relatives. In an apartment with a crop camera, I use either fifty dollars or Tamron 28-75 F / 2.8. In terms of focal lengths wider than 28, I don't need focal lengths to shoot people, but 75 at the long end is not enough for me even in an ordinary apartment - a face close-up would sometimes be convenient to shoot with focal 85 or 105. When I walk with children on street, I take with me a TV set 70-210. My personal approximate statistical analysis shows that the most popular in this case on street photography are focal lengths from 70 to 135. The same thing at matinees in kindergarten - the most popular focal lengths from 85 to 135.
    Thus, for this fairly common set of subjects - static and dynamic portraits (reportage) - in my opinion, the most universal lens for a crop would be 35-105 or 35-135. But, to my great regret, manufacturers do not make these with a constant 2.8 aperture.
    There is a middle 28 (24) -70 (75) with a hole 2.8, telephoto lenses 70 (80) -200 (210) with a hole 2.8 are, but for some reason they don't make an intermediate option between them. The only exception is Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO, but this is rather an exception to the general rule, Nikon has no such analogue.

    Apparently, you still have to save for a full frame + Nikon 80-200 f / 2.8 and I will be happy :))

    • Hob

      Arkady simply used the wrong word - instead of “inconvenient” he should have used “less universal”, because if you call 53-203mm “inconvenient focal lengths” then you will have to consider 35mm, and 50mm, and 85mm, and 105mm, and 135mm as such (if all use this on crop), and all of Arkady’s favorite Nikkor AF 80[70]-200mm f/2.8 (MK1, MK2, ...) on FX fall INSIDE this “INCONVENIENT” interval 53-203mm)))

      • Arkady Shapoval

        A station wagon must be a station wagon

  • Nella

    Please tell me, is this lens suitable for Nikon d3100?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There will be no auto focus on the d3100 :)

      • ALEXANDER

        So all the same, which is better to buy a lens better than Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105 / 3.5-4,5 V / or Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 / 3.5-4.5 / for the quality of the photos taken through them ???

        • Victor

          Which one you find successful, which one - no difference.
          35-105d (which seems to be considered easier) in my hands, there are almost no questions for him, I honestly wanted to buy 28-105, went through about FIVE copies from various sellers - all of them have a picture worse than 35s, terrible unevenness of sharpness across the field.

          • ALEXANDER

            I don't understand ??? Which 35 is worse ??? 35-135 or 28-105 ??? So it turns out that you need to buy for high-quality photographs Nikkor AF 35-135 / 3.5-4,5 /?

            • Victor

              I was not interested in 35-135, I can not say anything about her.

              The point is that I could not immediately find a 28-105 specimen that was more successful than the 35-105 I have.
              And in general, the old Nikon optics is a lottery today, if you are lucky enough to find a good copy - excellent, but there is enough rubbish on the market.

        • Dmitry Kostin

          If you live in Moscow (or just in the Russian Federation), then in Moscow, near the Konkovo ​​metro station, the seller Yuri is selling lenses. There are 110 positive reviews on his Avito profile.
          I bought 2 pieces of 35-70 / 2.8D from him and an almost new 28-105 / 3.5-4.5D.
          His lenses are in good condition, he sells them all the time. If Arkady permits, I can drop the link here.

        • Dmitry Kostin

          I liked the 28-105 / 3.5-4.5D better. Perhaps because I got it as good as new.
          I also had 35-105 / 3.5-4.5D.
          They are both good, each in its own way. 35-105 / 3.5-4.5D is very cheap, gives a decent picture (and if you look at its price, all the more so), it is very compact and is not much larger in size than 35 / 2D. You can always carry it with you.
          28-105 / 3.5-4.5D is larger in size and it seemed to me that it is sharper and gives a more pleasant picture. An excellent lens for the money.

  • anonym

    I bought this lens for shooting a child. focal very like. Camera crop, d7000

  • Eugene.

    Today got hold of this glass. Until I understood him. I found one interesting vesch, in macro mode it is not necessary to rotate the wide ring all the way, in the whole macro area it can be successfully focused.

  • anonym

    Hello, how can I add a photo to a comment?

    • Valery A.

      "Use this instruction to insert an image into a comment." - nah. under the comment box.

  • Alexander

    Hello. Arkady, thanks for your work, the best reviews and atmosphere! There is an error in the review. This lens transmits the set focal length to the camera.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      But where in the review do I indicate that it does not transmit the focal length to the camera?

      • Alexander

        Arkady. Yes, I read it inattentively. Sorry for the mistake. Perhaps my comment is better to remove, so as not to confuse people.

  • Eugene

    Should you buy with Nikkor AF-S 18-135? D7100 camera - with screwdriver.

    • Pokemon

      It makes no sense, especially for a small-pixel crop.

      • Eugene

        Well, yes - I agree. Moreover, at the long end, the aperture ratio is not much higher.

  • ALEXANDER

    I don't understand ??? Which 35 is worse ??? 35-135 or 28-105 ??? So it turns out that you need to buy for high-quality photographs Nikkor AF 35-135 / 3.5-4,5 /?

  • Sergei

    Arkady, which one did you like more, this one or 28-105?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      28-105

  • Andrei

    Arkady. In macro mode, the wide rubber “zoom” ring is responsible for focusing in this lens. Manual focusing of course.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Of course not. In this position, the zoom ring is still the same zoom ring, which visually affects the magnification factor, and due to the non-parfocality of the lens, it may seem that it forces you to “focus”. Well, an excerpt from the instructions is attached.

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