Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

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Archive 2011 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

luketrot
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p.1 #1 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

On behalf of all sports photographers who have used the Canon 135/2.

Nikon, really? C'mon Man!

Nov 16, 2011 at 07:11 PM

Zebrabot
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p.1 #2 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

Canon users can almost form sentences!

Nov 16, 2011 at 07:28 PM

jlawrence
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p.1 #3 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

I'll take that headache off your hands.

Nov 16, 2011 at 07:31 PM

plubbry
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p.1 #4 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

Are you complaining that Nikon needs a general purpose 135 f2 lens or are you complaining about the Nikon 135 f2 DC? If it's the latter... well, the 135 f2 DC could be used for sports... though I am not sure how well it would perform in this capacity. It is after all (along with the 105 f2 DC) a unique lens designed primarily as a portrait lens. It has the DC (Defocus Control) feature that permits some subtle control over the smoothness of the OOF areas of the image.

Similarly on the Canon side I doubt you would use the 85 1.2 for sports. It is again an optic designed for a fairly specific purpose (I am guessing).

Nov 16, 2011 at 07:36 PM

Kittyk
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p.1 #5 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

it focuses fast and if you don't mess with DC is as good as anything canon has to offer.

truth is that 99,974 bodies come out not really calibrated so you need to AFfinetune it.

Nov 16, 2011 at 07:56 PM

luketrot
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p.1 #6 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

Just frustrates me that the Nikon hasn't released a 135/2 that competes with the AF speed of the Canon counterpart. I love my Nikkor 200mm F2 but sometimes I need something a little shorter at F2 for sports. And please do not tell me the slow AF performance of the Nikkor 135mm F/2.0D is a feature. They need to update this lens soon!

Nov 16, 2011 at 08:02 PM

Zaitz
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p.1 #7 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

Mmmm...love the DC feature. Hopefully they don't get rid of it if they update the lens.

Nov 16, 2011 at 08:13 PM

Mark_L
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p.1 #8 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

It's a portrait lens not a sports lens but that said it's ridiculous this lens has STILL not been updated. It's full of CA, 1990s af and comprehensibly outperformed by zooms but still costs the best part of £1000.

Stick with the 70-200. With nikon's current price gouging policy on lenses don't expect the updated version to cost under 2 grand anyway.

Nov 16, 2011 at 08:19 PM

OO7MIKE
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p.1 #9 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

The Nikon 135mm f2 has nothing on the Canon 135mm f2. I dislike using the term "hands down" but you may attach it if it makes you feel better.

This is not to say that Nikon's version isn't any good. It's still a great lens that offers a very unique look but it just isn't in the same class as the Canon 135mm f2. The AF speed is wonderful and so is the sharpness.

I'm sure Nikon will release a new 135mm f2 soon. We are way over due for a new version. Too bad its probably going to cost twice as much as the canon version.

Nov 16, 2011 at 10:08 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #10 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

Kittyk wrote:
it focuses fast and if you don't mess with DC is as good as anything canon has to offer.

truth is that 99,974 bodies come out not really calibrated so you need to AFfinetune it.
Sorry, Kitty...it's not.

AF is a joke compared to the Canon as well as the copious amounts of CA.

Looking forward to the new 135 f2 VR II Nano...that'll shut-up the L boys

and I'll gladly pay 2 grand for the privilege

Nov 16, 2011 at 11:51 PM

wjlapier
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p.1 #11 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

trenchmonkey wrote:
Kittyk wrote:
it focuses fast and if you don't mess with DC is as good as anything canon has to offer.

truth is that 99,974 bodies come out not really calibrated so you need to AFfinetune it.
Sorry, Kitty...it's not.

AF is a joke compared to the Canon as well as the copious amounts of CA.

Looking forward to the new 135 f2 VR II Nano...that'll shut-up the L boys

and I'll gladly pay 2 grand for the privilege

Exactly! If the Nikkor 135L is anything like the 200/2 AFS--I too will pony up the $2K.

I used the 135L alot back in the day shooting HS basketball and volleyball. I tried the Nikkor variety and was very dissapointed. Same for the 105/2.

Nov 17, 2011 at 01:16 AM

williamkazak
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p.1 #12 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

Just get the 70-200 F2.8 VR2. I don't know why a sports shooter would choose a prime. (I don't know why a landscape shooter would get a zoom).

Nov 17, 2011 at 02:17 AM

jhinkey
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p.1 #13 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

williamkazak wrote:
Just get the 70-200 F2.8 VR2. I don't know why a sports shooter would choose a prime. (I don't know why a landscape shooter would get a zoom).

Well, the only reason a sports shooter would get a prime is if it's f/2. A f/2.8 prime makes no sense unless it's a 300/2.8 or so . . . .

I'm getting a 135/2 DC for low speed, low light action and perhaps some daylight action where I really want f/2 isolation (I can't afford the 200/2 which I'd really love to have, but my back is glad I don't have).

John

Nov 17, 2011 at 02:41 AM

Kittyk
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p.1 #14 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

AF is a joke compared to the Canon as well as the copious amounts of CA.

Looking forward to the new 135 f2 VR II Nano...that'll shut-up the L boys

and I'll gladly pay 2 grand for the privilege

it have some CA but only in OOF areas. I dont find it really disturbing. But i am looking forward for updated version as well... I miss manual focus override which would be whole game changer for DC lens.

Nov 17, 2011 at 06:22 AM

LLondon
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p.1 #15 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

williamkazak wrote:
Just get the 70-200 F2.8 VR2. I don't know why a sports shooter would choose a prime. (I don't know why a landscape shooter would get a zoom).

Yea primes so suck at sports.

all with a 200/2 baseball was through a chainlink fence.

DSC_5314 by L.London, on Flickr

DSC_5520 by L.London, on Flickr

DSC_5516 by L.London, on Flickr

As for zooms for landscapes check here Zooms

Nov 17, 2011 at 09:17 AM

luketrot
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p.1 #16 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

williamkazak wrote:
Just get the 70-200 F2.8 VR2. I don't know why a sports shooter would choose a prime. (I don't know why a landscape shooter would get a zoom).

I have a Nikkor 70-200 F2.8 VR2 and a Canon 135/2. The 135/2 much like the 200/2 has a "pop" to the images that you don't get with 70-200's. When looking at our images from the weekend I can't always tell you if it was taken on a Nikon body or Canon body but I can usually tell if it was taken on a 135/2 or 200/2 vs 70-200 lens.

Nov 17, 2011 at 12:07 PM

pixelrandy
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p.1 #17 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

I own the 135 f/2 DC, and it's an amazing portrait lens. However I would agree that it has too many shortcomings to make a great action sports lens. The AF isn't terribly slow, but it has nothing on the lighting fast 200 f/2. What a amazing piece of glass that 200 is. (sigh, drool, want...).

My friend has the Canon 135. The Canon lens has a much closer MFD. I find that I have a hard time composing some headshots, especially when shooting DX, with the Nikon lens. It would be nice to get in a little closer at times. It's less of an issue when using the D3S.

D7K with the 135/2 DC:

Nov 17, 2011 at 06:01 PM

redclay92
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p.1 #18 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

I'm not sure if the 85 1.4 accepts TCs or not, I believe it does. But why not take and slap a 1.4 TC on a 85 1.4 and you get a 120 f2.0 which is close enough... with quite fast AF speed.

Nov 18, 2011 at 05:34 AM

Bruce Sawle
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p.1 #19 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

AF is a joke compared to the Canon as well as the copious amounts of CA.

Looking forward to the new 135 f2 VR II Nano...that'll shut-up the L boys

and I'll gladly pay 2 grand for the privilege

Nov 18, 2011 at 02:45 PM

wjlapier
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p.1 #20 · Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens

pixelrandy wrote:
I own the 135 f/2 DC, and it's an amazing portrait lens. However I would agree that it has too many shortcomings to make a great action sports lens. The AF isn't terribly slow, but it has nothing on the lighting fast 200 f/2. What a amazing piece of glass that 200 is. (sigh, drool, want...).

My friend has the Canon 135. The Canon lens has a much closer MFD. I find that I have a hard time composing some headshots, especially when shooting DX, with the Nikon lens. It would be nice to get in a little closer at times. It's less of an issue when using the D3S.

D7K with the 135/2 DC:

Great photo. Print it!

Nov 18, 2011 at 03:17 PM

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