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View Full Version : Nikon 135 5,6 performance and alternatives



Luca Merlo
1-Dec-2007, 15:12
I own a Nikon 135/5,6 and I am quite happy of its performance when shooting 4x5 B&W. I know that this is quite a "controversial" lens since some people like its performance and some others consider it quite a "poor quality" lens. I was wondering if there is any better alternative to this lens in the same range of focal 120-135 for B&W. What I am looking is also quite a light lens.....

Ted Harris
1-Dec-2007, 15:24
Luca,

I can't recall hearing any call that lens poor quality. The lens is a plasmat design and generally speaking, a plasmat from any one the 'big four' will perform about the same as one from any one of the others. I have noticed a very slight bit less contrast in the Nikon v. the Schneider or Rodenstock but it disappears if you stop down the Nikkor a half stop. So, no, unless you want to go with the Rodenstock Sironar-S which is in another league, keep the Nikkor. You won't notice any difference in a Sironar-N, Schneider Apo Symmar (don't know about the L) or Fuji CMW. The Sironar-S is smaller but AFAIK the others are about the same size.

Brian Ellis
1-Dec-2007, 18:10
I've never heard that this lens is anything but excellent. I owned one and convinced myself that the 135 mm Rodenstock APO Sironar S would be a better choice after reading a magazine article that extolled the virtues of the Sironar S. So I sold the Nikon and bought the Rodenstock. I haven't seen any difference in performance, the Nikon is an excellent lens, I'm sorry I sold it.

Luca Merlo
1-Dec-2007, 23:19
Brian and Ellis. Many thanks for the answers. I will definitely keep the Nikon.


A big Ciao from Italy.

Luca Merlo
1-Dec-2007, 23:20
Sorry Ted. I was meaning Brian and Ted.