Nikon Nikkor AI-S 135mm f/2.8 Lens
The Nikon 135mm f/2.8 is a 135mm f/2.8 lens designed for Nikon F mount cameras. Used copies start from $84.66 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikon Nikkor AI-S 135mm f/2.8 Lens
Used Nikon 135mm f/2.8 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Nikon 135mm f/2.8
Key Features — Nikon 135mm f/2.8
135mm Prime Focal Length: Fixed telephoto perspective delivers subject compression and isolation without the complexity of a zoom design.
f/2.8 Maximum Aperture: Allows for meaningful background separation and usable shutter speeds when shooting in lower-light conditions.
Full-Frame Coverage: Image circle covers a 35mm full-frame sensor with no vignetting on compatible Nikon F-mount bodies.
AI-S Mechanical Design: Fully mechanical aperture coupling supports accurate exposure metering on AI-compatible Nikon film and digital bodies.
Manual Focus Only: No autofocus motor means a simple, reliable optical construction with a smooth manual focus ring.
Nikon F Mount: Compatible with the full range of Nikon F-mount film and DSLR bodies, and adaptable to mirrorless systems with an appropriate adapter.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 135mm f/2.8
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Street, Creative Effects |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 135mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 52mm |
Description — Nikon 135mm f/2.8
The Nikon Nikkor AI-S 135mm f/2.8 is a prime telephoto lens built on the Nikon F mount, with a full-frame image circle that makes it compatible with full-frame Nikon bodies without any crop factor adjustments on those platforms. The fixed 135mm focal length places it in telephoto range, and the f/2.8 maximum aperture provides meaningful flexibility in varied lighting conditions. Focusing is manual only, giving the shooter direct, tactile control over focus with no dependence on autofocus systems.
The lens weighs 430g, striking a balance between build quality and portability that suits both studio and field use. A 52mm filter thread rounds out the feature set with access to a broad and affordable range of screw-in filters. With no image stabilization, users should be mindful of shutter speed when shooting handheld at this focal length.
Pros — Nikon 135mm f/2.8
- ✓Maximum aperture of f/2.8 provides solid light-gathering for a telephoto prime
- ✓Fixed 135mm focal length delivers consistent telephoto perspective with no zoom creep
- ✓Full-frame coverage means no vignetting concerns on full-frame Nikon F-mount bodies
Cons — Nikon 135mm f/2.8
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support, which can be a limitation for fast-moving subjects
- ✗No image stabilization, requiring careful technique or faster shutter speeds to avoid camera shake at 135mm
- ✗No electronic contacts noted in specs, which may limit or eliminate metering and EXIF data on some bodies
Videos — Nikon 135mm f/2.8
Nikon Unleashes the PLENA Lens! 135mm f/1.8 S Initial Review — PetaPixel










