Lens Info - Canon nFD 135mm f3.5
Canon nFD 135mm f3.5
The nFD 135mm F3.5 was released in 1979 and was one of three different versions of the 135mm lens offered by Canon at the time. The other two were the F2 and F2.8 variants. The F3.5 version was popular because it was the most budget friendly and offered great value for money. But it was also the first of the three units to be discontinued driving more sales to the F2.8 version. This 135mm F3.5 features a simple design of 4 groups and 4 elements along with Canon’s Super Spectra Coating. It also features a built in metal lens hood which I wish more modern lenses had. Unlike other lenses in the nFD line this one features a metal body and feels solid in the hands. In my experience with this lens I have to admit this lens is a beauty. The bokeh is creamy and the compression is pleasing. It’s great for portraits, isolating subjects or getting a close up detail shot. It can be found online for around $80-$100.
LENS SPECS
Released Date: 1979
Format: 35mm
Mount: Canon FD
Filter: 52mm
Aperture Blades: 6
Aperture Range: 3.5 - 32
Min Focus Distance: 1.30m
Weight 325g
Optical Design: 4 elements in 4 groups
APS-C Conversion Approx.: 216mm
Menu Settings
In order to use this lens on your modern mirrorless camera you’re going to need to do two things. First you’ll need an FD to (your mount adapter) I’ve been using the Fotodiox Pro FD to to R adapter for the past several years and highly recommend it. Note that the FL, FD and nFD mounts are all the same and generally called FD mounts in the world of adapters.
The second thing you’ll need to do is change your camera menu settings so that it will release the shutter without a lens on the front. Vintage lenses don’t have any electronics that communicate with the camera so the camera sees them as a lens cap.
You can get more info about it on this blog post: Canon Menu Settings for Shooting With Vintage Lenses
