dai_crisp

<p>I don't have a 135 but I have a 105 2.5 and a 180 2.8, both work beautifully on the D700. It should work fine and if it is programmed into the camera, it will work with the color matrix metering, it will work with flash, and can also be used in aperture priority automatic. All of my prime lenses that I entered into the camera work beautifully this way, I have 9 of them that the camera can identify when I select them after I install the lens. It will give the lens on a readout of the metadata with the images including the lens and f stop used. Pretty cool that Nikon designed the body with backwards compatibility to this extreme. Thank you Nikon.</p>

<p>I bought the D700 because I have older AI glass. Your lenses are much younger than mine and will have AF capability mine do not have. I am amazed at the performance of these older lens on this contemporary digital camera body. I have a range of fixed prime lenses from a 16mm fisheye to a fast 300. They all work well and the really fast glass like the 35 1.4 and 85 1.4 are stunning. The remarkable thing about the camera is that it is possible to program in 9 lenses. When you do this and select the lens when it is mounted the camera can meter with the color matrix metering and also will work with flash seamlessly. The other big unexpected thing for me is its ability to work as an aperture priority automatic with the old manual lenses. No kidding, it will even use an AI'd 105 2.5 in this way. I am an F2 user and never had a Nikon that had automatic features except for motordrives. I use this shooting my kids sports events and I am amazed. The advantage in the D700 is its low light capability and that means the ISO can be set very high for indoor volleyball for example and have shutter speeds that will stop action. Sharp images and very low noise. The automatic exposure setting with manual lenses works perfectly. I don't have any zooms so can't comment about the performance of those, but the primes shine on this body. I think if the technique is there this body will do what you want it to do. The latest lenses are seductive, both for the antivibration technology and super fast AF but great results can be had with Nikon's earlier lenses. And wide angles are wide. I waited for a full frame body and am glad I did. Fantastic camera body.</p>

<p>I agree with the statement above about lens speed. The fast lenses like the 35 and 85/1.4 or fast 50's have tremendous advantages, especially in low light or difficult lighting situations. The depth of field is much more narrow wide open and they are easier to see focus and softness. Slower lenses give you that maximum aperture and its DOF. Fast lenses have made the difference for me to achieve fantastic images in theatrical photography for example. The image of the girl in the link posted above is a great example of what an 85/1.4 can do. The eyes are razor sharp but there is quick softness away from that thin focus area. The backround is completely neutral and out of focus. Beautiful image.<br>

These older manual focus lenses are just fantastic on this digital body. They are fun to use too.<br>

-Dai</p>

<p>I have to agree with you Fred. Some of the old lenses are still benchmark glass; the Nikkor 105/2.5 and the Micro Nikkor 105/4 are two that come to mind. They are wicked sharp used on the D 700. The fast lenses like the 35/1.4 and the 85/1.4 are also superb. I find no problems yet with my older AI or AIs lenses or even a couple of earlier lenses that have been AI'd. Amazing. Great balance and ease of use with this camera body.</p><div></div>