Lens ReviewMorten ByskovJanuary 27, 2025Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Review, Nikon Z 135mm review, Nikon Z 135mm Plena review, Nikkor 135mm f1.8 Plena review, Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena sample images, Nikkor 135mm Plena sample images, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image QualityComment

Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Review

The Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III

Is the Z 135mm Plena Worth the Hype?

I have kept a 135mm lens in my bag for long periods during my photography career for several reasons.

A 135 prime lens is usually lighter than a typical 70-200mm zoom lens. It also often has a faster f-stop, which allows for photos with a shallow depth of field and allows you to keep the ISO lower for low-light photography. A 135 prime lens is also a good alternative to a typical 85mm lens for portrait photography, giving you a slightly different perspective.

A 135mm prime lens typically produces sharper images and more pleasing bokeh. If you are willing to sacrifice or trade these attributes for the ability to zoom, you have quite a few advantages.

There have been two 135mm lenses sticking out from my past: the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM and Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R WR (135mm full-frame equivalent). Both of these were excellent, and I set out to test the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena with these two lenses in my mind.

The Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III — The Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III

Introduction

When the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena was released in the fall of 2023, it was hailed as one of the best Z-mount lenses. Plena is Latin for “full to the brim, almost overflowing.” It is undoubtedly a nice lens, and the “Plena” distinction seems to be a step up from Nikon's usual top-tier S badge lenses.

If you have a vivid imagination, it does indeed look like a cup or pint glass that could overflow with a cold draft beer on a summer day :)

When this review was posted, the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S retailed for $2.496.95, which is not an insignificant amount. In the following, I will explore if there is something to this top-tier “Plena” distinction.

A man crosses the railway tracks in New Westminster, BC, Canada. Sample image from a Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III — New Westminster, BC, Nikon Z6 III, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/1.8

Specs, Build Quality, and Handling

Size and weight are usually the first things I address in these lens reviews because they are crucial in determining whether you will use a lens as much as you think when you first purchase it.

The Z 135mm Plena weighs 2.2 lb or 995 g and measures 3.9 x 5.5" or 98 x 139.5 mm. Last week, I posted my review of the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S and complained about its size and weight.

While the Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena weighs about 100 g less than the Z 50mm f/1.2 S, it feels even lighter. I think this is due to the weight distribution, where perhaps heavier lens elements are placed closer to the camera.

The Plena is still a big lens by most standards, but it depends on what you are used to lugging around. I found its size significant and asked myself how often I would bring it along on photo walks or a vacation. For a pro gig, it’s another scenario altogether, and I would love to add this to my bag.

The Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has a handy customizable control ring, is weather-sealed, and takes 82mm filters. It boasts ED, SR, and aspherical elements to combat chromatic aberrations. It has 16 elements of 14 groups. It also has 11 rounded diaphragm blades to ensure smooth bokeh, and the minimum focusing distance is 2.7' / 82 cm.

The 135mm Plena is of a rock-solid build quality. Only the lens hood feels a bit cheap for a lens in this price category, and at the same time, a sturdy metal hood would add unwanted weight to the lens, so I am not sure this is even a valid point.

Street photography in New Westminster, car uphill. The Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III — New Westminster, Nikon Z6 III, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/1.8

In Action

As long as you are okay with the size and weight of the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, the lens is a joy to work with. Autofocus is fast and works well for tracking street photography, as seen in this review.

I set the customizable control ring to change the aperture. Unlike the Z 50mm f/1.2 S, where I would inadvertently change the aperture, this was not a problem on the 135mm Plena. I did not have the two lenses simultaneously, but the placement on the lens barrel may have something to do with this, and perhaps the control ring is a bit tighter on the Plena.

The 135mm focal length is longer than you may expect, and the images may not have the same personal “in the environment” feel for street photography. At 135mm, there is definite telephoto compression, which you may or may not like.

My buddy Chris lent me the Plena for a week, and my first response, when he asked me if I enjoyed the lens, was: I wish it were a 105mm lens as I find this would be more flexible for my use cases as this point.

Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S @ f/4.5

Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S @ f/3.5

Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S @ f/1.8

Image Quality

Images created with the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena are almost ready to go straight out of the camera in virtually any situation I encountered with little or no post-processing. That is how you know you are working with a great lens.

The lens works well at various distances, with excellent bokeh, sharpness, and color rendering.

I did not stress test for chromatic aberration but didn’t see any, even if harshly lit edges in bright sunlight.

Above, you will see three images at various f-stops, f/4.5, f/3.5, and f/1.8.

Depending on your monitor size, the sample images in this review can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide. Please click to view larger images or pinch-zoom on your mobile phone.

Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III review. — New Westminster, Nikon Z6 III, Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/1.8

Conclusion

The Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is probably worth the hype, but it depends on who you are, how deep your pockets are, and what you need this lens for.

There is something liberating in using a lens such as the 135mm Plena because it is so perfect, and post-processing becomes a breeze. If you are the type of photographer who appreciates this level of quality, the Plena is worth the hype, but it comes at a significant cost, monetary and when it comes to size and weight.

As mentioned above, the 135mm Plena can complement an 85mm lens if you are a portrait photographer. I have found that some models are more at ease when the camera and photographer are a bit further away than an 85mm lens typically allows. Also, environments vary tremendously, and having an 85mm and 135mm lens has benefitted me several times.

Aperture blades on the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens — The Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III

Without comparing side-by-side to my former 135mm lenses, which I no longer have, I would say the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is as good and probably better.

However, after browsing through my old Canon EF 135mm f/2L and Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R WR photos, it is not straightforward to see a huge difference.

If you already have a nice 135mm lens, upgrading to the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S may not yield a massive bump in image quality. However, if you don’t have a 135mm lens and have the budget, I warmly recommend the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. It is the best Nikkor Z lens I have tried to date.

Thank you, Chris, for letting me take your Plena for a spin.

Pros

Amazing image quality
Great build quality
Lovely bokeh

Cons

Price

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate links below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena - B&H Photo

Nikon Z6 III - B&H Photo

Thank you for being supportive.