Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is a premium, high-performance medium-telephoto prime lens designed for Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras, excelling particularly in portrait photography. It offers outstanding sharpness from wide open at f/1.8 through smaller apertures, with minimal chromatic aberration, negligible distortion, and excellent flare control. The lens produces beautiful, smooth, and circular bokeh, benefiting from a unique optical design that reduces vignetting and enhances peripheral illumination across the frame.

Constructed from all-metal, this lens is robust, dust and moisture resistant, but on the bulkier and heavier side with a high price tag. It features a “multi-focusing” system with dual stepping motors (STM) providing fast, accurate, and virtually silent autofocus optimized for focus accuracy rather than speed. Manual focus feels smooth and natural with a focus throw allowing fine control. The lens is noted for very good color contrast, rich tones, and excellent handling, making it ideal for portraits, still life, and cinematic video work.

Key specifications include a 135mm focal length, maximum aperture of f/1.8, FX format coverage, and coating technologies like Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat to enhance image quality further. The lens also offers weather sealing and advanced optics with 16 elements in 14 groups, including ED, aspherical, and short-wavelength refractive elements.