NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena: The Pinnacle of Portrait-Length Primes

Introduced as “a new visual experience,” Nikon has just announced the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens for its mirrorless Z system. This short-telephoto prime is all about being the quintessential portrait lens; it emphasizes accurate rendering, smooth bokeh, and high sharpness, along with a focal length that flatters subjects and allows for an ideal amount of subject-background separation.

The lens is called “Plena,” which translates to “full.” With “full” in mind, referring to performance, the advanced optics help to achieve high resolution, consistent and even peripheral illumination, and especially round, well-controlled bokeh void of rings or fringing—all traits that make up an ideal lens for portraiture. And, as an S-Line lens with Meso Amorphous and ARNEO Coats, the Plena offers Nikon’s most controlled point-light reproduction, color rendering, and high anti-reflective qualities.

This is a lens that will feel at home in a photographer’s bag, but it’s also a lens that has been optimized for video creators with internal focusing that inherently suppresses focus breathing and offers smooth, silent AF performance. Also, the 11-blade diaphragm uses an electro-magnetic mechanism for stable aperture changes.

Physically, the lens is an evolution of S-Line lenses: it is dust and drip resistant and features a relatively lightweight, portable form factor, considering the focal length and large maximum aperture—it weighs just about 2.2 lb, has an 82mm filter diameter, and is evenly tapered for balanced handling. There is a large manual focus ring and a secondary Control Ring toward the base of the lens that can be programmed to adjust a variety of settings. There is also a top Fn button, which Nikon indicates is a design decision that will be part of all S-Line lenses going forward. An aesthetic choice by Nikon, the lens has an engraved “Plena” script logo on the top barrel, which is reminiscent of the Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct and indicates the unique performance tier for this special lens.

For more information about the new lens, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page for the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to reply to your comments and questions.