Photo 1 of 8

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Photo 1 of 8

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon · NIKKOR

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Released October 2023

A full-frame Z-mount telephoto prime with an f/1.8 aperture, eleven rounded diaphragm blades, internal focusing and two function buttons.

Mount
Nikon Z mount
Focal length
135 mm
Max aperture
f/1.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
995 g

What reviewers say

Both praise its sharpness across the frame, smooth rounded background blur, quick autofocus and substantial construction. Both consider it expensive and large. Photography Blog finds it well balanced on a Zf but unsuitable as an everyday walk-around lens, and thinks many users would find the 85mm f/1.8 S sufficient. Digital Camera World finds it comfortable for prolonged handheld use and particularly suited to tight portraits; it notes slower autofocus in very low-contrast scenes and at extreme close distances.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.8
Minimum aperture
f/16
Optical construction
Sixteen elements in fourteen groups
Special elements
Four ED, one aspherical and one SR element
Coatings
Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat
Aperture detail
f/1.8–16
Diaphragm
Eleven rounded blades
Angle of view
FX 18°10′; DX 12°

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras
Image circle detail
Physical 135 mm focal length; 202.5 mm full-frame-equivalent angle of view on DX, as Photography Blog notes

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.82 m
Maximum magnification
0.2×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Multi-focusing system using stepping motors
Focus distance detail
Internal focusing, minimum 0.82 m; manual override in M/A mode
Magnification detail
Maximum 0.2×; not a life-size macro lens
Stabilisation detail
No optical VR, as Digital Camera World confirms
Video features
Quiet operation and stable exposure according to Nikon; clickless control ring for aperture, ISO or exposure compensation

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
82 mm
Maximum diameter
98 mm
Length
139.5 mm
Weight
995 g
Controls
Manual focus ring, separate programmable control ring, A/M switch and two programmable L-Fn buttons for landscape or portrait use; no OLED distance display, as Photography Blog notes
Filter detail
82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Dust and drip resistant; Nikon qualifies that resistance is not guaranteed in every situation or condition
Dimensions detail
Approximately 98 mm maximum diameter × 139.5 mm from the lens mount flange
Weight detail
Approximately 995 g
Lens hood
HB-108 included
In the box
LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-108 hood and CL-C2 case
Release detail
Nikon Canada's September 2023 announcement states mid-October availability. Exact earliest global and first UK retail day unconfirmed; month precision retained

Pros and cons

Pros

  • f/1.8 maximum aperture
  • Eleven rounded diaphragm blades
  • Two programmable function buttons and a separate control ring

Cons

  • 995 g weight
  • No optical vibration reduction
  • No focus-distance display

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Nikon Z mount105 mmf/2.8Yes630 gJun 2021
Nikon Z mount85 mmf/1.8–470 gSept 2019
Nikon Z mount85 mmf/1.2No1,160 gMar 2023

Sources

  1. nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/lenses/mirrorless/nikkor-z-135mm-f1.8-s-plena
  2. en.nikon.ca/redirect/en-CA/press-room/135mm-plena
  3. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_135mm_f1_8_s_plena_review
  4. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_135mm_f1_8_s_plena_review/conclusion
  5. digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/nikon-z-135mm-f18-s-plena-review

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

Spot a mistake? Tell us