Nikon has thrown down the gauntlet in the world of portrait photography with its latest offering, the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens, which it boldly labels as “the perfect bokeh lens.” Designed exclusively for portrait photographers, this lens is a significant addition to Nikon’s mirrorless lineup, and it follows in the footsteps of the remarkable Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S ‘Noct’ lens, which left photography enthusiasts in awe.
The Noct lens, while undeniably impressive, was accompanied by an eye-watering price tag of $8,000 / £8,300 / AU$14,000, placing it firmly in the realm of luxury optics. The Plena, on the other hand, offers a breath of fresh air with a price tag that is only around one-third of its illustrious predecessor, retailing at $2,600 / £2,700 / AU$4,600, and is set to hit the market in mid-October.
Although the Plena is still pricier than Sony’s equivalent FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens and several other alternatives such as the Samyang 135mm f/1.8 and Sigma’s offerings, Nikon is confident that it has created something extraordinary. The lens promises flawless circular bokeh and zero lens distortion, effectively controlling sagittal coma, onion-ring artifacts, vignetting, and flare.
If Nikon’s engineering feat has indeed materialized, the Plena could rightfully claim its place among the finest lenses in Nikon’s storied history, likely earning accolades from professional portrait photographers. The lower price point will undoubtedly add to its appeal.
I had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the Plena alongside the Nikon Zf before the official global announcement (though they’re not the most intuitive pairing), and one thing is clear: the Plena is a substantial piece of glass. It features design elements reminiscent of Nikon’s other professional S-Line lenses, with an engraved yellow signature akin to the Noct lens on an otherwise robust all-black exterior.
Weighing in at 35.1 ounces (995 grams), the Plena is considerably smaller and lighter than the Noct lens, falling within a similar design and price range as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S, which is notably more expensive than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8. Unlike the manual focus-only Noct lens, the Plena offers autofocus capabilities, featuring quiet internal focusing and a minimum focus distance of just 2.7 feet (0.82 meters).
These pro-grade S-Line lenses come with a premium price, and Nikon asserts that the Plena boasts the highest overall rendering power of any Z-mount lens to date. This means it should deliver razor-sharp results across the entire image area, regardless of the aperture setting, and produce sublime bokeh with a consistently circular and smooth appearance, even in the corners, regardless of lighting conditions.
This is precisely what sets the best mirrorless lenses apart from their DSLR counterparts – the ability to maintain exceptional optical performance across all apertures while minimizing lens distortions. With its 11 rounded aperture blades and a complex optical arrangement comprising 16 elements in 14 groups, the Plena appears poised to excel on paper.
While the lens certainly sounds promising, my firsthand experience was limited, and I was unable to review the digital files I captured during the preview. Consequently, I eagerly await a full review to evaluate if the bokeh is indeed circular and smooth in the corners of the frame – a potential game-changer, as most lenses tend to produce cat-eye-shaped bokeh in such situations. The Nikon Plena is unquestionably a product worth keeping an eye on and promises to provide an exciting twist to portrait photography.
