NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena attached to Nikon Z f
It’s been a while since Nikon announced that it was developing a 135mm single focus lens for the NIKKOR Z lens, but it has finally been released as the “NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena” (hereinafter referred to as Plena).
I’ve been waiting! This bright 135mm single focus.
This time, I was able to get my hands on the actual lens, so I would like to share my impressions.
The 135mm is a popular interchangeable lens among portrait photographers from various companies, but since the release of the “AI AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f/2D” in 1995, Nikon has not released a single 135mm single focal length lens. It wasn’t.
The previous 135mm was a special lens that had a unique built-in bokeh control function, allowing you to control spherical aberration by turning the DC ring on the lens barrel to adjust the bokeh in front and behind the subject.
What kind of performance single focus 135mm lens will come out from Nikon this time? I was really looking forward to it, but I have no idea what kind of slogan the lens will be.
Perhaps the previous AI AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f/2D will be improved upon, such as being able to control the bokeh, and some new gimmick will be announced to make it stand out? That’s what I was imagining.
Nikon is promoting that it is a bright, medium-telephoto 135mm lens designed with the ultimate in optical performance. Surprisingly, they have released an attractive 135mm lens that completely eliminates aberrations and aims for the pinnacle of high descriptive performance in a direct competition without any special gimmicks!
I thought this lens was one of Nikon’s most confident products.
A proud work of NIKKOR Z lenses with a unique name and high quality texture.
This 135mm is the second lens to bear a unique name, following the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, and has been introduced under the name “Plena.”
Plena comes from the Latin word “plenum,” which means a space filled with space, and the word is associated with the glow of the ocean at high tide and the feeling of a person’s heart being filled.
Plena’s lens barrel is made of metal and is quite heavy, with a matte finish that gives it a luxurious feel.
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8S Plena with “Plena” engraved on the metal barrel.
Infused with the attention to detail worthy of the unique name Plena, we have achieved unparalleled descriptive power.
By optimizing the lens configuration, a highly circular bokeh shape is achieved from the maximum aperture of F1.8, and the subject is depicted three-dimensionally with one of the highest resolutions of S-Line lenses, making full use of the potential of the Z mount. .
This is officially stated by the manufacturer.
For some reason, if Nikon says so much about it, I’m excited to try it out. NIKKOR Z lenses are said to be reliable, and from those words, you can expect an amazing high-performance lens that stands at the top of the popular Nikon Z interchangeable lens group.
Meltingly smooth bokeh that gently brings out the subject
To begin with, Nikon’s Z mount is designed with a large diameter and short flange back, with an inner diameter of 55mm and a flange back of 16mm. Therefore, the rear element of the lens can be designed larger than that of Nikon F-mount lenses.
I heard that the advantage of this is that it allows you to design brighter lenses, and that it is especially beneficial for wide-angle lens development.
This time, Plena has been commercialized as a bright medium-telephoto single focus lens that takes advantage of the potential of the large-diameter, short-flange-back Z mount. With Plena, the brightness is reproduced all the way to the four corners without reducing the amount of peripheral light at the wide open F value. In addition, by minimizing vignetting and using a wide open F value, the blur of point light sources becomes close to a perfect circle to the periphery of the screen, suppressing spiral blur.
By pursuing the shape and quality of the bokeh in this way, and by filling the entire frame with light, the brilliance of the subject and the beautiful bokeh are in harmony, making it possible to create a fantastical expression.
“Backlit waterside”
Shooting data: aperture f/1.8, aperture priority AE, Nikon Z f, picture control (rich tone portrait)
*Click on the image to enlarge
Plena’s lens configuration is 16 elements in 14 groups (including 1 SR lens, 1 aspherical lens, and 4 ED lenses). To prevent backlighting, a new coating called “Mesoamorphous Coat” is used, which has the highest anti-reflection effect in the history of NIKKOR lenses. Regardless of whether the light is directly incident or obliquely incident, it exhibits an anti-reflection effect that surpasses that of Nano Crystal Coat, and significantly reduces ghosts and flare caused by various types of incident light.
In addition, the synergistic effect with Arneo Coat, which has a high anti-reflection effect against vertically incident light, reduces ghosting and flare, resulting in crisp, clear images even when backlit.
The shortest shooting distance is 0.82m. There are 11 aperture blades (circular aperture). The minimum aperture is F16. Filter diameter is 82mm. Weight approximately 995g. Adopts a multi-focus system, allowing you to obtain high-resolution images even when shooting from close range.
The STM AF operation is fast and highly accurate, making it an attractive lens that allows you to capture moving subjects sharply.
“The end of summer”
Shooting data: Aperture f/1.8, Aperture priority auto, Z 9, Picture control (standard)
*Click on the image to enlarge
Expectations for future NIKKOR Z lenses
The lens barrel of the Plena I tried this time is made of metal, and the moment you hold it in your hand, you can feel the cool sensation on your fingertips. This lens produces sharp images even wide open, and I was satisfied with the smooth and beautiful bokeh finish all the way to the corners, making it a high-quality tool that satisfies my desire to own it.
I would be happy if Nikon continues to produce interchangeable lenses like the Plena that aim for ultimate image quality and take full advantage of the large diameter, short flange back Nikon Z mount.
What kind of new NIKKOR Z lenses will be released in the future, such as the last single focus 35mm that is currently on the roadmap that we haven’t seen yet? After actually holding this Plena in my hands, I became even more interested in the new possibilities of future NIKKOR Z lenses.
Shu Akayama
In March 1986, graduated from Tokyo College of Photography, Department of Journalism Photography. While attending school, he worked part-time in the photography department of Sankei Sports Newspaper. After working at the Hotel New Otani Photo Studio, he joined Ueda Camera Ltd. While working there, he learned photography as a way of life from the late Masaharu Ueda. He became independent at the age of 25 and started making a living through photography.
I aim to become a photographer who emphasizes the splendor of the region and the local way of life through the charm of people and their relationships with each other.
