Nikon Z 135mm f1.8 S Plena

Nikon has announced a the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens a premium short-telephoto prime for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. When it comes to choosing the right lens for their photography needs, photographers always consider various factors like focal length, aperture, and image quality. One classic focal length that has recently regained popularity among photographers is the 135mm lens. Let’s take a closer look at why photographers choose a 135mm focal length lens and why to buy it from Fixation.

Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena | our price: £2,699
To order call our sales team on 020 7582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

Plena

The name “Plena” is derived from the term plenum, which denotes the state of a space being completely full. Nikon have adopted this moniker for their latest release to reflect the lens’ ability to support the user’s creative vision with beautiful, well-rounded bokeh of outstanding sharpness and clarity. Following in the footsteps of the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has been bestowed with a unique name in the hopes that it will be treasured by users for many years to come.

This lens will be treasured if it follows in the recent Nikon trend of being the sharpest lenses on the market at the moment. The Nikon 85mm f1.2 S lens is the highest ranking lens on the DXO mark lens review site with the Noct 58mm f0.95 coming in a close second. We expect the Nikon 135mm Plena to come through with a comparatively high rating when DXO is able to put one to the test.

Key features

Beautiful, well-rounded bokeh is achieved throughout the entire frame, while also supporting a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture. Smooth gradation of bokeh that expands in front of and behind the focal plane with minimal colour fringing of the bokeh.
f/1.8 maximum aperture ensures a consistently bright image all the way to the edges of the frame. Aperture range f/1.8 – f/16.
Outstanding sharpness and clarity distinct to S-Line lenses, the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena expresses the delicate textures in hair and skin, while top-class point-image reproduction renders night landscapes faithfully.
Multi-motor focus system uses multiple stepping motors (STMs) for fast, accurate, and quiet AF drive.
Two customisable Fn buttons, to which a wide variety of functions can be assigned. One is positioned on the top of the lens, enabling smooth adjustment of settings even when shooting in vertical orientation.
82mm filter thread
Designed to achieve superior dust and drip-resistant performance.
Advanced lens coating technology: Meso Amorphous Coat, the most effective anti-reflection coating in Nikon history that prevents reflections regardless of the direction from which light enters the lens and Nikon’s original ARNEO Coat is used to effectively reduce ghosting and flares.
A design that takes video recording into consideration with quiet operation and stable exposure, as well as functions including focus-breathing suppression which reduces shifting of the angle of view when focusing.

The Magic of 135mm Focal Length

A 135mm lens offers a unique perspective that many photographers find appealing. Here are a few reasons why photographers opt for this focal length:

Portrait Photography:

One of the primary reasons photographers choose a 135mm lens is its ability to capture stunning portrait shots. The compression effect produced by the longer focal length helps to isolate subjects from their background, creating a pleasing aesthetic, at f1.8 the background will blend into a mix of colours, and speculative highlights will transform into perfectly rounded bokeh. At smaller apertures more background detail will show and only the subject’s immediate environment is maintained in the frame to produce a classic, formal subject-focussed image. Where wider lenses lead themselves to focussing on the person in the environment the 135mm portrait is all about the subject.

Telephoto Versatility:

With its longer reach, a 135mm lens is great for telephoto photography. This focal length allows photographers to capture subjects from a distance while maintaining image sharpness and clarity. Whether it’s wildlife, sports, or street photography, the 135mm lens offers versatility and the ability to spotlight details in a crowded scene.

Low-Light Performance:

Many 135mm lenses have wide apertures and this latest offering from Nikon is no different, the f/1.8 aperture is excellent choices for low-light situations. The wider aperture allows for faster shutter speeds, reducing the risk of camera shake and producing sharper images in challenging lighting conditions.

The 135mm revival:

Many brands have brought out short telephoto lenses recently with the shift to mirrorless camera technology bringing about a revival of lens lines that were previously thought of as stone cold classics. We noticed this when Nikon launched the F mount 105mm f/1.4 E lens in 2016 and Zeiss released the Batis 135mm for Sony mirrorless in 2018 these longer portrait lenses were gaining ground where 50 and 85 had been (and still are) very popular for portraits. This may be because the 70-200 f2.8 has become so ubiquitous for all major manufacturers that a dedicated short tele prime with a really wide aperture produces an image different enough to stand out from the crowd. Let us know in the comments if you prefer the image from a prime lens or the convenience of a zoom.

Why Choose Fixation

Now that we know why photographers opt for a 135mm focal length lens, let’s explore why they should consider buying it from Fixation:

Unmatched Expertise: Fixation, a trusted brand in the photography industry, has been providing authorised repairs and sales since 1988. Their team of technicians has unrivalled technical expertise, ensuring that photographers receive top-notch service and support and workshop-backed technical advice from our sales team.

Excellent Customer Service: Fixation prides itself on offering excellent customer service. They understand the importance of quick turnaround times for photographers and strive to provide a seamless experience. Whether it’s repairs or sales, customers can rely on Fixation’s dedicated team to assist them every step of the way.

Pre-order your Plena:
Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena | our price: £2,699
To order call our sales team on 020 7582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com