Introduction
The Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is a quick telephoto prime lens for Nikon’s in depth vary of Z-series mirrorless cameras.It is primarily meant to be used with skilled Z-series full-frame cameras just like the Z9 and Z8, however can also be suitable with Nikon’s APS-C digicam vary too, the place the efficient focal size can be 202.5mm.Designated with the “S” moniker, lenses on this line are designed for final sharpness (therefore the S).The lens development for the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena consists of 16 parts in 14 teams, together with 4 ED, 1 aspherical and 1 SR parts plus parts with with meso-amorphous and ARNEO coatings. Nikon claims that this lens is extremely sharp from edge to edge, produces completely round bokeh, and with its f/1.8 most aperture is ideally designed for low-light capturing.The lens is totally mud and moisture sealed. There are 11 diaphragm blades that are designed to assist produce enticing out of focus areas.Portrait pictures is the plain sort of topic for an 135mm lens, but it surely’s additionally one thing you would take into account for different topics together with pet pictures, nonetheless life pictures, road pictures and wedding ceremony pictures.The Nikon Z 135mmf/1.8 S Plena lens is accessible now priced at £2699 / $2499 within the UK and USA, respectively.This lens was first introduced in September 2023. It’s designed in Japan and made in Thailand.
Ease of Use
The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is without doubt one of the bigger prime lenses within the Z collection.
It’s in all probability not one you’d wish to take into account as an “on a regular basis” or “stroll round” lens, however extra for particular capturing necessities or occasions, comparable to portraits, weddings and so forth.
At 995g / 2lb 3.1oz, it’s barely lighter than the comparable Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens, and measuring 98mm x 139.5mm (3.9in. x 5.5in.) (diameter / size), it is barely smaller too.
Having stated all of that, although, it nonetheless balances pretty effectively with full-frame cameras within the Z collection – we have been utilizing it with the Zf, however it might additionally work even higher with the Z8 and Z9.
Though it’ll match on the Nikon Z APS-C fashions, the smaller measurement of these cameras would make it very front-heavy and usually unwieldy to make use of.
Equally to the opposite lenses on this line-up, construct development could be very top quality, with a metallic lens mount.
To connect the lens to your digicam, you first must line up the white dot across the base of the lens to the white dot on the lens mount.
As soon as you’ve got completed that, twist it to lock into place. While you wish to launch the lens, you have to push down the button in conjunction with the lens mount and twist in the other way.
Like most Z mount lenses, the outward development is pretty easy and simple. In the direction of the bottom you have got the focal size and aperture written (135 / 1.8 S), whereas simply subsequent to it’s a change for shifting between autofocus and handbook focus. When working in autofocus, you’ll be able to nonetheless manually override the main target if needed.
A skinny, ridged ring sits in direction of the bottom of the lens. It is a management ring which will be set to a couple totally different features by way of the primary menu.
It is going to have a default possibility, for instance adjusting aperture in aperture precedence, however you can too assign it to publicity compensation or ISO sensitivity for those who favor.
You possibly can even set it to have operate by any means, which is likely to be useful for those who had been apprehensive about unintentionally knocking it and altering a setting.
On the centre of the lens, you have got two extra controls which are usually solely discovered on Nikon’s dearer, premium-end Z collection lenses, particularly some customisable L-Fn buttons.
Not like the management dial, the L-Fn buttons will be assigned to a far larger vary of controls, together with metering, switching on uncooked, zooming into the scene (to verify for focus), playback and far more. Once more, you can too have them set to “none” for those who favor.
Unusually, there is no OLED show window on this lens, as discovered on the comparable 50mm f/1.2, the place it usefully shows both the aperture or focusing distance.
A big ring within the centre of the lens is used for adjusting handbook focus. That is ridged and has simply sufficient give to make slight changes simple to do.
Nevertheless, it would not have onerous stops at both finish that will help you verify once you’ve reached the utmost/minimal focusing restrict.
If you’re utilizing handbook focusing, there are some settings you’ll be able to activate to make it simpler. From the digicam’s essential menu, switching on focus peaking will assist you guarantee simpler focus, whereas zooming into the scene may guarantee focusing is on level – which is particularly vital if you wish to focus manually at very large apertures comparable to f/1.8.
Focusing, for those who select to stay with autofocusing, could be very fast because of the twin STM stepping motors, and really quiet, which makes it preferrred to be used in a variety of conditions the place quiet focusing is advantageous – for instance whereas capturing video, or in quiet locations comparable to church buildings.
A really giant lens hood is equipped within the field (HB-108), which you’ll be able to connect to the entrance of the lens. To do that, you have to line up the white dot on the lens hood with the white dot on the entrance of the lens.
Merely then twist it to lock it into place – and do the reverse once you wish to take it off. You can even flip the lens hood backwards for simpler storage and transportation.
Focal Vary
The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens has a single focal size. If utilizing the lens on a full-frame digicam with DX format activated, or with a DX-camera, the equal focal size is 202.5mm. The angle of view when capturing in FX format is eighteen°10′, and within the DX format, 12°.
Chromatic Aberrations
The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens has been designed to the best optical requirements, and as such we would not anticipate finding an excessive amount of proof of chromatic aberration. Often typified as blue or purple fringing alongside high-contrast edges, it’s usually an issue with cheaper lenses.
We struggled to search out any incidence of chromatic aberration showing with this lens, even when analyzing photos intently at 100%.
Vignetting
On the widest aperture of f/1.8, there’s some very slight shading within the corners when photographing a white wall. This isn’t one thing which is overly noticeable with extra ordinary topics, and the impact lessens at f/2.8, earlier than just about disappearing altogether at f/4.
Distortion
Pin-cushion distortion is effectively managed in each the JPEG and RAW recordsdata.
Sunstars and Flare
The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is able to creating fairly good sunstars when stopped-down to f/16, as proven under, and flare is pretty effectively managed even when capturing straight into the solar.
Macro
The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens just isn’t a chosen close-up or macro lens, however because of its focal size, it’s nonetheless possibility to contemplate when capturing basic macro-type topics, comparable to flowers. The minimal focusing distance is 0.82m / 2.69ft and the utmost magnification is 0.2x.
Bokeh
Bokeh is the phrase used to explain the out of focus space in a picture. It’s usually described in qualitative phrases, comparable to creamy, easy or pleasing.
With a large most aperture, 11 rounded diaphragm blades, and a brief telephoto focal size, we’d anticipate the bokeh from the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens to be nothing lower than stellar, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.
Bokeh right here could be very rounded and enticing, whereas additionally producing a pure drop-off impact from the primary topic. Since emotions on bokeh will be fairly subjective, we’ve included some examples under that will help you make your personal thoughts up.
Sharpness
In an effort to present you the way sharp the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens is, we’re offering 100% crops on the next web page.
