Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, price, specs, release date confirmed

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is a top-flight full-frame lens designed for Z-series mirrorless cameras such as the Nikon Z8 and Z7 II. Its 135mm focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8 make it especially well-suited to portrait, fashion and nature photography.

Nikon has included ‘Plena’ in the lens name to convey that it is a ‘complete’ lens without defects or flaws. The Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is Nikon’s second lens to have a name, the Noct (Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct) being the first.

According to Nikon, the width of the Z mount has extended the possibilities for lens design, and the Plena takes full advantage of this for top-quality results. The new lens is said to deliver the best rendering power of any Nikon S-Line lens to date, along with the best vignette control of any S-Line lens at f/1.8. This is achieved by a prestige optical construction comprising 16 elements in 14 groups with Nikon’s SR glass, an aspherical lens element and an 11-blade iris with a round aperture. Nikon’s Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat are also used to counter glare and lens flare. It all adds up to a lens that is said to minimise diffraction and counter sagittal coma and spherical aberrations.

Nikon also claims there is no need to stop down the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, and even when the aperture is wide open, point light sources are sharp, round, and clear, while backlit bokeh is devoid of sagittal coma and flare.

Naturally, the Plena features a fast, precise autofocus system, making it a great pairing with cameras such as the Nikon Z9 or Z8. There’s also a minimum focus distance of 0.82 mm.

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has customisable controls, including a dedicated control ring, and it weighs just under 1Kg.

As it’s an S-Line lens, the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena’s barrel is made from tough yet lightweight metal. It features two L-fn buttons arranged for horizontal and vertical shooting, and a large knurled ring for manual focusing. In addition, all the joints and buttons are weather-sealed, and there’s a rubber gasket around the mount. The filer mount is 82 mm, the same as S-Line f/1.2 lenses.

Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena price and availability

The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena’s price is £2699 / €3,099. It will go on sale in mid-October 2023.