Fill the Frame with Magic
A breakthrough telephoto prime lens that’s brimming with innovations, the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena from Nikon brings unprecedented image quality in a popular focal length to the company’s mirrorless Z System. Leveraging the Z-series’ larger mount diameter, the painterly Plena produces edge-to-edge clarity with otherworldly, circular bokeh across the entire frame for extraordinary results in portraiture, still life photography, and cinematic video.
Innovative, Z-Series Optical Design
Designed downstream of the Z-mount’s large diameter, the 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens is the first NIKKOR Z lens to fully realize the mount’s light gathering potential. The lens’ larger rear element enables this leap in peripheral illumination, bringing consistent brightness to the extreme edges of the frame. Drastically reducing vignetting, the clear path of light through the lens with minimal refraction is what produces the exquisite and regular round bokeh that distinguishes the Plena.
The optical design also benefits image clarity. Like the bokeh effects, the lens achieves outstanding results across the whole frame. A short-wavelength refractive front element, an aspherical element, and four extra-low dispersion elements all contribute to minimizing color bleeding, fringing, and flare. In strong lighting and backlit conditions, ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats work against both axial and lateral chromatic aberrations to prevent ghosting, reflections, and flare to realize improved contrast and clarity.
The lens also excels at transitions between zones of focus, which, when combined with the lens’ resolving power, produce eye-popping subject separation and textural detail at the widest aperture.
Fast, Accurate Autofocus
Nikon’s proprietary Multi-Focus System incorporates two separate AF drive units, which are synchronized, to deliver especially fast and accurate focusing throughout the zoom range. This system uses dual STM stepping motors, which offer impressively smooth and quiet autofocus performance that is well-suited to both stills and video applications. Additionally, the programmable linear focus ring allows for manual focus with smooth rotation in either direction.
Optimized for Cinematic Video
The Plena was designed with cinematographers in mind, beginning with the lens’ popular focal length that lends itself to background separation and arms-length intimacy. In addition to the lens’ stunning imagery, the Plena also features smooth aperture transitions and natural shifts between focus positions. Combined with Nikon’s Multi System Focus autofocus, on-lens manual focus options, and the full suite of video capture modalities presented throughout the Z System, the Plena elevates any and all footage.
Body, Handling, and Ergonomics
The Plena’s thoughtful design does not stop at its superlative imagery. The optical design has a direct result on the lens’ satisfying, all-metal construction, creating a lighter-weight, carry-around lens that will take 82mm filters. The lens is additionally customizable with a clickless control ring that adjusts aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation, and an easily-reached assignable Fn button. Finally, its dust- and water-resistant sealing unleashes the Plena for use in adverse environments, turning it into a machine for the maximal uncovering of the magical in the mundane.
