Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 Plena Review and Test Shooting  

Nice review - beautiful images and video. 135mm is a challenging focal length, but the images coming from the Z9/Plena pairing look amazing . Thanks for your video.

Thanks for an informative presentation of this lens. It's a really good over view with quality examples. One thing I found very distracting in your opening presentation the in and out zoom cuts you were doing, too many of them. It drew my focus away from what you were saying. Besides that, great video, Thanks!

Playing a little catch up on this review....just scored a used copy of this lens as well as the 105/1.4 within the last month. You confirmed my initial concerns about the 135mm focal length and the distance it will force between you and your subject. Granted, I won't be in congested public places making communication difficult or awkward...but something I'll be cognizant of. So - thanks for the nice review and calling out some technical things to consider.

I decided to keep my Z85mm f/1.8 over getting the f/1.2, and am glad. I'll use that money for this lens, which will give me much different images. As always, I appreciate your real life reviews.

I want this lens, but like you said, it is not cheap. After I’ve already purchased the 85mm 1.2, and two other lenses for another system, my wife is on the lookout for any and all packages 😅. Great images and video.

Great video. Have this arriving next week, thanks for adding on to my excitement. Just hope the 135 focal range works for me.

Wonderful portraits. This lens is a beast. Not easy to harness. 👍

As always - great reviews and photos Jason. Thank you. I bought the 85mm f/1.2 six months ago so can't justify buying the 135mm but yes it looks great.

That was amazing. WOW

Awesome pictures and video. Thank for sharing.

No Vignetting is a big advantage if you do Panoramas, especially for weddings, environmental portraits and such.

Amazing photos! You're a true pro

Nice images, loved the background music as well.

I've had this lens for a couple of weeks now; I think it's brilliant. FWIW that ring is not an aperture ring it's a function ring -- you can assign a vast number of functions to it, as you choose (which I'm sure you know). But I agree with you, having that ring on other Z lenses I own, assigning aperture to it just asks for nudging it by mistake and not noticing (been there done that). I too assign nothing to the ring; though with tripod work, say with super telephotos for wildlife, I do use it for things I want to switch quickly and want to avoid the i button or jumping into a menu. I definitely hear you re shooting portraits with a 135, but can a con of a lens be the actual focal length of that lens? :) Cheers!

Jason, we need to do something about the sound

Those round balls out of focus it self worth every penny.

The bokeh is too bright and distracting. My eye keeps being drawn to it vs the model. I’ve noticed this with all the sample work with this lens.

The bokeh is too bright and distracting. My eye keeps being drawn to it vs the model. I’ve noticed this with all the sample work with this lens.