Welcome to dreamland with the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
The ultimate expression of what’s capable with the Nikon Z mount, the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is a game-changing bokeh monster
The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena was described as a ‘quantum leap’ in lens engineering on its release and it’s not hard to see why. A magical prime lens with pure, circular bokeh across the frame, f/1.8 aperture for fantastic performance and a 135mm focal length that’s perfect for a range of styles, it has been engineered with creativity at the top of the agenda. Read on for ways to unlock its power and potential.
1. Bokeh effects
The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena delivers bokeh as never before. Circular across the frame with no onion ring or cat’s eye, it opens new creative doors in stills and video. Use it to create background or foreground effects, or even to deliver abstract images where the bokeh is the hero subject. Try it once and you’ll never see bokeh in the same way.
2. Filmmaking
With such a range of artistic and creative possibilities, the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is a real filmmaker’s lens. Open the lens wide to create dream-like sequences and make your subject the star of the show in remarkable clarity. The amazingly fast AF on the lens also means you can ensure super-sharp footage as it follows your subject and keeps it right in the focal plane, whatever the aperture.
3. Portraits
For many pros, 135mm is the ultimate portrait focal length. Yes, you’ll be a little further away from your subject than you would with an 85mm, but that gives your subject room to breathe and move. And with someone not used to being photographed or filmed, it feels less intrusive. Add the amazing subject separation and unmatched bokeh of the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and your portraits will take on new dimensions of creativity. With a lens of this quality, you can try head portraits, full body filling the frame or the subject in an environment. Take a subject to an open space and try a host of different angles and distances and see the results.
4. Still life
A 135mm lens is a great choice for still-life photography and the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena takes the images to the next level. The subject separation, ultra-sharp imagery and best-in-class bokeh mean objects leap from the frame. You’ll need room to manoeuvre with this focal length, but will be rewarded with results that are a level above.
5. Night
With its f/1.8 aperture and the wide Nikon Z mount, the light gathering abilities of the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena make it your perfect night-time companion. Its superior optics mean light points from cities or stars are rendered as perfectly circular highlights, with no sagittal coma or flare. Take your kit to a high point above a city and see the full effect.
The key stats: NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Type: Nikon Z mount
Format: FX
Focal length: 135mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.8
Minimum aperture: f/16
No. of diaphragm blades: 11 (rounded diaphragm opening)
Minimum focus distance: 0.82m (2.69ft)
Weight: 995g approx.
Want to see it in action? Check out our 90-Second NIKKOR video below.
90-Second NIKKOR: NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena in action
Celebrating 90 years of NIKKOR
Introducing a new video series from Nikon Europe. In each episode, we’ll take a NIKKOR Z mirrorless lens and tell you everything you need to know in 90 seconds
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For limitless creativity