Nikon 135mm f1.8 Plena Lens Review: ALMOST Perfect

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Hey everyone! Today I have a photo and video review of the new Nikon 135mm f1.8 Plena lens. WOW this lens is so beautiful and produces stunning images. I only have 2 minor things to keep in mind about it! Today I am sharing 100% crops of the SOOC portrait photos I am taking so you can see this lens in full detail. We take a look at autofocus performance, autofocus accuracy, image quality, sharpness, chromatic aberration, bokeh, lens flare and the build of this lens. I also test this lens out for video too! I used the Nikon Z8 for this entire video.
Thank you to Nikon Australia for lending me this 135mm f1.8 lens and the Nikon Z8 body. This is NOT sponsored, Nikon don't review my video and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Thank you for watching!

[@petersphotojourney]

Im just in awe of how beautiful these shots are

[@mma171]

The model is amazingly photogenic!!! Absolutely stunning!

[@scotttucker9613]

Looks like a great lens, the bokeh is crazy! FYI the control rings on Z lenses really shouldn’t be used for things like aperture since as you have found out, they are crazy sensitive and easy to rotate without knowing. I’ve always just disabled mine completely in the camera settings.

[@livejames9374]

I like it for exposure compensation

[@MichaelSeneschal]

I agree. I've noticed that the newer Z lenses have control rings that are stiffer and less prone to accidental turning. The initial Z lenses had control rings that were too easy to inadvertently bump. Lenses with a more pronounced texture, such as the one on this Plena lens, offer better control and tension. Conversely, lenses with control rings featuring like the 24-70, tend to be too loose.

[@juliatrotti]

The bokeh is soo beautiful! I personally really like having my aperture ring on the lens and it's also set up like that out of the box which is why I mentioned it

[@juliatrotti]

@@livejames9374 That's a great idea!

[@laybackvisuals]

There is a menu item to bring down the sensitivity if you haven't already seen it

[@BrandonWoelfel]

I need this lens ASAP!!! Amazing review as always Julia❤

[@juliatrotti]

Omg I can only imagine what you would create with this lens!! And thank you!

[@robert_may]

Regarding the weight, I usually recommend getting an even heavier camera body for a heavy lens 🙈 It's a bit counterintuitive, but the added body weight balances the lens better, spreads the weight over both hands, and stops it from torquing your hand forward. So a Z9 would be more comfortable with this lens, in my opinion 😀

[@pkennethv]

Especially when shooting in portrait orientation, I find a vertical grip so much less physically strenuous to hold. One of the biggest distinctions I like to make to people about the Z9 is "it's heavy and cumbersome to CARRY/pack, but it's not heavy or cumbersome to HOLD."

[@juliatrotti]

Yeah, I know what you mean! For a wedding though... I don't know how I feel about having that hanging off my shoulders all day 😭

[@robert_may]

@@juliatrotti Haha yes I can relate. The Z9 kinda sucks on a strap with everything other than the 40mm f/2. For wildlife I carry it in my hands without a strap and try not to drop it. Like carrying a heavy bag of groceries around for an entire day 🙈

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

Could just be me, but I LOVE the 135mm look 😍 its so stunning, particularly in portraits & product shots. I would like to own the Plena in the future, at the moment, its not quite in the budget & the Sigma Art (HSM/DSLR) version is still holding its own. Size/weight of gear, be it camera or lens or combo, is highly individual. My personal motto is: Quality over convenience. I dont care what the gear weighs/size, so long as I get the results I want/need.

[@reneefariasphoto40]

Nikon veteran here... My favorite focus mode is AFC 3D People or all subject detection. Super accurate on the Z9. :) Nice video.

[@emptyskullify]

Please do more Nikon videos! Would LOVE to see you showcase them on a wedding shoot! 🙌

[@petermcginty3636]

Thank you, Julia. Absolutely stunning images. Magical colours. Super video. ❤🎉❤.

[@jaimeduncan6167]

Excellent review. I am not concerned about the weight, but it's something important to underscore. I strongly recommend using the hood with the Plena and the 85mm f1.2 Nikon is taking into account the hood in the lens design and controlling flare with the hood on. Beautiful pictures. The viewfinder is a preference. Many people like the experience one will have with something like the Hasselblad V. You can control the environment better etc. I am, personally, a viewfinder guy, I started with 35mm film cameras and then moved to DSLR when the back was terrible and slow. Recently the back of many cameras has become bright enough to work in most northern latitudes during the summer and it's almost as fast as the viewfinder. Still I love the tunnel vision of the viewfinder, and I remember the beauty of shooting with the H4D and the 100mm f2.2 😃

[@gregcorker2193]

Informative, insightful, and engaging. Love your images and the quality of your videos. Consistent with the best manufacturers in this segment Nikon continues to deliver top tier products that demonstrate their commitment to the art and science of imaging.

[@FORESTSPY]

Seems Nikon has better colours and image quality than sony 🤔

[@ronaldpollard8990]

Always has been. From days of DSLR till now!!

[@dhodges1911]

Nikon has ALWAYS had the best colors. They were just too late to the party and everyone jumped to Sony.

[@kentmemories]

Always have been

[@vinhsanity]

Nikon and Fujifilm always focused on colors, and other image qualities- sometimes to a fault. Even the original Z6 & Z7 had amazing colors, but it just fell short in other ways.

[@guspangs]

I agree with you

[@emilyesnyman]

Oh my word, Julia! These photos are absolutely stunning! You surely are a master of your craft and I admire your work so much❤ I'm a Canon shooter, so won't really use this exact lens, but I would LOVE to get myself a 135mm f/1.8 it's sooo dreamy🥹 With your editing style on top of it, I am absolutely in love!!

[@Whittmike2011]

Very cool. I always love my 135mm 2.8, but this is beyond cool. Also, You always look so amazing in your shoots!!

[@ernieojeda]

I came to the Nikon z6. I haven't shot in about a year and a half. I had the Sony a73-87 r3 the a7c. I had quite a few gmaster lens. I love the autofocus system on Sony. It makes shooting so much easier but even just coming to Nikon with the 35 and 85 1.8. I love the colors. It wasn't the best autofocus but I still got my shots so I chose to come back to Nikon for that and also because they've been coming out with amazing lenses lately. The 135 1.8 85 1.2 51.2 tamron's jumping in on the z-mount systems now. They also have the 70 to 200 70 to 180. If you want a little bit cheaper price Nikon I believe is going to jump over Sony within the next 5 years just for the colors alone but match. That was some great quality lenses that they're coming out with even some of those long telephoto lenses that are really affordable. Sony is in trouble

[@victorlim5077]

Great Review! With Christmas coming soon, this looks like a great Christmas Light Portrait lens.

[@juliatrotti]

Thank you oooh the bokeh would be insane!

[@helmutsassenfeld8002]

Excellent review and I appreciate the unedited raw images which show the pure quality of this lens. Your presets look great too, can they be used in Luminar Neo? You have made another sell for Nikon!

[@WhiskeyTangoFoxtraught]

Shoutout to the beautiful model for letting us see unedited 100% crops!

[@andyvan5692]

one tip, for my H1 and the 300 lens to get closer, I use a 13mm extension tube, so give these a go, it gets you beyond the close limit, so you don't have to stand as far back. ( I am not sure Nikon has any for the z system out yet (teleconverters they do)), but you can always go third party, or for something like the actus B system (adapts camera and lens, giving a bellows, which is infinitely adjustable)- this also furnishes a "tripod foot", so you are not hand holding this all day.

[@v3rlon]

I absolutely love this lens. I was waiting for it from the moment it was hinted at.

[@ryancooper3629]

Have you used the Sigma 135 on FTZ? How would you feel it compares to this one? The new Plena is super exciting but for those of us already rocking the 135mm ART is it worth almost double the price to move to plena?

[@pkennethv]

Hi Julia, In your Z8 + 50mm 1.8 + 85mm 1.2 video, you mentioned you have another shoot/video coming where you use the Nikon 50mm 1.2 and 85mm 1.2 (at 1.2 this time). I'm wondering if that video is still coming in the pipeline sometime, or if it's been scrapped? I personally am looking forward to that video. Thanks!

[@juliatrotti]

Yes it's still coming!! I just finished editing it and will upload it next week I think :)

[@doriangray8007]

If you had to choose one lens between the Nikon z 135 plena and the Z 85 f1.2, which would it be? Thanks and love your photos!@@juliatrotti

[@artmaltman]

Do you find yourself preferring Nikon or Canon colors over Sony? Or does it all come out the same in the edit? Thank you.

[@OkwyUgonweze]

I have shot all three,Sony is the worst , canon tends on the yellow side and Nikon is the better option,meanwhile Fujifilm is the best .

[@juliatrotti]

They are all good for me, I don't have problems with any particular manufacturer's colours!

[@laurendelosreyes9615]

i'm not really a bokeh lover/chaser but the bokeh on this is mind blowing....

[@4rroby]

Excellent video! You answered all of my questions about this lens. Now I just have to save enough to make the purchase. Also, your model is beautiful, and you interacted with very nice. I subscribed and look forward to learning more from you videos. thanks for sharing.

[@lensman5762]

Nikon used to have a 135 F2 DC lens in the good old film era. I don't have one, but apprently it was the best 135 mm for portraits due to its ability to alter the defocus zone. Stunning portoraits BTW. I guess this Plena lens would cost a fortune.

[@marcthibault8723]

This is another informative video! On another note, dark colors suit you. The video test at the end demonstrated that! 😊

[@jamiegray3245]

This is doing nothing for my GAS syndrome! 😵 Such nice photos and well done to the model. I'm intrigued to know how it compares to a 70-200 2.8, I know its probably the better lens if you are pixel peeping, but for the money, the 70-200 will probably give comparable results and more versatility, especially for those whose audience will only view on a mobile phone.

[@reneefariasphoto40]

Actually, the 70-200 F/2.8s is a ridiculously awesome lens. Color is the same, when shot at 2.8 the Plena will be sharper because it's a full 1+ stop faster and the Plena has 11 blades vs 9. I shoot the 70-200 at 135mm all the time and I have for a couple of decades, used to be the 80-200 but now the 70-200. The S Line is the best Nikon line I have ever shot in my 28 years of shooting Nikon full-time. 🙂

[@reneefariasphoto40]

BTW: you can disable the aperture ring. I do and I have for years, even in the DSLR days. It's a setting in the custom menu. 🙃

[@Capcity44]

I enjoyed your video and your thoughts. I’m excited about this lens.

[@kristofeight9668]

Nice content, i like idea when you show distance between you and model and you added window at the bottom with view how photo looks like in the camera so we know how far we have to be when shooting especially it is 135mm. thank you for video

[@juliatrotti]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelcliffordphotos]

@juliatrotti Wow! So beautiful, and such a good review! There is something truly magical about a 135 1.8 that I don't feel is captured by any other lens. If I were stranded on a desert island, I would want food, water, a cell phone, and a boat, but after that, I would want a 135 1.8! ;-) I definitely agree about the weight. I *love* using my 135 GM, but after about 2 hours, my back disagrees with this strategy. How would you compare the image quality between the Plena, Sigma and Sony GM 135s?

[@beatmixer0097]

Heaviest of the three 135’s. Id love to try this lens in Paris next month, curious if Nikon Pro Support will be setup there next month with loaners?

[@pematamang9268]

Image quality difference between Sony G master 135mm f1.8 Vs Nikon???

[@alexnewton7484]

I'm curious what you think of 135mm as a focal length and how often you use it. I've had women literally get angry at me over how wide their faces look on longer lenses, and honestly I kind of agree. It goes against the traditional wisdom, but 50mm or even 35mm often render women's faces in a much more pleasing way, and it's more similar to how the client/model is used to seeing themselves in their selfie camera or in the mirror.

[@juliatrotti]

I agree with you that longer lenses can make people look really different to how they look in real life. I actually talk about how I choose a focal length depending on someone's face shape in my 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm if you want to check that out! Normally I'm using a 135mm for weddings just for extra reach during the ceremony and reception rather than headshots/portraits for this reason too.

[@alexnewton7484]

@@juliatrotti thanks for the reply ☺I'll check out that video

[@focus_release]

Love this lens session. Beautiful capture. Nice review. I hope you don't mind me asking the device (in your pocket) used for capturing the camera lcd screen display while shooting photos?

[@joeclaymore]

Great review. Just so you know, it's a control ring and you can turn it off in body. I personally hate that ring for the very purpose you state. Too easy to bump and change your settings.

[@helisoma]

i'm sorry but apart from the lens being incredible, your model is just thoroughly captivating 🙀🙀🙀

[@m0nztam0nk]

Woah the colours…thisshooting in particular the skintones look absolutely extra special…nikon? And the bokeh rendering…oh boy i need more money…

[@stumagoo2395]

I have the old 135mm f/2 DC lens and this new Plena lens blows it out of the water in every criteria, except for perhaps build quality and the built in lens hood. The levels of sharpness, the bokeh and AF on this new Plena lens are on a completely new level, the old 135mm DC would be lucky to get anything in focus at f/2 but then it is 33 year old tech and was built for film cameras.

[@castieldiallo2945]

Why compare the 2 lenses then. You yourself said the DC and Plena are for completely different camera platforms. Second, the DC can only resolve around 23 mega pixels.

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Great review Julia. The 135 is such a niche lens but for the images that i delivers, its amazing.

[@juliatrotti]

Thank you and I agree, it's such a great lens

[@ThatBoyShootNikon]

Amazing Lens love your work keep doing julia👍

[@NeilCuestas]

Hi Julia. May I ask what screen recorder are you using (to show your camera screen)?

[@vdan2879]

those pictures really popped. Well done

[@Readingworld2023]

How can I record the camera screen please? I have the Z5

[@sgpork]

erm... we need some battle of 135 video at this point.. interested to see 135 plena with rf 135 and gm 135..

[@joaopaulo24816]

quero ver a melhor contra a plena . samwang 135mm af FE

[@AdamMuise]

Wow, your model is such a pro

[@saucelove]

That's my best lens ever, next to my GFX 110mm 2.0

[@yakovlevpaul]

Hi, Julia! Thank you for great review of 135mm Plena! I'd like to ask you about screen recording, if I got it right, Z8 allow you to stream video on external recorder while shooting stills. Am I right?

[@mrdarryljones1]

Thanks for keeping everything 100!

[@user-yj1zb7of1x]

A 35mm f1.2 is already on the roadmap. Personally I hope for a 28mm f1.2 which follows in the footsteps of the gorgeous 28mm f1.4 E for environmental portraits. How would you compare the Plena to the 85mm f1.2 in terms of sharpness, image quality and character? I am torn between both but can only justify one of them.

[@abdulhameedyousef8003]

My favourite lens 😍 ❤️

[@lorseyjones4807]

I paired the Plena with my Zf for Prom Sendoff photos

[@ryanbowiephotography]

Love this lens, definitely a future purchase. Right now i'm using an OG Nikon 105mm 2.5 to get close to dope images like this. Manual focusing is getting real old real fast though lol

[@andradenelson1059]

I know don't shoot Nikon a lot but how would you compare it to the 135mm Sigma Art?

[@chengyuan7658]

I am debating between 85 1.2s and the 135 lenses. Since I already have the 105e lens, I think I should have the 85 just because the shooting distance for 135 in this video seems not as convenient as the 85.

[@tonyedwin2836]

This lens and your preset is a great combo! Did you tone down the strong greens of Nikons color profile?

[@romeosantiago]

Good review…why do people complain about the weight? If you can’t lift a lens, don’t get out of bed. I have the 85mm 1.2 and will use your review to decide if I will make the purchase

[@KUYABALDO]

based on the video, looking at the eyes- are the photos blurred? i am planning to buy my own plena..but my consideration is sharpness and speed.

[@boisNgyrls]

Disable the control ring then... OMG... The good think is Nikkor takes the LED display out on most of the new lenses now.

[@nat-lj8kt]

Samyang 135mm f1.8 Af wins usability, technical performance & price. Nikon has really rounded bokeh highlights and a softer bokeh ( but more longitudinal aberrations).

[@cristianblazquez7930]

Amazing lens❤

[@khengteoh4318]

You can disable the control ring i always do with my lenses :)

[@Lleah864]

Once again the model killed it

[@juliatrotti]

She's amazing!

[@jakubstrumillo]

Shooting without EVF is great way to demolish feeling of contact with the sibject. Due many cases of looking slightly off the center

[@kais.6113]

Very nice video, Julia.

[@rubenramirez8241]

Will you be switching to Nikon after you’ve been testing the Z8?

[@AliMohammad-kx5rc]

Hi - I am a street photographer, I have Nikon Z6II camera with 24-70 f4 lens, I also have 50mm f1.8 z lens, which i usually use most of the time, I live in Montreal and most of the photos I shoot in the city, I am thinking to buy 135 f1.8 lens, do you think that this lens will be good for urban landscape photography? Thanks for the reply in advance.

[@jdparadigm430]

Superb video! Hope the coming 35mm 1.2 is also a “plena” 🤞

[@andyvan5692]

great photos, cool, almost as good as my Hasselblad H1 and 300 f3.4 or the 80 f 2.8; without the colour science, of coarse, but the bokeh, and subject separation is almost as good. thanks for this review, as not much is out on it; so something to desire, and save for.

[@KienVirak_]

Amazing this video ❤ I love it

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

The Nikon 35mm f/1.2 S lens may be announced by the end of the month [Nov]. The camera and lens are less tiring to hold when using the EVF instead of the back LCD. And yes, you knew people would make this comment, because you know you're holding it wrong. It's physics. We can try and fight it, but physics usually wins.

[@gr-os4gd]

A 24 or 35 1.2 would be magnificant!

[@juliatrotti]

I can't wait!

[@alex-chicago-80]

How do you feel about vertical grips? I notice that you don't use them on your shoots? Do you think that would help in terms of handling? Or is it because it adds more weight?

[@uhoh7541]

Just took mine out of the box and it's making a noticeable noise when adjusting aperture wide open to about f4 and then disappears. Don't recall hearing any noise from my 50 or 85 1.2- did i get a bad plena? Edit: i put 85 1.2 on and it does make noise, just not as loud as plena. I'm inside as it's pouring out, typically take lenses out for first run.

[@otraguardia]

I would consider closing the aperture of this lens just so much that both eyes of the model are in focus. Or, in the case of this model, the eyes and the mouth of the model are both in focus. This lens has 11 aperture blades so that even stopped down the bokeh is still beautiful.

[@57sapke]

Great video, love it. 👌

[@Jackourd]

Try shooting with Active D Lightning On, it automatically boost luminance of the face or body skin without degrading image quality, boosts face lights so beautiful...try once

[@airjaff]

Why, it's only jpeg, who shoots jpeg?

[@Jackourd]

@@airjaff not talking about JPEG, it's about Raw....and ofcourse not everyone shoots raw also...

[@tyana9991]

Loving the review, what stunning lens & images! @juliatrotti I'd really love to know what's your tip when editing to overcome the green cast on the models in a woodland shoot?

[@lauvassalloyt]

Great video . Me encanto el video y el lente parece genial

[@juliatrotti]

Thank you!

[@lauvassalloyt]

@@juliatrotti you are welcome

[@user-qg2ll1yy8s]

it really a wow! great lens. do you have pictures without retouching?

[@notguiinz]

Hey I have been watching you as while now and I was just wondering what you use or how do you print pictures to give back to your clients. I've just started getting into photography and was wondering how people do that.

[@vipulchristian5871]

Please mam make a outdoor photography and video review with fujifi xh2 and fujinon 56mm f1.2 lens

[@antoniorossi6610]

Grazie Magica ✨🤗

[@felm.974]

Switch, switch, switch! Lol Let's go #Nikon! :) Thanks for the review!

[@afza1178]

Best camera best lens this video

[@stevei3471]

Disable aperture ring control

[@NaldoviegasFotografia]

Which device did you use to record video while taking photos?

[@Adriana.Gabriela]

I want to know too

[@livejames9374]

Thanks for bringing up the lens flare, nobody has talked about it before. I’ll be testing out my copy for a Halloween gig tonight. The lens is practically the same weight as the GM and L variants, so I think the issue for you is the Z8 or you just like smaller primes like a 35mm. A camera strap helps

[@juliatrotti]

All good, I hope your gig goes well! Yes, I did mention the size and weight is standard for this kind of prime and also that the weight problem for me is due to the Z8. I also felt the Z8 + 85mm f1.2 was a bit heavy together, but felt much better using the 85mm on the Zf. It's nothing against the lens/camera, just a personal issue that I want to share in case someone else has the same concerns.

[@livejames9374]

@@juliatrotti curious. With the 85 + ZF combo did you mainly just hold the lens rather than try to grip the camera body? I was considering that camera for some fun manual focus lenses but was scared about handling with larger heavier lenses. I was thinking I’d hold and support the combo mainly using my left hand.

[@user-xv6iy7js6b]

A review of the samyang 35-150 f2.8 would be nice pls

[@nagarajanaikjarapla]

The model giving me a angelina jolie vibe

[@danielvilliers612]

I might be a bit old style, but why not have a least a camera strap, or even bigger strap that go on both shoulders. I mean it will make quite a difference not having to hold a camera... for hours, because then the weight every minutes you are not shooting, the weight goes onto your shoulders.

[@sebastianschaar1151]

Top. Thanks!

[@Samiul.786]

Who Camera Best Cmaera ???? 😊

[@stkuj]

How does it compare to the Sony?

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

Do you have a 135mm lens that you don't mind using all day? You didn't mention any comparisons, but that probably wasn't allowed if Nikon loaned you the lens.

[@juliatrotti]

I tried to be careful/clear with the way I worded it, because all the flagship 135mm lenses including the RF and the GM all weigh about the same. The big difference for me is in the camera body, because of the Z8 AF capabilities and performance it would likely be my choice in camera body if I was a full time Nikon user for my wedding work. So in combination, it's a bit too heavy for my personal preference. I currently use the GM 135mm which again is about the same weight as this lens, but I use it on the Sony A7IV which is much lighter than the Z8. I am allowed to mention any other brand/compare this lens to whatever I want by the way! Nothing is "not allowed".

[@mynameistrd6841]

how do you compare it to the 135 GM? :)

[@IanFleming808]

You could take a photo of that model with a cereal box and still get a gorgeous image. You don’t need a +$2500 lens to do that.

[@gadgetman4589]

What should market hear

[@shaunpatterson7879]

BO-KEH