Nikon has announced a new lens for its Z mount system, the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, a mid-telephoto prime lens that promises to deliver beautiful, well-rounded bokeh and outstanding sharpness and clarity. The lens is named ‘Plena’, which means ‘full’ or ‘complete’ in Latin, to reflect its ability to create images that are overflowing with creativity and expression.
The Plena Lens: A Bokeh Masterpiece
The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is designed to take full advantage of the large-diameter Z mount, which enables a larger and more consistent distribution of light across the frame. This results in a smooth gradation of bokeh that expands largely in front of and behind the focal plane, with minimal color fringing and spherical aberration. The lens also supports a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture, which ensures a bright image all the way to the edges of the frame, for a sense of transparency and brilliance.
The lens features 16 elements in 14 groups, including four ED elements, one aspherical element, and one SR element, which help to reduce chromatic aberration and coma flare. The lens also employs meso-amorphous and ARNEO coatings, which suppress ghosting and flare caused by backlighting. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.82 m (2.69 ft) and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.19x.
The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is an S-Line lens, which means it adheres to a high standard of design principles and quality control. The lens has a metal lens barrel with an engraved ‘Plena’ logo, using the same yellow, cursive font as the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, another lens that is known for its exceptional bokeh performance. The lens also has a customizable control ring, an OLED information panel, and a dust- and drip-resistant structure.
The Plena Lens: A Versatile Tool for Creative Expression
The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is not only a bokeh specialist, but also a versatile tool for creative expression in various scenarios. The lens can capture stunning portraits with natural skin tones and hair textures, thanks to its outstanding sharpness and clarity that are distinct to S-Line lenses. The lens can also render night landscapes with top-class point-image reproduction capability, achieving thorough rendering of stars and city lights.
The lens is compatible with full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras for which the Nikon Z mount has been adopted, such as the Nikon Zf, Z9, Z7 II, Z6 II, Z7, Z6, Z5, and Z50. The lens can also be used with DX-format cameras, such as the Nikon Z fc, with an equivalent focal length of 202.5 mm.
The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena will be available in October 2023 for $2,499.95 USD or £2,699 GBP. Pre-orders are open now at B&H or Wex Photo Video.