Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Lens with 82mm Review

So, Nikon's new Plena. It's a 135mm f/1.8 prime lens for their Z-mount cameras, and it's got one job: making people look incredible. If you're a portrait shooter, this lens is basically a cheat code. It's designed to give you that classic, creamy telephoto look with sharp subjects and backgrounds that just melt away.

Who is this for? Honestly, it's a specialist's tool. The scores tell the story: it's a top-tier 84.5/100 for portraits, but a rough 33.6/100 for travel. You're not throwing this in a backpack for a hiking trip. This is for studio photographers, serious event shooters, or anyone who gets paid to make flattering images of people. It's heavy, it's not stabilized, and it's not subtle.

What makes it interesting is the 'S-Line' badge and that specific focal length. Nikon is saying this isn't just another lens; it's a flagship optic built for one purpose. The 'Plena' name hints at that full, round bokeh they're promising from edge to edge. It's an expensive, single-minded instrument.

Let's talk about what those numbers mean. The optical performance is in the 93rd percentile. That's elite. In practice, this lens is razor sharp wide open at f/1.8. You can shoot portraits at that aperture and get crisp eyelashes without needing to stop down. The bokeh score is 89th percentile, which backs up Nikon's marketing. Out-of-focus areas are smooth and clean, without the nervous, busy patterns some lenses produce. It really does help your subject pop.

Now, the other side. The autofocus lands in the 47th percentile. For a modern mirrorless lens at this price, that's just okay. It's not slow, but it's not the lightning-fast tracking you might get from a sports lens. For posed portraits, it's fine. For chasing a toddler around a birthday party, you might wish it was snappier. And with no stabilization (39th percentile), you'll need good light or a steady hand, especially on a camera body that also lacks in-body stabilization.

Here's the sticky part: the price. It's sitting between $2197 and $2200. That's a lot of money for a lens with no stabilization and middling autofocus. You are paying almost entirely for the optical performance and that specific 135mm f/1.8 character.

When you look at value, you have to ask what you're comparing it to. There aren't many direct 135mm f/1.8 competitors. You might look at a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom for a similar price, which gives you flexibility and often better stabilization, but won't match the Plena's sharpness or background rendering at 135mm. This lens is for the photographer who knows exactly what they want and is willing to pay a premium to get the absolute best version of it.

The competitors listed are weird. They're all cheaper, wider lenses (35mm, 55mm, 25mm) from third-party brands like Viltrox and Meike. They're not in the same league or even the same sport. A more relevant comparison would be something like the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM. That lens is a benchmark for sharpness and speed, and it has stabilization. The Plena needs to compete on pure optical magic to justify its place.

Closer to home, a Nikon shooter might compare it to the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S. That lens is lighter, cheaper, more versatile, and still fantastic for portraits. Choosing the Plena over the 85mm means you're committed to that longer, more compressed 135mm look and are willing to sacrifice portability and some cash for it. It's a trade-off of flexibility for ultimate specialty performance.

If you're a professional portrait photographer who lives in the studio or on location shoots with controlled lighting, the Plena is a dream lens. The image quality is stunning, and it will make your clients look amazing. The lack of stabilization and average autofocus won't matter as much in that setting.

But for anyone else, it's a tough sell. Enthusiasts, travel photographers, or hybrid shooters should look elsewhere. The weight, the single focal length, and the high cost make it a niche tool. Consider a fast 85mm or a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom first. The Plena is the lens you buy after you've already got your workhorse glass covered and you want to treat yourself to something truly special for your craft.