Nikon Z 135mm F1.8 S Plena Review: Nikon's Bokeh Showpiece With Round Highlights Edge to Edge

Most fast telephoto primes show “cat’s-eye” highlights near the corners of the frame, where round points of light turn into lemon shapes. The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena was designed to avoid that. Announced in September 2023 at $2,499.95, it keeps background highlights round almost to the edges, even wide open. The name “Plena” comes from the Latin for “full”, a nod to those full, round bokeh balls.

For portrait photographers, 135mm f/1.8 gives extreme subject separation. Backgrounds melt away, faces stay sharp, and the compression flatters.

It weighs about 995 grams with an 82mm filter.

Video review: Dustin Abbott

The rendering

Sharpness is excellent from f/1.8, across the frame, on high-resolution bodies like the Z8. Contrast is high, and Nikon’s Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings keep flare under control.

The bokeh is the reason to buy it. Eleven rounded aperture blades and careful optical design give smooth backgrounds with round highlights deep into the corners. For night portraits with city lights or backlit trees, the effect is striking.

Close focus is about 82 centimeters, for 0.2x magnification. Enough for head-and-shoulders and detail shots.

Handling

A multi-focus stepping motor drives autofocus. It’s quick and accurate for portraits and events, and quiet for video. There’s a clickless control ring that defaults to aperture, an AF/MF switch and two customizable function buttons. The lens is sealed against dust and drips.

There’s no aperture ring, no focus limiter and no optical stabilization; Nikon Z bodies have IBIS.

The tradeoffs

Weight and size. Nearly a kilogram and about 14 centimeters long. It’s big for a prime.

Price. $2,500 puts it among Nikon’s pricier lenses. Viltrox’s AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB costs far less in Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, though it doesn’t match the Plena’s corner bokeh.

135mm needs space. In small rooms or for groups, an 85mm is more practical.

Who should buy it

Portrait, fashion and wedding photographers on Nikon Z who prize background rendering. Event shooters who want a long, fast prime for ceremonies. Anyone who loves the look of 135mm f/1.8 and wants the best version on Nikon.

If budget matters, the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB gets you much of the look for far less. For the cleanest bokeh on the Z mount, the Plena is the benchmark.