Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Lens with UV Filter

Overview

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is Nikon’s flagship portrait telephoto lens for the Z-mount system. Released in October 2023, this lens is named “Plena” (Latin for “full” or “complete”) to signify Nikon’s commitment to achieving complete, uncompromised image quality — specifically perfectly round bokeh from edge to edge, something rarely achieved in fast telephoto lenses .

This lens features an f/1.8 maximum aperture, 11-blade rounded diaphragm, and advanced multi-focus system for fast, accurate autofocus. At 995g, it is remarkably lightweight for a 135mm f/1.8 lens, making it practical for extended portrait sessions and event work .

This unit is in 98% excellent condition – fully tested, light signs of use if any, works perfectly. Includes UV filter and cleaning kit.

Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 135mm (medium telephoto)

• Maximum Aperture: f/1.8

• Lens Mount: Nikon Z (FX/Full-frame)

• Optical Design: 14 groups, 16 elements

• Special Elements: ED, SR (Shorter Wavelength Refractive), and aspherical elements

• Coatings: ARNEO, Meso Amorphous, Nano Crystal

• Aperture Blades: 11 rounded blades — produces perfectly circular bokeh across the frame

• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.82m (2.69 ft)

• Maximum Magnification: 0.2x

• Filter Thread: 82mm

• Autofocus: Multi-focus system with stepping motors

• Control Ring: Customizable for aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation

• Dimensions: 98mm x 139.5mm

• Weight: 995g (approximately 2.19 lbs)

• Weather Sealing: Dust- and water-resistant construction

What’s in the Box

• Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens

• Front lens cap (LC-82B)

• Rear lens cap (LF-N1)

• Lens hood (HB-111)

• Flexible lens pouch (CL-C3)

• UV filter (installed)

• Cleaning kit

Why This Lens

The 135mm focal length is exceptional for portraits, headshots, and events — it provides natural compression, separates subjects from backgrounds beautifully, and maintains a comfortable working distance from subjects. The f/1.8 aperture is among the fastest available at this focal length.

Edge-to-Edge Circular Bokeh (The Plena Signature)

The “Plena” name exists because of this lens’s defining characteristic: perfectly round bokeh balls from the center of the frame all the way to the extreme corners. Most fast telephoto lenses produce “cat’s eye” bokeh (elongated ovals) near the edges due to optical vignetting. The Plena minimizes this through advanced optical design, delivering consistent, pleasing bokeh across the entire image — a significant advantage for environmental portraits and full-body shots where subjects are placed off-center .

Exceptional Sharpness Wide Open

Nikon’s MTF charts for the Plena show exceptional contrast and resolution even at f/1.8. The combination of ED, SR, and aspherical elements effectively eliminates chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and distortion . The lens is sharp enough for demanding commercial portrait and fashion work.

Multi-Focus System

The multi-focus system uses two separate focusing groups driven by stepping motors, providing fast, quiet, and precise autofocus suitable for both stills and video . Focus breathing is well-controlled, making it usable for video work where maintaining framing during focus pulls is important.

Lightweight for a 135mm f/1.8

At 995g, the Plena is significantly lighter than comparable 135mm f/1.8 lenses from other manufacturers. This makes it practical for all-day portrait sessions, wedding photography, and event work without excessive fatigue .

Advanced Coatings

ARNEO coating and Meso Amorphous coating work together with Nano Crystal coating to virtually eliminate flare and ghosting, even in challenging backlit conditions . This is particularly valuable for outdoor portrait work where the sun may be behind the subject.

11-Blade Rounded Aperture

The 11-blade diaphragm produces exceptionally smooth, circular bokeh at all aperture settings, contributing to the lens’s signature “Plena” look.

Customizable Control Ring

The lens features a control ring that can be assigned to adjust aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation — customizable via camera menus. This allows quick, tactile adjustments without moving your eye from the viewfinder.

Weather-Sealed Construction

Dust- and water-resistant construction means you can shoot confidently in challenging outdoor conditions .

Honest Note

The Plena launched in October 2023 and remains Nikon’s flagship portrait telephoto in 2026. What you get: exceptional edge-to-edge optical performance, beautiful circular bokeh, lightweight design for its class, and professional build quality. What to consider: this is a specialized lens for portraiture and events — versatile within that niche but not a general-purpose zoom.

This 98% unit is priced for its condition — minimal cosmetic wear fully functional, clean glass, smooth focus ring, and operational autofocus.

Who Should Buy This

• Portrait photographers wanting the best bokeh available in the Z system

• Event and wedding shooters who need reach with subject separation

• Fashion photographers requiring edge-to-edge sharpness and consistent bokeh

• Nikon Z-mount owners (Z5, Z6, Z7, Z8, Z9, Zf) wanting a specialized portrait prime

• Videographers needing quiet autofocus and low focus breathing.