Nikon Nikkor Z 135 mm f/1.8 S Plena
11. Summary
Pros:
- very solid, closed, weather-sealed mechanical construction,
- sensational resolution in the frame centre,
- very good resolution on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor,
- good resolution on the edge of full frame,
- practically zero longitudinal chromatic aberration,
- negligible lateral chromatic aberration,
- lack of any problems with spherical aberration,
- moderate distortion,
- slight coma,
- very pleasing out-of-focus areas,
- negligible vignetting on the APS-C/DX sensor,
- moderate vignetting on full frame,
- excellent autofocus performance.
Cons:
- performance against bright light could have been distinctly better,
- noticeable focus breathing,
- price?
In case of the Nikkor Z 135 mm f/1.8 S Plena our 'cons' list features as many as three positions. It might suggest our final verdict would be rather negative and, accordingly, we would have serious reservations about this lens. A really high price, almost $2300 is one of these flaws. I put a question mark near to it because, after all, a potential customer knows this price before purchase and nobody forces him or her to buy something they consider to be overpriced.
The second flaw, distinct focus breathing, will be annoy you only during video recording and here you have to emphasize the fact that Nikon never says that this instrument is fit for video recording, quite the opposite. It is a classic portrait lens for photographers.
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It seems the performance against bright light remains the only meaningful flaw of this one. Indeed, such effects could be forgiven in case of the cheap Samyang 135 mm f/2.0 ED UMC, not the expensive Nikkor.
What do we have on the other balance pan? A lot of very important assets. The Nikkor Z 135 mm f/1.8 S Plena proves to be an exceedingly sharp lens in the frame centre and very sharp on the edges. Most of optical aberrations are corrected very well. Its huge physical dimensions provided enough of spare area in the image circle to limit mechanical vignetting and such a move influenced two other features. Defocused circles of light save their almost circular shape even in the frame corners and also the tested lens is the first mirrorless device that we can praise for moderate vignetting on full frame without dirtying our conscience.
Add to that an excellent autofocus performance and you get a very pleasant image indeed. I admit few lenses performed as well as the Nikkor Z 135 mm f/1.8 S Plena in this aspect.
After combining all these facts I have no doubts the tested lens deserves our 'Editors' Choice' badge.
