Nikon's New 135mm f/1.8: Worth the Premium?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens has sparked considerable attention for its high-end optics and build quality. It's an attractive choice, particularly if you specialize in portrait photography.

Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this insightful video breaks down the real-world performance of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens. Abbott carefully covers its optical qualities, highlighting how effectively it renders detail, sharpness, and bokeh at f/1.8. Its exceptional background blur and notably round specular highlights distinguish it from competitors, offering a unique look that elevates portrait photography. Another valuable aspect Abbott addresses is the autofocus reliability—while generally solid, the lens occasionally hesitates, notably in complex scenarios or rapid subject movement, hinting at limitations if fast-paced action photography is your main pursuit.

The build quality discussion reveals some interesting points. Although Abbott praises the overall rugged and weather-sealed construction, he identifies minor drawbacks, such as the somewhat awkward placement of the AF/MF switch and the surprisingly unimpressive lens hood design. Yet, these do not significantly detract from the lens' usability. Abbott notes that the manual focus ring is responsive and precise, a positive feature for those who regularly use manual focus during shoots. He also appreciates the customizable control ring, which, despite lacking physical markings, allows smooth aperture adjustments suitable for video.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 135mm

• Maximum Aperture: f/1.8

• Lens Mount: Nikon Z (Full-Frame)

• Autofocus with Dual STM Motors

• No Image Stabilization

• Filter Size: 82 mm (Front)

• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.7' / 82 cm

• Maximum Magnification: 0.2x

• Optical Design: 16 Elements in 14 Groups

• Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

• Dimensions: 3.9 x 5.5" (98 x 139.5 mm)

• Weight: 2.2 lb / 995 g

Abbott particularly emphasizes the image quality. He shows numerous examples demonstrating the lens’ superb sharpness and impressive microcontrast, notably in portrait scenarios and detailed close-ups. Chromatic aberrations and distortion are virtually nonexistent, which Abbott illustrates through practical tests. One of the most insightful comparisons Abbott provides involves the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 lens. Despite similar specs, Abbott finds the Nikon consistently delivers more reliable autofocus performance and smoother aperture transitions—qualities that matter in professional scenarios. Although priced significantly higher, the Nikon lens may justify its premium for professional users seeking consistency and reliability in demanding situations. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Abbott.