p.14 #1 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
JadedWriter wrote:
I have the oddest feeling that the bokeh in that last image would have more cat eyes in it than a Japanese cat cafe if it was shot on the GM. That's some excellent bokeh.
I cant think of any other f.95, f1.2, f1.4 or f1.8 lens that would have less cateye bokeh than this, not counting apodizing filter lenses or STF lenses.
p.14 #2 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
Yeah Nikon did a very impressive job with this lens. Do you have any shots like this from this area with the 85 1.2? suteetat wrote:
I cant think of any other f.95, f1.2, f1.4 or f1.8 lens that would have less cateye bokeh than this, not counting apodizing filter lenses or STF lenses.
p.14 #3 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
JadedWriter wrote:
Yeah Nikon did a very impressive job with this lens. Do you have any shots like this from this area with the 85 1.2?
Not yet but the light will be here at least until after New Year so when I come back next week from my trip, hopefully I will have a chance to go there with 85/1.2S again. It is only a few train stations away from my work and apartment so easy enough to get to.
p.14 #12 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
Interesting to see strong outlining in some shots, still pleasant to look at. In some shots, it looks very similar to the rendering from Canon DS/Sony STF, just without the penalty of the apodization element.
p.14 #13 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
hiepphotog wrote:
Interesting to see strong outlining in some shots, still pleasant to look at. In some shots, it looks very similar to the rendering from Canon DS/Sony STF, just without the penalty of the apodization element.
Yes, I really wonder what is going on with Plena. Bokeh is nice and round by my feeling is that any bright spot
does get turn to nice big round bokeh ball very quickly day or night, much more so than other conventional lenses.
p.14 #14 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
hiepphotog wrote:
Interesting to see strong outlining in some shots, still pleasant to look at. In some shots, it looks very similar to the rendering from Canon DS/Sony STF, just without the penalty of the apodization element.
Hello,
Do you mind elaborating what you mean by outlining and which part of which shot you are referring to? Thank you.
p.14 #15 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
akul wrote:
Hello,
Do you mind elaborating what you mean by outlining and which part of which shot you are referring to? Thank you.
Luka
I think he might refer to the 3rd pictures with lamps and may be a bit in 2nd picture as well.
The 3rd picture, it was really more my fault as I was a bit too heavy hand reducing hilight in ACR.
This one I only lifte shadow a bit and changed color balance slighlty. ISO was 8000 . I did not apply
noise reduction like in the first picture either.
The edge of the lamp in the background is not so hard edge like in the initial picture.
The second picture with rows of claw machines is really problematic with Plena. Basically if you have a lot of light source, the bokeh balls tended to merge and formed very harsh line. Right behind's the guy's wrist, bokeh got a bit harsh there. Also on the left side, bokeh ball in the foreground is a bit harsh and also got a bit worse as I was a bit heavy hand with hilight reduction in ACR as well. Look like Plena is not quite as symmetrically design in term of front and rear bokeh like 50/1.2S
but still better than say Sigma Art 135/1.8 . I assume that's what he is talking about.
p.14 #16 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
akul wrote:
Hello,
Do you mind elaborating what you mean by outlining and which part of which shot you are referring to? Thank you.
Luka
I meant the whole post with the last pic of a guy juggling knives. Those bokeh balls have quite defined edges. It could be around that subject to background distance. I have not seen it as clearly in other shots. It’s not that distracting for me, though I did immediately notice them. But having a consistent DOF throughout the frame is something of worth. I’m still getting used to that.
p.14 #18 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
suteetat wrote:
I think he might refer to the 3rd pictures with lamps and may be a bit in 2nd picture as well.
The 3rd picture, it was really more my fault as I was a bit too heavy hand reducing hilight in ACR.
This one I only lifte shadow a bit and changed color balance slighlty. ISO was 8000 . I did not apply
noise reduction like in the first picture either.
The edge of the lamp in the background is not so hard edge like in the initial picture.
The second picture with rows of claw machines is really problematic with Plena. Basically if you have a lot of light source, the bokeh balls tended to merge and formed very harsh line. Right behind's the guy's wrist, bokeh got a bit harsh there. Also on the left side, bokeh ball in the foreground is a bit harsh and also got a bit worse as I was a bit heavy hand with hilight reduction in ACR as well. Look like Plena is not quite as symmetrically design in term of front and rear bokeh like 50/1.2S
but still better than say Sigma Art 135/1.8 . I assume that's what he is talking about.
Thank you for the experiment and the redo example of PP. I find myself not being as critical as you guys are. They all look pretty good with different renditions. Although it is also very interesting to see how bokeh is a different animal.
p.14 #19 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
hiepphotog wrote:
I meant the whole post with the last pic of a guy juggling knives. Those bokeh balls have quite defined edges. It could be around that subject to background distance. I have not seen it as clearly in other shots. It’s not that distracting for me, though I did immediately notice them. But having a consistent DOF throughout the frame is something of worth. I’m still getting used to that.
I now see what you mean, I think. Thank you for clarifying. I don’t have any experience or even know either the Canon DS or the SONY STF lenses are, but next time if I see the refe, I will check. In terms of bokeh edge, they don’t bother me, but make me curious how they turn into those balls..
p.14 #20 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
akul wrote:
I now see what you mean, I think. Thank you for clarifying. I don’t have any experience or even know either the Canon DS or the SONY STF lenses are, but next time if I see the refe, I will check. In terms of bokeh edge, they don’t bother me, but make me curious how they turn into those balls..
Luka
Back in my days in the Alternative Gear room, we delved deep into this topic, and I've got a bit of info to share. When it comes to the outlining in bokeh balls, it's a sign of spherical aberration over-correction. It is known as the soap bubble effect, like the one seen in the coveted Trioplan 100. However, it can also lead to distracting double images in the bokeh. The Plena, however, doesn't follow the same script based on the photos I've seen. The Plena shows no evidence of distracting out-of-focus backgrounds so far and the outlining effect at certain distances is more reminiscent of the elusive soap bubble bokeh under specific shooting conditions.
Now, let's talk about the bokeh with an apodization element (Sony STF/Canon DS). It's the polar opposite of the soap bubble scenario. Instead of a bright, well-defined edge in the highlight bokeh, you get a darker and more diffused edge—think Gaussian blur.
The Plena apart is the exception from the norm. The brochure only mentions minimizing optical vignetting (less cat's eye bokeh), but the real-world effects surpass expectations, IMO. It's a milestone in optical design.
