p.22 #4 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
I think my 800mm PF has competition on what's mounted on my Z9!!
This lens does not disappoint! With reliable subject detection/eye-focus, I confidently shoot f1.8 knowing my subject and its plain of focus will be sharp or within limits and all fore and back grounds blown to smithereens!
I have to admit - I did a couple of family sessions (4 members) last weekend and figured the 85/1.4G would be better and I was wrong....flatter, less contrast, and had a hard time managing the correct DOF to account for all subjects within the focal plain. Granted, the Plena may have caused me to distance myself more than the 85....but may be worth it for a better, more reliable outcome!
A few shots for a local friend.
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/800s800 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/800s500 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/250s400 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/500s160 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/500s220 ISO0.0 EV
p.22 #6 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
I secured approval from a client to expense the rental of a Plena lens for a week to shoot an assignment later today and tomorrow afternoon. I played with it for a few minutes earlier today when it arrived to see what it's capable of with my youngest son, and this lens definitely lives up to the hype. I use the Sigma 135 1.8 pretty regularly on my Z8 & Z9. The one thing that sticks out beyond the stunning image quality is how quick the autofocus is. Now, I’m eagerly waiting for one to come up for sale here or through Nikon refurb deals. I can’t wait to use it on both work and personal shoots over the next week.
p.22 #7 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
andrewhenders wrote:
I secured approval from a client to expense the rental of a Plena lens for a week to shoot an assignment later today and tomorrow afternoon. I played with it for a few minutes earlier today when it arrived to see what it's capable of with my youngest son, and this lens definitely lives up to the hype. I use the Sigma 135 1.8 pretty regularly on my Z8 & Z9. The one thing that sticks out beyond the stunning image quality is how quick the autofocus is. Now, I’m eagerly waiting for one to come up for sale here or through Nikon refurb deals. I can’t wait to use it on both work and personal shoots over the next week.
p.22 #8 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
Without shooting the two lenses side by side, it’s tough to say if there’s a difference in image quality. I could probably set that up tomorrow, as my wife wants me to take some fall family photos now that the leaves are just about perfect oranges, yellows, and reds here in CT.
I can unequivocally say that for what I photographed with the Plena last night (not what I rented the lens for), I wouldn’t have considered using the Sigma due to concerns about autofocus speed and possibly the AF searching too much. I shot water polo in a not-so-well-lit natatorium, capturing around 3,500 frames across two matches—1,400 with the 135mm on the Z9 and 2,100 with the 70-200mm Z on the Z8. To me, both lenses performed equally well. A quick look through the Plena shots shows an incredibly high keeper rate, especially considering I was shooting at f/1.8 the entire time. I primarily used the 70-200mm at its extremes—70mm and 200mm.
I'll be back with more thoughts and images as I use it more over the next week. All that said, this lens is definitely a tool worth adding to my bag.
urbanwild wrote:
These are great! What are your thoughts about IQ of the plena vs sigma?
p.22 #9 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
andrewhenders wrote:
I secured approval from a client to expense the rental of a Plena lens for a week to shoot an assignment later today and tomorrow afternoon. I played with it for a few minutes earlier today when it arrived to see what it's capable of with my youngest son, and this lens definitely lives up to the hype. I use the Sigma 135 1.8 pretty regularly on my Z8 & Z9. The one thing that sticks out beyond the stunning image quality is how quick the autofocus is. Now, I’m eagerly waiting for one to come up for sale here or through Nikon refurb deals. I can’t wait to use it on both work and personal shoots over the next week.
Yup...I figured you'd get the itch after renting/trying it out! Great pics and a great way to witness the capability of this lens! Looking forward to seeing more!
p.22 #10 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
Plena doing some more Gridiron work work!!!
This lens really can take the place of a 70-200 where I toggle into DX mode quickly to get ~200mm. Depending on where I'm at in relation to the action...if close, I start are 135 and as the play develops, I'll either remain at 135 or switch to DX to tighten the frame up. Being on the Z8, really like how the viewfinder properly adjusts for the change in focal length versus the red box indicating DX on FX-based DSLRs.
NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/2000s1250 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/2000s3200 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/2000s3200 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/2000s5000 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z fNIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/1600s3200 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/1.81/2000s6400 ISO0.0 EV
p.22 #17 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
Dia de los Muertos festival at the St. Marys Basillica in Phoenix Arizona, 11/03/2024. For these two images i put my photo friends Plena on my Zfc. Lens is extremely sharp and has fast auto focus.
Harry Palmer
Lady in Black.
NIKON Z fcNIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/4.01/200s360 ISO0.0 EV
Profile.
NIKON Z fcNIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens135mmf/4.01/320s100 ISO0.0 EV
p.22 #19 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread
Right now, B&H has $200 off new ones.... I have one in my cart.... trigger finger is nervous... figuring I better buy before prices really jump
andrewhenders wrote:
I secured approval from a client to expense the rental of a Plena lens for a week to shoot an assignment later today and tomorrow afternoon. I played with it for a few minutes earlier today when it arrived to see what it's capable of with my youngest son, and this lens definitely lives up to the hype. I use the Sigma 135 1.8 pretty regularly on my Z8 & Z9. The one thing that sticks out beyond the stunning image quality is how quick the autofocus is. Now, I’m eagerly waiting for one to come up for sale here or through Nikon refurb deals. I can’t wait to use it on both work and personal shoots over the next week.
