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Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Ripolini
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p.10 #1 · p.10 #1 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

akul wrote:
Some more from this weekend.
Thanx Luka.
Your pictures seem to confirm good sharpness at picture's borders/ corners too, besides excellent rendition of oof background.

Oct 30, 2023 at 04:05 PM

akul
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p.10 #2 · p.10 #2 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Ripolini wrote:
Thanx Luka.
Your pictures seem to confirm good sharpness at picture's borders/ corners too, besides excellent rendition of oof background.

Riccardo,

Yes, sharpness is not an issue for the lens, at least for me. The resolution is pretty impressive with the high frequency detail it delivers even at wider aperture, combined with the smooth transition to the melting pool of color, it is capable of making visually unique images. Limited by the shooters. Other aspect I really enjoy is its ability to keep contast in various conditions I have been exposing it to. All the fancy coatings are certainly working well it seems.

Luka

I might as well add another image. Composition is a meh, but I like the way how it captured the glorious light flickering on the foliage while keeping the aperture wide open.

NIKON Z 6 NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens 135mm f/1.8 1/3200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Oct 30, 2023 at 09:32 PM

Alistair1
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p.10 #3 · p.10 #3 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

akul wrote:
Riccardo,

Yes, sharpness is not an issue for the lens, at least for me. The resolution is pretty impressive with the high frequency detail it delivers even at wider aperture, combined with the smooth transition to the melting pool of color, it is capable of making visually unique images. Limited by the shooters. Other aspect I really enjoy is its ability to keep contast in various conditions I have been exposing it to. All the fancy coatings are certainly working well it seems.

Luka

I might as well add another image. Composition is a meh, but I like the way how it...Show more →

Spectacular! Who needs 45mp !?

Oct 30, 2023 at 09:56 PM

suteetat
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p.10 #4 · p.10 #4 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Here is a series of comparison shots between Sigma and Plena. Sigma is on Z8 and Plena on Z9.
I imported all the raw files into PS to change WB to daylight (except one pair which I used cloudy).
I did not adjust anything else except one pair where exposure was different by 1 stop. On A mode, iso 64 so I had to lift exposure on Plena by +1.
All shot wide opened.

Oct 31, 2023 at 06:35 AM

Ripolini
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p.10 #5 · p.10 #5 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Nice comparisons; thanks for sharing.
No surprise the Nikon has better oof rendition.
However, suppose you are a pro that i) earn your money with photography and ii) use a 135 mm f/1.8 lens rather often for paid work. Would it be so convenient to spend 2500 $ instead of 1400? How long would it take to amortize the increased expense?
Obviously professionals must consider other aspects, such as the efficiency of the maintenance service. I know how the Nikon service works in Rome (it's rather good), but I have no idea how the Sigma service works in Italy. I don't know how Sigma and Nikon services compare in the world.

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:09 AM

suteetat
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p.10 #6 · p.10 #6 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Ripolini wrote:
Nice comparisons; thanks for sharing.
No surprise the Nikon has better oof rendition.
However, suppose you are a pro that i) earn your money with photography and ii) use a 135 mm f/1.8 lens rather often for paid work. Would it be so convenient to spend 2500 $ instead of 1400? How long would it take to amortize the increased expense?
Obviously professionals must consider other aspects, such as the efficiency of the maintenance service. I know how the Nikon service works in Rome (it's rather good), but I have no idea how the Sigma service works in Italy. I don't know...Show more →

Both are excellent and I doubt any client would make a fuss for one over another. However, for personal satisfaction, Plena just give that little extra something. How much is that worth, tough to say. Sigma just changed its distributer here and I have no idea how good their service is but I have very good relationship with Nikon and I can say without a doubt that I can get better service
than Sony and Fuji (not saying that everyone will get better service from Nikon but I know enough people at Nikon that
I will get a little extra TLC from Nikon than normal

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:31 AM

1bwana1
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p.10 #7 · p.10 #7 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Nice set of shots that show real World use case differences. Useful information for many to make decisions by. It seems to me that biggest difference is in the Bokeh at long distances. The Plena seems to have less contrast in Bokeh at that distance. I think this could be largely mitigated in post fairly easily. At least to the point that one could not be sure which was which if seen at different times, and not side by side.

Both lenses produce very fine images and enjoyable rendering in these shots. The photographer will likely make more of a difference than which of these two lenses was used.

Thanks for posting.

Edited on Oct 31, 2023 at 10:46 AM · View previous versions

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:31 AM

sanjayg
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p.10 #8 · p.10 #8 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:33 AM

akul
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p.10 #9 · p.10 #9 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

suteetat wrote:
Here is a series of comparison shots between Sigma and Plena. Sigma is on Z8 and Plena on Z9.
I imported all the raw files into PS to change WB to daylight (except one pair which I used cloudy).
I did not adjust anything else except one pair where exposure was different by 1 stop. On A mode, iso 64 so I had to lift exposure on Plena by +1.
All shot wide opened.

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94150.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81859.jpg

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94154.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81862.jpg

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94147.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81855.jpg

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94168.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81879.jpg

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94165.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81876.jpg

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94155.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81865.jpg

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94160.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81870.jpg

https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ94162.jpg
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NZ81873.jpg

Suteetat,

Great comparisons. I know it is a lot of work to do this to share with us, so thank you so much. I do also think Plena has slight edge(no pun intended) for the oof, bokeh, but transition seems pretty close. Also Sigma does not show offensive Nisen Blokeh (double edge blur?) either, so I am impressed with Sigma. Sharpness seems close enough that to me is not really a factor for the choice. It probably boils down to, ergonomics, weight balancing, native or not (the need for adaptor), AF accuracy, compatibility with firmware, durability, price, availability, and serviceability like Riccardo mentioned that may be more of the determining factor for many. If I already owned a Sigma, I may not feel the need for Plena. If I were looking for 135mm on Z, and not mind an adaptor, it would have been a hard decision. I know, in my case, Sigma was not a contender as I was only waiting for a native Z mount lens.

Luka

Oct 31, 2023 at 09:03 AM

suteetat
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p.10 #10 · p.10 #10 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

I think during F mount days, Sigma art tended to walk all over Nikon in term of sharpness (at least for any 135mm or shorter focal length primes). However Nikon tend to have better bokeh and rendering.
This time, on full size image on my computer, Nikon seems to be sharper or may be better microcontrast. The iron grid picture really show that nikon displays more minute detail than Sigma. At the same time, nikon still has the edge in oof area. I think this is remarkable. However whether the difference justify the price difference or not, that really depends on the person. No regret from me for getting Plena though.

Oct 31, 2023 at 09:20 AM

gear-nut
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p.10 #11 · p.10 #11 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Frankly, the biggest difference I see between the Sigma and Nikon is color cast, the Sigma being ever so slightly more warm-yellow, and even that is so subtle as to be almost irrelevant. Bokeh, at least rear, virtually identical; focus plane sharpness virtually identical; contrast, global and micro, virtually identical.

Ergos, mount connivence, overall balance and native lens upgradeability become the bigger differentiators. Even at the price difference, I’d choose the Plena simply because of native lens color consistency, no FTZ and direct FW upgradeability. But I don’t think I’d be getting a superior optical tool as far as image making goes…

The comparison I’d like to see is the Plena at 1.8 compared to the Z 80-200 at 135/2.8. Obviously there will be a DoF difference and probably a visible bokeh difference, and possibly even a sharpness difference; but how much of each and is the difference great enough to justify owning both?

Oct 31, 2023 at 09:40 AM

kwalsh
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p.10 #12 · p.10 #12 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

gear-nut wrote:
Frankly, the biggest difference I see between the Sigma and Nikon is color cast, the Sigma being ever so slightly more warm-yellow, and even that is so subtle as to be almost irrelevant. Bokeh, at least rear, virtually identical; focus plane sharpness virtually identical; contrast, global and micro, virtually identical.

Disagree here. The difference in bokeh on the edges really jumps out at me at least in some of the comparisons. Sure, where the background is blurred to oblivion in both images (e.g. close-ups) the difference is minor. For distant shots I'd say the difference is far from subtle.

In the second pair the much busier bokeh of the Sigma in trees to the upper left definitely grabs the eye. The Nikon isn't perfect there either, but much less distracting.

Similar story in the sixth pair, the building on the upper left attracts the eye far more on the Sigma.

I'd never say in those two examples the background bokeh is "virtually identical" by any stretch. Very visibly different, to the point the eye explores the composition differently.

Again, in a lot of the other examples - sure, there just somewhat different shaped blobs. But bokeh depends a lot on shooting distance and at longer distances these two lenses show a notable difference. Not that the Sigma is bad of course, far from it, but the Nikon is notably better in that case. For head and shoulder portraits? I agree with you, minimal difference.

Oct 31, 2023 at 10:24 AM

gear-nut
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p.10 #13 · p.10 #13 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree...

I "see" the difference you're referring to mainly in the second pair, and even that could be due to the slight difference in composition... Regardless and IMHO even that difference remains so subtle to be all but irrelevant in a final image as *both* images attract the eye there due to brightness and busyness. I would probably mask both to tone brightness down both there and to the right for that very reason...

More. If I already owned the Sigma, I would not be in any hurry to switch to the Plena. In fact, I doubt I'd bother with either compared to the versatility of the 70-200, but that's me. IMHO and for my money, the 85/1.2 and 105/1.4 seem far more useful bokeh tools. However, I admit I've never been fond of the 135 focal length to begin with, so am already somewhat biased against one as a prime, hence all should take my opinion with that bias in mind

Oct 31, 2023 at 11:12 AM

kwalsh
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p.10 #14 · p.10 #14 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

gear-nut wrote:
More. If I already owned the Sigma, I would not be in any hurry to switch to the Plena.

Oh goodness yes. Just because I see the difference pretty easily doesn't mean that'd be any reason to buy a new lens, or even to just pay the price difference if picking one from scratch. As you say, lots of ways to deal with such things in post when they come up.

Oct 31, 2023 at 11:24 AM

1bwana1
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p.10 #15 · p.10 #15 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

After my experiments I would be curios to see the difference in Bokeh Ball shape and smoothness with specular highlights like Christmas style lights side by side. I am thinking there might be a significant difference there. But it is an admittedly very narrow use case.

Oct 31, 2023 at 11:39 AM

suteetat
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p.10 #16 · p.10 #16 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

Here is a 100% cropped from around the center of the picture.
Dof is really thin as I was no more than 1m away from the subject and pretty close to minimum focusing distance. The most in focused spot on the picture is slightly difference between the two unfortunately
but I think that Plena does show more fine detail better but if you are not pixelpeeping, it would not be all that easy to tell.

Oct 31, 2023 at 06:49 PM

gear-nut
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p.10 #17 · p.10 #17 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

I think you’re trying to split hairs that don’t exist. What I see:

Top bar favors Sigma. Second bar is a tie. Third bar favors Nikon. Fourth bar, worse than third on both but perhaps slight advantage to Nikon.

To me, this suggests nothing more than a minor focus difference. I think you need to shoot an angled test target to determine a specific advantage. And then if it exists, it would be academic anyway.

Oct 31, 2023 at 07:41 PM

suteetat
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p.10 #18 · p.10 #18 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

This is what I see. I guess you are not counting the very top bar which is only half a bar anyway.
So by your count, 1st bar, Sigma is slight better. 2nd and 3rd bar, Nikon wins by a decent margin.
Also I would point out that nowhere did Sigma showed the kind of resolution that 2nd or 3rd bar on
Nikon has. However, if you think the difference is not significant enough, that's fine too.
Exact focus point is different but the very top half bar (bar 0 ) and 4th bar are out of focus so
optima focus is somewhere between 1st and 3rd bar for both lenses with Sigma slightly favoring 1st bar.

Oct 31, 2023 at 07:58 PM

Alistair1
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p.10 #19 · p.10 #19 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

suteetat wrote:
https://morboi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-2-scaled.jpg

Here is a 100% cropped from around the center of the picture.
Dof is really thin as I was no more than 1m away from the subject and pretty close to minimum focusing distance. The most in focused spot on the picture is slightly difference between the two unfortunately
but I think that Plena does show more fine detail better but if you are not pixelpeeping, it would not be all that easy to tell.

On my screen (mid range profiled 4K) I can see a material difference without pixel peeping. Especially in the first image of your previous post, the image of the white park bench. Quite a noticeable difference in the clarity of very fine detail and the separation even between the two arms of the park bench.

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:04 PM

Driveitputtit
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p.10 #20 · p.10 #20 · Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Image Thread

f/1.8

NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens 135mm f/1.8 1/320s 64 ISO +0.3 EV

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:11 PM

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