I have both. If I were to choose just one it would be the 85. My reasoning is there is a look you get from the 85 that isn’t quite there with the 135. You can also always go DX mode with the 85 and pretty much have the 135.
I used to use the good ol 135 f2 when I shot Canon, and it was always a bit too long to shoot comfortably. Given the choice between the two, I'd go with the 85 1.2 Z. I don't think it's "plasticky". I'd also prefer a lens with a plastic/polycarbonate housing because they tend to be more durable over time, and lighter.
For me, this correlates very much with the area of application.
I currently only have the Plena and not the Z 85/1.2 S, but I have owned the Canon FD 85/1.2 L for more than 40 years and continue to adapt it to my Z-body when necessary.
So I have sufficient experience with 85/1.2.
For me, these are very different focal lengths that only overlap very partially, 85mm is more of a portrait focal length than 135mm.
With this in mind, I use 135mm primarily outdoors as an all-round focal length in the medium telephoto range, but not with the absolute focus on portrait or event work.
For me, 135mm is a 70-200 replacement, I use it very flexibly, for landscape, street, for our dogs, sports, family, where I either want the compression or just want to keep a little more distance.
Apart from that, one of the reasons for buying it was bokeh panoramas for me and in this respect the Plena is a reference lens due to its outstanding rendering + correction levels, which also largely eliminates optical vignetting + light fall off wide open, which is a blessing with Brenizer pano stitching.
A unique selling point of the lens and one reason for purchase for me.
I use 85mm much less often, but primarily for portraits and events.
If that is the main focus, I would tend towards 85mm.
For me personally, the 135mm is more flexible because most of my photography takes place outdoors and portrait work only makes up a fraction of it.
Which can also play a role in which role you feel more comfortable.
135mm creates more distance, which makes you feel a little more passive, more outside, more observant, which can be positive but also negative, depending on your intention and shooting.
I own both as well, they are both absolutely stellar pieces of optics, as close to perfection as it gets.
AF is fast and accurate as well.
What I really love about the Plena is the bokeh balls. It’s bokeh manages the rare feet of being beautiful without being overly particular. It just produces very beautiful images.
On the other hand f1.2 comes handy in some situations shooting action.
We Nikon shooters are incredibly lucky to have the luxury of having access to these lenses.
Went through the same back-and-forth. If I was using it primarily for portraits, I'd have gone with the 85; closer distance to subject and a more natural look. Because I'm using it more often for events and indoor sports, I chose the 135.
As others have said, you can't go wrong in terms of image quality. After shooting both I'd give a slight edge to the 135, but there's not enough of a difference to peg your decision on it.
Are you finding you need the reach? I think if you are shooting indoors, the 1.2 will help a tad plus its wider. As Kilo said, shoot in DX and get that extra reach. I wouldn't worry about the plasticy feel, it feels premium in the hands.
I have the Plena and shot with a few 85s and interested in the 1.2S or eventual 1.4.
The 85mm is more versatile and easier to use but the 135mm has a very unique compressed look and rendering that is special. Both are excellent lenses but it just depends on what focal length you tend to like to shoot at.
I would also consider what is your 2nd lens going to be. If a 24-70 or 50mm, I think the 135 will give you some nice reach and crop mode gets you to 200mm. If you use a 35mm then I think the 85mm is a better pairing.
I have both and I wouldn't be without both. However, they are different focal lengths. As Bernard states above, I also love the round bokeh balls of the Plena but the bokeh of the 85's bokeh is also superb. They both produce stunning results, but you really need to know which focal length suits the application.
I don't own the Plena, I wish I could, the 85 is amazing but it's huge and heavy, definitely a tiring lens if I would ever think of having a camera hanging off my shoulder or neck for a few hours, working distance for portrait or half body is reasonable, on the other hand I recall using a 150mm, I know, not a 135, and it takes way more room to fill the frame and still heavy and scary for the eventual subject.
I have both.
Agree with Scott. They are very different. What are you going to pair it with, in the bag?
Will you also have and love the 50?
50/135 is awesome
85 can be used indoors. 135 not as much.
If you’re going to be outside mostly, that 135 will give you extra reach if you’ll need that. Otherwise 85 is still great outdoors, if you can be closer to your subject.
AF is better with the 135 for sport. But the 85 is fine too.
The answer to this question honestly depends on what it is that you're photographing and the amount of working distance that you have. I have both. Depending on what I'm doing I use the 135 more, but then there are scenarios where I break out the 85 1.2. If you are not doing full bodies and mainly care about shots from the chest up and want the compression and aren't working in a studio space get the 135. Action also feels like a 135 thing. If you're working indoors and need half body get the 85 or if you're doing indoor events...granted I use the 135 for both. This really feels like a thing you'll have to put some thought into regarding what and how you shoot to be honest.
I have and use both, but if I had to jettison one it would without hesitation be the Plena. The 85mm 1.2 is a really special lens. My favorite for any system. The Plena can take awesome images and is of course able to get beautiful bokeh balls across the frame, but the 85mm 1.2 can quickly turn otherwise boring scenes into really interesting pictures. Yes the 135mm and 85mm are different focal lengths, but they aren't' a world apart. With a Z8/Z9 or Z7 you can crop pretty easily to the 135mm focal range without losing much. The 85mm becomes something like a 28mp 135mm f/1.9 image. Not bad.
What i have now is the 14-24mm / 35 f1.2 (the new lens) only
And yes i will use it outside mainly
My main use will be outdoor portraits full and half body with isolation and both lenses can achieve that
Am not into aport at all
Appreciate
… do you prefer the look of 135mm portraits over the 85mm? I know we can crop 85mm f1.2 to 135mm but people are lazy and it takes effort to work at 135mm distance. Both focal lengths have different looks which really is the biggest differentiator
