Well, I did more tests w/ the Nikon 135/1.8 Plena vs. Canon RF 135/1.8L.
The Canon won every time...easily.
I'm updating this post's title to "Nikon 135mm Plena SLOW for Volleyball?" ... specifically.
My biggest issues with the 135 Plena for volleyball are:
1. AF motors are slower than Canon
2. AF acquisition is slower than Canon (biggest issue)
3. AF hunts at close ranges
4. AF 'pumps / jerks in & out when shifting from close (~1m) to a little farther away (~3m).
As a volleyball shooter, I'm consistently trying to grab 1 player close to me, then the 2nd a little farther away, then the 3rd (the farthest away).
Once AF has been acquired, either lens works fine for tracking a moving subject.
But it's that super quick "focus on Player A, then reacquire to grab Player B" in a fraction of a second where the 135 Plena drove me crazy.
So, I sold the 135 Plena, purchased the 135 Canon, and am way happier
Here's a quick video test I put together showing the AF acquisition between the 2
Apr 19, 2026 at 01:27 PM
Previous versions of jmreese's message #17023565 « Nikon 135mm Plena SLOW for Volleyball? »
