Would be very curious to see how the new Viltrox compares to the Plena in one of your reviews. It seems their lenses are getting quite good… not quite sure how for the money. For me the Plena wins the Bokeh battle from what I’ve seen, but don’t feel there’s many that go into as much detail for their reviews as PL to determine the rest.
Steven
January 18, 2025 2:51 am
I have had this lens for quite some time. I’ve been doing commercial work for a long time since the Nikon F4s. I have also had many Nikkor lenses. My impressions and experience with this lens are fantastic. The sharpness is never artificial, it is simply natural. The color rendition and contrast are also superb. This is simply the best lens I have ever owned.
Rich
September 18, 2024 12:15 am
Thanks for the comparison between the plena, 85 1.2S and 85mm f1.8S. I think you really did a great job of highlighting how great the plena is, but in the comparison of the three lenses with the portraits, I can’t help but thinking the 85mm f1.8S looks the most appealing to me. Perhaps I’m just making a transition from loving every bit of bokeh out there to a bit more context in the background….not sure. Regardless, Nikon is doing amazing and we are lucky to have such options!
Rainer Gutekunst
March 30, 2024 6:49 am
Thank you for your excellent review. Having used the lens since October 23, Nikon 105, 1,4 for years and 85 S 1,8 since 2018, this is the best lens ever. Yet, I still would prefer a respective 105mm 1,8 plena lens.
If there will be 105mm portrait lens for Z-mount someday, it should not be slower than the F-mount version. There is Z 85/1.2 S, existing AF-S 105/1.4 ED, and the Z 135/1.8 S. Slower aperture would not be interesting enough to upgrade from the older 105/1.4 lens. Performance is still very good with the Z9.
TPJ Verhoeven Photography
February 22, 2024 10:00 pm
Love this article. Well written extensive review!
Love this lens. I own it myself, next to the 50/1.2 and 85/1.2. This is undoubtedly a unique piece of glass. Very fun to use in streets photography, although not very inconspicuously tho. Concerts, yes, events, portraits, night scapes, versatile enough. And while some do I do not take this one for weddings. I found that my 20/1.8 and both 1.2s cover all I need at these occasions.
I already did put this one out there for…. running. Sports. Its AF is quick enough which make it stack up pretty well to dedicated sports lenses in the sports department.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review! And I’m glad you found it fast enough to autofocus on running subjects. Lenses like the 70-200mm f/2.8 S will still have an advantage in that department, but it depends how close you are and how erratically the subject is moving.
Niteen
February 8, 2024 10:20 pm
Would love to see sharpness(LPM) and bokeh comparison in full length, three quarters, with 85mm F1.Z lens.
Sharpness results for the 85mm f/1.2 will be published in that review in a few weeks. If you want to see them early, that’s one of the lenses I just tested for our Patreon members, you’re welcome to give it a look!
Very impressive. At least on paper, sharpness of Plena looks significantly better than the 85mm f/1.2!
Jeremy
February 7, 2024 5:48 pm
I’m literally getting this lens on loan from Nikon NPS next week to try the Plena at a motorsports event. This review couldn’t have timed better and it confirmed my pre-received thoughts about the lens. I’ll be using it for portraits and details of static classic race cars on my Z9.
I’ll make another comment with my findings and experience.
I’m very curious to hear your first impressions, Jeremy.
Triki
February 7, 2024 2:02 pm
Thank you so much for this excellent review and all the work behind it. I love the comparisons and appreciate all your thoughts. I own the Plena and the Nikon 85mm 1.4G (I also used to own the Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2, which is manual focus). The Plena autofocus is much faster and accurate than the one on the Nikon AF-S prime lens. Even if it’s not quite as fast as in a professional super telephoto lens, it is still very quick and reliable on a Z 8. The quality of the photographs is stunning. The optical performance is superior to the Milvus, which was already magical in my opinion.
I like the fact that you included landscape photography as one of its many possible applications. In addition to portraiture and landscape, I’d like to add that my copy of the lens is also excellent for astrophotography.
I would love to know what you guys think about using it for astrophotography and night photography in general; even for wildlife photography!
Btw, it is true that price and weight are not ideal, but the Z 85mm f/1.2 is heavier and more expensive. I don’t have a problem with its weight, because I use a Nikon G mount super telephoto regularly.
Thank you! NikonRumors has links to two good articles reviewing the use of the Plena lens for astrophotography. I got good results with very high light pollution. Will test it from the Shenandoah Mountains soon.
Libor did you get a chance to use the Plena with Autocapture? I have one coming this week and plan to do the same. I’ll end up using it more for landscape/wildlife/plants than for portraits but with Autocapture if you pull it off the results should be spectacular. I’ve seen one image of a meerkat with the Plena and it was next level and a rendering you just don’t see in wildlife as almost everything seems to be on long telephotos.
bg5931
February 7, 2024 10:56 am
Very thorough review – well done! Appreciate the extra effort spent on the bokeh comparison. Now the only problem: How do I convince myself not to get one?
I’m certain that you’ll thoroughly enjoy your lens for many years.
The first telephoto lens I purchased (many decades ago) was a 135mm f/2.8, which I much preferred for my landscape photography. Later, the AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f/2D became one of my favourite lenses, and not just for landscapes.
Great article. I read so many articles that said “best Nikkor ever,” that I had to get one before my family beach trip. I went to the beach my Z6ii to get grandkid pictures with the Plena. The first photo seemed soft and lacked contrast. Then I realized the house had been 72 degrees and my Hoya HD3 filter fogged up! LOL After the filter warmed up, I got some incredible shots of kids in the surf on boogie boards with Hurricane Debby on the way. Unbelievable! Throwing background out of focus with lots of white foam! Can’t wait to blow some pic up for the wall.
Ralph La Forge
February 7, 2024 10:55 am
Excellent review Libor. I had this lens on loan from Nikon NPS and used it in New Mexico for low light (twilight) landscapes. It was exceptional to shoot handheld at a reasonable shutter speed just before sunrise and after sunset. I purchased a month ago and have never looked back.
Thank you, Ralph. The Plena is without a doubt an absolutely great lens. For anyone who can appreciate the 135mm view of the world, it is a dream come true.
Would be very curious to see how the new Viltrox compares to the Plena in one of your reviews. It seems their lenses are getting quite good… not quite sure how for the money. For me the Plena wins the Bokeh battle from what I’ve seen, but don’t feel there’s many that go into as much detail for their reviews as PL to determine the rest.
I have had this lens for quite some time. I’ve been doing commercial work for a long time since the Nikon F4s. I have also had many Nikkor lenses. My impressions and experience with this lens are fantastic. The sharpness is never artificial, it is simply natural. The color rendition and contrast are also superb. This is simply the best lens I have ever owned.
Thanks for the comparison between the plena, 85 1.2S and 85mm f1.8S. I think you really did a great job of highlighting how great the plena is, but in the comparison of the three lenses with the portraits, I can’t help but thinking the 85mm f1.8S looks the most appealing to me. Perhaps I’m just making a transition from loving every bit of bokeh out there to a bit more context in the background….not sure. Regardless, Nikon is doing amazing and we are lucky to have such options!
Thank you for your excellent review. Having used the lens since October 23, Nikon 105, 1,4 for years and 85 S 1,8 since 2018, this is the best lens ever. Yet, I still would prefer a respective 105mm 1,8 plena lens.
If there will be 105mm portrait lens for Z-mount someday, it should not be slower than the F-mount version. There is Z 85/1.2 S, existing AF-S 105/1.4 ED, and the Z 135/1.8 S.
Slower aperture would not be interesting enough to upgrade from the older 105/1.4 lens. Performance is still very good with the Z9.
Love this article. Well written extensive review!
Love this lens. I own it myself, next to the 50/1.2 and 85/1.2. This is undoubtedly a unique piece of glass. Very fun to use in streets photography, although not very inconspicuously tho. Concerts, yes, events, portraits, night scapes, versatile enough. And while some do I do not take this one for weddings. I found that my 20/1.8 and both 1.2s cover all I need at these occasions.
I already did put this one out there for…. running. Sports. Its AF is quick enough which make it stack up pretty well to dedicated sports lenses in the sports department.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review! And I’m glad you found it fast enough to autofocus on running subjects. Lenses like the 70-200mm f/2.8 S will still have an advantage in that department, but it depends how close you are and how erratically the subject is moving.
Would love to see sharpness(LPM) and bokeh comparison in full length, three quarters, with 85mm F1.Z lens.
Sharpness results for the 85mm f/1.2 will be published in that review in a few weeks. If you want to see them early, that’s one of the lenses I just tested for our Patreon members, you’re welcome to give it a look!
Very impressive. At least on paper, sharpness of Plena looks significantly better than the 85mm f/1.2!
I’m literally getting this lens on loan from Nikon NPS next week to try the Plena at a motorsports event. This review couldn’t have timed better and it confirmed my pre-received thoughts about the lens. I’ll be using it for portraits and details of static classic race cars on my Z9.
I’ll make another comment with my findings and experience.
Thank you for this very comprehensive review!
I’m very curious to hear your first impressions, Jeremy.
Thank you so much for this excellent review and all the work behind it. I love the comparisons and appreciate all your thoughts. I own the Plena and the Nikon 85mm 1.4G (I also used to own the Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2, which is manual focus). The Plena autofocus is much faster and accurate than the one on the Nikon AF-S prime lens. Even if it’s not quite as fast as in a professional super telephoto lens, it is still very quick and reliable on a Z 8. The quality of the photographs is stunning. The optical performance is superior to the Milvus, which was already magical in my opinion.
I like the fact that you included landscape photography as one of its many possible applications. In addition to portraiture and landscape, I’d like to add that my copy of the lens is also excellent for astrophotography.
I would love to know what you guys think about using it for astrophotography and night photography in general; even for wildlife photography!
Btw, it is true that price and weight are not ideal, but the Z 85mm f/1.2 is heavier and more expensive. I don’t have a problem with its weight, because I use a Nikon G mount super telephoto regularly.
Thank you again. Your reviews are so helpful!
There was a post elsewhere (NikonRumors maybe?) about a guy using it for astro. Looked fantastic.
Thank you! NikonRumors has links to two good articles reviewing the use of the Plena lens for astrophotography. I got good results with very high light pollution. Will test it from the Shenandoah Mountains soon.
I’m not into astrophotography, but for wildlife I plan to try Plena in combination with Auto capture. There it could shine like a supernova.
Libor did you get a chance to use the Plena with Autocapture? I have one coming this week and plan to do the same. I’ll end up using it more for landscape/wildlife/plants than for portraits but with Autocapture if you pull it off the results should be spectacular. I’ve seen one image of a meerkat with the Plena and it was next level and a rendering you just don’t see in wildlife as almost everything seems to be on long telephotos.
Very thorough review – well done! Appreciate the extra effort spent on the bokeh comparison. Now the only problem: How do I convince myself not to get one?
Repeat: Plee Nah!
I couldn’t pronounce it correctly … it came out as … Plee Yeah ;)
This is such an incredible lens. I got it yesterday and I am simply blown away.
I’m certain that you’ll thoroughly enjoy your lens for many years.
The first telephoto lens I purchased (many decades ago) was a 135mm f/2.8, which I much preferred for my landscape photography. Later, the AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f/2D became one of my favourite lenses, and not just for landscapes.
I find its name helpful in this regard. Plena means diaper in Czech, which puts me off a bit.
Great article. I read so many articles that said “best Nikkor ever,” that I had to get one before my family beach trip. I went to the beach my Z6ii to get grandkid pictures with the Plena. The first photo seemed soft and lacked contrast. Then I realized the house had been 72 degrees and my Hoya HD3 filter fogged up! LOL After the filter warmed up, I got some incredible shots of kids in the surf on boogie boards with Hurricane Debby on the way. Unbelievable! Throwing background out of focus with lots of white foam! Can’t wait to blow some pic up for the wall.
Excellent review Libor. I had this lens on loan from Nikon NPS and used it in New Mexico for low light (twilight) landscapes. It was exceptional to shoot handheld at a reasonable shutter speed just before sunrise and after sunset. I purchased a month ago and have never looked back.
Thank you, Ralph. The Plena is without a doubt an absolutely great lens. For anyone who can appreciate the 135mm view of the world, it is a dream come true.