The Lens I Wish I Had In My 30s | Nikon Plena 135mm f1.8

I retract my prior statement on calling you a young father, my apologies.

I agree, don’t comprise family.

I couldn’t bring a lens that big for travel. Especially for food and coffee pics lol

Another great vid Jack!

Thanks !!! For making, Me Think in a Different Way Again :) :) :)

Thanks again. I agree with all you said. I am still in the camp of smaller gets carried. Last lens I bought was 135mm 2.8 E. Very fun. And I changed careers at age 40 selling my HVAC firm and becoming a financial planner because I asked myself what I really enjoy.

The Z9 is where is at for balancing these big primes.

I'm in my 30s and I also wish I had this lens lol. Also, praying I look half as good as you do in my 40s, damnnnn.

I resisted getting this lens for a long time. Then Matt Irwin had Jasin Boland on his channel and they gushed over the Plena when the subject came up. Fine. I'll get one. We're slowly coming to terms but it has turned me into a portrait photographer and unless you count dogs I ain't no portrait photographer! My favorite travel lens is the 24-200mm, but now the Plena travels too. Kinda cool how a tool will elevate your game with little effort.

And you're still younger than my daughter..... and back pain is no joke. Staying in shape is the best medicine - as your genes will allow.

I am crying on a train home. Jack, what the hell.

LOL... When I started on Sony (a bit over 4. years ago) I didn't know what I was doing (still don't). My first lens was the 135 GM. As a poor student, I didn't know what & why I bought it, but just saw some images produced with a 135. I was blown away. I still have this mens today although it sit on my shelf more than I shoot it. But, that might change in 2025...

I really enjoy your commentary... the Plena will never be a lens I own... but your outlook on life mixed with photography is why I come back to your channel....

I write this while I shoot with the Zf + 135mm combo too. However, in my case it's the F2 DC. I think if you could get your hands on that lens and are alright with taking things even slower and manually focusing a razor thin focal plane, it would make for a great video. If we talk about no compromises, I think Plena might still be most of the people's go to- Autofocus and sharpness being absolute highlights. From looking at the images, to me the DC's bokeh is much more creamier and has this really appealing nature to it. Specular highlights and microcontrast is amaing. But also the fact that even though the lens might not seem 'sharp' it holds so much detail. The FTZ II adapter definitely adds to the length and heft of it though but I'm guessing its still smaller than a Plena?

Absolutely loved the review btw. So beautifully done.

Great video, totally agree, the Plena is my favorite too.

Another banger of a video

I love this channel. You make really compelling, thoughtful videos about more than just the gear, and I always look forward to your new releases! ❤

The reality of what I want currently kind of reflects in my lens choices on the ZF, my kit I will be bringing to japan next month is the 26mm 2.8 a 40mm F2.8 and the tamron 35-150 F2-2.8, im currently in an engineering field right out of college at 24 years old but looking to go back to my degree field of applied geography and GIS work hopefully pursuing viticulture research. Ive enjoyed my short stint in engineering but its not what I imagined it to be as a kid. In years to come im sure my focus will mature but the current scatterbrained approach I have with photography is formulating what I hope to become in the future. Lovely video as always the plena is a gorgeous lens and one I dont think I have a purpose for in life yet! But alas there is always the future.

Great images. I like the look of it. But I'm more of a 35mm, not 135mm shooter. It would probably take some practice to shoot that tight. I've been trying out an old school 58 f/1.2 and even that is a bit tight. With some more practice I hope to get there. BTW, love your story telling.

I use 135mm GM for documentary my kids activities or performances in school.

Most videos told us about 135mm being great at portrait or candid street or sometime landscape. Do you have any suggestions what else it could do?

What a boring lens tbh! Looks so clinical with no character and no 3d pop. Not for me!

Super chat, thanks!

Ok so now I want the Plena lens. Will probably hold off since the 85mm f1.2 has been great and having to big prime lenses will mean one stays home.

Great video and some good points about weighing convenience vs. compromise. Always a tough call when making a selection of just about anything in life.

Looking forward to seeing what your Japan kit will be this time. I am leaning m11 and z8 myself.

Killer lens

And all of a sudden, you've moved into your midlife crisis phase. A bit early in your 40s, no?

Always enjoying your videos Charles, I mean Professor X, I mean Jack!

The way you view your family and daughter, hit me! I work construction by day, photograph what I can when I’m out. Been a hobby of mine since my 8th grade. My son is 8 and struggles with reading. And now that I’m 38 I understand what you’re saying that if I’m compromises family it isn’t worth it! Great video BTW. Definitely getting a follow…

Came for lens review, got life lessons. Thanks jack. I dont owe anything to anyone.

I'm not sure the plena is the best lense I ever had , but it is one of my favorits.
I was deciding between the 85 1.2 and it , but since I have the 85 1.8 and I don't use it that much , it was a no brainer.
With my Z9 it balances really well ,it's a match made in heaven.
Approching mid 30's BTW.

I am thinking about getting Nikon z 105mm f2.8 macro have you tried that lens how do think that lens is like using it.

U look 30 man! Age is jst a number buy one n enjoy😂

thanks jack! we’re the same age, so this really resonated with me. Definitely go all in on family ❤

Another wonderful emotionally moving video.

Waiting for someone to compare it to the SIGMA 135mm 1.8

It's basically a medium format lens; that's how they get away with no vignetting; the image circle is HUGE and you are looking at the middle cutout.

Bruh I swear Jack Wang is a male pronstar Asian name... But seriously, I rented the Plena 3 months ago to see if it had massive difference to my SIGMA ART 135mm 1.8, lo and behold, No. Better by just about "so slightly" in the center but better in the corners, not much though, I am one of the many who don't give a damn about corner sharpness.The Plena has a contrasty rendering, the Sigma on the warmer side But you're right about the bokeh, it's beautiful and round! But Considering that you can get the SIGMA used for about 1/4th of the Price then by all means it is the poor man's Plena, not in a bad way of course!

I love my 85/1.2z and i guess i will also love the Plena :)

40 is a great age ! Just getting started….Anyway, I hadn’t thought about taking a 135mm lens onto the street. I’ll have to give it a try after seeing your video. I appreciate your historical references a lot—you must be a very good teacher !

Thanks for the video! Perfect analysis and presentation of the Plena especially as a street photography lens!. Most videos obviously focus on the portrait photographer and people talking about 85 vs 135mm. Which is not really of interest to us amateur enthusiasts! This lens is a piece of art which produces unique pictures in B&W and with special colours and micro contrast. The price one pays is the weight and size, but this is manageable. The price is cheap when compared to modern Leica lenses (and this should be the benchmark), there is no vignetting, bokeh is special, sharpness is superb but it is still creamy, it has a controlled dreaminess-everything is special. This can be seen as one of the best pro lenses in the world, but I see it as a gift from Nikon to the amateur who is looking for a creative outlet. For the over 40year olds who know they do not want to compromises on anything-on family or documentary photos or street photography.

Like you, I am both a professor and photographer (well to be honest I am now Professor Emeritus). We often put too much into our academic careers at the expense of family. It is great to see you have chosen the correct path of putting family first. You learned this much earlier than I did!! Kudos!! Very much enjoy your videos that blend photography with life. I bought the Nikon Plena a couple months ago and have found it stunning! I have used it for outdoor events during day time and evening. I have only used the Plena on my Z8 which couples great with it. This video has encouraged me to use it on my new Zf. Thanks!!

Finally doing even more compressed focal length, as much as I want Plena and I can afford one in my 20s, it's not my focal length for portraits.
Even with my 105mm f1.4, I still have trouble communicating with my subject, not shouting yet but certainly some gaps are there. I love doing fullbody shots hence it's straining.

The Z 105mm f2.8 MC is tempting when I tried renting one, it's so light by half from the FTZ 105/1.4 combo.
To close it, any Nikon file & glass in BW always won me over any system. They're simply more than telling stories.

Interest to hear your life story along with your review of the lens. I am in my 70s and looking at buying this lens. It is more about will I carry this lens because of weight . I do have at 135mm lens that I used a lot and enjoyed the images created by it, but the lens does not work with the Z cameras. The Plena lens will create wonderful images for me and I love the look of a f1.8 image.

All in on family! I changed my entire photography system because of family. When my twins came, I sold all my fuji gear for a ZF and the 24-120, the 50 1.8 and the 135 1.8. fuji auto focus just doesn't cut it when I need to catch up my toddlers. Even though I'm big fuji fanboy for over 10 years. and I loved my X-pro 2/3 and all the niffty little fuji lenses.

great video. I don't know why your channel didn't have the same viewership like many other photography channels. thumbnails, title, and the content are all great. I enjoyed it thoroughly. keep up the great work!

Hi Jack, I own the older Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 AI. I have to tell you it’s pretty amazing. No distortion and is extremely sharp. Bokeh is meh. However, it fills the need until I can justify the Plena. I can’t one handed hold it in portrait mode. My carpal tunnel won’t let me but yeah, beauty has a price. Enjoyed this video as always. Love the lens too ❤.

A little over 1 year ago I purchased a used 200mm f2. It made little sense and likely occupies a realm similar to the newer Z 135mm f1.8. Practical? No. Light? Heck no. Versatile? Be serious. But then, I didn't purchase the lens used for any of that. I do shoot indoor sports (where a fast zoom would be infinitely more useful). Your description of the PLENA is very similar to my experience with the 200mm f2 - except for the vignette in the corners shot wide open. Those that have used it know that the combination of clarity, color rendition, sharpness, fall off, dimensionality, realism, contrast, and silk smooth transition zones make it unique even in the Nikon lineup. I've heard that the 135mm Plena is similar in that way, but has its own characteristic. I've spoken to several people that have owned both. The 135mm is more practical - and the working distance not as large. When you shoot the 200mm f2, you just know from the moment you look at the rear screen (does anyone do that anymore?), that the lens is different. Two of my photography buddies (one Sony, one Canon) both wanted to purchase one after seeing my images with it in camera. I hope the PLENA brings you lots of joy. I know that I've learned a lot shooting the 200mm f2, and it's an experience I'm glad I have the opportunity to experience.

I have the z50mm f1.2.. and I absolutely love it. But I’m starting a headshot serious. And I’m trying to decide between this and the 85mm f1.2

I love shooting with Fuji 90mm f/2... and Plena sounds like good reason to switch to Nikon. Ypu really need to try once XF 90mm f/2. I bet You will be suprised.

Is it better then the old favoured 105mm 1.4?

thanks so much. it is a well written script for the Plana. I really want to own it and keep it last long with my ZF :)

44 years old I need this lens in my life. It will one day :)

Great images , beautiful lens 😊

Very cool lens. Happy it exists. Dont like the bokeh. And my fundamental issue with 135mm lenses is that i just dont enjoy being so far from the subject. I like being close and intimate and the bokeh to be much more characterful. So Nikon kinda failed the Plena in that tegard.