7Artisans’ 135mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z: A Long Prime That Won’t Break the Bank

7Artisans has added a Nikon Z-mount version of its 135mm f/1.8 to the lineup, and it’s aimed squarely at portrait and macro photographers who want a fast telephoto prime without paying a premium. With autofocus, an all-metal body, and a 12-blade diaphragm, it’s positioning itself as a serious option in a segment usually dominated by much pricier glass.

The 135mm focal length on full-frame is a great portrait choice, and pairing it with f/1.8 gives you pretty neat subject isolation and low-light capability in one package. The lens features 16-element, 13-group optical formula with six low-dispersion and five high-refractive-index elements. In simpler terms, this should keep things sharp and color-accurate when shooting wide open.

There’s also a 12-blade diaphragm, meaning rounder bokeh and a smoother overall background blur. The 2.23′ minimum focusing distance is great for some close-up work and product shots as well, so this lens can be a Jack of all trades (and hopefully, without being a master of none).

A major downside is the weight: at just over two pounds, this isn’t a lens you’ll forget is on your camera, and handheld shooting will cause some strain. But hey, it’s a 135mm lens, so it can’t be as tiny and compact as a pancake lens.

As for the outside build, the 7Artisans’ 135mm f/1.8 features an all-metal body with an AF/MF switch, full-time manual focus override, a customizable function button, and a USB-C port for firmware updates.

7Artisans 135mm f/1.8 Specs

Specification	Details
Focal Length	135mm
Aperture	Maximum: f/1.8 / Minimum: f/16
Lens Mount	Nikon Z
Lens Format Coverage	Full-Frame
Angle of View	18.4°
Minimum Focus Distance	2.23′ / 0.68 m
Optical Design	16 Elements in 13 Groups
Aperture/Iris Blades	12
Focus Type	Autofocus
Image Stabilization	No
Filter Size	82 mm (Front)
Dimensions	ø: 3.6 x L: 5.4″ / ø: 91 x L: 136 mm
Weight	2.2 lb / 1014 g

Pricing And Availability

The 7Artisans 135mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z is available for preorders at $689 and should start shipping soon.

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