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Nikon

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S — 105mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Jun 2021

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena — 135mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Sep 2023

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Macro & Close-upPortrait

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Portrait

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S wins 4 categories·NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena wins 1 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has higher Max magnification (1 × vs 0.2 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Min focus distance (28 cm vs 89 cm)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Weight (630 g vs 995 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Focal Length105 mm135 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight630 g995 g
Min Focus28 cm89 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

81 × 138 mm

630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

89 × 140 mm

995 g (2.19 lb / 35.10 oz)

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is 2mm shorter and 8mm narrower than NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena.

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is 365 g lighter than NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Portrait
7.5Good
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
3.5Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
9.0Excellent
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    1 × vs 0.2 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    28 cm vs 89 cm — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S supports it

  • Weight

    630 g vs 995 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    138 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 ED, 1 Aspherical, 1 SR

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Pros

  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S and NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Focal length (Min)
105 mm
135 mm
Focal length (Max)
105 mm
135 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Elements
14
16
Groups
11
13
Special elements
Aspherical
3 ED, 1 Aspherical, 1 SR
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Min focus distance
28 cm−61 cm less
89 cm
Max magnification
1 ×5× more
0.2 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Weight
630 g−365 g less
995 g
Length
138 mm−2 mm less
140 mm
Diameter
81 mm−8 mm less
89 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.