7Artisans AF 135mm F1.8 MAX (Nikon Z)

Reviews rate it optically excellent for the money: a strong centre at every aperture, good corners at f/1.8 and excellent ones by f/5.6, and close-up performance that improves quickly by f/4. Vignetting is very low (about 1.2 EV wide open), colour fringing is well controlled, and bokeh is smooth.

The compromises are in mechanics and video. Flare and ghosting are easy to provoke without the hood, focus breathing is clearly visible, AF speed is only average with a faint whirr and occasional hesitation, and there is no focus limiter. Much of the published lab testing used the Sony version, which shares the optics.

Nikon Z portrait shooters like the subject separation, the close focus and the price, a fraction of Nikon's Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. Early owners report it as noticeably sharper wide open than older F-mount 85mm f/1.8 lenses they used before.

Common complaints are the weight on smaller Z bodies, the hood's lack of a lock and AF that is not quick enough for fast action. Some stills shooters miss a dedicated aperture ring, though the silent control ring suits video. Owners recommend keeping the firmware current through the USB-C port.