Fiat
Active member
Has anyone tried Plena for astrophotography?
Have you used the z 135mm f1.8 Plena? What do you think of it?
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Plena is again $200 off through Nov. 3 from US Nikon retailers or from Nikon USA.
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Yes, does great, pretty sharp corners, colors are good, did great on imaging the comet. I would not spend the dollars to be a primary astro, would instead get the Rokinon, But if you want the Plena for everything else it does great.
Astro compilation, Comet and Aurora, Southeast Missouri
Been a nice few weeks with Astro objects , from Aurora to Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) A few pics from our farm in SE MO. A variety of lenses and bodies, Z9, Z6ii, Z24-120, Z135 Plena A B&W image
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Fiat
Active member
Thanks for responding, Commodore. You had nice shots of Comets and Aurora lights, but I mean shooting DSOs (like the Orion nebula, etc.). Is the Plena probably not enough reach? BTW, which Rokinon lens (z) is good for Astro (DSO)? I do have z20mm f1.8 for nightscape.Yes, does great, pretty sharp corners, colors are good, did great on imaging the comet. I would not spend the dollars to be a primary astro, would instead get the Rokinon, But if you want the Plena for everything else it does great.
Astro compilation, Comet and Aurora, Southeast Missouri
Been a nice few weeks with Astro objects , from Aurora to Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) A few pics from our farm in SE MO. A variety of lenses and bodies, Z9, Z6ii, Z24-120, Z135 Plena A B&W image
If I remember correctly, there are a number of forum members who use the Rokinon 14mm f2.4 manual focus lens for astro milky way shots, and other wide angle dark sky photography. It's a F-mount lens that is being used with the FTZ. And is very sharp in the corners with little coma. I've never tried it but hope to acquire one.
Perhaps this lens is what was being referred to?
Perhaps this lens is what was being referred to?
The rokinon 135 is the perfect lens for DSO! Many Astro folks use it. Go to Astrobin website and do a search for 135mm lenses And nebula.
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Also, you will not get any DSO with a single exposure. I sent you an image from a friend, used with permission, 135mm length, mirrorless body, but tracked, with Eq mount, and stacked images. Probably 20+ 15 second images including lights and darks. A YouTube search Rokinon 135 Astro will give you hours of info.
Fiat
Active member
Yes, I plan to get a star tracker.
beano
Active member
Was in the Dark & Moody mood...playing with the Z9/Plena 135mm wide-open, and simple SB-700 (off-camera flash-mode via godox tx/rx.)
beano
Active member
Hi Guys,
Ok, not my Plena, but rather my old 135mm F2 DC lens - yeah, that one. Forgive me my trespasses, but I had to share a few shots of this wonderful lens. It is a bit soft wide-open when compared to the Plena, and doing the MF thingy on my Zf at F2 not as easy as it should be, but at least Milla was a willing model today.
No denoise, SOOC RAW, other then a bit of contrast. Always loved how these F2 DC lenses could just blow the background to smithereens.
Edit: I was trying to channel my internal @Steve , he had a gorgeous BW portrait shot of a Lion, but alas, Milla is no Lion, even though she sometimes thinks she’s a Tiger.
Ok, not my Plena, but rather my old 135mm F2 DC lens - yeah, that one. Forgive me my trespasses, but I had to share a few shots of this wonderful lens. It is a bit soft wide-open when compared to the Plena, and doing the MF thingy on my Zf at F2 not as easy as it should be, but at least Milla was a willing model today.
No denoise, SOOC RAW, other then a bit of contrast. Always loved how these F2 DC lenses could just blow the background to smithereens.
Edit: I was trying to channel my internal @Steve , he had a gorgeous BW portrait shot of a Lion, but alas, Milla is no Lion, even though she sometimes thinks she’s a Tiger.
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beano
Active member
Here are two shots of the same flower, stopped down to f/5.6, shot with the Zf's BW, and then color, via selector switch, both SOOC RAW converted to jpeg.
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Roy
Well-known member
Love the Plena but I wouldn't recommend it for everyone ...
beano
Active member
OK, not my Plena either but I was inspired by beano's shots with the 135 f2 DC and decided to dust mine off along with my D850 and brave the cold. So please forgive my trespasses too and cheers to a special old lens. At first I was stunned by how massive the D850 felt after using my Z's for so long. I really missed being able to preview through the EVF and while this lens makes beautiful sharp images I noticed some of the color issues (chromatic aberationss or fringing?) that the newer lens coating prevent. (BTW this is the first time I'm posting a photo on this forum, I'm not sure I did this right!).
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beano
Active member
Beautiful shot
Love it!Btw, I think we can call the 135 f2dc the f-mount Plena, hehe….
Roy
Well-known member
I'd love it if the DC lenses autofocused on the Z bodies ..Beautiful shot
Btw, I think we can call the 135 f2dc the f-mount Plena, hehe….
beano
Active member
As per @calcal, a few Yootoobers have also alluded that a new motorized FTZ is inbound. I am pretty comfortable with full MF, so don't care either way, but it probably will be a good seller for Nikon, seeing how many good vintage AF-D lenses are out there. My favorites are this 135 f2DC, 180 2.8D, 300 4D, 60 2.8D macro, 85 1.4D. All very useful lenses for certain events, and agreed, AF might help to speed up things wide-open.I'd love it if the DC lenses autofocused on the Z bodies ..
Oh yeah, not to forget about the 200 4D macro too, wonderful lens.
Just a huge amount of fun to shot with these.
beano
Active member
Let me post a last one and do a runner, before the OP smacks me over the head... A local Magpie, this lady and her family always waits outside my door in the morning for a hello and a chat, hence being able to get close-up to her. She literally walks up to 3ft or so away, so I had to wait for her to backoff a bit, to see how the 135 F2DC will go stopped down soemwhat.
SOOC RAW, only applied vivid profile, and cropped somewhat, exported as a jpeg. Love the render of this lens.
SOOC RAW, only applied vivid profile, and cropped somewhat, exported as a jpeg. Love the render of this lens.
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Before we get into trouble with the OP I will figure out how to properly post and come back with a couple of images taken with the Plena - hopefully tomorrow!