Spanish photographer Francis De Andrés highlights the 7Artisans AF 135mm f/1.8 as an unconventional but versatile choice for wildlife imaging, blending affordability, build quality, and strong optical performance in Peru’s Manu National Park.
A guest review has cast the 7Artisans AF 135mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z mount as an unconventional but serious wildlife option, after Spanish photographer Francis De Andrés spent two weeks using it in Peru’s Manu National Park. In a field test centred on squirrel monkeys, tropical birds and hummingbirds, he argued that the lens offered a different way of working in the jungle: less about maximum reach, more about subject context, separation and composition. That matters because, as Digital Camera World notes in its 2026 guide to Nikon portrait lenses, 135mm optics are usually valued for tight framing and background control rather than classic wildlife work.
The lens itself sits in a busy but competitive part of the market. 7Artisans launched the full-frame Nikon Z version at $689, according to its product announcement and retailers including B&H Photo Video, placing it far below Nikon’s own Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena while remaining in the same general focal-length class. The company says the lens uses a 16-element, 13-group design with six extra-low-dispersion elements and five high-refractive-index elements, plus a clickless aperture ring, programmable controls and an STM autofocus motor.
In the Manu National Park review, De Andrés said the lens felt solidly built, with metal construction, weather sealing and smooth control rings suited to humid rainforest conditions. He also highlighted its close-focusing ability of around 0.68 metres, which he described as unusually short for a 135mm lens and useful for tighter framing. That specification is notably shorter than the minimum focus distances commonly associated with competing 135mm designs such as the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Sigma’s 135mm f/1.8 Art, giving the 7Artisans more flexibility for semi-close subjects and environmental portraits.
Optically, the review was unusually positive for a lens at this price point. De Andrés said sharpness remained strong at f/1.8, with smooth transitions into blur and particularly pleasing bokeh in cluttered jungle scenes. He also reported that the Nano Multi-Coating helped keep contrast high in backlit conditions, reducing flare and ghosting when shooting through vegetation. Those claims align with the lens’s intended positioning as a fast telephoto prime that combines shallow depth of field with enough rendering quality for demanding field work.
Autofocus was the most striking part of the review. De Andrés said the STM-driven system performed quickly and quietly on a Nikon Z8, including with birds in flight and fast-moving monkeys, although he did not present it as a direct substitute for longer wildlife zooms or super-telephotos. His conclusion was that the 135mm focal length can support a different kind of wildlife image: one that keeps more of the habitat in frame while still isolating the subject. For photographers who want a fast, relatively affordable Nikon Z telephoto with portrait credentials and some wildlife potential, the lens now looks more versatile than its specification sheet alone might suggest.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
