CameraReview
Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB
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Viltrox · 135 mm · f/1.8

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB

From $899 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandViltrox
Announcement dateOct 2024
Released2024
Production started2024
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptional sharpness at f/1.8 with excellent center and near-center performance
+Smooth, creamy bokeh quality with minimal onion-ring effect
+Silent and reasonably fast HyperVCM autofocus with dual motors
+Competitive price point at $899 versus $2098 for Sony GM equivalent
+Bluetooth connectivity and customizable LCD display for ease of use
Worth Knowing
Heavy at 1.3kg, 350g heavier than competing Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM
Lacks full weather sealing despite dust and splash resistance
Firmware updates require mobile or desktop app rather than simple website downloads
Bokeh characteristics subjective and not favored by all reviewers compared to alternatives

General

Brand
Viltrox
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Oct 2024
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2024
Production started
2024
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE impresses with almost impeccable sharpness and extremely high center performance at f/1.8, with excellent near-center and very good corner performance. As the first LAB lens in Viltrox's new high-end lineup, it directly challenges premium 135mm f/1.8 lenses and is perfectly aligned to shallow depth-of-field photography for still life and portraits. At $899 USD, it offers substantial value compared to competitors costing more than twice as much.

Optical design

Minimum Aperture
f/16
Optical Elements
14 elements in 9 groups
ED Lenses
4
HR Lenses
2

Focus

Maximum Magnification
0.25x
Focus Mechanism
Internal focus
Focus Motor
Dual HyperVCM (Voice Coil Motor)
AF/MF
Yes

Build

Diameter/Length
93mm x 145.7mm
Mount Material
Metal
Internal Structure
Magnesium-aluminum alloy
Housing
High-quality engineered plastics with metal mount
Dust/Splash Resistant
Yes

Optics

Coating
HD Nano multi-layer coatings
Front Element Coating
Water/grease-repellant
Min focal length
135 mm
Max focal length
135 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
135 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
1.8
Max aperture zoom
1.8
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
11020
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
72 cm01500
Autofocus mode
Yes

Controls

Aperture Ring
De-clickable with click stops
Focus Limiter
Yes, 3 settings
LCD Display
Color LCD for aperture and focus distance
Function Buttons
2 customizable Fn buttons
USB C Port
Yes, for firmware updates
Bluetooth
Yes, for app connectivity

Physical

Lens weight
1235 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
82 mm

Features

Weather sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes