Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB review: supreme optics, for less
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Viltrox 135mm F1.8 Lab: Two Minutes Review
Since I’ve seen it 135mm F1.8 laboratory Viltrox Lens Sony full frame camera I kept counting down until Viltrox gave it a day Nikon Z-Mount Camera. That day has arrived.
Viltrox’s first professional lab lens got processed by Z-Mount, and I’ve had the opportunity to test the lens for a few weeks and put it with mine Nikon Z6 II For the supreme attractions portraits, etc.
This is an affordable alternative to the Z-Mount lens I dreamt of Nikon 135mm f/1.8 s plena,as well as Sony’s own 135mm F1.8g.
$899 / £829 / au $1,500 (discount available On the Viltrox website Yes), this is Sony The lens, which is only one-third of the price of Nikon PLENA, initially priced at about $2,600/£2,700/au $4,600. This is obviously a huge difference for Nikon Z users like me.
The 135mm is the ideal focus for portraits, but I also like the perspective of landscape photography, and the excellent light collection ability of fast f/1.8 aperture lenses like this.
So, I’ve tested it, how do I think of Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 lab? It’s a truly amazing shot, although it does have one important drawback, which makes me think twice before doing it.
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Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 Laboratory Specifications
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type: |
Telephoto prime numbers |
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Mountain: |
Nikon Z-Mount / Sony E-Mount |
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sensor: |
Full frame |
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focal length: |
135mm |
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Maximum aperture: |
f/1.8 |
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Minimum focus: |
0.72m |
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Filter size: |
82mm |
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aspect: |
93 x 145.7mm |
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weight: |
45.6oz / 1235g |
Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 Lab: Design
- Advanced design and construction quality
- Very heavy
- A unique customizable LCD screen is a fun feeling
It’s obvious that the Viltrox 135mm is designed for professionals. From the air-resistant metal barrel, front lens element and rear stand to a secure connection to the camera, the manufacturing quality is the highest drawer, you need some muscle to click the lens into place – and advanced controls dotted around the exterior.
There is a smooth focus ring, the second one that can be set as a smooth or clicked ring, default to control aperture, plus custom buttons and customizable top LCD.
The welcome screen of the top LCD can be customized (seriously), which is a great touch, even if I can’t see myself creating my own welcome screen…the firmware update can be easily applied via the built-in USB-C port of the back seat.
The focus distance is accurately marked on the LCD until centimeters, which is something you can’t get with other lenses. There is also an AF/MF switch as well as a focus range limiter. These external controls cover all the basics of the scenes I see myself using the lens.
The autofocus is smooth and basically silent. The focus speed is “150% faster,” Viltrox says, although I’m not sure what it is compared to, and I won’t say it’s the fastest lens I’ve ever used, even if it’s sleek. I’ll talk about why I think so.
Inside the box is a decent lens hood and a soft lens bag that safely packs the lens. So, all in all, the Viltrox 135mm F1.8 sounds great, right? Yes, but on one hand.
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As I mentioned in the verdict at the beginning of this comment, this shot is heavy-very heavy. This is the first thing you notice from out of the box. How heavy is it? 43.6 oz/1,235 g, no lens hood. Ouch.
To be clear, the mass 135mm f/1.8 lens is heavy, but the Viltrox is another level. It’s 25% heavier than the Sony and Nikon lenses I mentioned.
I wish the Viltrox was lighter, at least because of using it with my Z6 II. The balance is so tight that it is a best-used lens in a short burst, which is a shame because I can see myself using lenses like this for active photography, and the work is long.
If you use a Nikon Z8 (or a larger Nikon Z9) to shoot a larger camera, the balance of the Viltrox lens will be much better.
Still, there is a good reason for this lens to be so heavy–its highest optical quality.
Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 Lab: Performance
- 135 mm focal length is ideal for isolating subjects
- Almost flawless optical quality
- Accurate and smooth autofocus, but not the fastest
The optical quality of the Viltrox 135mm F/1.8 lab lens is almost flawless, just like the Nikon Plena lens, MTF charts shared by Viltrox Back to this.
Even with a maximum f/1.8 aperture, the details are clear from the center to the edge. There is no large amount of vignetting either – if you stop the aperture at f/2.8, there is little attention that is drawn, while at f/1.8 if you don’t want those darker corners can help your theme stand out more.
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I deliberately pushed the shot into tricky scenes, like the backlit portrait of Golden Time, which handled the shot admirably. It’s also not a mean feat when its VCM motor is working to shift those heavy lens elements, with 14 out of 14 groups, although in my experience people are a little picky about Sony and Nikon’s lenses.
Most photographers splash cash on lenses like this because it can produce attractive bokeh, and Viltrox lenses are impressive in this regard, especially at the price.
As you can see in the example image, the 11-blade round holes provide buttery smooth and round bokeh in the mottled light area. This bokeh quality is the holy grail of Pro portrait photographers, and its lenses are now available, and the price of the lens is only a small part of Nikon and Sony’s own lenses.
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The highest optical quality, especially for competitive prices, cannot be exaggerated, and Viltrox does give me some ideas. Would I buy this lens? Absolutely. I’ll go to the gym first, or upgrade my gear with the chunky Z8 for a better balance, or (a more cost-effective Z6 II battery grip).
Its weight and slightly dull autofocus are the only downsides to the otherwise flawless lens.
Should you buy a Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 lab?
If…buy it
if…
How do I test Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 lab
- Intermittent testing for several weeks
- Paired with Nikon Z6 II
- Used at a series of scenes and at different times of the day
I received a Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 lab lens from the Nikon Z-Mount a few weeks before the official unveiling on March 19, 2025.
I’ve paired the lens with a Nikon Z6 II body and used it in a range of challenging situations to test its optical quality. These include backlit portraits from the Golden Age, with some photos including light dancing around the sun.
In bad weather, I haven’t had a chance to test the footage yet, so I can’t comment on its weather-resistant weather certificate.
- First reviewed March 2025
