Viltrox launched the Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 Lab lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras back around Easter time and now Nikon Z series shooters are in for a Christmas treat. Like the AF 135mm F1.8 Lab before it, the 35mm lens is from the Chinese manufacturer’s flagship series of lenses, engineered for top-notch image quality and all-round performance, along with high-end handling, at a relatively affordable price.
The optical path includes five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, 3 HR (High Refractive index) elements and two aspherical elements. The aim is for a combination of excellent sharpness, color fidelity and control over aberrations, with super-smooth bokeh when shooting wide-open at the fast f/1.2 aperture. A particularly well-rounded 11-blade aperture diaphragm is designed to retain maximum quality of bokeh when stopping down.
Handling highlights include an aperture control ring with a click/de-click switch, ideal for stills and video respectively. Further benefits for video capture include minimized focus breathing and virtually silent auto/manual focusing. Autofocus itself is driven by a ‘Quad HyperVCM’ voice coil motor, which Viltrox claims is 1.5 times faster than a regular stepping motor system. Other handling finery includes dual customizable function buttons and an AF/MF focus mode switch. Like some of Nikon’s finest own-brand Z-mount lenses, the Viltrox also features a color OLED screen on the top of its barrel, which can display shooting information like the aperture setting and focus distance.
Build quality benefits from a durable magnesium alloy barrel and metal mounting plate, complete with extensive weather-seals. The mounting plate also features a USB-C port for applying firmware updates, if and when required.
We’ve already seen a seriously sizeable collection of Viltrox Z-mount lenses, from its featherweight ‘Air’ series through to high-performance ‘Pro’ lenses, both for APS-C as well as full-frame Nikon cameras, plus a new AF 85mm f/2 Evo lens.
The 35mm Lab sits at the top of the tree yet still has a highly competitive launch price of $999 / £959.
See our full Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 Lab review
