This new lens is capable of covering the 24×36 mm and APS-C format. In this second case, a conversion coefficient of 1.5x must be applied, which is equivalent to 202.5 mm. A 135mm is an lens designed above all for portrait lovers. This focal length allows you to keep a comfortable distance from your subject while allowing you to take tight shots with crushed perspectives. In addition, by taking advantage of the very large f/1.8 aperture associated with the 11-blade diaphragm, particularly marked depth of field effects can be achieved. On paper, this lens is a “bokeh master”.
The Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB uses an ambitious optical formula composed of 14 lenses divided into 9 groups with 4 ED glasses with low dispersion to limit chromatic aberrations and 2 glasses with a high refractive index to minimize distortions and optimize sharpness. The MTF curves displayed by the manufacturer are impressive. The lens should deliver extremely sharp images from center to edges and at all apertures. Of course, tests will have to confirm the performance of the lens.
Autofocus is ensured by an ultra-fast, precise and silent HyperVCM motor. The manufacturer announces precision at the micron level and a switch between close and far focus in 100 milliseconds. The lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.72m which opens the door to significant magnifications up to 0.25x for close-up photos. Finally, the lens is designed to minimize the phenomenon of focus breathing.
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Ergonomics level we find a small LCD screen on which the focusing distance, the focusing mode and the selected aperture are displayed. This screen is reminiscent of the one offered at one time by Zeiss on its Batis series optics. There is a manual focus ring and an aperture ring that can be “de-screened” using a switch. We also have a focus range limiter and two customizable buttons.
For the rest, this lens benefits from protection against bad weather with seals, a special treatment on the front lens and a body made of metal (magnesium and aluminum alloy). We also find at the mount level the presence of a USB-C port for firmware updates. The lens weighs 1.235 kg and measures just under 15 cm long and 9.3 cm in diameter (82 mm filters).
Availability and price
The new Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB in Sony E mount is priced at €999 and will be available during the month of November 2024.
First opinion
Chinese optical manufacturers are moving fast, very fast and are now able to position themselves against the manufacturers’ native high-end models. This new Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB lens in Sony E mount competes head-on with the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, a lens which received the maximum rating of 5 stars during our test carried out in 2019. If the optical performance is there, Viltrox offers this lens a fabulous tool for portrait photographers, both photo and video. The Chinese firm should not stop there, there would also be a 35, a 50 and 85 mm F1.2 in this LAB range in the future as well as a PRO series in F1.4. In short, we must follow Viltrox closely in the months to come.
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