Available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, the weather-sealed lens promises flagship image quality and fast autofocus
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
Viltrox has announced the AF 35mm F1.4 Pro. The company says that the new prime lens is a flagship offering for Sony and Nikon users and will offer exceptional image quality.
The AF 35mm F1.4 Pro lens features an optical design with 16 elements in 11 groups, which include 2 UA, 3 ED and 4 HR elements. Viltrox says this design reduces onion-ring bokeh and minimizes color fringing while maintaining a reasonable size. The company also says that the lens has strong distortion control and renders straighter lines, an ideal feature when photographing architecture or objects near the edge of the frame.
ViltroxIts F1.4 maximum aperture allows for a shallow depth of field and more flexibility in low light. It features 11 aperture blades, which Viltrox says result in smooth, rounded bokeh. The lens can focus as close as 0.3m (11.8″) and uses Viltrox’s voice coil motors for autofocus. The company says that focus breathing is minimal, and autofocus is fast, precise and quiet.
As with the other Viltrox Pro lenses, it offers some useful on-lens controls. That includes an aperture ring that can be clicked or de-clicked, a customizable Fn button and an AF/MF switch. The metal body offers weather-sealed construction and it offers a 77mm filter thread.
ViltroxIt’s not a compact lens, however. The Sony model weighs 760g (1.7 lbs), while the Nikon version comes in at 780g (1.7 lbs). For comparison, Sony’s FE 35mm F1.4 GM weighs 524g (1.2 lbs), while Nikon’s Z 35mm F1.4 weighs 415g (0.9 lbs). The E-mount and Z-mount versions of Viltrox’s 35mm F1.4 measure 111mm (4.4″) and 112.5mm (4.4″) long, respectively.
Viltrox says that the 35mm lens rounds out its Pro prime trio, joining the 50mm F1.4 Pro and 85mm F1.4 Pro. The company notes that the entire set is available for less than $2000, which is quite the savings compared to comparable first-party offerings. For example, purchasing the same trio of Sony lenses would cost around $4700.
ViltroxThat said, the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.4 Pro on its own costs $829, which is a fair bit more than the 50mm and 85mm lenses in the Pro lineup. Those cost $549 and $598, respectively. The lens is available to purchase as of today.
Viltrox
