Viltrox has announced its new AF 135mm F1.8 LAB Z Lens for Nikon Z-mount. This looks to be a very affordable and fast telephoto prime. This lens was previously only available in Sony E-mount.
With the new Z-mount RED cameras, this could make for a nice pairing.
Key features
- Full-Frame | f/1.8 to f/16
- Fast Telephoto Prime
- VCM Focusing Mechanism
- Autofocus Design
- 9-Blade Diaphragm
- Multilayer Nano Coating
- Dust and Splash-Resistant Construction
- Firmware Updates via USB-C Port
The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB Z Lens is claimed to have excellent sharpness and autofocus performance. It utilizes a VCM focus motor that allows the lens to function quickly and quietly.
The lens also includes two Fn buttons, ensuring your favorite custom settings are easily accessible. Additionally, the lens is protected by a multilayer nanocoating that prevents water, dust, and fouling damage.
The lens is claimed to have minimized focus breathing which is nice if you are shooting video.
Driving autofocus performance is Viltrox’s patented HyperVCM motor, which the company claims delivers 150% faster focusing than traditional STM motors
Optical Design
- Two high refractive index lenses and four extra-low dispersion lenses are utilized throughout the lens’s optical construction, which overall features fourteen elements in nine groups for effectively reducing distortion and minimizing chromatic aberration. Simultaneously, this design enhances image quality and contrast, helping to create photos with accurate color reproduction.
- Its 2.4′ minimum focusing distance allows for capturing detailed, close-up images
- An eleven-blade diaphragm and f/1.8 maximum aperture help produce creamy and circular bokeh, even in low light.
Build Quality
An advanced dust- and moisture-resistant design helps protect the AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB Z from any water droplets or dust that could negatively impact its internal components.
The front lens element features a water- and stain-resistant coating for repelling liquids and fingerprints from sticking.
The lens’s magnesium-aluminum alloy structure further heightens its reliability and helps ensure minor impacts won’t compromise its performance.
Additional Lens Benefits
- Customizable Fn buttons, a multi-function ring, and a focus limiter are all featured on the lens barrel, giving users exceptional control of their settings right at their fingertips
- USB-C port for quick and easy firmware updates
- 92mm filter thread for wide compatibility with lens accessories
Price & Availability
The Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB Z Lens reatils for $899 USD. As a comparison, Nikon’s NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Lens retails for $2,496.95 USD.
