The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE lens is a standout addition to the full frame mirrorless ecosystem, designed for photographers seeking exceptional optical performance combined with professional features. While it shines as a portrait lens, its versatility makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of subjects, from landscapes to event photography. With a bright f/1.8 aperture and fast autofocus, this lens delivers breathtaking clarity and dreamy bokeh that simply elevates every shot.
Build Quality
Viltrox has crafted the AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE with both the photographer and durability in mind. The robust metal body is solid and heavy, weighing 1,235 g. At first, I thought this was going to be an issue for extended shoots, but in reality, it wasn’t, and I carried it around all day without giving it a second thought. Its weather-sealed construction ensures reliability in challenging environments, while the multi-coated front element resists dust, water, and stains, making it a dependable choice for photographers in different environments and conditions. The inclusion of controls such as a focus limiter and customizable Fn buttons ensures you can adapt the lens to your specific shooting style if required.
There is no optical stabilization on the lens, although I didn’t expect there to be. The aperture ring has a straightforward click on/off function, but it has no markings, so you have to rely on your viewfinder or the lens LCD. However, the aperture can be reassigned to your camera if you prefer.
The optical design of the lens consists of 9 elements in 14 groups and 11 diaphragm blades, delivering stunningly sharp images again and again. A front filter size of 82 mm completes the lens body. There is also a USB Type-C port on the mount for future upgrades.
The lens itself measures 93 x 145.7 mm, which extends to 204 mm when you add the solid lens hood. The hood, incidentally, is internally coated with a soft felt-like material to reduce reflections.
The LCD display on the lens, which I found myself using occasionally, is also customizable to a point via the Viltrox app. This LCD feature is more common on the Viltrox Pro series of lenses and is a great feature to have in certain lighting conditions. For me, the jury is still out on how often I will use it, but perhaps that will change with time.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 135 mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Lens Mount: Currently only Sony E
- Lens Format Coverage: Full Frame
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size: 82 mm (Front)
Performance
The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE excels where it matters most: optical performance. The clarity and sharpness of the images this lens achieves might make you believe the photos came from a considerably more expensive lens. The lens captures fine details and textures with precision, and I could go on about how sharp the resulting images are—but you have to try it to see for yourself. Be warned: this sharpness might make you notice that some of your other lenses aren’t quite as sharp as you first thought.
Its HyperVCM motor delivers fast, precise autofocus, making it perfect for both stills and video. The lens effortlessly tracks moving subjects, ensuring critical focus for fleeting moments. Admittedly, however, I’ve yet to try it for video. The bright f/1.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and creates smooth, creamy bokeh, thanks to the 11-blade diaphragm. I found that continuous autofocus was preferable when using the lens, as it proved to be faster than single autofocus. This wasn’t detrimental to the performance of the lens in any way; however, I did find that continuous autofocus was marginally faster at locking onto the subject.
UNEDITED RAW
UNEDITED RAW 50% ZOOM
UNEDITED RAW
UNEDITED RAW 50% ZOOM
Pros
- Outstanding sharpness across the frame
- Beautiful bokeh with the f/1.8 aperture
- Professional-grade build and weather sealing
- Fast autofocus
- Versatile control features like customizable buttons and a focus limiter
- Competitive price point for this quality of glass
Cons
- Weight could be an issue for some
Final Thoughts
The Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE lens effortlessly balances optical excellence, robust build quality, and practical features. While it is a dream lens for portrait photographers, its versatility ensures it can adapt to a variety of shooting scenarios. I found myself carrying it with me more frequently than I expected. Whether you’re capturing the subtle expressions of a subject or the fine details of a dynamic scene, this lens delivers stunning clarity.
For anyone looking to elevate their photography, this lens is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment—yet not one that will crush your bank balance. You can purchase one for yourself here.
