The new Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB lens shines, offering impressive capabilities for those looking to elevate their portrait work with a professional touch, and it does so at a remarkably affordable cost.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this detailed video review breaks down the strengths and limitations of the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB. The lens, designed for Sony E mount cameras, appeals to portrait and event photographers who want that perfect telephoto reach and a wide aperture for creating strong subject-background separation. Frost highlights the lens' build: despite its mostly plastic exterior, it feels substantial and durable, weighing in at about 2.75 pounds. The metallic lens mount, coupled with weather-sealing, adds a layer of reliability, though Frost mentions a downside. There’s a slight internal rattling that, while common in some high-end lenses, feels a bit unsettling. The lens also features a unique OLED screen and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing firmware updates and minor customizations, though Frost notes that Bluetooth connectivity wasn’t seamless on his older device.
Wide open at f/1.8, the Viltrox 135mm showcases excellent sharpness in the center, with only a minor drop in contrast toward the edges. At f/4, it achieves sharpness across the entire frame, making it a solid choice for both full frame and APS-C sensors. Distortion is minimal, though vignetting is noticeable at wider apertures and starts to fade by f/2.8. For close-up shots, it provides decent magnification, though you’ll find the sharpness improves significantly when stopping down. Frost also highlights its admirable resistance to lens flares, an asset for those who shoot in bright or backlit conditions.
Bokeh is another high point, according to Frost. The smooth, creamy bokeh allows subjects to stand out beautifully, with out-of-focus highlights remaining soft and free from harsh outlines. This quality is essential for portrait photographers who want to achieve a dreamy, professional aesthetic. The lens does display some chromatic aberration at f/1.8, but this reduces noticeably at f/2.8 and is practically gone by f/4, allowing for better image clarity in high-contrast scenes.
Frost compares the Viltrox with a competitor, the Samyang 135mm f/1.8, a similarly priced lens that offers a touch more sharpness in close-ups. However, he notes that the Viltrox has an edge in features, such as its OLED display and smoother bokeh transitions, which might appeal to those focused on artistic portraiture. Its resistance to lens flare also adds to its appeal, providing slightly higher contrast in challenging lighting situations. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
