The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE Lens is a big deal if you want a top-shelf lens at an affordable price. With its wide aperture and long focal length, it excels at portraits, but its potential goes beyond that.
Coming to you from Phillip Skraba, this detailed video takes a close look at the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE lens and what it offers. Skraba runs it through real-world tests, shooting everything from street scenes to fast-moving subjects. Autofocus performance is a major highlight. The lens locks on quickly and tracks subjects with impressive accuracy, even in tricky lighting. Sharpness is another standout feature. Wide open at f/1.8, it delivers a crisp image with a beautifully soft background. Skraba emphasizes how it outperforms some comparable Sony lenses in focus breathing, which is important for both photographers and videographers.
The video also covers handling and usability. At 2.7 pounds, this lens is not light. Skraba mentions that carrying it around for casual shooting can be a workout, but for studio or controlled environments, the weight is less of an issue. It has a well-built magnesium alloy body, customizable buttons, and a small OLED screen where you can display settings—or even your own logo. These features make it a flexible tool for different shooting scenarios.
Key Specs
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Focal Length: 135mm
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Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
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Lens Mount: Sony E
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Format Coverage: Full frame
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Autofocus: Yes
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Image Stabilization: No
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Filter Size: 82mm
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Minimum Focus Distance: 2.36' / 0.72m
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Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
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Optical Design: 9 Elements in 14 Groups
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Diaphragm Blades: 11
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Dimensions: 3.7 x 5.7" / 93 x 145.7mm
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Weight: 2.7 lb / 1235g
Sharpness and bokeh are two of the biggest selling points. Skraba demonstrates how the lens isolates subjects beautifully while maintaining extreme detail. Even at high magnification, fine details remain intact. He shows off various test shots, from portraits to urban scenes, proving the lens delivers professional-level results across different conditions. He also tests its performance in manual focus mode, showing how smooth and precise focus pulls can be.
One practical downside is the size. This isn't a lens you casually throw in a bag for a day out. It's built for serious use, and Skraba suggests it might be best suited for dedicated portrait sessions or controlled shooting environments. However, if you can handle the weight, the image quality makes it worthwhile. Another feature worth noting is the minimal focus breathing, which makes it a strong option for video work. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Skraba.
