The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB Z Lens aims to provide Nikon Z mount users with exceptional portrait capabilities, balancing sharpness and striking background separation, all at an incredibly low price. Here's a look at how it performs.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this insightful video thoroughly evaluates the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB Z lens. Frost explores key features including its build, autofocus performance, and image quality. The lens offers a robust design, combining mostly plastic construction with a sturdy, weather-sealed metal mount. An interesting design choice is its OLED screen, which although more aesthetic than functional, adds a unique touch. Frost also demonstrates the customizable aperture ring, pointing out its unusual increment adjustments, which could be either a feature or an annoyance, depending on your preference.
Frost highlights some concerns about the lens build quality, noting audible glass movement when tilted, a common issue even in high-end lenses today. Autofocus performs silently and quickly, though Frost observes some focus breathing, which might impact video shooters. The manual focus ring feels smooth but can produce slightly jerky movements with older Nikon cameras. Despite these nuances, the overall functionality remains solid for typical photography needs.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 135mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Minimum Focus Distance: 2.36' / 0.72 m
- Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
- Optical Design: 14 Elements in 9 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 11
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size: 82 mm
- Dimensions: 3.7 x 5.8" (93 x 147.6 mm)
- Weight: 2.8 lb (1265 g)
Regarding optical performance, Frost's tests show impressive sharpness and contrast at its widest aperture, f/1.8, especially in the center. Corner sharpness is commendable at wider apertures, and becomes nearly perfect by f/5.6. Vignetting and minimal distortion appear at f/1.8 but are effectively eliminated by f/2.8. For close-up photography, Frost notes some purple fringing at f/1.8, which resolves nicely by f/2.8. Flare control is decent, although some loss of contrast is noticeable when bright lights directly enter the frame. Background blur, a key selling point for portrait photographers, is beautifully smooth, with attractive specular highlights and minimal outlining.
The 135mm f/1.8 does exhibit some chromatic aberration at wide apertures, which reduces significantly by f/2.8 and disappears by f/4. This performance aligns with expectations for a lens at this price point, suggesting it can be a valuable addition to your gear, especially if you prioritize creamy backgrounds and sharp focus. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
