Viltrox completes Pro series with 35mm f/1.4 lens

The lens for Sony E and Nikon Z offers an f/1.4 aperture, advanced optics, and weather sealing, but is larger than its competitors. It costs $829, or $663 with the introductory discount.

Viltrox has released the fast AF 35mm f/1.4 Pro lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras from Sony with an E mount and Nikon with a Z mount. It is the third f/1.4 lens in the Pro series, following the AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro and AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro. The manufacturer promises professional-grade build quality, high image quality, and reliable performance.

With its 35mm focal length, the new lens is better suited to landscape, travel, and street photography than the series’ two longer-focal-length lenses. The AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro, introduced just over a year ago, received high marks for its build quality, smooth bokeh, and smooth autofocus performance.

Optical design and focusing

The optical design comprises 16 elements in 11 groups. Viltrox aims to deliver sharpness from the center to the edges of the frame and clean images. Two Ultra-Precision Aspherical (UA) elements are designed to reduce the distinctive concentric onion-ring patterns in bokeh. Three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements are intended to correct longitudinal chromatic aberration and reduce color fringing. Four more HR elements help maintain high optical quality without using large, heavy glass elements. The aperture has 11 blades.

Autofocus is handled by the HyperVCM Fast Focus system. According to the company, the lens also minimizes focus breathing, which can be useful for video recording. The minimum focusing distance is 0.3 m (0.98 ft), and the maximum magnification is 0.18×. This matches the specifications of the Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 and Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM.

Build and dimensions

The body is weather-sealed and finished in matte black with a coating that resists scratches and wear. Rubber seals help protect the lens from dust, splashes, and moisture.

The E-mount version weighs 760 g (26.8 oz) and measures 111 mm (4.37 in) in length. The Z-mount version weighs 780 g (27.5 oz) and measures 112.5 mm (4.43 in). Both versions accept 77 mm front filters.

In terms of weight and size, the Viltrox is noticeably larger than its competitors. The Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 weighs 415 g (14.7 oz) and takes 62 mm filters. The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM weighs 524 g (18.5 oz), measures 96 mm (3.8 in) in length, and accepts 67 mm filters. That makes the new Viltrox the heaviest and largest of the three lenses.

Price and lineup

Viltrox describes the AF 35mm f/1.4 Pro as the final lens in its trio of Pro Series lenses with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. The company positions the three lenses as a unified system, with the full set available for less than $2,000.

The AF 35mm f/1.4 Pro is now on sale. Its regular price is US$829, or C$1,159. An introductory discount is available when ordering directly from Viltrox, bringing the price down to $663.

For comparison, the Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 currently costs $576 after a $100 discount. The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is significantly more expensive than the new Viltrox, at $1,498.