Viltrox continues to expand its repertoire in 2024, asserting itself in the high-end lens space with the AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE Lens for Sony mirrorless cameras. The LAB series’ debut lens is a competitor to Sony’s own 135mm f/1.8 G Master lens and features a medium telephoto focal length that has long been a favorite of portrait photographers. Like its counterpart, the Viltrox lens features a bright f/1.8 aperture that helps create separation along with aesthetic bokeh effects. The lens also boasts a brand-new autofocus system whose speed and accuracy can potentially unlock other telephoto applications like sports and wildlife.
Again, Viltrox reinterprets its voice-coil motor autofocus system for the lens to achieve its effects. Whereas the AF 28mm f/4.5 FE lens leveraged VCM for its full-frame, cap-sized build, this much larger lens introduces a dual-floating magnetic levitation focusing mechanism to deliver speed and accuracy that Viltrox claims rivals that of the G Master.
Optically, the lens has 14 elements in nine groups, including four extra-low dispersion elements and two high-refractive elements to control fringing and aberrations. It also has an 11-blade diaphragm. The front element has an HD nano multilayer coating to repel water, oil, and other debris, while the lens’ dust and moisture-resistant metal construction features two customizable Fn buttons.
The build and image quality do come at a cost, however. The lens has heft at 2.7 pounds and bulk with diameter/length dimensions of 3.7 x 5.7”.
For more information about the lens, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page for the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE Lens. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
