Trinity of primes

Viltrox completes a trilogy of full-frame compatible prime lenses with classic focal lengths and fast f/1.4 apertures.

“omne trium perfectum”

Price comparison

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.4 Pro lists for $829 / £739 / AU$1,299 versus Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM at $1,498 / £1,429 / AU$1,999.

Design & handling

35mm lens measures 85x112mm / 3.3x4.4in and weighs 795g / 28oz with identical controls to 50mm and 85mm lenses.

Autofocus system

Hyper VCM (voice-coil motor) autofocus provides fast, silent operation with smooth transitions for video and stills.

Aperture ring

Dedicated aperture ring with one-third f/stops markings from f/1.4 to f/16 and an A (Auto) position.

Performance

Super-sharp image quality with minimal distortion and color fringing even at f/1.4 aperture.

Bokeh quality

11-blade aperture creates smooth bokeh with no onion ring effect at f/1.4.

Sample images

34 images shot at East Somerset Railway with varying lighting conditions and aperture settings.

Lab results

Edge-to-edge sharpness excellent at f/1.4 with negligible chromatic aberration and pincushion distortion.

Verdict

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.4 Pro delivers pro-grade performance for street photography with excellent value for money.

Alternatives

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 Lab is faster but heavier; Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 Evo II is lighter for street photography.

Why it matters

Completes a trinity of fast f/1.4 primes for street photography with consistent handling across all three lenses.

Price value

More expensive than 50mm and 85mm Pro lenses but still excellent value for money.

Key features

Hyper VCM autofocus, dedicated aperture ring with click/de-click switch, customizable function button.

Design strengths

Weather-sealed metal barrel with usb-c port for firmware updates and robust build quality.

Performance highlights

Super-sharp images with minimal distortion and color fringing even at f/1.4 aperture.