This is the first of the new ‘LAB’ series of Viltrox full-frame compatible lenses. Rumor has it that 35mm, 50mm and 85mm LAB lenses will follow sooner rather than later, with super-fast apertures of f/1.2. Understandably, the 135mm lens has a slower f/1.8 aperture rating, otherwise it would be enormous. It’s still quite a chunky and hefty lens. I feel I should mention that it seems there was an issue with a few of the very first production batch of this lens and Viltrox delayed the launch until it could be addressed. Sure enough, our first sample of the lens had a noisy auto/manual focus mechanism but Viltrox was quick to send me a replacement, which proved absolutely fine during my testing. Engineered in Nikon Z and Sony E mount options, the new lens takes the fight to the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 G Master lenses, and aims to be among the best lenses for Nikon Z cameras and best lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras on the market.
