Viltrox announced the AF 35mm f/1.4 Pro on October 29, a full-frame autofocus prime for Sony E and Nikon Z cameras. It is the third lens in the company’s f/1.4 Pro line, joining the 50mm and 85mm that came before it, so Sony and Nikon shooters can now build the classic 35/50/85 wedding kit from one series.
The list price is $829 in the US. Viltrox’s own store was selling it for $663.20 at launch, and the company says its early Black Friday discounts run through November 30.
What’s new
Viltrox built the lens around 16 elements in 11 groups, including three ED, four high-refractive and two ultra-precision aspherical elements. The aperture runs from f/1.4 to f/16 with 11 rounded blades, which should keep out-of-focus highlights circular as you stop down a little. It focuses as close as 0.3 m, for a maximum magnification of 0.18x.
Focusing is handled by Viltrox’s HyperVCM voice coil motors, and the lens works with the face and eye detection of compatible bodies. Viltrox says focus breathing and distortion are kept low, which matters if you also film short clips on the day.
The body is metal and weather-sealed, with a water- and smudge-resistant coating on the front element. On the barrel you get:
- an aperture ring with a click switch, so it can run with detents or smoothly
- an AF/MF switch
- a customizable function button
- a USB-C port for firmware updates
- a 77 mm filter thread on both mounts
This is not a small lens. Viltrox lists the Sony version at about 760 g and 111 mm long, and the Nikon version at about 780 g and 112.5 mm long.
Price and availability
The US list price is $829 for either mount, and Viltrox gives European and UK prices of €859 and £739. It is sold through Viltrox’s own store and B&H. When we checked Viltrox’s Sony product page on November 2, it was marked out of stock, so delivery times may vary.
For context, Fstoppers lists the Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 Pro at $549 and the 85mm f/1.4 Pro at $598, so all three cost just under $2,000. On Sony, the new 35mm undercuts the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM at $1,498 and the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art at $989. On Nikon it is the more expensive option, since Nikon’s own Z 35mm f/1.4 sells for $676.95.
What it means for film-look photographers
A 35mm is the lens many of us live on during a wedding day: getting ready, the ceremony aisle, the dance floor. A fast 35 with eye detection and real sealing is useful for exactly those rooms and those weather days. The 11-blade aperture is a good sign for smooth, round bokeh, which suits the soft, glowing look many film-inspired shooters like, but we haven’t tested it, and Viltrox’s sharpness claims are the company’s own.
The trade-off is weight. At 760 to 780 g, this 35 is heavy to carry for ten hours, especially on a second body with an 85. Sony shooters on a budget get the clearest case. Nikon shooters should compare it with Nikon’s lighter, cheaper Z 35mm f/1.4 and decide whether the sealing and extra controls are worth it. The click switch and USB-C updates help if you film and want to keep the lens current.
Whether its rendering leans clinical or gentle is something your own files will show best. If you already like the Viltrox 50 or 85, this lens finishes the set at a fair price.
Sources
Header image: viltrox.com (press image)
