Viltrox has ported the 135mm F1.8 LAB Z lens to the Nikon Z system. The premium optics feature a high-end autofocus system based on the VCM drive, an 11-blade aperture, and multi-layer nano-coating.
The Viltrox LAB line is the company’s flagship line of photographic lenses. This means the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB optics provide the same sharpness from edge to edge of the frame, allow you to achieve an expressive bokeh effect and calmly rely on autofocus, which is capable of working at a very high level, writes the Viltrox company on the official website.
In addition, the lens has a premium build. The new Viltrox LAB optical design for Nikon Z minimizes focus breathing. This is very convenient when shooting video.
It uses a VCM (Vibration Compensation Motor) drive, allowing fast and silent focusing. This drive is reported to be proprietary and called HyperVCM.
On the official website, Viltrox reports that the lens’s autofocus is 150% faster, and its accuracy is “at the micron level .” The company also promises instant autofocus switching between the foreground and background in 100 ms (0.0001 seconds).
The Viltrox 135mm F1.8 LAB lens features an optical design of 14 elements in 9 groups, employing two high refractive index lenses and 4 extra-low dispersion lenses to reduce distortion and minimize chromatic aberration effectively.
At the same time, this design improves image quality and contrast, helping to achieve more accurate color reproduction. The minimum focusing distance is 73 cm, which allows you to take detailed close-up shots.
Viltrox 135mm F1.8 LAB Z Price and Availability
The lens retails for $899 on Amazon.com and £829 on Amazon.co.uk. In comparison, the Nikkor Z 135mm F1.8 S Plena lens retails for $2,496.95. The new lens is also suitable for RED cinema cameras with a Z mount.
In addition, the optics are protected by a multi-layer nano-coating that prevents splashes of water, dust, and other contaminants from entering. The lens structure is made of magnesium-aluminum alloy, further increasing its reliability.
There is a USB-C port, allowing for quick and easy firmware updates. Additionally, the filter thread is a standard 92mm, ensuring broad compatibility with lens accessories.
Specifications
- Focal Length: 135mm
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Angle of View: 19.04°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.72m-∞
- Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
- Optical Design: 9 Elements in 14 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 11
- Front Filter Size: 82 mm
- Dimensions (ø x L): Φ93 x 147.6 mm
- Weight: 1265 g
