Viltrox 135mm f/1.8

[Kjellis]

Viltrox has realeased a new 135mm f/1.8 and the reviews seems to be positive as I can se. So far it’s just for Sony E-mount, but I saw Viltrox reply on a comment on IG were the said stay tuned for Nikon Z-mount.
I have felt the urge to buy the 135 Plena lately, I know that this is a lens I will not use the most for my photography so I cannot justify the cost. Maybe this lens from Viltrox can be affordable option to the Plena?

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB Full Frame Lens For Sony E-Mount

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE ¡§C Full-frame, large-aperture telephoto lens with fast, precise autofocus. Ideal for portraits, low-light, and event photography. Durable, weather-resistant.

viltrox.com

 

[dabhand16]

Viltrox has realeased a new 135mm f/1.8 and the reviews seems to be positive as I can se. So far it’s just for Sony E-mount, but I saw Viltrox reply on a comment on IG were the said stay tuned for Nikon Z-mount.
I have felt the urge to buy the 135 Plena lately, I know that this is a lens I will not use the most for my photography so I cannot justify the cost. Maybe this lens from Viltrox can be affordable option to the Plena?

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB Full Frame Lens For Sony E-Mount

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE ¡§C Full-frame, large-aperture telephoto lens with fast, precise autofocus. Ideal for portraits, low-light, and event photography. Durable, weather-resistant.

viltrox.com

If it is as good as my Z mount Viltrox 85mm f1.8 or my Viltrox 56mm f1.4 for my Fujis it will be a viable alternative.

 

[Lee R]

It’s going to be interesting seeing the final test results when more people get hands on. Right now it looks excellent for the price.


It’s going to get really exciting if/when Viltrox and others start getting into 300+mm primes.

The 135 1.8 looks just as sharp if not more so than Sonys at the moment.

 

[MrFotoFool]

PetaPixel said Viltrox contracted them about an issue with some lenses sent out so they are waiting for Viltrox to send them a corrected copy before they do a review. They were also surprised that some people are already posting reviews, given this new information.

 

[wotan1]

price is right but the Plena has been evaluated to be one of the highest iq lenses ever tested. I can't imagine they can make a close to equivalent lens for under 900.

 

[Len Shepherd]

If it is 90% "as good" at half the price is becomes a more affordable alternative.

"As good" in addition to a resolution includes flare control with Nikon using very high quality coatings, a wide front element to help limit corner shading and matching probably the best boker of any lens available with the Plena.

As an owner of the Plena I rate it as the best Nikon lens available – though as often in life obtaining the highest possible quality requires paying a premium.

 

[dabhand16]

If it is 90% "as good" at half the price is becomes a more affordable alternative.

I think this is the key Len. I got a mint used Viltrox 56mm f1.4 for my Fujis from another member of a website where I'm a member and was very impressed with the build and image quality. So this got me thinking as I wanted to get into the Z system and at the time was researching the Z6ii and Z7ii as the Z8 was not even on the horizon. My trusty Nikon 85mm f1.8 D was a screw drive lens so as my pension does not allow me to buy new Z lenses I was thinking of getting an AF-S 85mm f1.8 G for whatever Z camera I ended up with.

So I started researching the Viltrox 85mm f1.8 and the consensus from respected reviewers was that it was 95% as good as the Nikon Z85mm f1.8 S. At that time the Z 85mm f1.8 S was £699 and I got the Viltrox delivered for just £294.

Is it good enough? For me- yes it is and the value for money is excellent.

 

[Len Shepherd]

So I started researching the Viltrox 85mm f1.8 and the consensus from respected reviewers was that it was 95% as good as the Nikon Z85mm f1.8 S. At that time the Z 85mm f1.8 S was £699 and I got the Viltrox delivered for just £294.

Looking perhaps 3 years from now if a quite good (usually better or much better than F mount) range of lenses become widely available from China etc at half or less of the price of Nikon, Canon or Sony lenses then Nikon, Canon and Sony will sell far fewer lenses.
Similarly lower cost Tamron etc lens sales will take a hit.

 

[dabhand16]

Looking perhaps 3 years from now if a quite good (usually better or much better than F mount) range of lenses become widely available from China etc at half or less of the price of Nikon, Canon or Sony lenses then Nikon, Canon and Sony will sell far fewer lenses.
Similarly lower cost Tamron etc lens sales will take a hit.

Agreed! Recently the Chinese lenses have upped their game considerably and I wonder how the established makers will cope.

Wait until they bring out a Z9 for under £2000!!!

 

[Lee R]

If DJI enters the ILC camera market things will be shaken up.

I look forward to seeing the 135 1.8 and the Plena side by side when the Nikon version arrives. I actually think they'll be a lot closer than people may be expecting. The Chinese manufacturers are really stepping up the quality of their lenses and are very competitive.

The 16mm 1.8 from Viltrox was quite a good performer.

I really look forward to when they start making longer telephoto primes. We may be getting some very nice optics for half the price we've been used to paying.

 

[wotan1]

The established makers will just start using Chinese manufacturers. I think they are already doing that. Should drive prices down.

 

[Nimi]

The AF and communication protocols, as well as the mounts are patented. So if they choose, as Canon does, to shut out 3rd party lenses they will.

My Viltrox Epic ($4,000) is as good as the Atlas ($10,000) it replaced. Have not had great luck with other manufacturers.

 

[Tiago C]

Review by Dustin Abbott

 

[Lee R]

Compared with the Sony 135 1.8

 

[Lee R]

The AF and communication protocols, as well as the mounts are patented. So if they choose, as Canon does, to shut out 3rd party lenses they will.

My Viltrox Epic ($4,000) is as good as the Atlas ($10,000) it replaced. Have not had great luck with other manufacturers.

I think closing them out will invite a Chinese manufacturer like DJI to enter and really capture market if they offer the same image quality for far less money. That would work initially but in the long run likely be a death sentence for those manufacturers.

More likely they'll shift production to China if they have not already, my Tamrons are made in China and some of the Nikon Z's as well so that's already happening. To compete they'll need to accept a smaller profit margin.

Tamron stating they're finished making Primes is probably an admission they they're unwilling to accept the margins the Chinese are comfortable selling for.

 

[Nimi]

I think closing them out will invite a Chinese manufacturer like DJI to enter and really capture market if they offer the same image quality for far less money. That would work initially but in the long run likely be a death sentence for those manufacturers.

More likely they'll shift production to China if they have not already, my Tamrons are made in China and some of the Nikon Z's as well so that's already happening. To compete they'll need to accept a smaller profit margin.

Tamron stating they're finished making Primes is probably an admission they they're unwilling to accept the margins the Chinese are comfortable selling for.

DJI is entering the market regardless. They already own Hasselblad and manufacture a "real" cinema camera.

Google Viltrox RF. You'll see references to Canon sending them cease & desist, to which they complied.

 

[Lee R]

DJI is entering the market regardless. They already own Hasselblad and manufacture a "real" cinema camera.

Google Viltrox RF. You'll see references to Canon sending them cease & desist, to which they complied.

I feel like that will lead to more Sony and Nikon sales in the long run. Canon's RF mount being closed is why I own Nikon Z so I'd be included in that loss. The R5 was my first line pick in 2020 when I switched to mirrorless and the RF lens line was why I didn't buy it.

 

[Nimi]

I feel like that will lead to more Sony and Nikon sales in the long run. Canon's RF mount being closed is why I own Nikon Z so I'd be included in that loss. The R5 was my first line pick in 2020 when I switched to mirrorless and the RF lens line was why I didn't buy it.

I agree with you. Canon has stubbornly kept a closed system. Ironically they let RED use its RF mount on its lower-end cameras, and I'm curious what Nikon would do with that. No question that in 5 years or less Viltrox will have lenses as good as the best lenses out there and DJI will have a competitive medium format, full-frame and sub $5,000 cine cameras.

 

[Len Shepherd]

No question that in 5 years or less Viltrox will have lenses as good as the best lenses out there .

It is probably a little more complex than you suggest.

Nikon has recently introduced two f1.4 Z primes which seem to fall between last century F mount and S grade lenses image quality.
The recent f 1.4 lenses cost not much more than a new F mount design after 10 years or so inflation - with S grade lenses in a distinctly higher price bracket.

Producing "the best lenses out there" generally costs much more than lenses that are nearly as good but not equal.

The Chinese companies seem able to design and manufacture lenses at a distinctly lower cost than Japanese companies and compete extensively on price rather than "the best' optically as with S grade lenses.

 

[Tiago C]

It is probably a little more complex than you suggest.

Nikon has recently introduced two f1.4 Z primes which seem to fall between last century F mount and S grade lenses image quality.
The recent f 1.4 lenses cost not much more than a new F mount design after 10 years or so inflation - with S grade lenses in a distinctly higher price bracket.

Producing "the best lenses out there" generally costs much more than lenses that are nearly as good but not equal.

The Chinese companies seem able to design and manufacture lenses at a distinctly lower cost than Japanese companies and compete extensively on price rather than "the best' optically as with S grade lenses.

I suggest checking the reviews above to see about optical quality.

 

[Len Shepherd]

I suggest checking the reviews above to see about optical quality.

I have - the Plena still shines at the top of the tree.