The lens that changes our perception forever - Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE vs Sony 135 1.8 GM

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Discount code for purchasing Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB: bit.ly/RichardWong135LAB Amazon: amzn.to/3UAuNpp (Above are affiliated links)

[@ndviet92]

We probably want to see this lens in Nikon Z mount and have it compared to the Plena.

[@EricLouisYoung]

Viltrox is full of sony fanboys

[@KOUGA108]

Bokeh is definitely not as round as Plena.

[@kriscamp608]

Might get an adapter and get it for z mount. Plena is pricey.

[@OnlyCitrus]

@@EricLouisYoung what do you mean Sony fanboys? Sony's E Mount is open for all maufacturers. Nikon & Canon has a case by case approval. They simply cannot make any lens they want. Nikon & Canon will not allow lenses that compete directly with their offering. Thay why they didn't allow Tamron to make their 17-70 2.8 APSC lens available in Z mount. It's not Sony's problem.

[@RobertMolan]

Totally agree, it’s my favourite portrait focal length

[@robert_may]

I don't think it'll be too long before we see some decent interchangeable lens camera bodies from China now. It's a bit of a warning shot for some of the Japanese companies - particularly those whose manufacturing is outsourced to China in the first place. I've personally been enjoying some of the quirky and retro lenses coming out of the country, but it's great to see more affordable modern designs as well.

[@coder543]

DJI is very well-positioned to launch a handheld ILC camera. They've owned Hasselblad for years. They've launched several DJI-branded lenses that fit onto an ILC drone. They have the Ronin 4D. They've also launched a lot of cameras, both drone-mounted and not.

[@ROOOMC]

事实上 相机除了CMOS 更大 功能方面远远落后于手机~

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Developing a decent interchangable lens camera body is a lot harder than a lens, but looking at how fast some of the Chinese companies are improving and trying out new things, i wouldn't be surprised to see some really good cameras from one or two of the Chinese brands in the next 2-3 years. DJI would be the obvious candidates as they already have the technology, resources and experience to do that. but I feel there are other companies that could step into this area. Don't forget there are already a few attempts by Yongnuo, Z CAM, Yi, kinefinity with various degree of success.

[@Riskbreaker2009]

Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 looks also good(for the price) light weight and cheap

[@quagmire321able]

135mm fixed lenses have been pretty good and small for years. I am hanging onto my Canon EF 135mm f2 on Sony despite having to use an adapter. So, Viltrox being able to make an optically good lens is no suprise. Did everyone forget their 75mm and 16mm which are both excellent? The issue with this lens is the size and weight, which makes it a specialist lens and really has to justify it's place in any camera bag. If 135mm is *the* lens for you, then it's a good option but if you are going to have to carry 3 or 4 other lenses with you, then it might not be the best idea.

[@ambc38vsxn]

I also use Canon 135mm with Sony A7III. And not planning to buy anything else for a while.

[@kama-kiri6496]

Shots fired.

[@victourmotovlog104]

Christopher Frost said SAMYANG is Sharper and has the same focus speed. Samyang 135mm 1.8 already been on the market for years and much cheaper.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

As usual, I suggest watching/reading more reviews from various reviewers and made the decision yourself :)

[@shihjehwu4193]

Ne..., the price difference is about US$100, and the Viltrox is Sharper in most situations. I watched Christopher Frost's review.

[@mongini1]

@@shihjehwu4193 US$ 100 difference? can't believe that... here in Germany, The Viltrox (in Preorder) costs 1199€ - the Samyang 699€ - and i can buy it now... and its 500 grams lighter - so its an absolute no-brainer to me... Dont get me wrong, I had the two pro lenses (27mm and 75mm f/1.2) from viltrox on my fuji, and they totally nailed it.

[@AVerkhovsky]

@@shihjehwu4193 Samyang is so sharp that you would not want or need any lens to be any more sharper 🤣😂

[@shihjehwu4193]

@@TheRealRichardWong Yes, one other reviewer Dustin Abbott directly compared the two lenses and gave the comment: "The Samyang is a good lens, for sure. I've owned it since it came out, though, in full disclosure, I've sold mine to add the Viltrox instead."

[@masterche1980]

L-mount, please

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes let’s keep asking

[@muttishelfer9122]

No chance with 5% market share

[@PavSZ]

What great and very informative watch. Superb review, as always

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@PavSZ thanks Pav! ❤️

[@kmwong1786]

Will the Viltrox Lab Series lenses be available for L-Mount?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I have not heard of any plan yet, but the more people ask, the more chance it will happen. After all , a few other Chinese brands have also released or going to release L mount AF lenses

[@Princeton_James]

That would be really nice if it does come to L mount. That's 1 reason why I still keep my Sony.

[@Leo-w3b6y]

This 135mm is such a specialty lens! I’ve been using TTArtisan for their versatility, but this one’s definitely worth considering.

[@Oliver46233]

For the money, I feel like Sigma might offer better autofocus and performance. That said, TTArtisan has been great for budget-friendly primes-could they try a 135mm?

[@ldmndz4652]

Thank you for the insight!..definitely a great lens option especially for that price point...if this first gen 135mm LAB lens is any indication of where Viltrox wants to go..it's definitely off to a great start...but another one that will surely be interesting is an upcoming 85mm 1.2!!..since Sony made the conscious decision of releasing a 1.4II first..then im sure they will eventually release a 1.2 GM as well..like they did with the 50mm focal length gave consumers an option to choose between a 1.2 or a 1.4..but surely Viltrox will be them to a release of a 1.2 sooner..I myself have the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II..which is a great lens..but when Viltrox release a 1.2..I will surely look into..lol

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes as you said, this is the first gen LAB. I would like to see the future LAB lenses a bit smaller and lighter, but otherwise there really isn't much I can complain about.

[@shihjehwu4193]

A Z-mount version is definitely a must. Couldn't wait to see the comparison to the Plena.

[@Sebastian_Amsterdam]

I remember the time when I bought a very cheapo monitor for my camera crane from a strange unknown brand called Viltrox. It is very impressive and inspiring how that brand embraced technology & innovation and how far it grew into this market with original own design and development and increasing quality standards. Thank you for the review.

[@stjepanjina]

Viltrox on Top!

[@camilo8cheryl]

Can you do comparison video on nikon’s 135 Plena lens?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Probably not right now as there isn’t a Nikon version for direct comparison

[@minhta7540]

Great lens.

[@ryan2641-f2e]

Man, if TTArtisan made a 135mm to compete with this, I feel like they’d kill it in the budget range. Their 56mm already punches way above its weight.

[@gamerw1zz]

I'm actually surprised they didn't just release a Nikon version at the same time, would love to see that happen!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I have a feeling it will happen soon! Maybe they just need a bit more time to get the Nikon version done.

[@AAJJ007]

Go Chinese lens manufacturers and designers! I already own two Chinese Manual Focus lenses. Looking forward to adding some AF lenses as well soon.

[@lubomirkotik8870]

I would be interested if there would be also a Z mount. Nikon. 🙂

[@awake780]

It’s coming

[@carlosandreviana9448]

Not possible

[@mongini1]

@@carlosandreviana9448 why shouldnt it be possible?

[@peteralessandriaphotography]

You rock Richard! 💪💪💪

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you Peter

[@dickywong112]

雖然話 LAB>PRO, 官方有無宣傳/講解過分別係邊???

[@TheRealRichardWong]

貴啲囉大枝啲囉！講笑啫，我都唔知道真正嘅分別，不過應該係佢哋可以做到最好嘅都全部放喺Lab嘅上邊

[@SSProg]

Viltrox please L-Mount lens !!! 😍🙏🙏🙏

[@Benayahu223]

How can I lock the aperture ring? I just want to use the camera body to change the aperture, permanently? The screen is a complete waste, so is the phone app. I just want a lens to be a lens. Phone apps should be reserved for camera bodies, if that. Autofocus is much louder than what people are saying, you can clearly hear the auto focus especially short focusing distance, while holding away from you.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

Viltrox, please support L mount, thanks!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

A few other Chinese manufacturers have already or going to release L mount AF lenses, so yes Viltrox your turn ;)

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

@TheRealRichardWong Meike and 7artisans are stepping up their game too. However I still want to use the Viltrox 28mm f/1.8 on the S9. Seems like a great street photography setup.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@shang-hsienyang1284 Are you referring to the 28mm 4.5 pancake? Yes L-mount has a good number of good lenses from Lumix and Sigma, but it really needs some compact AF lenses especially for S9 users. I have a feeling we will see some more in the next 12 months or so :)

[@chp438]

wow the corner resolution is insane. I can see sugartree apt well 😂

[@TheRealRichardWong]

haha i see a local watching my video!

[@gcardinal]

Discount link isnt working and the price of the lens is now $1,073.62. +174$ price increase is a bit steep. especially since used price of a Sony 135 GM is about 1200$. Cool lens, but makes no financial sense - its better to get a used Sony for value / investment retention.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh sorry about that, let me check with Viltrox is see why. Will let you know when i heard back from them

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Viltrox has fixed the issue now, it should be 827.08 USD after discount.

[@ChrisM-yq2pq]

You can tell he’s a working photographer by the messy desk

[@TheRealRichardWong]

haha my desk is definitely ALWAYS messy

[@illicit008]

Thats a pretty cool looking lens.

[@dickywong112]

很詳細...我想快D出 NIKON Z 多D.....哈！ 但個紫邊 "Christopher Frost" 試出黎勁好多....可能大家個測試距離唔一樣, 佢勁大.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKnGgXmkm7Oeo5Isi=q9VWd8K4gZQ1cyfp&t=413 26:08 枱面白色果兩支係咩黎???經開中國都唔順路黎香港搞見面會???可以吹下水.....

[@TheRealRichardWong]

22:49 其實我都有試近距離紫邊喎，我試出嚟真係唔係太差，比Sony差少少啫，不過睇多啲幾個人唔同嘅Review自己balance下啦

[@TheRealRichardWong]

我有喺香港差唔多一個禮拜，不過好多嘢要做同埋地方要去。下次有機會大家出嚟飲茶食飯可以㗎！見面會就咪搞啦，到時得自己同自己見面就多舊魚啦🤣

[@mongini1]

guess i'd get the Samyang at this point... Its 500 grams lighter, it costs almost half (1199 for the LAB vs 699 for the Samyang, at least here in Germany) and performance looks on par with the Viltrox, except the buttons ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@dayeah765caoni3]

I’m going to get the rf version when available.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Viltrox was previously told by Canon to not sell any RF lenses previously by Canon, so they withdrawn their RF lenses from the market. It would be interesting to see if this will change in the future

[@Princeton_James]

Good luck with that. That's why I haven't shot canon in years. I just have a little bit of glass left over.

[@alaintran84]

Good luck with that

[@technodronesogxl9783]

Nikon Z8 mount is what I would like this lens for.

[@muttishelfer9122]

Sony E only, sorry.

[@boredcat7]

I feel like its a bit heavy at 1.2kg

[@TheRealRichardWong]

yes i agree. My hands feel quite tired after shooting with this lens.

[@devilangel4655]

Viltrox nailed it👌

[@lelandfitz1762]

Interesting History behind Nikon: They brought in 8 Germans to build up their camera business in the 1930s. Sadly Germany lost almost all of their camera / lens companies. Only Leica ist standing and Schneider Kreuznach with their B&W Filters and Medium Format lenses.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

yes I've read a bit about that history too. Thanks for sharing!

[@Mr.Stanley007]

A fellow kiwi. Great review. Just got this lens.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you for watching :)

[@chinemezeballer1015]

We need it for Z mount

[@umnbvcxzify]

Sigma 105mm f1.4 art + aps-c x1.5 = 157mm f2 very beautiful .. test 🙏🏼

[@robin9339]

I don't understand why this lens is so big and heavy. The Nikon Plena is much smaller and slightly better. I'm just hoping someone will make a 135mm f/2.8 or even f/3.5 that weighs around 200 grams. No one wants to lug around this massive lens.

[@Zimmermann310]

Stop eating vegetarian and work on your imagination. Many thousands of good photographers are looking for this lens.

[@ROOOMC]

维卓士135 1.8 是一只好镜头 ~ 它拥有青橙色调的镀膜 是电影常用色调~ 盲猜 85 1.2 也是5000多的售价吧~ 中国镜头给广大摄影玩家带来了实惠！

[@paulooliveirasantos8472]

Viltrox.....make this in M4/3!!!!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

This would be a HUGE lens for most m43 camera

[@cylee614]

im waiting for chinese to make af zoom lenses

[@TheRealRichardWong]

There are actually a few in the market. Like the Yongnuo 12-35 2.8-4 I've reviewed a while ago, Yi (Xiaomi) made some AF zoom lenses in the past as well. But yes i think more will come in the near future!

[@dirk.4711]

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL - Mount !!!!!!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Just need to keep asking!

[@jackrussellt2211]

As long as Viltrox ignores L-Mount they are worthless.

[@michalsiegel6717]

They aren't lol, Sigma and Leica most likely won't allow these cheap lens in. I mean, if i was shooting Sony, I wouldn't consider 135/1.8 GM anymore. As well as I chose the Viltrox Pro 27 & 75 when I was shooting Fuji. Both lenses together cheaper than one native Fuji glass. And Fuji also released statistics Viltrox lens are the most sold ones in the whole system. L mount is just clever not to knock their own lenses out. I mean, as long as I would love to pair with my cameras and Sigma 135/1.8 HSM Art isn't an option due to really slow AF, I can see why Viltrox lens probably won't appear on this mount.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@michalsiegel6717 While it may not be easy to get in the L-mount alliance officially, a few Chinese manufacturers have already released L-mount autofocus lenses, I've reviewed a few on this channel as well. I can't say the names yet but there will be more from other brands coming soon.

[@mongini1]

If I'd be a lens manufacturer, my priority would be the following: E-Mount > Z Mount > RF (if they allow it) > X-Mount > L-Mount. And i wouldnt even consider the Viltrox at that point, because in Preorder it costs 1199€ here in germany... The Samyang (which i can buy right away) costs 699€ - and its roughly 500 grams lighter. No-Brainer for me.

[@bananabear009]

The lens is way too big for me for most shooting scenarios. Have to pass no matter how good the optical performance is.

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

Chinese manufacturing is irrefutable

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

Z mount please 🙏

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@LIGHTHUNTER.D It make sense to release Z mount. Plena is great but not everyone can afford it.

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

@@TheRealRichardWong with Nikon making a comeback this year, it would certainly be worth it