Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 Z (Nikon) In-Depth Review

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This is the last of the three initial full frame Autofocus lenses Viltrox release for Nikon Z mount, also the one i'm most interested in because it is my favourite 35mm focal length. The price is less than half of the excellent Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens but how does it performs? What are the best and worst things about this lens? I'll talk about them all in this review!
Camera gear used to film this video:
Panasonic Lumix S5 | Lumix S 24mm f/1.8
Synco D2 Microphone: link.syncoaudio.com/Richard-D2
Zeapon Micro2Plus Slider: www.zeapon.com/en/product_vie...
Instagram: / photo_by_richard
Facebook: / photobyrichard
0:00 Introduction
1:21 Design & Build Quality
5:01 Autofocus (Photo)
5:23 Close up
6:12 Image Sharpness
8:10 Bokeh
8:36 Vignetting
9:18 Chromatic Aberration
10:04 Distortion
10:23 Lens Flare
11:18 Sunstars
11:38 Coma
11:53 VIdeo Filming (autofocus, focus breathing)
12:59 Final Thoughts & Sample Photos

[@TheRealRichardWong]

What lens(es) do you want to see Vitrox create for your Nikon Z camera? I'm sure the boys and girls from Viltrox will be reading the comments here so it maybe a good chance to let them know what you want from them :)

[@mikrobi79]

A lightweight, affordable 135/2 would be nice, or even a 2.5

[@shang71217]

28mm f1.8 will be awesome

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@mikrobi79 oh i would LOVE to have a nice AF 135 f/2! or even 2.5 if it's very compact. Since i sold my AF 135 /2 DC, i really miss having a 135mm prime

[@pratiquenarjary6214]

I'm gonna get this one and will wait for their 135mm

[@raudelravelo1169]

I think an affordable and compact zoom like a decent quality 70-200 f4 with fast AF would be popular as the competition from Nikon right now is the 24-200 f6.1 and the expensive and bulky (amazing nonetheless) 70-200 f2.8. I know you can adapt the older 70-200mm f4 but I’m not sure how fast and accurate the AF will be. I actually have the F mount 70-300mm AF-P f4.5-5.6 (use it on a Z6 ii) and I went for that one not only for the extra reach but also because the AF-P lenses work better than the AF-S with the Z mount (this I read but have not really tested it myself) That’s my 2 cents

[@sarundayo]

Viltrox is killing it! You could get 2 lenses (85mm, 35mm) for the price of one Nikon; best value for the money here. Also, lovely house mate :)

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes You really can't Viltrox when it comes to value for money. Haha and thanks!

[@guffey1989]

Thanks for the great review, I'm planning to pick up this 35mm and the 85mm Viltrox for my Z5 by the end of this year. Great value and performance. Cheers Richard

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Glad it was helpful Jeremiah! In case you want to order from Amazon, I have a special amazon discount code for this lens at the moment (see description) but will expire soon.

[@Narmi804]

Thanks Richard. I really really appreciate you did the video test using internal mic, this is very useful for casual video recording. Great review, keep it up!!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Imran Glad it was helpful!

[@KwasnikPictures]

Wow, you're smashing out those videos like every day now! #RESPECT

[@TheRealRichardWong]

haha yes i just checked and i've released 8 videos this month already! @_@ But a few videos were made quite a while ago just all happened they are all announced last two weeks. No way i can make so many videos within such a short period of time. But it's going to be a busy few months until December!!

[@raudelravelo1169]

Awesome video, I just would have loved to see the Nikkor Z 35mm f1.8 S as well

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks! I will see if I have a chance to borrow that and revisit it again

[@Ildskalli]

Nice review, although I’d love to have seen a comparison between the Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 and this one. Yes, they’re different focal lengths, but I’m sure there are some users considering both, and maybe wanting to decide which one to get first, for example.

[@OkwyUgonweze]

Am one of them.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I'm wondering what kind of comparison would you like to see if i compare the two? Since they are different focal length so most things like bokeh, distortion or even CA cannot really be compared directly easily.

[@Ildskalli]

@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks for replying. Mostly resolution, vignetting and AF speed. Looking at the same scene side by side, even if the two lenses have different FLs, is very informative.

[@gingrai00]

Hands down you are the best reviewer on the internet👊

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh Thank you so much Peter!

[@mikrobi79]

Another great review, thank you Richard!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Glad you enjoyed it mikrobi79 :)

[@barryobrien1890]

Great review and nice to see options for Nikon z.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks again Barry! Yes agree more options is always great for photographers.

[@AimingAtYou]

Great video!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks!

[@MrPhotog7]

Would love to see Viltrox come out with a 28 1.8 lens for the Nikon Z cameras!

[@billmoyer3254]

28 is a classic focal length.

[@MrPhotog7]

@@billmoyer3254 yes, indeed!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

That seems like a very reasonable lens to expect!!

[@MrPhotog7]

@@TheRealRichardWong yes, I agree!

[@thomaskah4462]

20mm f1.8 would be great. A 18mm f2.8 is also missing on most of lenses portfolio on most brands

[@billmoyer3254]

Great Job Richard. Great content! I am seeing consistently on the 85.24.35, you give up some center sharpness wide open and the edges are soft, most likely from the throat design of these lenses. They do not take full advantage of the wider Z diameter at the mount. Still, they represent good value for a photographer who can work around these shortcomings.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hi BIll, yes. the lenses aren't as perfect as the Nikon Z lenses but I think a lot of people would be perfectly happy especially when take into consideration of their price.

[@billmoyer3254]

@@TheRealRichardWong I agree, thank you!

[@Ildskalli]

Nah, the throat diameter has little to do with this. Nikon are making more expensive lenses, and they control all of the imaging pipeline, which means they can employ these novel, radical designs and mask their true weaknesses (vignetting, CA and distortion). Viltrox can’t afford the most exotic glass types at the price they're targeting, and must live without in-camera corrections; therefore, their designs are much more traditional, and thus resemble the older G Nikkors a lot.

[@aukisun]

Amazing review! Thanks!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Ivan! I got more Z reviews coming soon! :)

[@GordoFriman]

Hey nice video, but, honestly, the right comparison for the viltrox is the z mount 35mm 1.8... that would have been awesome, as (at least i am) my doubt is about getting the nikon S or the viltrox. not an adapted af-s that is 4 times the price

[@TheRealRichardWong]

thanks Yes I know and I agree the Nikon z 35 1.8s is the best comparison. Unfortunately in lockdown here means I don't have access to the other lenses I don't have at home right now :(

[@RJ-nk9qz]

Solid review. Just what I needed as I am on a budget and looking at all 3rd party lenses for my Z mount.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks R J !

[@blackdiesel]

It must be easier to make f1.4 lenses for crop sensors? Viltrox released 3 for the Z system. I would like a full frame f1.4.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Would be Interesting to find out if its technical or commercial reason why they make 1.8 for all the full frame lenses

[@nancyk9475]

Great video, very helpful content. I’m thinking about this lens or the Nikon 40mm f2 S for my Z6ii to use for street, travel and nighttime

[@cirozorro]

I am in the same boat, Leaning towards this though due to the all metal construction and some of the negative comments I have read on the 40mm f2 image quality. Really like the flat pancake like lens on the 40mm but it is all plastic and very few elements(6/4 vs 10/8) are making me sway to spend $100 more for the Viltrox. Just did a 180, quality on the 40mm f2 appears to beat it per the test Matt Irwin did kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWq0dmp8hZyVbdkm40s

[@nancyk9475]

@@cirozorro I watched this. Both the Viltrox 35 and Nikon 40 seem like great lenses. I’m leaning towards the Viltrox 35mm

[@TheRealRichardWong]

They both very good lens. If you want compact size it has to be the Nikon 40 f/2. But viltrox has a few advantage too like metal construction, aperture ring..etc

[@sebastianbraun2473]

Nice review, thanks.

[@MrAf001]

Thank you for this review : A++

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you very much 💕

[@xmanreturn]

How about the focus breathing?

[@mrbigg2u]

Hello Richard, what is the Viltrox 33mm f1.4, I have also seen available for Z mount (I have a z6ii)... The 33mm is not on the official Viltrox website, but have seen it on eBay... Confused on England! :)

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hey Julian, the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 is for APSC cameras. It is available for Fuji X, Sony Eas well as Nikon Z mount.

[@mrbigg2u]

@@TheRealRichardWong ah, ebay misleading me. Thank you for taking the time to reply...

[@jonhermannsson9231]

Great review Have same complaint hate their aperture ring Constantly changing without noticing Just can’t understand Viltrox No complaints with their lenses bug that stupid aperture ring.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Jon! Oh i see what you mean now! But at least you can see the aperture value changes immediately in the EVF/LCD if you accidentally change it from the "A" position

[@jonhermannsson9231]

@@TheRealRichardWong Aperture ring is so loose Have few Viltrox for my Fuji cameras And so annoying when I set f1.8 and just holding camera and lens it has changed to f4 for example I like hard clicks. That don’t change by smallest touch But overall I’m happy with my Viltrox for Fuji so I should think for Nikon also good for the money I have Fuji 23mm and it is same issue Aperture ring to soft I’d rather have no Aperture ring if not hard click Thanks Richard for great camera and lens reviews

[@sunesnigel]

Nice review! Tempted to buy this lens or the Nikon 40mm.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

It's hard to choose! There are some special things about each of these two lenses

[@TheSoPhar]

Could you help me to choose Nikon z 40mm f2 vs Viltrox 35 1.8 for vocation day photograph (I might go Nikon but i want to know your opinion). Thank for your good review

[@TheRealRichardWong]

If you like small lens, nikon z 40 f/2 if you like to have more solid build quality/feeling and an aperture ring. then the viltrox.

[@TheSoPhar]

@@TheRealRichardWong thank you so much for your opinion.

[@kaminobatto]

Great review as always!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you very much Yamen Zein

[@memzTV]

I currently have a Panasonic S5, and don't know if I should sell it to buy the Nikon Z6. Mostly due to lenses. I LOVE my Panasonic S5, but I love the tiny Nikon 28mm and 40mm. I would probably also buy one of the Viltrox lenses. Which one do you recommend? S5 or Z6 for mostly photography.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I agree the Nikon 28 and 40 Z lenses are really attractive and I love the 40 after testing it. But I wouldn't recommend changing a system just for one or two lens as there are always one or two very nice lens (or camera) from each system every now and then. So if you are happy with your current system otherwise, I would just stick with it or you will be forever jumping between systems. I shoot with both snd honestly I think they both have their pros and cons

[@memzTV]

@@TheRealRichardWong Thank you for the response. :) I'm waiting for more small fast lenses on Panasonic. I know the Panasonic 18mm is coming out soon, but I don't like the size of those lenses.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@memzTV I feel the size of the Panasonic f/1.8 prime lenses are reasonable, similar to the Nikon Z f/1.8 S lenses. But at least, you could consider the Sigma 28 f/3.5 and 35 f/2 if you want some good quality compact autofocus primes. :)

[@pk6221]

why not paired with Nikkor Z lens? no sense in this comparison

[@josephherviearisola8403]

I got this lense and it worth the money ..

[@grabbit9215]

Thank you and thumbs up

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you for watching :)

[@Zero-ne3pb]

How about on a A7c? Especially the video autofucus? Anyone experience?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

sorry i think this lens is not released on the E mount yet

[@mpkpawan7579]

Is viltrox 35mm good for group photography

[@TheRealRichardWong]

If it's not a big group yes

[@Quoutub]

Wrong headline. It's no in-depth review, if it's not tested with Nikon's flagship camera, the Z50! Aps-c is better than full frame as the angular resolution is higher. Full frame only gives you a larger field of view, which can be also achieved with an Aps-c camera (panorama).

[@Eklipze]

That's unfortunate with the .1x magnification. I love my Tamron 35mm 1.8 and it has 0.2m min focus distance and 1.25x magnification. The vignetting is quite noticeable on the viltrox. Now this has been released, I'm still stumped on which one to go with. To keep my Tamron 35mm or get the Nikon Z or Viltrox 35mm.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

The tamron's close focus is really awesome!

[@elementh3368]

I bought one for my Z5 and i'm not satisfying, this lenses have problems with autofocus. About 90% photos are not in focus, mostly is front focus. I came back to the distrybutor of this lenses in Poland, we tested 3 more pcs in 2 cameras and all result is the same. I contacted witch 3 testers of this lenses and only 1 had a sharp pictures with auto focus.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

That's a bit weird as the autofocus works really well on my z6. I wonder why. If anyone has also used it on a z5 please share your experience

[@elementh3368]

@@TheRealRichardWong reseller send me another lens and that works very good in first few test photos. At the weekend I shoud take it for a longer photo walk then I could say something more.

[@fangli]

​@@elementh3368do you still use this 35mm lens ??

[@blackdiesel]

I thought Viltrox was supposed to release a 50mm f1.8 for the Z system?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hmm No? at least i don't remember they mention that or maybe i missed it

[@blackdiesel]

@@TheRealRichardWong per Nikon Rumors. I guess they were wrong.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@blackdiesel no i think the chance of me missing it is higher!

[@psysword]

They did and I bought it! Awesome

[@tammicook40]

Will this be a good lens for a Nikon D850

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hey Tammi, no. It wouldn't work as it's a lens designed for the Z mount mirrorless cameras so wouldn't fit/work on a DSLR

[@tammicook40]

@@TheRealRichardWong darn good to know

[@k3n12ock]

Whats sadder is that you have a d850 and think a z mount will work, LOL

[@billmoyer3254]

@@k3n12ock be nice

[@jshanni2066]

Arrgh. The de-clicked aperture ring is a shame, for stills I'd far prefer a clicked ring.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I agree completely! While it's better than "dumb" lens as i can still see the aperture setting in real time through the EVF/LCD, i MUCH prefer if it is a clicky aperture ring

[@jshanni2066]

@@TheRealRichardWong it's kind of amusing how no one quite builds everything I'd like! Lumix S5, almost perfect with sigma primes but no phase detect. Nikon Z5 , no Flippy screen or clicked aperture rings (yet). Fuji Xpro , beautiful styling but no ibis. Ditto ZF-C . Canon R6 is close but still too expensive and aperture ring lenses? Sony A7-C only one control ring. So I've stayed with MFT for the time being......

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I guess the thing is the perfect camera is really subjective. I use multiple system partially because of this. But even for myself , my definition of my perfect camera changes over time or even depends on what I am doing. So yeah it's hard... Maybe wait for the gh6 and see? It's not that far away 😉

[@jshanni2066]

@@TheRealRichardWong if you asked me for my "perfect" camera, the best description I could probably come up with is squeezing a FF sensor into a Lumix GX8 , and adding phase detect and best available shutter tech. But I doubt Panasonic ever give us a rangefinder styled FF. The closest available is probably the A7C for form, but the EVF is pretty poor and the controls compromised....and it's a Sony, lol.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Who knows. Panasonic may surprise us one day and give you exactly the camera you want.

[@svyatomir]

Спасибо за обзор.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you for watching