Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB

The second in the company's exotic 'LAB' line-up of lenses for Sony's E-mount

- Matthew Richards

It's not too long ago that I reviewed the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 Air - an ultra-compact and super-lightweight APS-C format lens with a rock-bottom price tag. The Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB that we're reviewing here is the polar opposite of that. It has an uncompromising design that puts image quality, topnotch construction, high-level performance and exotic handling at the forefront, with relatively little concern about size and weight.

Let's cut to the chase. The Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 Lab costs £959 ($999), a lot more than the humble Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 Air at £139 ($179), though it's understandable as the Lab lens is in a different league. However, while there aren't many 35mm f/1.2 lenses on the market, I'm reminded of Sigma's design ethos for its 'Art' lineup of lenses, including the Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art for Sony E and Leica L mount cameras, at £1,459 ($1,499) and the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S at a whopping £2,899 ($2,797). The Viltrox lens is significantly less expensive than its rivals, but is it a bargain? Let's see.

The 35mm is the second in Viltrox's growing range of top-grade full-frame compatible 'Lab' lenses, following on from the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB, which was also reviewed a while ago. Whereas the 135mm is ideal for tight head-and-shoulder portraiture, the 35mm goes for a moderately wide viewing perspective, while still being capable of delivering a tight depth of field and fast low-light shutter speeds. Viltrox is aiming high here: this is setting out to be one of the best lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras, though I'd be surprised if it didn't eventually release the 35mm in a Nikon Z mount option, too.

Build and handling