- The second professional lens in the Viltrox ‘LAB’ series comes to Nikon Z cameras
- The AF 35mm F1.2 LAB prime was already available for Sony E mount
- It costs $999 / £959 (around AU$1900)
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Viltrox lenses – in my opinion, the Chinese lens maker has established itself as a serious alternative to expensive proprietary (and Sigma) lenses, following a series of sharp, affordable optics, led by its ‘LAB’ series of professional prime lenses. And as a Nikon user, I just received some great news: the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB is finally available for the Nikon Z mount.
We’ve already reviewed the Sony E-mount version of the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB and gave it a top rating of 5 out of 5 – it’s an exceptionally high-quality premium camera, available for 50% less than Sony’s superb Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art and Sony’s older Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM.
The price difference is even greater compared to Nikon’s version, the Z 35mm f/1.2 S, which is out of my price range and costs almost three times as much. However, I can now get a similar professional quality large aperture prime lens for a fraction of the cost.
No longer just a dream, this is the affordable pro prime I always wanted
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A 35mm large aperture prime lens is a lens I’ve wanted to buy for my Nikon Z camera since I switched from DSLR to mirrorless years ago. I have a history with these types of lenses: I shot most of my documentary photography over the years living in East Africa with a trusty Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 lens paired with my Nikon DSLR camera.
Mirrorless lenses, like Nikon Z lenses, are generally much more expensive than DSLR equivalents, and that’s why Viltrox is a breath of fresh air. I can now get an optically superior 35mm prime lens, with an even wider f/1.2 aperture than before, for a triple-digit price: $999 / £959 (around AU$1,900). Meanwhile, Sigma offers Viltrox for close value, about half the price of the Nikon lens.
As our review highlights, the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB features excellent build quality with weather sealing, a handy digital display, exceptional sharpness and low-light capabilities with its f/1.2 maximum aperture.
I personally reviewed Viltrox’s other LAB lens, the AF 135mm F1.8, and its only drawbacks are that it feels too heavy and the autofocus is a bit slow. I expect to have the same issues again with the Viltrox Pro Wide Angle regarding weight, but I’m less worried about the apparently snappier autofocus performance.
I can’t wait to attach the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB to my Nikon camera and start shooting!
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