Viltrox has rapidly become a popular and affordable alternative to brand-own lenses and the likes of Sigma, and I should know given that I now have six Viltrox primes in my collection.
I currently shoot with a Nikon mirrorless camera, and there’s one Viltrox lens I’ve been patiently waiting for since I first saw it announced for Sony cameras last year – the flagship Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB.
We’ve already reviewed the Sony version of the fast aperture, moderate wide-angle autofocus lens, and awarded it a maximum five-star rating. We praised its superlative optical quality, concluding that you’re getting the same pro-quality as proprietary versions, for a fraction of the cost, even if it is Viltrox’s priciest mirrorless lens to date.
Months later, as the curtain closed for 2025, the good news came – a Nikon version was released.
A wide aperture 35mm prime like this is a lens that I’ve been wanting to get for my Nikon Z camera since switching from DSLR to mirrorless years ago.
You see, I have a history with this versatile type of prime lens, making most of my documentary photos over years living in East Africa a decade ago with a trusty 35mm f/1.4 Sigma Art lens, paired with my Nikon D800 DSLR camera.
However, Nikon Z lenses are generally much pricier than DSLR equivalents, and that’s why this Viltrox optic is welcome news.
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I can get an optically superior 35mm prime to my old Sigma, with an even wider f/1.2 aperture, for a triple digit price of $999 / £959. That’s 30% cheaper than the recent superb Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art and just one third of the cost of Nikon’s Z 35mm f/1.2 S, which is way out of my price range.
So, now that I have my hands on my dream Z-mount lens, has it lived up to my expectations?
Notes on the Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB for Nikon Z
I won’t dig into the details of the lens – we’ve already done that in our in-depth review of the Sony version. But what has my experience been like with my Nikon camera?
The first thing to note is that build quality and handling are top drawer; it’s weather sealed, and there’s a handy digital display for precise data such as focus distance.
The glossy exterior is prone to scratches, however, and I haven’t even pushed the lens in extreme conditions yet. If you’re someone who likes keeping gear looking shiny and new, you’ll have your work cut out here. Me? I don’t mind surface-level scratches – I buy gear this kind of gear to use it, not admire it!
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The only strike against the Viltrox 35mm lens is that it’s bulky and heavy – comparable to my Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens (which has been updated with a fabulous, lighter mark II version).
It’s quite a lot larger than my old Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens for Nikon F, and I paired that lens with a much bulkier DSLR. I use a mid-range Nikon Z6-series camera, and the balance between camera and lens feels a little front heavy.
Autofocus is snappy, though – more so than the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB which is another prime I’ve used a lot.
And optically, the 35mm f/1.2 is outstanding and everything I hoped for; pin sharp detail, smooth bokeh and versatile low light capabilities. It’s the precise combo I want for documentary photography and environmental portraits.
Two months in, I’m super happy with the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB lens, and I can’t wait to take it to the extreme environments where it would truly shine. Until then, I grabbed a range of shots, some of which are in the galleries below.
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A word of caution for Nikon photographers
It’s easy to recommend the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB lens. However, it seems as though all is not well between Nikon and Viltrox. There are reports that Nikon is suing the cheap Chinese lens maker for alleged Z-mount patent infringements, with a court date supposedly set for a day in March.
If this goes ahead, the worst case scenario for Viltrox (and potentially those in turn who use Viltrox lenses) could be a cease and desist, which is what happened between Canon and Viltrox in 2022 regarding Canon’s RF-mount.
A potential middle ground would be Viltrox becoming a licensee and paying Nikon royalties. It would continue launch new Z-mount lenses, albeit with an inevitable price increase.
If the case presses ahead, I doubt things will stay exactly how they are.
As a fan of Nikon and Viltrox who regularly uses Nikon’s mirrorless cameras and Viltrox’s Z-mount lenses, I hope that I continue having the wide lens choice that I currently have from both brands, and that more lenses are in the pipeline.
For now, I can happily use this Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB lens with my Nikon camera, and believe me I am. And as things stand, other Nikon photographers can still use Viltrox lenses.
All I need now is a proper assignment to really push the lens. That, I can’t wait for…
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