Viltrox 135mm f1.8 Nikon Z Mount Lens: A Magnificent Beast

Every once in a while, a lens comes into your hands that truly catches everyone’s attention. The Viltrox 135mm f1.8 for Nikon Z is just that. I’ve had models who usually couldn’t give two hoots about what lens I used, tilting their heads and asking in awe, “What is that thing?” It looks as impressive as it performs. It’s so chunky that I had a bit of a tough time getting it into my camera bag. But it gives you simply stunning results all the time no matter what the scenario.

A couple of years ago, when I tested the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens, I was impressed by how sharp it was. It was the same feeling all over again when I tested out the new Viltrox 135mm f1.8 Nikon Z mount version. To see it nailing focus so accurately and with such sharpness, frame after frame, is a testament to how good Viltrox is at making their lenses lately. Granted, this is a top-tier lens from their LAB series, but at a third of the price of the Plena, it’s a no-brainer purchase for anyone wanting a prime lens for portraits and headshots. This Nikon mirrorless mount version is every bit as good as the Sony version we tested last year.

Experience

The first time I attached it to my Nikon Z8, the balance felt just right. Yes, it’s heavy, weighing about 950 grams (33.5 oz) of solid, well-crafted metal and glass, but the weight fits a camera like the Z8 or Z9 perfectly. It feels steady, as if it was always meant to rest on that mount. The barrel has no creaks or flex; it feels like something Nikon would have created. The matte finish and engraved markings give a premium look, unlike a third-party alternative. The small LCD panel on the barrel glows softly, displaying focus distance like a miniature digital assistant. It’s subtle, but you can tell someone at Viltrox really wanted to make this lens special. I wonder if someday, these LCD screens will act like AI assistants, telling you the settings in real-time that you should adjust to improve your photo.

You might hardly use them, but when you need to, the focus ring is silk smooth to turn, and the aperture ring clicks with firm precision. With a gentle flick of a switch, you can de-click it for smooth video transitions too. The reason I never used the manual focus ring is because the autofocus is stunning, really stunning. On the Z8, it locked onto eyes instantly, both human and animal, and barely missed even at f1.8. You’re getting the kind of performance that makes you second-guess if you’re using a native Nikon S-line lens. I spent two days shooting portraits in a studio, and the Viltrox rarely faltered. There was an occasion where it focused on the model’s eyelashes instead of the eyes, but this could also have been an issue with the eye-detection algorithm on the camera.

This verison of the lens also has three focus limiter settings – a feature some more expensive lenses neglect at times. These settings help prevent the autofocus from searching unnecessarily when you know approximately how far away your subject is. Quite a smart addition that helped save time during my portrait sessions. As good as the Nikon’s eye detection might be, it’s always nice to have this to assist with it.

Alas all isn’t perfect. That 82 mm filter thread might make you wince the first time you shop for ND filters or polarizers. They are pricey, and if you already have a set of 72 mm or 77 mm filters, you know how pricey 82mm versions can get. It should’t put you off this lens, but it serves as a reminder that lenses like this can come with larger front elements and a bigger hole in your wallet.

A special mention for the reaction this evokes from people. Every time I take this lens out, someone who hasn’t seen it before has questions about it. It has an imposing presence. Photographers recognize it right away as something serious, and non-photographers just think it’s expensive; both are correct.

Results

It resolves an incredible amount of detail even when wide open, with eyelashes and skin texture appearing true to life. Whether at f1.8 or f8, the sharpness always managed to astound me. However at f1.8 the Viltrox 135mm f1.8 Nikon Z lens still keeps a very natural bokeh falloff. It must be said that micro-contrast is where this lens truly shines. Skin tones looks very vibrant. The bokeh is creamy yet visibly natural. It rendering makes you want to keep shooting just to see how it transforms different backgrounds.

That autofocus speed would be meaningless if the images didn’t deliver. But gosh, they did so well – the clarity and texture on the skin is something you have to see to believe (take a look at the closeup above).

Conclusion

The Viltrox 135mm f1.8 Nikon Z makes a strong case for third party lenses being used in serious photography. This lens has proved to me that such lenses can be more than just affordable alternatives. Viltrox leading the segment in churning out high-quality, well-crafted tools that compete with native brand optics. A decade ago, Sigma changed the DSLR market by moving away from average quality lenses and focusing on premium options. Viltrox is now doing the same for mirrorless systems. They are faster and more confident, offering prices that still make sense. I hope they don’t stutter and stumble the way Sigma did.

After many hours shooting portraits I can confidently say this isn’t just a novelty lens. It’s easily one of the best portrait lenses available Nikon’s mirrorless Z mount system. Offering professional sharpness and exceptional color, it’s a premium shooting experience for anyone who picks it up. It’s heavy no doubt and filters will be costly. But when a lens performs this well, these issues feel like minor trade-offs.

Tech Specs

Images of me in this article were taken by Renith Sunil and Croydon Fernandes (both of whom doubled as models too for a change)