The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7, a prime lens tailored for APS-C sensor cameras, is drawing attention for its impressive balance of cost and performance.
Viltrox is preparing to launch the new Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 autofocus lens, which will support Sony E, Nikon Z, and Fujifilm X mounts. The pricing is set at approximately 800 Chinese yuan, equating to around $110 / €108 / £90 / AU$175 through direct conversion. According to sources like Photo Rumors, the lens will debut simultaneously for all three mounts.
Specifications
This lens features an optical design with 11 elements in nine groups. It includes two extra-low dispersion elements, one high-refractive index element, and one aspherical element. The maximum aperture of f/1.7 slightly surpasses Nikon’s Z 35mm f/1.8 S in speed while being significantly more affordable. The aperture closes down to f/16 when needed.
An STM focus drive powers its autofocus system, ensuring fast and responsive performance. The lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.33m, a maximum magnification of 0.13x, and a 45º field of view. Its front element accepts 52mm filters. The lightweight build, measuring 64 x 54.7mm and weighing just 170g, makes it highly portable.
As part of the Viltrox Air series, this lens joins popular models like the Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7, Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8, and Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5. All of these lenses have received positive reviews and strong recommendations, and this new addition is expected to deliver similar value through its performance and price.
Competition and Market Position
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 enters a competitive field of third-party 35mm autofocus lenses. It competes with existing options such as Viltrox’s full-frame 35mm f/1.8 Z mount lens, which costs $400 / €380 / £315 / AU$625. This APS-C-specific lens offers a 52.5mm effective focal length when considering the 1.5x crop factor. For users of full-frame systems, this makes it comparable to a classic ‘nifty fifty’ lens in terms of field of view.