You have to admire Viltrox.  Just a few short years ago I reviewed my first Viltrox lens (a manual focus wide angle), but by their third lens, I was reviewing an autofocus lens.  And, since that point, they have tackled most modern mirrorless platform with autofocus lenses, from Sony E/FE to Fuji X to Canon EF-M and RF to Nikon Z.  That takes a lot of guts, as each platform has its own unique challenges, but Viltrox has smartly packaged and repackaged their optical designs with new looks, cine versions, and releases on new platforms like Canon RF and Nikon Z.  They have pulled it off, too, with largely successful lenses at very competitive prices.  About a year ago I reviewed what was the first of a new series of lenses for 2021, a 24mm F1.8 STM lens which I reviewed in a Sony FE mount.  The 24mm was to be followed up in 2021 with a 35mm F1.8 along with a 50mm F1.8 lens.  2021 didn’t turn out like any of us planned, however, and development of the 35mm and 50mm lenses got pushed back.  But fast forward a year, and I’ve already spent time reviewing the very competent Viltrox AF 50mm F1.8 STM (my review here) and have now turned my attention to the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.8 STM.

I’m doing this review on the Sony platform where there was a definite 35mm need just a few short years ago, but that void has been filled by a series of competent lenses, including Sony’s own FE 35mm F1.8 (my review here), Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (my review here), and the Sigma 35mm F2 DN (my review here).  That’s a crowded market, and Viltrox can’t even (at the moment) claim the least expensive slot, as that is filled by the Samyang ($329 USD).  The Viltrox comes at a MSRP of $399 USD (which the Samyang also launched at), while the Sigma ($639 USD) and Sony ($748 USD) all range higher.  But Viltrox doesn’t only produce for Sony.  There’s already a Nikon Z mount available, and I suspect we’ll see a Canon RF version shortly.  There’s a LOT of room for third party options on those platforms, as Viltrox is providing on the only third party 35mm F1.8 alternative on Nikon, and at a price less than 50% that of the Nikkor Z 35mm F1.8 S.  On any platform, however, there are some Viltrox strengths that we’ll detail, including the ability to get some very photos from a competent, reasonably priced lens:

But there are also some areas where the Viltrox AF35 (as I’ll call it for brevity) doesn’t quite measure up to the standard of the competition.  If you want the details, check out either my text review or watch my definitive video review…or just enjoy the photos below.

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I want to thank Viltrox for sending me a test retail copy of the lens for review. As always, this is a completely independent review.  The opinions here are completely my own.  *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with the new Sony Alpha 1 which will serve as my benchmark camera for the foreseeable future (my review here).

Photos of the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.8 STM

Photos Taken with the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.8 STM

Gear Used:

Purchase the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.8 STM @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Viltrox Store (use Code DUSTINABBOTT for a discount) | Pergear | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK 

Purchase the Viltrox AF 50mm F1.8 STM @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Viltrox Store (use Code DUSTINABBOTT for a discount) | Pergear | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK 

Purchase the Viltrox AF 24mm F1.8 STM @ B&H Photo  | Amazon | Viltrox Store (use Code DUSTINABBOTT for a discount)  | Pergear (Worldwide)  | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK 

Purchase a Sony a7C @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Purchase the Sony Alpha 1 @ Camera Canada | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Purchase a Sony a9M2 @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Sony a9 Camera:  B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada  | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 
Sony a7RIV Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Buy DA Merchandise https://bit.ly/TWIMerch

Purchase a Sony a7C @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Peak Design Leash Strap:  Peak Design Store | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK

Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Exposure Software X6 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)
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