Viltrox Pro AF 85mm F1.4 FE Gallery

The launch of the APS-C specific Viltrox AF 75mm F1.2 Pro for Fuji’s X-mount platform was the moment I realized that Viltrox was moving to a whole new level of optical design. I gave that lens a glowing review because it was completely next level. It was big and heavy, yes, but it was just optically brilliant and had more features than any of the native Fuji lenses. It was amazingly sharp even at F1.2 (even on Fuji’s ultra-demanding 40MP X-Trans sensor), and it had beautifully soft rendering and bokeh. They followed that up with an equally amazing AF 27mm F1.2 Pro, which I awarded Budget APS-C Lens of the Year in my 2023 DA Awards. Last year we saw the launch of Viltrox’s highest end lineup for full frame, the LAB series, with the AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE (which I also gave a glowing review), because it accomplished the same kind of thing on full frame. But that lens stands somewhat unique in Viltrox’s lens release roadmap, as they have just the one 135mm lens scheduled. But that’s not true for the major prime focal lengths of 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm. Viltrox’s roadmap has F1.2 LAB lenses at each of those focal lengths…but also Pro series lenses with F1.4 apertures coming at each of those focal lengths. The first of the full frame Pro lenses is here, and they’ve started with the longest focal length of 85mm. Today we will cover in detail if the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE is the 85mm portrait lens to get. At just $598 USD, it represents a huge value (and if you use code DA85145OFF at checkout at Viltrox, you can get an additional 5% off!). I’ve personally used the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DN ART lens as my 85mm of choice for years. Is there a new sheriff in town? Find out more in either the video review below, by reading on in the text review, or just enjoying the photos in the galleries below.

https://youtu.be/pD52SVOQmiA

Thanks to Viltrox for sending me a review copy of this lens. As always, this is a completely independent review. *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with the Sony a7RV and the Sony Alpha 1. You can find the listing for the AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE here.

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85mm lenses tend to be the top choice of many portrait photographers for a reason. I personally find images from a 135mm lens slightly more exotic, but the focal length is often too long for a lot of environments. An 85mm lens allows you great subject separation but isn’t so long that you can’t use it in an ordinary room. It still works great for outdoor, environmental portraiture, too.

We see the Pro formula brought forward to this full frame series, though with a few of the most recent Viltrox tweaks. The 27mm and 75mm Pro lenses for APS-C relied on STM focus motor technology, but the Pro 85mm will use their new VCM (voice coil motor) technology for more thrust and smoother focus action. We’ve got a full set of features, including an aperture ring that be clicked or declicked, a custom/function button, an AF | MF switch, weather sealing, and a USB-C port for easy firmware updates. This is a lens with a GM level of build and features.

On paper everything looks great…but does the Pro 85mm deliver the goods in the real world?

Let’s explore the details…

Images of the Viltrox Pro 85mm F1.4

Images Taken with the Viltrox Pro AF 85mm F1.4

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GEAR USED:

Purchase the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB @ Viltrox (use code DUSTINABBOTT for 8% off) | B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Pergear

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Purchase the Sony a7RV @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | Sony Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany

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Purchase the Sony a7IV @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | Sony Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany

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