A new ultra-light 35mm for APS-C hybrids from Viltrox

Viltrox, a Chinese third-party optics manufacturer, continues to roll out its roadmap for launching new lenses. After the very attractive pancake AF 28mm F4.5 FE in full frame Sony E mount, the impressive AF 135mm F1.8 LAB also available in full frame Sony E mount, here is the new AF 35mm F1.7 Air also designed for hybrids APS-C in Sony E, Nikon Z and Fujifilm X mount.

APS-C requires, this lens is equivalent to a 52.5 mm taking into account the conversion coefficient of 1.5X to be applied to obtain the equivalent focal length. It is therefore a standard fixed focal length perfect for reporting, street photography or even portraiture. It benefits from a very large F1.7 maximum aperture combined with a 9-blade diaphragm for marked bokeh effects and good handheld performance in low light conditions (indoors or at night for example).

It is the autofocus lens equipped with a step-by-step STM motor which ensures rapid, precise and silent focusing: an undeniable advantage for video use for example. On this point, Viltrox designed this lens taking into account the phenomenon of “focus breathing” (slight change in focal length depending on the focusing distance) which is reduced as much as possible. It offers a minimum focusing distance of 33 cm which ensures good suitability for close-up photography with a maximum magnification ratio of 0.13X.

The lens is composed of 11 elements with 1 aspherical element, 1 low dispersion glass and 2 high refractive index glasses. There is also a multi-layer nano treatment which reduces flare and ghosting.

It is a very compact and lightweight lens. On the scale we can read the light weight of 170 grams and it measures less than 6.5 cm long. There is a USB-C port on the mount for possible firmware updates.

Availability and price

The new Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 Air is already available and priced at 169 euros in Sony E mount. The Fujifilm X and Nikon Z mount versions are planned for January 2025.

First opinion

With this new ultra-compact, ultra-light 35 mm F1.7 positioned below 170 euros, Viltrox is hitting hard. If the optical performance is there, all users of APS-C hybrids at Sony and Nikon Fujifilm will be satisfied. This lens presents itself on paper as a serious alternative to the native lenses of manufacturers or Sigma for example which are much more expensive.