Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB Review: A Chinese Portrait Lens With an LCD Screen That Rivals Brand-Name Glass

The Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB is the lens that made many photographers rethink Chinese glass. Launched for Sony E-mount in October 2024 at $899, with a Nikon Z version following in 2025, it’s the first lens in Viltrox’s premium LAB line. It’s big, it’s fast and it has features you won’t find on Sony’s or Nikon’s own 135mm lenses, including a small LCD screen on the barrel.

At 135mm f/1.8 it delivers serious subject isolation for portraits, weddings and events.

It’s also heavy, at about 1,235 grams without the hood, with an 82mm filter.

Video review: Dustin Abbott

Image quality

Sharpness is excellent from f/1.8, with high contrast and very little color fringing. Backgrounds blur smoothly thanks to 11 rounded aperture blades. For a lens at this price, the optical quality is remarkable.

Close focus is 72 centimeters, for 0.25x magnification. Better than many 135mm lenses, so detail shots of rings, flowers and hands work well.

Features you don’t expect

The top of the barrel has an LCD info screen showing focus distance, aperture and function-button status. There’s a de-clickable aperture ring, an AF/MF switch, a three-position focus limiter and two function buttons that can store A and B focus positions for video pulls. A USB-C port at the mount handles firmware updates, and there’s a phone app.

Autofocus uses dual voice-coil motors. It’s fast and accurate with eye tracking on current Sony and Nikon bodies. The lens is sealed against dust and moisture.

The downsides

Weight. Over 1.2 kilograms is heavier than many 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms. There’s no tripod collar.

It’s a third-party lens, so some camera features and future compatibility depend on Viltrox’s firmware updates.

Early shipments were delayed while Viltrox fixed a focus-noise issue, so check that any used copy has current firmware.

No optical stabilization, but Sony and Nikon full-frame bodies have IBIS.

Who should buy it

Portrait and wedding photographers on Sony or Nikon who want 135mm f/1.8 without paying $2,000 or more. Event shooters who want a long, fast prime for ceremonies. Hybrid creators who’ll use the A/B focus presets.

On Nikon, the Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has cleaner corner bokeh and is lighter, at nearly three times the price. On Sony, the GM 135mm f/1.8 is lighter and pricier. For value at 135mm f/1.8, the Viltrox LAB is the lens to beat.