Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB lens Review

credits: Viltrox

Viltrox is aiming straight at the big names with their 35mm f/1.2 LAB lens. A premium prime designed for Sony E-mount that tries to offer G Master-level image quality without the G Master-level price tag. And in a lot of ways, it gets close.

Handling and Build

It’s a solid piece of gear, made from magnesium-aluminum alloy and fully weather-sealed. The included bayonet hood and 77mm filter thread make it feel ready for pro work. The lens also comes with an OLED display, customisable buttons, and a USB-C port for firmware updates—features you normally don’t see at this price ($999). But at 920 grams, it’s definitely on the heavier side. It feels front-heavy on smaller Sony bodies and starts to wear on your wrist after a long shoot. The aperture ring is one of the more polarising parts. It technically offers both clicked and de-clicked modes, but a lot of photographers find it too loose or inconsistent. Most end up controlling aperture from the camera instead.

Shooting Experience

Autofocus is one of the standout features here. Viltrox uses four voice coil motors that make AF both fast and quiet. It has great accuracy even wide open at f/1.2, with excellent subject tracking on newer Sony bodies. Focus breathing is minimal, and flare resistance is surprisingly strong, even when shooting into direct light. While continuous shooting works fine up to 15 fps, Sony bodies will throttle performance on third-party lenses like this—something that frustrates many users, especially those used to the higher burst rates on Sony’s native glass.

Image Quality

Optically, this lens is a beast. Sharpness is excellent in the center even wide open, and it only gets better when stopped down. Bokeh is smooth, natural, and clean, with little to no fringing or distracting textures. Subject separation is strong, and chromatic aberrations are impressively well-controlled. There’s some vignetting at f/1.2, but it clears up nicely by f/2 and is easy to fix in post. Distortion is mild but has a bit of a wavy, mustache pattern that might need correction on architectural shots. That said, some astrophotographers have noticed more coma than they'd like, especially compared to Sigma’s 35mm f/1.2 Art. Sunstars are also kind of soft and unremarkable, which may matter to people who like shooting night scenes.

Should You Buy It?

Honestly, probably not. While it nails the optical side, most photographers agree that the size, weight, and slightly clunky handling make it less fun to use day-to-day. It’s great on paper and even better in controlled settings, but it doesn’t quite offer the balance of performance and usability that many look for in a 35mm prime.

Alternatives?

Sony’s 35mm f/1.4 GM is the obvious one. It’s smaller, lighter, and more refined. Sigma’s 35mm f/1.2 Art is the closest direct competitor in terms of specs, but it’s even heavier and more expensive. Sigma also makes a 35mm f/1.4 DG DN that’s cheaper and smaller, but it gives up a bit in optical quality. Still, for most people, one of those two Sigmas or the Sony will be a better all-around choice.