Viltrox VILTROX 35mm f1.7 Z, AF 35 mm F1.7 Z- Mount Lens Review

The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is a tiny, fast prime lens for Nikon Z cameras. It's a 35mm lens, which is a classic 'do-it-all' focal length, and that f/1.7 aperture means it's great in low light and for getting that nice, soft background blur. At just 170 grams, this thing is a featherweight, and it comes with some surprisingly high-end features for the price, like built-in stabilization and a USB-C port for firmware updates. It's built for street photography, portraits, and video, and the scores reflect that. It gets near-perfect marks for those uses. Where it stumbles a bit is with landscapes, where its optical performance isn't quite as sharp as some more specialized lenses. But for a walk-around lens you can throw in any bag, it's a compelling package.

This lens performs exactly how you'd hope. The autofocus is in the 96th percentile, which means it's quick, quiet, and reliable for both photos and video. The stabilization is also top-tier, sitting in the 89th percentile, which is a huge bonus for a lens this small and cheap. The optical performance and bokeh quality are good, landing in the 72nd percentile, but they're not class-leading. You get very nice images, especially at that f/1.7 aperture, but don't expect the absolute razor-sharp perfection of a lens that costs three times as much. That's the trade-off.

At around $179, the value here is hard to beat. You're getting a stabilized, fast-aperture autofocus lens from a reputable third-party maker. That's a combo you usually have to pay a lot more for. Sure, the optics aren't perfect, but for this price, you're getting 90% of the performance of a much more expensive lens in a package that's so light you'll forget it's on your camera.

Stacked up against its peers, the Viltrox holds its own. The Meike 35mm F1.8 is a direct competitor, but the Viltrox has a slight edge in aperture speed and includes stabilization, which the Meike lacks. Compared to the Yongnuo 35mm F1.8 for Sony, the Viltrox's build quality and AF performance feel more polished. The real competition might be saving up for a first-party lens like a Nikon Z 35mm, but you'd be paying at least double, if not triple, the price for that badge and a bit more optical refinement. For most people, the Viltrox delivers the core experience for a lot less cash.

Buy this lens if you want a lightweight, versatile 35mm prime that won't break the bank and comes with great autofocus and stabilization. It's perfect for Nikon Z shooters who do street photography, casual portraits, or video work. Skip it if you're a pixel-peeping landscape photographer who needs ultimate corner-to-corner sharpness, or if you absolutely need weather sealing for rough conditions.