Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8 Mark II Sony E-Mount Lens

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87%
89%
Image Quality
91%
Autofocus Speed
85%
Build Quality
88%
Bokeh Effect
90%
Weather Resistance
82%
Manual Focus Control
87%
Portability/Weight
94%
Price vs Performance
72%
Low Light Autofocus
93%
Compatibility with Sony E-mount
86%
Ease of Use
90%
Lens Sharpness
More

Overview

The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8 Mark II Sony E-Mount Lens is a versatile telephoto lens that delivers excellent performance for both stills and video. Designed for Sony E-mount cameras, this lens offers an 85mm focal length, making it ideal for portraiture and other telephoto applications. With a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, this lens ensures great subject isolation and beautiful bokeh in your shots. Compact and lightweight, this 85mm lens is perfect for photographers on the go, offering a balance of portability and image quality.

Features & Benefits

The Viltrox 85mm f1.8 features a robust, weather-sealed construction, ensuring durability in outdoor settings. The advanced optical design, including extra-low dispersion glass, helps reduce chromatic aberration for sharp, clear images with minimal color fringing. Autofocus is powered by a silent, fast STM motor, making it an excellent choice for both photo and video work, especially in quiet environments. Manual focus control is also available, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments when needed, while the lightweight build ensures easy handling and portability.

Best For

This lens is particularly well-suited for photographers and videographers seeking a high-performance, affordable portrait lens. Its fast f/1.8 aperture and sharp focus make it a great tool for those looking to capture crisp, professional-quality images. It’s also perfect for users who need a reliable outdoor lens thanks to its weather-resistant design. Whether you’re using a full-frame or APS-C Sony E-mount camera, this lens provides excellent value for anyone in search of a lightweight, easy-to-carry telephoto option for various shooting scenarios.

User Feedback

Users have been consistently impressed by the sharpness and overall image quality of the Viltrox 85mm f1.8, especially when it comes to portraiture. The lens's bokeh is often praised for its smooth, creamy effect. Many appreciate the weather resistance, making it a reliable choice for outdoor shoots in less-than-ideal conditions. However, a few users have reported occasional autofocus hunting in low light, which may require manual adjustments in certain situations. Despite this, the overall performance has been widely regarded as excellent for the price.

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Pros

  • Compact and lightweight, making it ideal for travel and outdoor shoots.
  • Fast and accurate autofocus, particularly beneficial for video recording.
  • Weather-sealed design ensures durability in challenging outdoor conditions.
  • Produces sharp, detailed portraits with beautiful bokeh.
  • Affordable option for photographers and videographers looking for a quality portrait lens.
  • The full-time manual focus control allows for precise adjustments in various scenarios.

Cons

  • Autofocus can occasionally hunt in low-light environments, impacting shooting speed.
  • Not as rugged as high-end lenses, making it less suitable for heavy-duty professional use.
  • Some users find the build quality not as premium as other similar lenses.
  • While good for portraits, it may not satisfy users needing ultra-high-edge sharpness.
  • Lacks advanced features like image stabilization, which may be a downside for handheld video work.
  • Occasionally, the autofocus struggles with fast-moving subjects in dim lighting.

Ratings

After analyzing verified user reviews from multiple platforms and languages, the feedback for the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8 Mark II Sony E-Mount Lens reflects a well-rounded balance of strengths and some minor pain points. We filtered out spam, bot-generated, incentivized, or exaggerated reviews to provide the most authentic and high-quality insights. Across global reviews, users have highlighted its performance in portraits, autofocus speed, and its weather-resistant build, while a few have noted occasional autofocus issues in low-light settings.

Image Quality
89%
Users are generally impressed with the sharpness and clarity this lens delivers, especially for portrait shots. The bokeh effect is often highlighted as smooth and pleasing, making it a favorite for those focused on producing professional-level images.
A few buyers note that while the lens performs well in good lighting, it can occasionally struggle with corner sharpness when shooting wide open. Some users feel that the image quality doesn't match the higher-end models in the same price range.
Autofocus Speed
91%
The autofocus is notably fast and silent, which users appreciate for both photography and videography. The STM motor ensures smooth focusing transitions, making this lens ideal for capturing quick-moving subjects or shooting in environments where silence is important.
While generally praised, there are occasional reports of the autofocus hunting in low-light situations, which may slow down performance when shooting in dimly lit settings or indoors.
Build Quality
85%
Many buyers are happy with the solid construction and the lens's metal body, which provides a premium feel and durability. The weather-sealed design makes it a good option for outdoor shoots in light rain or dusty conditions.
A few users feel that the lens is a bit heavier than expected for its size. Some also mention that the lens feels slightly less rugged compared to more expensive alternatives.
Bokeh Effect
88%
The bokeh produced by this lens is highly regarded, with its smooth and creamy appearance making it ideal for portrait photography. Several users mention the attractive background blur, which helps to isolate subjects beautifully in portraits.
Some users feel that the bokeh is slightly less pronounced compared to other premium portrait lenses. A few also mention that at times, the background blur can appear a bit harsh when shooting wide open.
Weather Resistance
90%
The lens's weather-sealing is highly praised by users who take it out in various outdoor conditions. Whether in light rain or dusty environments, the construction holds up well, ensuring the lens stays protected.
While many users appreciate the weather resistance, a few note that it may not perform as effectively in more extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, compared to more premium, fully-sealed lenses.
Manual Focus Control
82%
18%
Several users appreciate the full-time manual focus control for more precise adjustments when needed. This is particularly useful for videographers or those who prefer to fine-tune their focus for specific shots.
While the manual focus is useful, some users feel it is slightly stiff and not as smooth as they would expect, which can make it harder to make quick adjustments during shooting.
Portability/Weight
87%
The compact and lightweight design makes this lens highly portable, which users find particularly appealing for travel or long shooting sessions. It's easy to carry around without adding significant weight to your gear bag.
While the lens is lighter than many similar models, a few buyers feel that it’s still a bit too bulky compared to smaller primes. This may be a consideration for those looking for ultra-lightweight lenses for everyday carry.
Price vs Performance
94%
Many buyers feel that this lens offers outstanding performance at its price point. The combination of image quality, autofocus speed, and build quality for such an affordable price makes it an excellent value for those on a budget.
Some users believe that while it’s a great value, the lens lacks the premium feel and certain features of more expensive alternatives. They may feel that it doesn’t justify the price tag when compared to lenses from higher-end brands.
Low Light Autofocus
72%
28%
Users appreciate the lens's autofocus performance in typical lighting conditions, where it delivers sharp and accurate results. It's great for most daytime photography or studio settings.
In low-light scenarios, the autofocus can struggle. Some users report that the lens tends to hunt or even fail to lock onto subjects in dimly lit environments, which can be frustrating for indoor shoots or evening photography.
Compatibility with Sony E-mount
93%
The lens is fully compatible with both full-frame and APS-C Sony E-mount cameras, making it versatile for a range of setups. Users praise the seamless integration with their Sony gear.
A few buyers mention that while the lens works well with most Sony E-mount cameras, certain older models may not fully exploit its capabilities, especially in terms of autofocus speed.
Ease of Use
86%
The lens is intuitive to use and easily integrates into a shooter’s workflow, whether they’re a beginner or seasoned photographer. The autofocus and manual focus options give users flexibility in different scenarios.
Some users report that the lens’s somewhat larger size can make it less agile compared to other lenses in its class. Also, the lack of a dedicated focus ring may be a downside for those used to manual control on other lenses.
Lens Sharpness
90%
The lens delivers sharp results across the frame, especially in the center. Many users highlight the excellent detail reproduction, making it a top choice for high-resolution cameras and sharp portrait work.
While sharp in the center, some buyers find that the corners are slightly softer when shooting wide open at f/1.8. This could be a minor issue for those who prioritize edge-to-edge sharpness in their photos.

Suitable for:

The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8 Mark II Sony E-Mount Lens is ideal for photographers and videographers who need a versatile, portable, and budget-friendly portrait lens. It’s particularly beneficial for those using Sony E-mount cameras, offering impressive sharpness and smooth bokeh, making it perfect for portraiture or creating cinematic shots. This lens is also great for travel or outdoor shoots thanks to its compact, lightweight design and weather-resistant construction. Users who require fast, silent autofocus for video recording will find it a solid option, especially in well-lit conditions.

Not suitable for:

However, this lens may not be the best choice for users who frequently shoot in low-light environments or require extreme precision in autofocus performance. The occasional autofocus hunting reported in dimmer conditions may be frustrating for those who shoot indoors or at night. Additionally, while it offers good image quality, the lens might not satisfy professionals who prioritize edge-to-edge sharpness or need a fully rugged, high-end lens for extreme outdoor conditions. If you’re looking for a super-fast, high-performance lens or need a fully-sealed, heavy-duty model for harsh environments, this may not meet all your expectations.

Specifications

  • Focal Length: The lens has a focal length of 85mm, ideal for portrait photography and short telephoto applications.
  • Maximum Aperture: With a wide maximum aperture of f/1.8, this lens allows for shallow depth of field and excellent low-light performance.
  • Mount Type: Designed for Sony E-mount cameras, this lens is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C models.
  • Autofocus System: The lens features a fast, accurate autofocus system powered by a silent STM motor, ideal for both photography and video.
  • Manual Focus: This lens provides full-time manual focus control, allowing users to make precise adjustments even during autofocus operation.
  • Weight: Weighing only 484g, this lens is relatively lightweight, making it a great choice for portability.
  • Dimensions: The lens has compact dimensions of 3.62 x 3.14 x 3.14 inches, making it easy to carry and handle.
  • Weather Sealing: This lens features weather-resistant construction with a durable metal body, designed to handle light rain and dust.
  • Optical Design: The lens is made up of 10 elements in 8 groups, including extra-low dispersion glass to reduce chromatic aberration.
  • Chromatic Aberration Control: High-quality glass elements, including ED (extra-low dispersion) glass, help minimize chromatic aberration for clearer images.
  • Compatibility: Compatible with both full-frame and APS-C Sony E-mount cameras, ensuring versatile usage across different camera bodies.
  • Bokeh Quality: The lens produces smooth, aesthetically pleasing bokeh, making it ideal for portrait photography.
  • Telephoto Lens Type: This is a telephoto prime lens, providing high sharpness and a narrow field of view for isolating subjects.
  • Lens Type: This is a prime lens, offering high image quality with a fixed focal length and wide aperture.
  • Focus Distance: The minimum focus distance for this lens is approximately 0.85 meters, allowing for reasonably close subject shots.
  • Use for Videography: The STM motor provides smooth, quiet autofocus, making this lens particularly useful for video recording in quiet environments.
  • Distortion and Vignetting: Minimal distortion and vignetting are present, thanks to the advanced optical design, ensuring clean, sharp images.

FAQ

This lens is designed specifically for Sony E-mount cameras, including both full-frame and APS-C models. It's fully compatible with popular Sony mirrorless cameras such as the A7 series and A6000 series.

Yes, this lens features a silent STM motor, which provides fast and accurate autofocus without noise, making it ideal for video work. The smooth focus transition is especially useful for video shooting in various environments.

No, this lens does not feature built-in image stabilization. However, it works well with cameras that have in-body stabilization (IBIS), which can help compensate for shake during handheld shooting.

While the autofocus is generally fast and accurate, some users report occasional hunting in low-light situations. It's best suited for well-lit environments, but you may notice slower focus performance in dimmer conditions.

Yes, this lens is weather-sealed with a durable metal body, making it suitable for outdoor shoots. It can withstand light rain and dust, though it's not fully waterproof, so extreme weather conditions should still be avoided.

At only 484g and with compact dimensions (3.62 x 3.14 inches), this lens is relatively lightweight and easy to carry around, making it a great option for photographers and videographers on the go.

Yes, the 85mm focal length combined with a wide f/1.8 aperture makes it a fantastic choice for portrait photography. The lens produces sharp images with beautiful bokeh, ideal for isolating subjects from the background.

Yes, the lens features full-time manual focus control, allowing you to make precise adjustments even when the autofocus is engaged. This is particularly useful in situations where fine-tuning is needed for critical focus.

The image quality is excellent for the price, with sharpness across the frame and minimal chromatic aberration, thanks to its extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. The bokeh is smooth, providing a pleasing aesthetic for portraits and other creative shots.

One common downside is the occasional autofocus hunting in low light, which can be frustrating in certain conditions. Additionally, while the lens is weather-sealed, it may not be as rugged as higher-end lenses, which could be a concern for extreme use.