Sony E Autofocus

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro

Focal length: 85 mm
Aperture: f/1.4
Weight: 800 g
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Min. focus distance: 79 cm
Length: 108.5 mm

Overview

The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro is a full-frame autofocus portrait lens for Sony E and Nikon Z. It belongs to Viltrox's Pro series and offers the classic 85mm perspective with an F1.4 maximum aperture. It is aimed at portrait, wedding and event photographers who want a fast short telephoto from a third-party maker.

Optical design

Viltrox specifies 15 elements in 11 groups. According to the company, this includes 9 high-refractive-index elements, 3 ED elements and 1 UA (ultra-precision aspherical) element, plus an HD nano multi-coating against ghosting and flare. The aperture has 11 blades and stops down to F16. The minimum focusing distance is 0.79 m with a maximum magnification of 0.13x. The viewing angle is listed as 28 degrees.

Autofocus and handling

Autofocus uses Viltrox's patented Dual HyperVCM motors, described by the maker as fast, with eye and face detection support. Controls include an AF/MF switch, a click switch to move between clicked and declicked aperture, and customizable Fn buttons that can be set up in the Viltrox Lens App. The focusing system is internal, according to the specifications.

Build and size

The body is full metal with dust seals and a splash-resistant design, and Viltrox mentions water and smudge-resistant coatings. The Sony E version weighs about 800 g (bare lens) and measures 84.5 mm by 108.5 mm. The Nikon Z version weighs about 835 g and is 110.6 mm long. Both use 77 mm filters.

Where it fits

The database lists several alternatives at 85mm F1.4 on Sony E: the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II at 642 g, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM, the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art, the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE and the Sirui Aurora 85mm F1.4. On Nikon Z, the Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S is a lighter and slower option at 470 g, and the Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S is much heavier at 1160 g. Within Viltrox, the AF 85mm F1.8 II is the smaller and slower sibling.

Pros and cons

Pros

F1.4 aperture in a weather-sealed metal body
Dual HyperVCM autofocus with eye detection according to Viltrox
Click and declick aperture switch
Customizable Fn buttons

Cons

800 g to 835 g, heavier than the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8 II and the Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S
0.79 m minimum focusing distance
77 mm filter size
No optical stabilizer

Verdict

The Viltrox 85mm F1.4 Pro offers an F1.4 portrait focal length with eye autofocus and weather sealing in a metal body. It is a third-party option for those who want a fast 85mm without moving to a first-party lens.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 85 mm
max focal length: 85 mm
max f (min zoom): f/1.4
max f (max zoom): f/1.4
min. aperture: f/16
Elements: 15
Groups: 11
Weight: 800 g (1.76 lb)
Filter diameter: 77 mm
min focus distance: 79 cm (31.1 in)
Length: 108.5 mm (4.27 in)
Diameter: 84.5 mm (3.33 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro fit?

The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro is a full-frame lens for Sony E-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Sony E-Mount cameras its field of view equals 128 mm in full-frame terms.

Sony E-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Sony A7R VI, Sony A7 V, Sony FX2, Sony A1 II, Sony A9 III, Sony A7C II, Sony A7CR, Sony ZV-E1, Sony A7R V, Sony A7 IV, Sony A1, Sony FX3, Sony A7S III, Sony A7C, Sony FX6, Sony A7R IV, Sony A9 II, Sony FX9, Sony A7 III, Sony A7R III, Sony A9, Sony A7R II, Sony A7S II, Sony A7 II, Sony A7S, Sony A7, Sony A7R
APS-C:: Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony A6700, Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10, Sony A6600, Sony A6100, Sony A6400, Sony A6500, Sony A6300, Sony A6000, Sony A5100, Sony A5000, Sony A3000, Sony NEX-5T, Sony NEX-3N, Sony NEX-6, Sony NEX-5R, Sony NEX-F3