Viltrox AF 35mm F1.8 Z

Reviewers found decent centre sharpness at f/1.8 that sharpens by f/2.8, with softer corners until f/4 to f/5.6. Longitudinal colour fringing and vignetting are visible wide open, and bokeh is pleasant but can turn busy with complex backgrounds.

AF with Eye detection works reliably for stills but is slower and audibly busier than Nikon's 35mm f/1.8 S, and early firmware needed updates for continuous AF on Z bodies. Reviewers rated the build highly for the price but found it optically a step behind the Nikkor.

Owners mostly praise the value, the solid metal feel and the aperture ring, and many use it as an everyday street and family lens on Z5, Z6 and Zf bodies.

Recurring complaints are AF hunting in dim light, purple fringing on backlit edges, and the need for firmware updates before AF behaved properly on newer bodies. Some find it long for a 35mm f/1.8.