Viltrox AF 35mm F1.8 EVO Z
Launch MSRP
$395- Weight
- 375g
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Min focus
- 0.34m
- Max mag.
- 0.15×
- Formula
- 13E / 10G
- Released
- 2026
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x UA
- 2x ED
- 3x HR
- Water & Smudge Resistant Coating
- Aperture range
- f/1.8 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 375g
- ⌀ × length
- 69.0 × 78.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes · de-click
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.5 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.34m
- Max magnification
- 0.15× (1:6.7)
Optical character
A new optical design that replaces Viltrox's 2021 AF 35mm F1.8 Z, built to apochromatic (APO) standards to suppress colour fringing at f/1.8. Thirteen elements in ten groups include an ultra-precision aspherical element, two ED and three high-refractive elements, and focus reaches 0.34m.
It shares the EVO-series body with the 55mm F1.8: 375g in Z mount, 58mm filters, a metal barrel with an aperture ring and de-click switch, an AF/MF switch and an Fn button. The mount is gasketed, the front element is water- and smudge-resistant, and a lead-screw STM motor drives focus.
Reviewer consensus
Few independent lab tests were available when this record was written. Viltrox's own MTF chart shows high, flat contrast at f/1.8 with a gradual fall-off toward the corners, and early hands-on coverage focused on its APO claim and its controls at a mid-range price.
By analogy with the 55mm F1.8 EVO, which shares its motor and build and was tested on Nikon Z, expect accurate and quiet AF of only average speed, noticeable focus breathing and clear vignetting wide open. These points should be confirmed against full reviews.
Owner sentiment
Owner feedback was still thin when this record was written, so treat this section as provisional. Early Nikon owners praise the compact, solid build, the clicky aperture ring and sharpness at f/1.8, and note that vignetting is easy to correct in NX Studio.
The main reservation is AF speed with fast-moving subjects, and buyers weigh the $395 price against Nikon's own Z 35mm f/1.8 S and Z 35mm f/1.4.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +APO design for low colour fringing
- +Aperture ring with de-click, AF/MF switch, Fn button
- +Compact 375g metal body
- +0.34m close focus (0.15x)
- +58mm filters
Weaknesses
- −STM AF not suited to fast action
- −Sealing limited to a mount gasket
- −Pricier than the original Viltrox 35mm F1.8
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.6
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.8
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.5
- Flare Resistance
- 7.5
- Build / Sealing
- 8.0
- Value / Size
- 8.6
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups |
| Special elements | 1x UA · 2x ED · 3x HR · Water & Smudge Resistant Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM (Lead Screw) |
| Minimum focus | 0.34m |
| Max magnification | 0.15× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 375g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 69.0 × 78.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀58mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | Yes |
| Release year | 2026 |
| Launch MSRP | $395 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- viltrox.com/products/af-35mm-f1-8-z
- viltrox.com/products/af-35mm-f1-8-z.json
- nikonrumors.com/2026/04/20/announced-and-available-for-order-viltrox-35mm-f
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 35mm F1.8 EVO Z vs 35mm F1.4 III (Nikon Z)
- VSAF 35mm F1.8 EVO Z vs 35mm F5.6 Pancake (Nikon Z)
- VSAF 35mm F1.8 EVO Z vs AF 35mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
- 7Artisans
35mm F1.4 III (Nikon Z)
35mmF1.4- WT
- 274g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.33m
- MSRP
- $189
MFRING·DC - 7Artisans
35mm F5.6 Pancake (Nikon Z)
35mmF5.6- WT
- 154g
- FLT
- —
- MFD
- 0.30m
- MSRP
- $139
MF - 7Artisans
AF 35mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
35mmF1.8- WT
- 426g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
- $299
AFWRRING·DC
