Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air
Announced December 9, 2024
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air is a compact, affordable prime lens that delivers impressive sharpness and optical performance for its price. Although it lacks professional features like weather sealing or physical controls, it remains a highly capable tool for street and portrait photography.
Weighted from 10 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent center sharpness and overall optical clarity
- Fast, quiet, and reliable autofocus performance
- Pleasing bokeh and subject separation
- Extremely lightweight and portable design
- High value for the price
Cons
- Lack of weather sealing and physical control switches
- Noticeable vignetting and corner softness at wider apertures
- Flimsy or poorly designed lens hood
- Pronounced flaring and ghosting in bright light
- Plastic construction quality
- Launch price $159 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 35mm f/1.7
- Mount & coverage Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X APS-C
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 33 cm (0.13x)
- Filter thread 52mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 170g (6 oz) · 64 x 54.7 mm (2.52 x 2.15 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 10 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
-
Now, with the Viltrox, you do get the f1.7, but you also get what I think to be a lens that is overall everything considered, all of the apertures, equal to or perhaps even slightly sharper than the Fujifilm 35mm.
-
So if you are looking at buying a 35mm lens for your APS-C camera, this Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air would be a lens that I can highly recommend to you.
-
For now though, I really can't see any good reason, especially if budget is a concern, not to add this lens to your Fujifilm kit.
-
I would have to absolutely recommend it because there's really not much to complain about with this lens at all. Really, I think it's a great product from Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air at a fantastic price.
-
This is wide open at 1.7 on the Nikon Z50; looks like a pretty decent separation between the subject and the background shooting wide open at f/1.7, and that's why you get a fast lens, either for low light or for separation, and this lens can do both.
-
It's not difficult with this lens to achieve good-looking results, but it is somehow more rewarding than doing the same with a lens that does the same and cost four to five times more. I like it and I do recommend it and this is it from me.
- Thomas Fransson 9/10
It kind of feels like Viltrox has caught up with the big boys, even with these more affordable Air series lenses that seems to be over-delivering in almost every category.
-
I think the Viltrox AF 35 mil F 1.7 lens is a no-brainer, especially those who want an excellent prime lens to couple with maybe the new Fuji XM5 or one of the more entry-level cameras.
-
The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air has joined the Viltrox ultra-budget lens lineup, and I think once again they knocked it out of the park when you compare the price-to-performance ratio of this guy, tiny little lightweight lens.
-
It performs incredibly well for the price and it's the best sub $200 lens I've ever tested.
