VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM Lens
VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM (Sony) Review: A Budget-Friendly Portrait Powerhouse
The VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM lens for Sony E-mount cameras is gaining popularity among budget-conscious photographers who don’t want to sacrifice quality. Designed specifically for portrait photography, this lens delivers impressive optical performance, smooth autofocus, and a premium build at an affordable price.
As a professional photographer, I always look for gear that provides exceptional value without compromising on results. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore the features, performance, and real-world usability of the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM to determine if it deserves a spot in your camera bag.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on AmazonAt a Glance:
- Focal Length: 85mm (ideal for portraits)
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8 (excellent for low light and bokeh)
- Lens Mount: Sony E-mount
- Autofocus: STM (Stepping Motor) for smooth and silent focusing
- Optical Design: 10 elements in 7 groups
- Weight: 484g
- Filter Size: 72mm
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.8m (31.5 inches)
- Dimensions: 80mm x 92mm
Build Quality and Design
One of the standout features of the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM is its high-quality construction. Unlike many budget lenses that feel plasticky, this one has a robust metal build that gives it a premium feel. The lens mount is also metal, adding durability and ensuring a secure fit on Sony mirrorless cameras.
The design is sleek and minimalistic, with a smooth manual focus ring that provides just the right amount of resistance for fine-tuned adjustments. The 72mm filter thread is a practical touch, allowing easy use of standard filters without the need for specialized accessories. While the lens lacks official weather sealing, its solid construction suggests it can handle light outdoor shooting conditions.
Autofocus Performance
The STM stepping motor in this lens is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It delivers fast, smooth, and nearly silent autofocus, making it an excellent option for both photographers and videographers. While native Sony lenses are still slightly quicker, the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II performs exceptionally well in most portrait sessions.
In real-world usage, eye autofocus (Eye AF) works reliably, tracking faces with impressive accuracy. Low-light conditions can introduce a slight hesitation in focus acquisition, but overall, the lens performs admirably for its price. If you're shooting video, the quiet autofocus operation ensures that focusing noises won’t interfere with your audio.
Image Quality
For a budget-friendly lens, the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM delivers excellent optical performance. The center sharpness is outstanding even at wide-open f/1.8, making it a fantastic portrait lens that produces beautifully soft backgrounds with excellent subject separation.
Stopping down to f/2.8 or f/4 improves edge sharpness, making it versatile enough for general-purpose photography. The lens produces vibrant, true-to-life colors and contrast that hold up well in post-processing.
Bokeh and Background Separation
The 9-blade aperture ensures smooth, natural-looking bokeh, a crucial feature for portrait photographers. The background blur is soft and pleasing, making it easy to isolate subjects and create professional-looking portraits. This lens is an excellent choice for photographers who want a budget-friendly alternative to premium 85mm lenses.
Chromatic Aberration and Distortion
While minimal, some chromatic aberration (color fringing) can be observed in high-contrast areas. However, this is common for fast-aperture lenses and can be easily corrected in post-processing. Distortion is negligible, making it a solid choice for portraits without unwanted image warping.
Check Price on Adorama
Low Light and Aperture Performance
One of the biggest advantages of this lens is its f/1.8 aperture, which makes it a fantastic performer in low-light conditions. Whether you're shooting indoor portraits, street photography at dusk, or even low-light event photography, the lens provides excellent light-gathering ability.
The shallow depth of field at f/1.8 allows for dreamy, professional-looking portraits with beautiful subject-background separation. If you enjoy shooting wide open, this lens won’t disappoint.
Durability and Handling
At 484g, the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM is lightweight for an 85mm prime, making it easy to handle during long shoots. It balances well on Sony full-frame mirrorless bodies without feeling front-heavy.
While the lens doesn’t feature an aperture ring, many Sony shooters will find this a minor omission since aperture control can be handled in-camera. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, making manual focus adjustments a breeze for those who prefer precise control.
Competition
The VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM competes with several other portrait lenses in the budget and mid-range market. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Sony 85mm f/1.8: Sony’s version offers faster autofocus and slightly better build quality, but at a higher price. Image quality between the two is very similar.
- Samyang 85mm f/1.4 AF: A slightly faster aperture, but with less consistent autofocus and a bulkier design.
- Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN: A high-end alternative with superior optics, but at a significantly higher cost.
For those looking for the best value, the VILTROX remains one of the top choices in the budget-friendly 85mm portrait lens category.
Where to Buy the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM Lens
Ready to add the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM to your kit? Check it out here:
Final Thoughts
The VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM is a fantastic budget-friendly option for portrait photographers looking for premium image quality at an affordable price. It delivers sharp optics, smooth autofocus, and a bright f/1.8 aperture, making it one of the best third-party 85mm primes for Sony shooters.
While it lacks weather sealing and the autofocus isn’t quite as fast as native Sony lenses, it more than makes up for these minor shortcomings with sheer performance and value. If you're a portrait photographer, videographer, or simply want an affordable 85mm prime, the VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM is highly recommended.