APS-C Camera Users Have Something Exciting Coming From Viltrox

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If you’re a portrait photographer using an APS-C Sony, Nikon or Fujifilm camera, then there’s something to really look forward to. Viltrox has just announced two lenses aimed squarely at those specializing in portraits and headshots, with the release of their 75mm F1.8 EVO and 90mm F2.2 EVO autofocus lenses. The clincher for most will be the extremely affordable price points.

Person in a brown leather jacket holding a Fujifilm X-T5 camera with both hands.

Today Viltrox announces the launch of two very portable and affordable portrait lenses, the AF 75mm F1.8 EVO & AF 90mm F2.2 models that are available in E, Z and XF mounts. Built for APS-C crop sensor cameras, the two lenses are lightweight and compact, and incorporate new lens designs as informed to us by Viltrox.

Both lenses are priced attractively enough to help those wanting to get into portrait photography to be able to take their first steps in this rewarding genre. From the sample images shared by Viltrox, these look like they can provide some serious optical performance without the price tag of first-party glass.

Also an appealing factor is the fact that there are proper physical controls on these lenses. The low price tag hasn’t meant that Viltrox has skipped on these and produce plain looking barrel bodies. Both models have click/de-click options for the physical aperture ring, an AF/MF switch, and a customizable Fn button. Unfortunately, these are limited to the Sony and Nikon versions only, with all three being left out on the Fujifilm XF versions for some reason.

Viltrox 75mm F1.8 EVO – When Light and Speed Matter

Person holding a Fujifilm camera outdoors with green plants in the background. — Supplied promo photo of the Viltrox 75mm F1.8 lens

With a 112.5mm full-frame equivalent focal length, the smaller of the two new lenses is still a bit more tighter than the traditional 85mm portrait frame, but has the faster 1.8 maximum aperture. This also makes it more capable in low lighting conditions, and provides that extra little bit of bokeh. Some of you will also appreciate the fact that you can shoot at slightly lower ISO values, but hey with modern APS-C cameras being so good at noise control these days, it might be less of an issue. Optically there are 11 elements in 9 groups, with 2 high-refractive index elements and 2 ED low-dispersion elements. You can clearly see the effectiveness of these elements in the samples provided below, showcasing very good sharpness.

A woman with wavy brown hair and green eyes smiles softly, wearing a red top.

Woman in vintage outfit stands in a phone booth, holding a newspaper and talking on the phone.

Woman in a red top sits on a bench, holding a paper cup to her face, looking thoughtfully at the camera.

Young woman with long wavy hair in a red top holding books and magazines, standing indoors.

Woman in a red top and shorts stands in a subway doorway holding books and a laptop, looking thoughtful.

Viltrox 90mm F2.2 EVO – Character and Reach

A woman with blonde hair holds a camera up to her eye, preparing to take a photo outdoors.

The second model reaches a bit more aggressively tight frame of 135mm (full-frame equivalent). The extra reach compresses the background much more, creating visibly better background separation. The narrower field also encourages you to compose more strongly with careful consideration to the subject and the background. The f2.2 aperture is a third of a stop slower than the 75mm but is also more than capable of producing beautiful bokeh. The 10 elements in 8 groups construction (also featuring 2 HR and 2 ED elements) is optimized for the same edge-to-edge sharpness philosophy. It also has the same 0.74cm (29 in) close focus capabilities. If the cinematic compression of a longer focal length appeals to you, this one would be your choice.

Woman in a white blouse and black skirt holding coffee, books, and bags, walking by a traffic light.

Young woman with red lipstick, white shirt, and gold earrings gazes at camera with hand resting on chin.

Woman with red lipstick and gold earrings wearing a white shirt, looking at the camera with a serious expression.

Woman in white blouse and brown skirt with tan bag, leaning outdoors, looking at the camera, trees in background.

Woman in a white shirt with a patterned tote bag walks up steps, holding a rolled-up newspaper.

Woman in white shirt and brown skirt reading a newspaper while leaning against a black wall outdoors.

A woman in a red top and gray shorts stands in the doorway of a subway train.

Smiling woman in a straw hat waters plants in a garden with a hose on a sunny day.

Smiling woman in a straw hat watering plants outside, sunlight shining behind her.

Young woman gazing upward in a garden with flowers and greenery, sunlight shining through leaves.

Young woman smiling in a sunlit garden, surrounded by green leaves and soft, natural light.

Affordability and Quality

Fashion photography and portraiture are exciting genres to new photographers but many often find the costs of good lenses prohibitive. Viltrox delivers well on this front, offering two good looking and quality producing lenses at very pocket-friendly prices. Natural light shooters might opt for the Viltrox 75mm f1.8 EVO for the extra light it offers, while those often in controlled studio lighting environments who prefer the longer focal range and associated tele compression will opt for the Viltrox 90mm f2.2 EVO.

Images seen in this article were provided for use by our Viltrox reps

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