Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 Air APS-C Lens for Nikon Z Mount

Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 Air APS-C Lens for Nikon Z Mount Summary

The Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 Air APS-C Lens for Nikon Z Mount combines fast autofocus, a bright f/1.7 aperture and great optical performance for Nikon’s DX format mirrorless Z cameras. As part of Viltrox’s lightweight Air Series, this compact prime lens offers surprisingly good image quality in a highly portable size, which is a great choice for beginners and more experienced photographers who want an affordable and versatile everyday lens.

With a 38mm full-frame equivalent field of view, this lens captures a slightly wide yet natural perspective, ideal for street photography, lifestyle portraits, and creative video content. Its STM autofocus motor ensures precise, smooth, and near-silent focusing, with support for face and eye detection on compatible Nikon Z cameras.

Weighing in at a mere 170g, this ultra-light prime is perfect for all day shooting, while its 9-blade aperture produces smooth, natural bokeh and beautiful background separation. Whether shooting in low light, capturing everyday shots, or recording video content, the AF 25mm f/1.7 Air provides impressive image quality at an accessible price.

AF 25mm F1.7 Air series Key Features

• Compact and lightweight for everyday photography and travel
• 38mm equivalent focal length for street, portrait, and general photography
• Fast and precise autofocus with a silent STM motor
• Bright f/1.7 aperture for low-light shooting and shallow depth of field
• 9-blade aperture creates smooth, circular bokeh
• High-quality optics with extra-low dispersion, high-refractive index, and aspherical elements
• Minimum focus distance of 0.3m
• Optimised for video, with minimal focus breathing and smooth focus transitions
• Durable metal mount
• USB-C port for easy firmware updates

Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 Air APS-C Lens for Nikon Z Mount in More Detail

Fast and Reliable Autofocus

The Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 features a silent STM motor, for quick and precise autofocus when shooting both stills and video. The autofocus ensures sharp results without hunting for the subjects, and supports face and eye detection autofocus (on compatible cameras), enhancing portrait photography and video recording by keeping subjects in crisp focus.

Versatile 38mm Equivalent Field of View

The 25mm focal length (equivalent to 38mm on full-frame) provides a balanced perspective, which is wide enough for environmental shots, but natural enough for portraits and everyday general photography. This focal length is ideal for street photography, travel, interiors, and even group portraits, offering a versatile alternative to standard primes.

Compact and Lightweight

Weighing a mere 170g this prime lens is effortlessly portable. It is made with specialised lightweight materials, in order to provide a comfortable, low-profile shooting experience. Its pocketable size makes it easy to carry anywhere, and the compact design ensures a well-balanced feel on smaller APS-C cameras, which is ideal for handheld shooting.

Bright f/1.7 Aperture

The fast and bright f/1.7 maximum aperture offers excellent low-light performance, which is perfect for dimly lit environments where you won’t need to raise the camera ISO unnecessarily. A 9-blade diaphragm also creates smooth, natural bokeh, helping your subjects to stand out in the frame, with pleasing bokeh and soft background blur.

Sharp Optical Performance

Despite its affordability, the Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 includes a high-quality optical formula including:

• 1 extra-low dispersion (ED) element to minimise chromatic aberration and enhance clarity.
• 2 high-refractive index elements to improve contrast and detail.
• 2 aspherical elements for edge-to-edge sharpness and minimal distortion.
• HD nano multi-layer coating to reduce reflections, flare, and ghosting.

This combination delivers sharp details, vibrant colours, and natural contrast, ensuring high-quality results in a broad range of lighting conditions.

Close-Up Shooting with a 0.3m Minimum Focus Distance

With a minimum focus distance of 0.3m, the AF 25mm f/1.7 from Viltrox allows for great close-up shots, capturing small objects, food, or texture with clarity. This is perfect for creative compositions, whether shooting flat lays, documentary-style images, or portraits.

Optimised for Video

This Nikon Z mirrorless lens delivers smooth, stable focus transitions with minimal focus breathing, ensuring a more immersive cinematic experience for your viewers. It also supports in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) on compatible cameras, helping to keep handheld footage more steady. The lightweight design further enhances gimbal compatibility, and this prime lens is a great option for run-and-gun video shooters and vloggers.

Practical Features and Build Quality

• Upgraded lotus-shaped lens hood for better protection against stray light
• Fluorine-coated front element repels dust, water, and smudges for easier cleaning
• EXIF information transmission allows camera metadata recording
• Standard 52mm filter thread supports a variety of lens filters
• Durable metal lens mount ensures secure attachment and long-term reliability
• USB-C firmware upgrade port allows for future performance enhancements

What’s in the box

• Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 Air APS-C Lens for Nikon Z Mount
• Lens caps
• Upgraded lotus-shaped lens hood

Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 Lens Specifications