Why I Finally Fell for a Portrait Lens
The Viltrox 85mm F1.4 Pro FE Changed Everything
Boudoir with Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 AF Pro E mount by Yuliya Panchenko.
I’ll be honest with you—I’ve never been a “portrait lens” girl.
In my boudoir work, I’ve always gravitated toward full-body storytelling, and for that, I lived on the flexibility of zoom lenses. My go-to trifecta? The 24-70mm, and of course, 50mm prime for when I wanted a little extra intimacy in the frame. Those lenses gave me room to move, to dance with my subject, and to capture the body as art. But then came the shocker: the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE.
And suddenly, I found myself saying something I never thought I would: I love a portrait lens.
The First 85mm That Changed My Mind
Let me tell you what got me: it’s not just the fact that this lens is sharp (which it absolutely is), it’s how it makes the image feel. The F1.4 aperture gives me that creamy, dreamy bokeh—the kind that feels like the subject has a perfect smooth skin, while keeping the eyes tack sharp. In boudoir photography, especially with clients who prefer a more natural, unedited look, this lens does something magical. It smooths skin without needing retouching. That glow? That softness? It’s all happening in-camera. That alone sold me.
From Full-Body to Soulful Close-Ups
I never used to shoot tight. I preferred wide frames that celebrated the entire body and space around it. But this 85mm opened a new creative door. It invited me to step closer, to slow down, and to celebrate the quiet emotion of a gaze, the softness of skin in golden light, the subtle intimacy of a shoulder exposed.
It doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my full-body aesthetic—I still shoot wide. But now, I incorporate intentional portrait moments into my boudoir sessions. That’s something I never used to do.
Boudoir with Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 AF Pro E mount by Yuliya Panchenko.
Fast, Sharp, and Surprisingly Affordable
The Viltrox AF 85/1.4 isn’t just beautiful—it’s smart. The autofocus is shockingly fast and accurate, tracking the eye like it’s reading my mind. And did I mention it’s silent? That makes a world of difference when I’m filming behind-the-scenes footage or capturing video portraits. And here’s the kicker: I’m not a Sony shooter. I primarily use Nikon (currently the Nikon Z8), but when I saw this lens come out exclusively for Sony... I made the switch. Yup—I picked up a Sony body just to get this lens on my camera.
That’s how impressed I was.
Looking Ahead: More Viltrox in My Future
After this experience, I’m not just a fan—I’m a convert. I’m now planning to invest in more Viltrox lenses for both my Nikon Z system and Sony mirrorless setup (which I mainly use for video production). If this is what their first Pro Series lens delivers, I’m beyond excited to see what comes next.
So if you’re like me—if you’ve stayed away from portrait primes because they felt limiting or too “traditional”—I encourage you to try the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE for under $600.
It might just surprise you like it did me.
From full-body art to close-up emotion, this lens gave me the creative permission to explore portraits without losing my voice. And that, my friends, is why I’m keeping it in my bag.
Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 AF Pro E mount.
What do you think about this lens? 📝