We review the insane Viltrox EPIC 75mm T2.0 1.33x Anamorphic Lens

On By Littum

The Viltrox EPIC 75mm T2.0 1.33x Anamorphic Lens is part of a trio of Viltrox Cine lenses that includes a 35mm and 50mm. In terms of build quality, image quality and performance, does this lens live up to its “Epic” name? Let’s find out.

In addition to this written review, I have attached my YouTube video because it contains lots of footage from 75mm. I was able to use the lens for a number of shoots and tested it with two of my colleagues who are incredible videographers, Danh Nguyen photography out of Boston, and Will Meade from Pineapple Shirt Productions located in New York. In this print review I have added some still images taken Viltrox EPIC 75mmbut more on that a little later.

When I was tasked with reviewing the Viltrox 75mm EPIC T2.0 Anamorphic lens, I honestly had no idea what to expect. In fact, this lens happens to be the first anamorphic lens I ever used. But when a large box arrived with a heavy-duty hard-shell case, I knew I had received something not only high-end, but also very special.

To be clear, I am first and foremost a portrait photographer, so I immediately wondered what kind of stills the Viltrox 75mm would reproduce. So I made sure to take some stills in addition to video, which of course this lens is really designed for.

Build quality and handling

The build quality of the Viltrox EPIC 75mm is unlike any I have used before. The entire lens is metal and it is quite heavy. It’s clear from the moment you take it out of the case that it’s designed for the highest demands of professionals and made to take a beating. It’s built incredibly well, and although it can be used with a focus-pull system, I was able to control it handheld on a Sony a7R V. I’d like to say this was easy, but it was actually a challenge, especially when I created a smoky film scene in my studio. While it’s a little hard to manually focus and expose the Viltrox while holding it in your hand, it was also a lot of fun and forced me to slow down and take my time.

The task of using this lens is made slightly more difficult because the Viltrox 75mm has a 1.33x horizontal squeeze, which means that when the lens is mounted on a standard mirrorless camera like the a7R V, the image will appear squeezed horizontally. The footage can be shot in its proper 2.35 de-squeezed aspect ratio via an external monitor (the best way to use a lens like this), but since I was hand-holding it for the majority of my shooting, I didn’t want to add it extra weight of a screen and just chose to deal with the distorted image on my LCD screen. However, my colleague Will used 75mm with a screen and a tripod, which made the whole affair seamless. Once the recordings or images are imported, they need to be squeezed out. Doing this is a fairly simple matter, and once done, the footage stretches to its correct aspect ratio and takes on its full cinematic glory. And it is wonderful.

Image quality

The images and video produced by the Viltrox 75mm EPIC lens are exceptional and certainly live up to their name. As I mentioned, I was really interested in creating cinematic portraits and the 75mm did not disappoint. The first photo I took was the self-portrait above, and in this photo I made sure to point a Fresnel light directly at the lens to take advantage of its unique lens flare. Next, I did a shoot with Justin, a Broadway actor, and created a smoky set for the shots. The still images have a 3-dimensional quality to them, as well as a very lifelike and natural look, which I found to be different from a standard mirrorless lens. One feature of anamorphic lenses that I really enjoyed for both stills and video is the flare, which is not circular but instead projects a horizontal bar across the image. The bokeh is also subtle and the transition from the subject to the background is very natural looking. As with the build quality of the lens, I found very little to criticize about the 75mm EPIC lens, as did my colleagues who used it with me in my studio.

Thoughts from some professionals

As I mentioned, I was able to test the Viltrox 75mm with two of my colleagues who happen to be world-class videographers, so I wanted to get their thoughts as well. Videographer Danh Nguyen sums it up incredibly well, so I’ll quote him here.

As a professional photographer who spends a lot of time experimenting with gear, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Viltrox 75mm T2.0 1.33x Anamorphic Lens – and wow, it did not disappoint.

First, this lens is a beast – literally. At 2,040g (4.5 pounds), it’s almost comically heavy compared to something like the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2, which comes in at a very manageable 479g (just over 1 pound). Are you keeping Viltrox for the long haul? Let’s just say you want a sturdy tripod or some serious arm strength. That said, that weight has a purpose – this lens is built like a tank, top to bottom. Every inch of it screams quality and durability, and you can feel the craftsmanship in your hands.

The quality is truly next level. The bokeh is stunningly beautiful, soft and natural with the characteristic oval bokeh balls that anamorphic lenses are known for. It’s razor sharp at T2.0, but somehow still retains that lovely cinematic softness in the background. The blue flares are another highlight – they give each image a beautiful, cinematic aesthetic that makes your work look like it belongs on the big screen.

Overall, I love this lens. It’s not perfect for every situation – it’s heavy and there’s the initial adjustment of the anamorphic workflow – but if you’re looking for a lens that delivers unrivaled image quality with a cinematic edge, the Viltrox 75mm T2.0 is definitely worth the investment .

My other colleague Will had similar thoughts about the image and build quality, adding that for him the 75mm focal length and minimum focus distance were a bit long. I tend to agree with him there, as the 50mm or 35mm would be a better all-around lens, but of course buying the whole kit is really the best way to go if your budget allows.

Conclusion

Viltrox continues to raise the bar with their lenses and with the Epic 75mm T2.0 Anamorphic Lens they have thrown down the gauntlet. It packs quite a punch in terms of quality, and at $3,199 it’s certainly not cheap, but represents a value compared to many anamorphic lenses that can easily cost five figures. As I mentioned, 75mm is one third of one trio of EPIC primeswhich can be purchased together as a set or individually, with a 35mm and 50mm being the other focal lengths in the current EPIC line. Finally, for what it’s worth, I’ll add that this was the most interesting and downright fun lens I’ve used so far, and I was incredibly happy to use the Viltrox 75mm to create a number of very cool portraits as well videos.

What I like

  • Incredible image quality
  • “Tank-like” build quality
  • Beautiful bokeh and flare

What I didn’t like

Specifications

  • Focal length: 75 mm
  • Maximum Aperture: T2
  • Lens mounting: Sony E
  • Lens format coverage: Full frame
  • Filter thread: No
  • Image stabilization: No
  • Electronic communication: No
  • Horizontal clamp (anamorphic): 1.33x
  • Image Circle: Not specified by the manufacturer
  • Viewing angle (full image):
    • Horizontal: 35.3°
    • Diagonal: 39.4°
  • Focus Scales: Imperial
  • Optical design: 18 elements in 13 groups
  • Diaphragm leaves: 8
  • Gear Standard: 0.8 MOD / 32 Pitch
  • Gear rotation:
  • Diameter (front): 3.7″ / 95 mm
  • Weight: 2,040 g

Get a Viltrox 75mm EPIC Anamorphic lens here.