p.1 #1 · Head to head comparison of the Viltrox 85mm and the Nikon Z85/1.8S?
Anybody?
My main use for an 85 is street and portraiture. Obviously, the 85S is already an excellent choice, and I've come close to pulling the trigger on one a couple of times. But I know it's a focal that historically has spent a lot of time sitting and not being used.
Hence, I am really curious how the Viltrox stacks up against the native Z 85. Half the price is attractive for the amount I actually want an 85 prime. Initial images look pretty compelling, but I've yet to see side-by-side comps. Of primary interest to me are resolution, falloff --both transmission and resolution-- and bokeh, especially in the f1.8 through f4 regions.
Secondarily, size and weight matter too, and Nikon is already ahead a little here and hence my caution* -- normally I'd just buy both and compare them myself and then sell off the loser. This time, I'm trying to be more efficient
*Re size and weight, I'd regularly leave my Nikon 85/1.4 out of the bag more often than not because of it... Plus --and perhaps ironically-- back in my Canon days I used the 85/1.8 more than the 85/1.2 simply due to size and weight in the bag -- even having both choices and the 1.8 being optically inferior, it still rendered people pleasantly and took up hardly any room in the bag, and so was actually at hand when I wanted it.
p.1 #2 · Head to head comparison of the Viltrox 85mm and the Nikon Z85/1.8S?
I don’t know of any comparisons, and honestly I’m surprised we haven’t seen any yet. It would seem like great content for any of those you tubers looking for another topic for the next episode. I bet we won’t have to wait too much longer.
I own the Viltrox and for me, it wasn’t much of a debate. I use 85mm only occasionally, and saving $400 on a lens that is very well reviewed on Sony and Fuji platforms and that looked very good in initial impressions on Nikon was a no brainer. And so far, I’m really pleased with the results.
I will say, though, that it is a bit of a chunky lens. It’s big, with a wide barrel and a heavy, metal construction. It gives it a solid, high quality feel, but if you intend to carry it around for street shooting, you might prefer the native lens. And if 85mm is a favorite or a go-to focal length for you, than the extra $400 might be worth it to you.
But for me, the Viltrox at a 50% discount has been a great option. And we’re lucky to have the third parties starting to show up for us, to give us more options.
p.1 #3 · Head to head comparison of the Viltrox 85mm and the Nikon Z85/1.8S?
Thanks for those comments KR. Like you, I'll only use it occasionally, but then weight is a consideration -- I know historically I won't carry a heavy lens I don't plan to use much. So perhaps the Nikon is a more logical option even though it's 2x the cost -- that's really my rub point. If the Viltrox were the same weight, I'd already have it .
p.1 #6 · Head to head comparison of the Viltrox 85mm and the Nikon Z85/1.8S?
Yeah, I just looked up the specs and the Nikkor is 470g vs the Viltrox at 540g, so not actually a big difference.
I'll find some pics to post. Have had the lens for only a month and have mostly been taking pics of my 10 year old, which I probably don't want to post on the internets.
p.1 #11 · Head to head comparison of the Viltrox 85mm and the Nikon Z85/1.8S?
ArizonaImage wrote:
I'm debating getting this vs 50mm 1.8 S
IMHO, I would go for the 50/1.8 first unless you absolutely KNOW you will use an 85 more than a 50. The Z 50 lenses are quite simply stunning performers. The 50/1.8S is easily the best 50 I have ever owned or tested, and that includes most of the best offerings from Zeiss and Leica, not to mention Nikon F mount, Canon EF or Sigma's ART...
p.1 #12 · Head to head comparison of the Viltrox 85mm and the Nikon Z85/1.8S?
So I have also found a reference where the Viltrox is actually an f1.6 lens -- which makes sense due to its larger overall diameter, especially the front element. Moreover, there is now a Sony version FW update that converts the lens to a full f1.6 lens(!) Granted, it's only a 1/3rd stop gain, but hey, if it's there why not utilize it?
p.1 #13 · Head to head comparison of the Viltrox 85mm and the Nikon Z85/1.8S?
gear-nut wrote:
IMHO, I would go for the 50/1.8 first unless you absolutely KNOW you will use an 85 more than a 50. The Z 50 lenses are quite simply stunning performers. The 50/1.8S is easily the best 50 I have ever owned or tested, and that includes most of the best offerings from Zeiss and Leica, not to mention Nikon F mount, Canon EF or Sigma's ART...
I think the last two lenses I will want/need is the 50mm 1.8 Z and 14-30. They're small, high, and perform phenomenally
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