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Archive 2022 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

byteseller
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

Wondering if anyone out there has tried using Viltrox lenses (Z mount) for infrared photography - this is for use on a modified camera with a theUV/IR cut lens removed. If so, curious about hot spots, sharpness and overall quality.

Particularly interested in APS-C:
13mm f1.4
33mm f1.4
23mm f1.4

Thanks

Edited on Jun 09, 2023 at 03:18 PM · View previous versions

Dec 11, 2022 at 04:09 PM

ksmmike
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

I have not tried any of those but with my limited experience with IR and wide-angle lenses, they don't lose hot spots until at least F5.6 and really F8 with the Nikon 20mm Z lens. I can't imagine the Viltrox being any better.

Even the Nikon 24-120 Z has hot spots until you get closer to 50mm at F8. The 50MM Z lens is great lens for IR. It's my go to IR lens for a Nikon Z series body. I use the Z7II and Z50, one is converted the other I use a filter.

I'm not a lens expert but I have to assume it has to do with the coatings on each lens.

I can't say for certain but I'm not sure those lenses would work for IR, but I don't know but my experience with better made lenses would tell me I wouldn't bet on them being good for IR.

I've tried many of the new lenses for Nikon Z series and IMHO the Nikon Z 50mm is far and away the best lens for IR with limited hot spots even at F2.8 and sharp. The 24-120 would be 2nd choice but not till about 40mm.

Mike

Dec 13, 2022 at 09:43 AM

guyharrison
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

That's surprising about the 24-120 as the F mount version of that lens is an excellent IR performer. If you were shooting full frame I would recommend that lens on the FTZ.

Go to the Kolarivsion website and look up their lens hotspot database.

Dec 13, 2022 at 10:35 AM

CVickery
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

ksmmike wrote:
I have not tried any of those but with my limited experience with IR and wide-angle lenses, they don't lose hot spots until at least F5.6 and really F8 with the Nikon 20mm Z lens. I can't imagine the Viltrox being any better.

Even the Nikon 24-120 Z has hot spots until you get closer to 50mm at F8. The 50MM Z lens is great lens for IR. It's my go to IR lens for a Nikon Z series body. I use the Z7II and Z50, one is converted the other I use a filter.

I'm not a lens expert but I...Show more →

Which Z 50mm lens are you referring to here Mike? The 50/1.8, 50/2.8 Macro, or the 50/1.2?

Dec 13, 2022 at 11:14 AM

runamuck
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

FB has IR groups that are far more active. Ask there. Older lenses often are better for IR than modern lenses.

Dec 13, 2022 at 04:41 PM

ksmmike
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

I was referring to the 50mm F1.8 Z lens. I did try the 105 F2.8 macro Z lens with some success. Of all the Z and S lenses that I've tried, I think the 50 1.8 holds up the best. As runamcuk stated, from what I've read some older lenses do hold up better. I have an old Nikon 135 F3.5 AI lens that I think I'm going to try next. I've sold off most of my older lenses after going to mirrorless. I didn't try IR until after switching or I would've held on to a few of my vintage lenses.

Mike

Dec 14, 2022 at 09:04 AM

ksmmike
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

guyharrison wrote:
That's surprising about the 24-120 as the F mount version of that lens is an excellent IR performer. If you were shooting full frame I would recommend that lens on the FTZ.

Go to the Kolarivsion website and look up their lens hotspot database.

Thanks Guy. Yes, I looked at that site before I even bought the camera. I was deciding on a converted camera or using the Hoya filter. At 7200, which is what my converted camera is, I didn't see much of a difference if any between a converted camera or the Hoya filter. Having the converted camera of course is easier because the shutter speeds are so much faster than the filter.

Originally, my thought was to use it mainly to get a black and white image with more contrast, but I'm enjoying the pinks and blues you can get as well. Like straight photography, the time of day and the sky effects IR a great deal, even B&W.

Mike

Dec 14, 2022 at 09:10 AM

runamuck
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

ksmmike wrote:
Thanks Guy. Yes, I looked at that site before I even bought the camera. I was deciding on a converted camera or using the Hoya filter. At 7200, which is what my converted camera is, I didn't see much of a difference if any between a converted camera or the Hoya filter. Having the converted camera of course is easier because the shutter speeds are so much faster than the filter.

Originally, my thought was to use it mainly to get a black and white image with more contrast, but I'm enjoying the pinks and blues you can get as well....Show more →

The difference is focus, put filter on and take photo. Remove filter and repeat for each photo. Gets real old real quick. You are working against a very efficient IR blocking filter on the sensor. Exposure times on my D80 were 20 minutes and noise so bad it was unusable. It took two shots to convince me converted is the way to go.

Dec 14, 2022 at 03:46 PM

kwalsh
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

runamuck wrote:
The difference is focus, put filter on and take photo. Remove filter and repeat for each photo. Gets real old real quick. You are working against a very efficient IR blocking filter on the sensor. Exposure times on my D80 were 20 minutes and noise so bad it was unusable. It took two shots to convince me converted is the way to go.

Yep, almost all interchangeable lens cameras of the past decade have extremely strong IR cut filters in them making it very frustrating - if not pointless - to shoot IR with them unmodified. Back in the early days of digital photography there were a number of cameras with weak IR cut filters and with those you might end up with reasonable exposure times without modification.

Dec 14, 2022 at 06:31 PM

byteseller
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

Too bad about FB... I committed FB suicide long ago :-(

You are absolutely right about older lenses. Earlier in this thread there was a reply about how one could expect the newer and more modern lenses to be much better than a Viltrox in IR. Ironically performance in visible light (what most most modern lenses excel at), does not translate to performance in IR. My current go to lens for IR on my Z50 is the "lowly" Nikon 18-55mm AF-P VR, hot spot performance is very good, although sharpness could be better. I'm looking at the Viltrox 23mm for the ability to still get good performance but with increased sharpness and (rare need) for better shallow DoF.

Lacking FB I'll post this same message in the Sony and Fuji forums to see if anyone there has any experience with the Viltrox lenses in IR.

runamuck wrote:
FB has IR groups that are far more active. Ask there. Older lenses often are better for IR than modern lenses.

Dec 15, 2022 at 11:45 AM

runamuck
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

byteseller wrote:
Too bad about FB... I committed FB suicide long ago :-(

You are absolutely right about older lenses. Earlier in this thread there was a reply about how one could expect the newer and more modern lenses to be much better than a Viltrox in IR. Ironically performance in visible light (what most most modern lenses excel at), does not translate to performance in IR. My current go to lens for IR on my Z50 is the "lowly" Nikon 18-55mm AF-P VR, hot spot performance is very good, although sharpness could be better. I'm looking at the Viltrox 23mm for the...Show more →
I posted the questin on fb. Z cameras are rarely used for IR I have never seen a Viltrox lens mentioned.

Dec 15, 2022 at 02:43 PM

byteseller
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

Gonna bring this discussion back to life in case someone has tried these lenses for IR recently.

Mar 01, 2023 at 04:24 PM

pwschladen
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

byteseller wrote:
Too bad about FB... I committed FB suicide long ago :-(

You are absolutely right about older lenses. Earlier in this thread there was a reply about how one could expect the newer and more modern lenses to be much better than a Viltrox in IR. Ironically performance in visible light (what most most modern lenses excel at), does not translate to performance in IR. My current go to lens for IR on my Z50 is the "lowly" Nikon 18-55mm AF-P VR, hot spot performance is very good, although sharpness could be better. I'm looking at the Viltrox 23mm for the...Show more →

I am always on the brink of “defacing” myself. There are a handful of groups I would miss though, in particular a neighbourhood community group, plus a few sailing groups, mostly yacht design related. I post nothing on my personal page.

Mar 02, 2023 at 09:33 AM

byteseller
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

Swinging by this topic again in case anyone has tested out this scenario.

Jun 09, 2023 at 11:23 AM

kaplah
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

kwalsh wrote:
Yep, almost all interchangeable lens cameras of the past decade have extremely strong IR cut filters in them making it very frustrating - if not pointless - to shoot IR with them unmodified.
Difficult to focus even in live view; long exposures (30s+) in full sunlight. So agreed.

Jun 09, 2023 at 01:17 PM

byteseller
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

I should have been clearer... this is for use in a modified Nikon Z50, so none of these will be an issue. I full sunlight I get shutter speeds fairly comparable to visible light. I am interested in if anyone has tried a Viltrox lens on a SIMILAR CAMERA. I am interested in info regarding hotspots, sharpness and contrast.

and YES - you'd have to be insane to shoot on any digital camera made in the last 15 yeas without it being modified.

kaplah wrote:
Difficult to focus even in live view; long exposures (30s+) in full sunlight. So agreed.

Jun 09, 2023 at 03:15 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Viltrox Z-Mount Lenses for Infrared (IR)

My D70 was useable with a 720 filter. It doubled shutter speeds in daylight but that was easy. From 1/8 to 1/4 second was okay. My Sigma 15 and Tokina 10-17 are good in IR. The old Sigma 50--150 VR is also good. I often use the Sigma 17-50 in IR.

Jun 09, 2023 at 03:22 PM


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