p.1 #1 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
Viltrox has released two very similar UWA lenses which could be described as the FF and APS-C versions of the same thing.
Both priced below $200, very compact and capable of using 58mm filters.
And best of all, early reviews indicate unbelievably high level of performance that puts the 14mm primes of yore to shame (and well into the dustbin of history). The 14mm also destroys the feeble Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 which was once hailed as the previous compact UWA miracle -- not that either of these Viltrox lenses is available in RF mount, though.
p.1 #3 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
Quite interesting. I preordered the Z version (for Oct delivery, they say). My 14-30mm Z is at 14mm pretty much all the time, so this could maybe substitute for it in my 'casual shooting' bag.
p.1 #6 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
I ordered one. When it arrives I値l compare it with the Sony 12-24GM and report back. If it can come pretty close to the GM, it will find a permanent place in my bag.
p.1 #7 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
mudlake wrote:
When it arrives I値l compare it with the Sony 12-24GM and report back. If it can come pretty close to the GM, it will find a permanent place in my bag.
That's a very high bar, but I'm anxious to see how it does!
p.1 #9 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
My goto hiking setup for a few years has been the Tamron 28-200 and Samyang 18mm 2.8. I知 really going to consider changing that to this Viltrox 14 and the new Sigma 20-200. Those two lenses would cover 90% of what I normally shoot on hikes.
p.1 #10 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
Viltrox are really killing it. They are clearly now the 3rd major player besides Tamron and Sigma in the 3rd party lens market. Yes, there also is Samyang/Rokinon, but they are not on that level.
p.1 #11 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
hasenbein wrote:
Viltrox are really killing it. They are clearly now the 3rd major player besides Tamron and Sigma in the 3rd party lens market. Yes, there also is Samyang/Rokinon, but they are not on that level.
What criteria are you using to make that determination? They produce some interesting primes (more for APSC than FF), but haven't produced a single zoom yet. Even if you don't use zooms, that would seem to be an important distinction when comparing a company to Sigma or Tamron.
p.1 #12 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
hasenbein wrote:
Viltrox are really killing it. They are clearly now the 3rd major player besides Tamron and Sigma in the 3rd party lens market. Yes, there also is Samyang/Rokinon, but they are not on that level.
Both Viltrox and Samyang are making great lenses now. Samyang build quality is very good even on the lower priced lenses. Viltrox really minimizes build on these "air" lenses which makes sense. They're optimized for drone usage so need to be light as possible. Samyang weather seals many of their lenses which I appreciate.
Sigma and Tamron used to clearly be a lower tier compared to first party lenses. But now they both offer lenses equal to or better than Sony and Canon in many cases. They actually make many Nikon lenses so there's that. Samyang and Viltrox are kind of sliding in to the "third party" position Sigma and Tamron used to inhabit. I think we may need to come up with a new category to describe Sigma and Tamron. "Second party"? Sigma's Art and Sports glass is absolutely on par with Sony GM glass so calling it "third party" seems unfair.
p.1 #15 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
I知 mainly a Sony and Voigtlander lens buyer/owner, but whenever I致e ventured into Sigma, Tamron, Thypoch, and now Viltrox, I致e always been very impressed. In fact, the Samyang 85/1.4II is one of my favorite lenses, and I have many of the GMs. I知 very interested in how this 14mm performs.
p.1 #16 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
I ordered the 14 today. First viltrox lens. Leaving for 3 months again and it'll save me a lot of space and weight. And the cost is preposterously low.
p.1 #18 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
Who the second party is, then? We the people, I mean, the users?
I must say, this lens looks appealing on a personal level. I was thinking of getting the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 but it's more of a financially taxing purchase, and I have the 16mm focal length solidly covered in my kit. I've put any lens purchases on hold for now, however, pending the resolution of the situation with my broken Laowa 10mm f/2.8.
p.1 #19 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
Yes. Us, the users.
IlyaSnopchenko wrote:
Who the second party is, then? We the people, I mean, the users?
I must say, this lens looks appealing on a personal level. I was thinking of getting the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 but it's more of a financially taxing purchase, and I have the 16mm focal length solidly covered in my kit. I've put any lens purchases on hold for now, however, pending the resolution of the situation with my broken Laowa 10mm f/2.8.
p.1 #20 · Viltrox 14mm f/4 and 9mm f/2.8 - unbelievable performance for the price?
hasenbein wrote:
Viltrox are really killing it. They are clearly now the 3rd major player besides Tamron and Sigma in the 3rd party lens market. Yes, there also is Samyang/Rokinon, but they are not on that level.
I bought my Viltrox 16mm f1.8 based on Dustin Abbotts review. And at the time my widest lens was 24mm with the Sony 24-105. And I agree that Viltrox is hitting it out of the park. The price for performance is excellent.
But they do seem to be centering on primes. Would be interesting to see if they produce a zoom lens.
