Scott, interesting comparison. They're fairly close, but the Viltrox looks like it's better if you're looking for across the frame sharpness and the TTA looks better if you're looking for OOF rendering and possibly low light work, being a bit brighter.
I probably won't be getting either of these lenses, but it's pretty awesome that we have gotten to this level of quality for a few hundred dollars. It would be interesting to see a comparison against some of the better DSLR era lenses, such as the Nikon 85mm f1.4 or Sigma Art 85mm f1.4.
This is more depends on "taste" thing than anything else imo.
For me the Viltrox EVO looks great and i have no problem with OOF rendering. I do however appreciate how sharp it is and how much contrast it produces also the build quality is excelent + small size and weight. You can hardly ask for more.
Immortal wrote:
This is more depends on "taste" thing than anything else imo.
I never claimed it was anything but, despite some strange protestations.
If you like the bokeh of the Viltrox and want a razor sharp center wide open, then it's a no brainer. I prefer the "sharp enough" center and bokeh structure of the TTA, with some bloom at f2 when I want it.
The more I use the Viltrox, the more I dislike the spongy aperture ring, for the record. It by far has the mushiest detents of any lens I've tried. There is some slop in the TTA detents but at least they clack into place and don't get accidentally bumped as much.
The last photo is a fantastic example of the type of bokeh this lens produces that I loath. My eye is drawn to the scribbled mess above the water over and over, wondering why every object is so halo'd and jittery looking.
RoamingScott wrote:
I never claimed it was anything but, despite some strange protestations.
If you like the bokeh of the Viltrox and want a razor sharp center wide open, then it's a no brainer. I prefer the "sharp enough" center and bokeh structure of the TTA, with some bloom at f2 when I want it.
The more I use the Viltrox, the more I dislike the spongy aperture ring, for the record. It by far has the mushiest detents of any lens I've tried. There is some slop in the TTA detents but at least they clack into place and don't get accidentally bumped as much....Show more →
I'm just thankful you did provide some pictures, and I have no problems with a difference in interpretation/appreciation.
Beside taste, different lenses shine in different applications. I think the Viltrox will do a good job for back lit portraits, but it's contrast can be a bit much when it comes to back grounds in other situations. Fortunately we have plenty of options, and it's even not redundant to have more than one telephoto prime in the kit or bag.
DWOfPaul wrote:
Scott, interesting comparison. They're fairly close, but the Viltrox looks like it's better if you're looking for across the frame sharpness and the TTA looks better if you're looking for OOF rendering and possibly low light work, being a bit brighter.
I probably won't be getting either of these lenses, but it's pretty awesome that we have gotten to this level of quality for a few hundred dollars. It would be interesting to see a comparison against some of the better DSLR era lenses, such as the Nikon 85mm f1.4 or Sigma Art 85mm f1.4.
Well if you're interested I can do it someday properly. I received a few days ago my 85 evo...
I started to verify if it was well centered... and to be sure about what I saw I compared to my sigma art 85mm...
hum hum
Sigma was the low cost really high quality glass... but viltrox is about to take the crown: cheaper, lighter, and... better...
at f2 no CA, and all the corners sharper than the sigma in the center at f2 also...
I haven't compared the rendering yet. But AF looks to be better also with the viltrox
So:
First of all, I'm not a lens tester, nore a youtuber or whatever, so I just made a little comparison between the viltrox evo 85mm and the sigma art 85mm Fe.
Both lenses are really good copies, perfectly centered.
Sharpness is a bit better with the viltrox, and I think it is more due to the lack of CA. When CA is not a problem (meaning no harsh contrast metallic items...) it is hard to see a difference. When the conditions are bad, too contrasty, the sigma shows a bit of CA which gives me the impression of a lack of sharpness.
I would say, if landscape sharpness is your wish, go with the viltrox. It's one of the sharpest tele I have used so far (and I've had every zeiss lenses, and now have the sigma and the voigtlander 110).
At F2 I see 2 things: vignette is strong on the viltrox, and bokeh looks more old fashion (meaning nervous)
The light transition is better also with the Sigma (1/1000 versus 1/1250 for the same result)
The bokeh in the center of the frame shows the same differences here is a 33% magnification
Considering its price and weight, the viltrox is really the best.
But both lenses shows different character. The sigma is definitely a more modern lens, with smoother (sigma type) bokeh. The viltrox is really interesting, showing an old fashion bokeh (a bit circular, with strong vignette) but with perfect correction (no CA and really sharp)
Some more stuff taking advantage of our rare rain of late:
Powerfully cinematic results when used properly. It's amazing that Viltrox could make a lens so ultra-sharp and ultra-corrected (including almost negligible distortion!) that also has real character and isn't clinical looking. It's not f1.4 but it's a winner.
I mean, thanks for doing the test, very informative. But I had already started to lean to opt out, and now... I'm interested again. I already have the Sigma I series 90. Ugh. GAS.
20% off, just bought one. My Sigma 85 f1.4 was sitting in the drawer forever so I sold it for the lack of use. I won't use this Viltro much but for the price and size, I bought it just for the heck of it.
FYI - On B&H (and Amazon) this lens has a special reduced $US price of $220 from the original price of $275. Since I checked when I ordered mine was on October 25 and it’s been less than 30 days I called B&H this morning and I’m receiving the $55 back to my PayBoo card. A great deal from a great vendor IMHO. If you’re like me I recommend you move quickly to receive your refund. Take care.
It's not really GAS though, is it? When you can buy an actual bargain of this magnitude. GAS is relieved by a sell-off of the optics this one may replace. GAS is just a gulit - a derogatory term for photographers looking to keep up technically and looking to move with the times.
This trend will not last, when was the last time a country burst onto the scene with so many very sound affordable lenses from multiple makers? It should also see a drop in the used lens market. GAS is best seen as an artistic overhead to your photographic growth. There are images coming so casually out of the 14/4 that we have not seen before, and it's less than a couple of hundred bucks.
Why are they so good? An earlier entry in the (more demanding) cine side of the industry, and a lot of tough development in the background. I read some member the other day saying the Chinese make cheap copies of existing great lenses, so here is an image for him. It's September 2024's showing of Viltrox's $100,000 pro zoom for rental houses. 16kg.
swldstn wrote:
Currently also own the 85mm f/1.8 Batis and the original FE 85/1.4 GM but also plan to try the Viltrox 85/2 EVO to try in my travel kit for my A7CR / A7CII. The EVO was just ordered yesterday and will arrive soon. Will compare to my Batis and my 65mm f/2 and 90mm f/2.8 I-Series Sigma’s.
Any chance Viltrox will make a 40mm f/2 that has an aperture ring? Will have to compare it to the Batis 40mm if it becomes a reality.
I also look forward to your comparison with the Sigma 90/2.8i.
I placed my order from the Viltrox website since BH was out of stock. When it comes I’ll compare it against the Sigma 90/2.8 and the Samyang 85/1.4II. Maybe I’ll throw the 70-200GMII in at 85mm @ 2.8 and 4 just to see what it looks like compared to the other two.
Well, do feel encouraged to do so. No pressure of course, but if you get the chance..how about a focus distance of 2m or so, with a challenging background, these all being people lenses. I wish you had my 75mm Simera there too. We are truly fortunate to have so many great choices that you really have to be selective on other grounds than image quality as most people understand it to be.
