Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
p.9 #1Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
Aperture ring operation is a fundamental need for exclusive MF users and many AF folks too, 'Bro' Scott, and it's something everyone should be interested in. And that is why the post refers to several poor implementations - why do so many of them get it so wrong?
Pal, your post has an AI feel to it, some recent others of yours too. More stereotypical, angry and attention craving than before, almost like loosh seeking. Things might improve, however unlikely that seems. Try for more emotional balance, maybe? It doesn't have to be warfare. We all pass over things we don't want to read. No one appointed you chief inspector. Try playing the ball, not the man - for once.
Pal, your post has an AI feel to it, some recent others of yours too. More stereotypical, angry and attention craving than before, almost like loosh seeking. Things might improve, however unlikely that seems. Try for more emotional balance, maybe? It doesn't have to be warfare. We all pass over things we don't want to read. No one appointed you chief inspector. Try playing the ball, not the man - for once.
Jan 13, 2026 at 09:32 PM
p.9 #2Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
RoamingScott wrote:
Very practical is the quiet approach - if the user forgets to de-click the ring when beginning a video session. We've come some way in product engineering tolerances from back when lens producers could do no better (or chose to do no better) than the slop I see in some Leica M and R lenses. My poor Zeiss 21mm Distagon jams all the aperture marks into two inches, with only single stop detents. That is after 100 plus years of making lenses. The recessed wafer thin Loxia 85mm aperture ring manages to be horrible - hard to find or even see, hard to turn, and still it makes audible clicks - that echoing chamber sound. Plenty of room for improvement!
Nothing sounds more amateurish, IMO, than YT guys spinning the aperture ring, like they are hastily turning a tap on and off. People should learn how to handle fine instruments, treat them with the respect they deserve. Come to think of it, maybe that is what they are doing with those lenses.
In this YT see the commentary and demo at 5:05 to 7:00, very damning of Leica, in my view. All reviews of aperture ring equipped MF (and 'AF') lenses should do this. Nothing works well with poor usability.
..Bro, Thypoch can't even make a lens cap that works, let's not wax hyperbolic about build quality. Also you don't need to bring them up in every thread that isn't about them. No one cares.
philip_pj wrote:
Aperture ring operation is a fundamental need for exclusive MF users and many AF folks too, 'Bro' Scott, and it's something everyone should be interested in. And that is why the post refers to several poor implementations - why do so many of them get it so wrong?
Pal, your post has an AI feel to it, some recent others of yours too. More stereotypical, angry and attention craving than before, almost like loosh seeking. Things might improve, however unlikely that seems. Try for more emotional balance, maybe? It doesn't have to be warfare. We all pass over things we...Show more →
You two should get a room together where you can sit in silence and turn the aperture rings of various lenses. I'm sure that would be followed by an intense debate over which feel mushy, which are too loud, which are too hard to turn, and which are appropriately ribbed for your enjoyment. Sheesh.
philip_pj wrote
'the soft Viltrox clicks are more than good enough for me' and plenty more of us besides, because it is a feature, not a bug or a fail. The Simeras are the same, snug sleeves with detents a normal hand will enjoy about as much as the ears will benefit from the lack of the toy-like clicky-clack of even many high end MF lenses. Similar damping for aperture and focus rings is important too.Very practical is the quiet approach - if the user forgets to de-click the ring when beginning a video session. We've come some way in product engineering tolerances from back when lens producers could do no better (or chose to do no better) than the slop I see in some Leica M and R lenses. My poor Zeiss 21mm Distagon jams all the aperture marks into two inches, with only single stop detents. That is after 100 plus years of making lenses. The recessed wafer thin Loxia 85mm aperture ring manages to be horrible - hard to find or even see, hard to turn, and still it makes audible clicks - that echoing chamber sound. Plenty of room for improvement!
Nothing sounds more amateurish, IMO, than YT guys spinning the aperture ring, like they are hastily turning a tap on and off. People should learn how to handle fine instruments, treat them with the respect they deserve. Come to think of it, maybe that is what they are doing with those lenses.
In this YT see the commentary and demo at 5:05 to 7:00, very damning of Leica, in my view. All reviews of aperture ring equipped MF (and 'AF') lenses should do this. Nothing works well with poor usability.
..
philip_pj wrote:
Aperture ring operation is a fundamental need for exclusive MF users and many AF folks too, 'Bro' Scott, and it's something everyone should be interested in. And that is why the post refers to several poor implementations - why do so many of them get it so wrong?
Pal, your post has an AI feel to it, some recent others of yours too. More stereotypical, angry and attention craving than before, almost like loosh seeking. Things might improve, however unlikely that seems. Try for more emotional balance, maybe? It doesn't have to be warfare. We all pass over things we...Show more →
You two should get a room together where you can sit in silence and turn the aperture rings of various lenses. I'm sure that would be followed by an intense debate over which feel mushy, which are too loud, which are too hard to turn, and which are appropriately ribbed for your enjoyment. Sheesh.
Jan 14, 2026 at 07:31 AM
p.9 #3Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
Hilarious lol
Wezre wrote:
Very practical is the quiet approach - if the user forgets to de-click the ring when beginning a video session. We've come some way in product engineering tolerances from back when lens producers could do no better (or chose to do no better) than the slop I see in some Leica M and R lenses. My poor Zeiss 21mm Distagon jams all the aperture marks into two inches, with only single stop detents. That is after 100 plus years of making lenses. The recessed wafer thin Loxia 85mm aperture ring manages to be horrible - hard to find or even see, hard to turn, and still it makes audible clicks - that echoing chamber sound. Plenty of room for improvement!
Nothing sounds more amateurish, IMO, than YT guys spinning the aperture ring, like they are hastily turning a tap on and off. People should learn how to handle fine instruments, treat them with the respect they deserve. Come to think of it, maybe that is what they are doing with those lenses.
In this YT see the commentary and demo at 5:05 to 7:00, very damning of Leica, in my view. All reviews of aperture ring equipped MF (and 'AF') lenses should do this. Nothing works well with poor usability.
..Bro, Thypoch can't even make a lens cap that works, let's not wax hyperbolic about build quality. Also you don't need to bring them up in every thread that isn't about them. No one cares.
Pal, your post has an AI feel to it, some recent others of yours too. More stereotypical, angry and attention craving than before, almost like loosh seeking. Things might improve, however unlikely that seems. Try for more emotional balance, maybe? It doesn't have to be warfare. We all pass over things we don't want to read. No one appointed you chief inspector. Try playing the ball, not the man - for once.You two should get a room together where you can sit in silence and turn the aperture rings of various lenses. I'm sure that would be followed by an intense debate over which feel mushy, which are too loud, which are too hard to turn, and which are appropriately ribbed for your enjoyment. Sheesh.
Wezre wrote:
RoamingScott wrote
philip_pj wrote
'the soft Viltrox clicks are more than good enough for me' and plenty more of us besides, because it is a feature, not a bug or a fail. The Simeras are the same, snug sleeves with detents a normal hand will enjoy about as much as the ears will benefit from the lack of the toy-like clicky-clack of even many high end MF lenses. Similar damping for aperture and focus rings is important too.Very practical is the quiet approach - if the user forgets to de-click the ring when beginning a video session. We've come some way in product engineering tolerances from back when lens producers could do no better (or chose to do no better) than the slop I see in some Leica M and R lenses. My poor Zeiss 21mm Distagon jams all the aperture marks into two inches, with only single stop detents. That is after 100 plus years of making lenses. The recessed wafer thin Loxia 85mm aperture ring manages to be horrible - hard to find or even see, hard to turn, and still it makes audible clicks - that echoing chamber sound. Plenty of room for improvement!
Nothing sounds more amateurish, IMO, than YT guys spinning the aperture ring, like they are hastily turning a tap on and off. People should learn how to handle fine instruments, treat them with the respect they deserve. Come to think of it, maybe that is what they are doing with those lenses.
In this YT see the commentary and demo at 5:05 to 7:00, very damning of Leica, in my view. All reviews of aperture ring equipped MF (and 'AF') lenses should do this. Nothing works well with poor usability.
..
philip_pj wrote
Aperture ring operation is a fundamental need for exclusive MF users and many AF folks too, 'Bro' Scott, and it's something everyone should be interested in. And that is why the post refers to several poor implementations - why do so many of them get it so wrong?Pal, your post has an AI feel to it, some recent others of yours too. More stereotypical, angry and attention craving than before, almost like loosh seeking. Things might improve, however unlikely that seems. Try for more emotional balance, maybe? It doesn't have to be warfare. We all pass over things we don't want to read. No one appointed you chief inspector. Try playing the ball, not the man - for once.
Jan 14, 2026 at 07:52 AM
p.9 #4Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
philip_pj wrote:
Aperture ring operation is a fundamental need for exclusive MF users and many AF folks too
Not entirely sure how an aperture ring is fundamental for anyone using a modern camera, regardless of AF/MF given every camera for the last few decades can control it via various dials on the body.
Personally, I wish there were a lockout on the lens to keep it on A mode. I've knocked it a few times on accident without noticing. That's my only complaint with the lens.
Aperture ring operation is a fundamental need for exclusive MF users and many AF folks too
Not entirely sure how an aperture ring is fundamental for anyone using a modern camera, regardless of AF/MF given every camera for the last few decades can control it via various dials on the body.
Personally, I wish there were a lockout on the lens to keep it on A mode. I've knocked it a few times on accident without noticing. That's my only complaint with the lens.
Jan 15, 2026 at 09:52 AM
RoamingScott
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p.9 #5Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
It's not fundamental in any way. It's a pleasure to use and that's as far as it goes.
Jan 15, 2026 at 10:57 AM
p.9 #6Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
I bought Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO Z.
I tried lens in store, and it was sharp, built quality is excellent, but AF wasn't as snappy as I thought...but it was enough, so I bought it.
As I got home, I tried to find latest firmware, because I saw newest firmware improve AF stability, and after update, it was different lens...after update it was much quicker...lens was on 1.06 firmware, and I update it to 1.07...I suggest to everyone to do the same.
After update, lens is fast, accurate, best 85mm for the money...I can't wait to use it for weddings, etc
I tried lens in store, and it was sharp, built quality is excellent, but AF wasn't as snappy as I thought...but it was enough, so I bought it.
As I got home, I tried to find latest firmware, because I saw newest firmware improve AF stability, and after update, it was different lens...after update it was much quicker...lens was on 1.06 firmware, and I update it to 1.07...I suggest to everyone to do the same.
After update, lens is fast, accurate, best 85mm for the money...I can't wait to use it for weddings, etc
Jan 30, 2026 at 10:50 AM
p.9 #7Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
pemanja93 wrote:
I bought Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO Z.
I tried lens in store, and it was sharp, built quality is excellent, but AF wasn't as snappy as I thought...but it was enough, so I bought it.
As I got home, I tried to find latest firmware, because I saw newest firmware improve AF stability, and after update, it was different lens...after update it was much quicker...lens was on 1.06 firmware, and I update it to 1.07...I suggest to everyone to do the same.
After update, lens is fast, accurate, best 85mm for the money...I can't wait to use it for weddings, etc
I have the Pro as well, I love it's output but weight and front‑heaviness is a bit of a real pain. Lens feel dense for its size, whereas my Samyang AF 135mm f1.8 despite being longer and thicker at same exact weight feels way lighter.
It's every bit as sharp as my Z 85mm S f1.8, Viltrox has more light gathering at f1.8
Truth be told, S lens is a better lens for most people if bought used.
I bought Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO Z.
I tried lens in store, and it was sharp, built quality is excellent, but AF wasn't as snappy as I thought...but it was enough, so I bought it.
As I got home, I tried to find latest firmware, because I saw newest firmware improve AF stability, and after update, it was different lens...after update it was much quicker...lens was on 1.06 firmware, and I update it to 1.07...I suggest to everyone to do the same.
After update, lens is fast, accurate, best 85mm for the money...I can't wait to use it for weddings, etc
I have the Pro as well, I love it's output but weight and front‑heaviness is a bit of a real pain. Lens feel dense for its size, whereas my Samyang AF 135mm f1.8 despite being longer and thicker at same exact weight feels way lighter.
It's every bit as sharp as my Z 85mm S f1.8, Viltrox has more light gathering at f1.8
Truth be told, S lens is a better lens for most people if bought used.
Jan 30, 2026 at 06:45 PM
p.9 #8Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
85/2 EVO
Z62_8576 by Colin McIntosh, on Flickr
The lens did pretty well on a Z6ii in continuous tracking mode following my son snowboarding.
Z62_8582 by Colin McIntosh, on Flickr
Colin
Edited on Feb 05, 2026 at 11:37 AM · View previous versions
Z62_8576 by Colin McIntosh, on FlickrThe lens did pretty well on a Z6ii in continuous tracking mode following my son snowboarding.
Z62_8582 by Colin McIntosh, on FlickrColin
Edited on Feb 05, 2026 at 11:37 AM · View previous versions
Feb 05, 2026 at 11:32 AM
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RoamingScott
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p.9 #9Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
Outstanding wrote:
Truth be told, S lens is a better lens for most people if bought used.
Ding ding ding.
Truth be told, S lens is a better lens for most people if bought used.
Ding ding ding.
Feb 05, 2026 at 11:34 AM
p.9 #10Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
Couple of photos with Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO on Nikon Z6II.
Feb 12, 2026 at 06:50 AM
p.9 #11Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
Took the Viltrox 85/2 EVO for a spin on the Z8
Piccadilly Circus, London
DSC_6574: Piccadilly Circus, London by Colin McIntosh, on Flickr
DSC_6557: Piccadilly Circus, London by Colin McIntosh, on Flickr
DSC_6595: Piccadilly Circus, London by Colin McIntosh, on Flickr
Piccadilly Circus, London
DSC_6574: Piccadilly Circus, London by Colin McIntosh, on FlickrDSC_6557: Piccadilly Circus, London by Colin McIntosh, on FlickrDSC_6595: Piccadilly Circus, London by Colin McIntosh, on FlickrOct 24, 2026 at 02:31 AM
p.9 #12Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
The shard, London
Viltrox 85/2 EVO
NZ8_5671: The Shard by Colin McIntosh, on Flickr
Viltrox 85/2 EVO
NZ8_5671: The Shard by Colin McIntosh, on FlickrOct 25, 2026 at 02:23 AM
p.9 #13Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
Got to test the 1.4Pro at B&H the other day as I’m in the market for an 85. Good lord it’s heavy. I don’t recall the F mount 85 1.4 being nearly as heavy. Or maybe I’ve just gotten soft having not shot an 85 much in years.
Oct 25, 2026 at 03:23 AM
p.9 #14Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
These are nice - how’s the AF for portraits with moderate movement?
pemanja93 wrote:
Couple of photos with Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO on Nikon Z6II.
https://i.imgur.com/1WPUwrE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EOICUTj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/51MSy2p.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Fth9AmI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ucN8hjb.jpg
pemanja93 wrote:
Couple of photos with Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO on Nikon Z6II.
https://i.imgur.com/1WPUwrE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EOICUTj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/51MSy2p.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Fth9AmI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ucN8hjb.jpg
Oct 25, 2026 at 03:25 AM
p.9 #15Viltrox 85mm f1.4 PRO and f2.0 EVO
AF on Z6II is ok...it can track subject, but sometimes if I am in subject tracking and I want to refocus from infinity to something closer without contrast, it strugles a little bit...but If I put 85mm on Nikon Zf, with newer processor, it works great in 3d tracking...
Oct 25, 2026 at 11:40 AM