p.1 #1 · Problems with Z6 III and Viltrox 85pro and 135lab?
Hi folks,
I believe I've found an issue when using my z6 III (with firmware 2.0) with Viltrox 85 f/1.4pro and 135 f/1.8 lab.
Specifically, with the CFn a13 Max Aperture Liveview set to on, my Viltrox lenses have a hard time stopping down more than 1-2 stops from max aperture. For example, my 85 pro can only physically stop down to around f/4, even if my camera settings call for f/11.
Could anyone else who has this combo - Z6 III and Viltrox 85 pro or 135 lab, test this out?
Here is a YT video that I made that hopefully illustrates the issues I've encountered:
?si=FXq3x1jrxP5jMCD6
Is anyone else having this issue? Thanks for your time!
p.1 #3 · Problems with Z6 III and Viltrox 85pro and 135lab?
It's very very very likely that 1) Viltrox reversed engineered the Z mount protocol and 2) they haven't caught up on fully understanding new features like Max Aperture Liveview, just as their lenses have issues with the focus limiter feature. These things would require fw updates for the lenses.
You don't buy 3rd party to get flawlessly supported lenses.
p.1 #4 · Problems with Z6 III and Viltrox 85pro and 135lab?
Not to make anyone paranoid, but I had bought multiple Viltrox lenses and just returned them today as the autofocus seemed not so great compared to native lenses and animal eye detect was not working (I had not tried people). This was on a Z6-2. I had checked/updated the Viltrox firmware too fwiw.
p.1 #5 · Problems with Z6 III and Viltrox 85pro and 135lab?
RoamingScott wrote:
It's very very very likely that 1) Viltrox reversed engineered the Z mount protocol and 2) they haven't caught up on fully understanding new features like Max Aperture Liveview, just as their lenses have issues with the focus limiter feature. These things would require fw updates for the lenses.
You don't buy 3rd party to get flawlessly supported lenses.
Nikon has initiated legal action against Chinese lens manufacturer Viltrox in China, alleging patent infringement related to autofocus technology in Z-mount lenses. The lawsuit, likely seeking royalties for unauthorized use of technology during a patent's pending phase, is set for a hearing on March 2, 2026, at the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court.
p.1 #6 · Problems with Z6 III and Viltrox 85pro and 135lab?
Sorry to hear your experience wasn't so great. I've actually been very pleased with the AF performance of my Viltrox 85 f/1.4 Pro Z mount. It's very accurate, and I've stopped having to take so many extra photos just to hope one is in focus (ex DSLR shooter).
Now if they will just update the firmware to account for Max Aperture Liveview on Z6 IIIs, I'll be quite happy.
