I've never been a fan of the Nikon 28mm 2.8, so this could be a good alternative. The reviews are positive, the af is on the slow side but at 26mm for new that's not really important.
Three images here. First is a grab with the 50. Second is the 14; and 3rd is the Samyang 18 for a comparison, hope that's okay.
My issue... With the Viltrox 14 the corners pretty obviously stretch in almost every composition and it's pretty visible, meaning distracting to me if there's any detail there. I understand this is not specific to the Viltrox and it's a function of the really wide 14 focal length. Which is why I posted a shot from the exact same shooting position with the SY 18 here for feedback.
This is the typical type of shot I'd take with either lens. The SY is a stop faster and while 4mm longer often makes a big framing difference, especially inside tight interiors, I still seem to gravitate to the 18 a lot more often than the Viltrox 14. I prefer the overall "look" I get from the SY as well; I'm not sure one is sharper than the other, both appear pretty darn good, but there's a smoothness to the SY that the Viltrox doesn't have. The Viltrox also has a lot more native vignette, though net distortion from both is similar and of course built-in raw lens correction levels both out. Anyway my conundrum is deciding to keep it or not. I got it on the Amazon Prime sale last week, but just not sure how often I'd use it over the SY 18 which I will definitely keep.
PS: Both wides were edited identically using their as-shot WB's and exposures.
ILCE-7CM2Viltrox 50mm F2.0 FE lens50mmf/8.01/125s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2Viltrox 14mm F4.0 FE lens14mmf/8.01/400s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2SAMYANG AF 18mm F2.8 lens18mmf/8.01/400s100 ISO0.0 EV
And a couple more from the 50 air. I have to say I am literally blown away by how good this little lens is wide open and corner to corner! I will add a caveat however, that rear bokeh when shooting closer and wide open with it can be marginal in some situations. Full disclosure is I did use ACR's AI lens blur with both images here, and will add I am somewhat impressed. It's not perfect, but IMHO it does take away some of the "busyness" that this lens can sometimes render. Nice tool to have for sure.
ILCE-7CM2Viltrox 50mm F2.0 FE lens50mmf/2.01/3200s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2Viltrox 50mm F2.0 FE lens50mmf/2.01/2500s100 ISO0.0 EV
I know there are more detailed reviews out there, but I just thought I'd share my experience with the Viltrox 26mm f/2.8 with some video footage and a few samples:
Wondering how does the 85/1.4 render especially out of focus area and sharpness on Nikon bodies,
I love from 50 to 85 and I have native 50/1.8S and 85/1.2S, the former is a very good lens, nothing spectacular from a portrait point of view but does very well overall, the 85 is a damn beast, too big to carry around for casual shooting, at first I thought of getting the 85/1.4G and adapt but too complicated, I want the simplest and smaller than the S one, I know the 85/1.8S being a very good lens but if it renders the way the 50 does it won't do it for me when it comes to more serious wide open portraiture.
What about the Viltrox, any portrait sample on a Z camera?
I think Luka Funduk uses the 85 1.4 and 35 1.2 but on Sony. Doesnt help with how af works on Nikon but if you look up his recent work you’ll see rendering.
835 grams vs 1160 for the native 1.2
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GiovanniAprea wrote:
Wondering how does the 85/1.4 render especially out of focus area and sharpness on Nikon bodies,
I love from 50 to 85 and I have native 50/1.8S and 85/1.2S, the former is a very good lens, nothing spectacular from a portrait point of view but does very well overall, the 85 is a damn beast, too big to carry around for casual shooting, at first I thought of getting the 85/1.4G and adapt but too complicated, I want the simplest and smaller than the S one, I know the 85/1.8S being a very good lens but if it renders the way the 50 does it won't do it for me when it comes to more serious wide open portraiture.
What about the Viltrox, any portrait sample on a Z camera?
JasonTheBirder wrote:
I know there are more detailed reviews out there, but I just thought I'd share my experience with the Viltrox 26mm f/2.8 with some video footage and a few samples:
Hey Jason, good job on the summary. Hope everything is going well over at PhotographyLife.
BigBabyMoses06 wrote:
Thank you! Technically a 4.1, but some editing can really make it pop lol. Near Arlington Vermont, about an hour ish outside Albany/Troy NY. There is a bortle 2 near Utica NY,in the Adk that I want to visit.
Usually I have to wait till fall for clearer skies.
