This was one lens that had me excited from the first rumor, as dreams of compact lenses with aperture rings for my Zf keep me up at night.
The Viltrox 26 EVO ended up being a little more "consumer" than the rest of the EVO line, though it retains the excellent image quality the EVO name has become known for, and the overall package is extremely svelte and easy to travel with.
I did some testing on my Z9 as well, and the image quality holds up even on a higher megapixel camera, which was great to see...maybe we'll get that Z7iii eventually!
I think this is a really compelling option for the DX camera owners, actually, providing that 40mm look that is really hot right now in a tiny package.
Overall, I think this lens is a good competitor to Nikon's own 26mm pancake, a lens that has its own...complexities...and the Viltrox is nearly half the cost with arguably better optics.
p.1 #3 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
MikeEvangelist wrote:
How is the little hood/cap thingy? Seem solid?
In the video, you can see me holding the lens JUST by the metal/mag cap and shaking the lens, it's very strong.
Ultimately, I don't like the lens cap because it's a 1 of 1 solution and if I lose it I'm screwed
I also don't think that putting a 43mm thread on the hood is very helpful when the lens barrel is very nearly 52mm itself. Just some odd decisions that ultimately seem like them trying to check boxes that the 28 Chip didn't.
p.1 #5 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Jack Flesher wrote:
I like the size<>versatility quotient, plus it’s a focal sweet spot for me. I will get one as soon as they’re readily available for Sony. 👍
Links in my article, they're out now with Friday delivery with Prime
It hits a nice size to image quality ratio for me too. Wish the aperture ring situation was better.
p.1 #6 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
The bokeh is surprisingly nice for a pancake lens of this style - most pancakes I've used have pretty horrid out of focus renderings. Images overall look fantastic. I owned the Nikon 26 for a while, and ended up not using it very much, so I doubt I'd find much utility in this lens for my own shooting, but great to see Viltrox continuing to put out good glass.
p.1 #7 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Jman13 wrote:
The bokeh is surprisingly nice for a pancake lens of this style - most pancakes I've used have pretty horrid out of focus renderings. Images overall look fantastic. I owned the Nikon 26 for a while, and ended up not using it very much, so I doubt I'd find much utility in this lens for my own shooting, but great to see Viltrox continuing to put out good glass.
This reminds me a lot of the Voigtlander 28 2.8 Color Skopar in terms of bokeh, which is a good thing! The Viltrox AF is just a one step faster than the CV
p.1 #9 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Looks pretty compelling. Bastian's review is also out. I've thought about getting the Nikkor 26mm before but am just not sure how I would really like 26mm vs 28mm. In practice how different does that feel? I know the actual FOV difference but sometimes numbers and feelings don't align.
p.1 #11 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
mivadep wrote:
Looks pretty compelling. Bastian's review is also out. I've thought about getting the Nikkor 26mm before but am just not sure how I would really like 26mm vs 28mm. In practice how different does that feel? I know the actual FOV difference but sometimes numbers and feelings don't align.
I don't "feel" a huge difference between 26 and 28 honestly, and they both feel "wide" to me, a typically 35mm-40mm guy. The gapping is similar to when I have a 35 and 40 with me...I could essentially make the same photo with either with one or two steps back.
24mm and wider is where my mind's eye falls apart, I just can't think that wide
I haven't used the Nikon 26, but from what I gather, the Viltrox has the edge on image quality across the frame with better CA control.
p.1 #13 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RoamingScott wrote:
I haven't used the Nikon 26, but from what I gather, the Viltrox has the edge on image quality across the frame with better CA control.
p.1 #15 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Bad timing for me as I just picked up the Nikon 26 during the trade in event. I actually liked the images I've seen from the Nikon so far but really the love the rendering on this...
p.1 #16 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RoamingScott wrote:
Pretty sure it's Georgia. That's where all my stuff comes from (at least my last few orders for myself). Don't shoot if yours doesn't
p.1 #17 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Very curious on this. I think different from some I don't like my 28 f4.5 at all. Maybe it was the early batch or something but that lens was super buggy for me when using on my A5100, even after firmware updates it would often not get recognized by the camera and I can't shoot any photos from it. And its not like I can force it to work because I can force shutter to release but not actually focusing anything because it has no MF ring or ability to control any aspect of it if camera can't see it. So Its pretty much been sitting at the bottom of a pile. And its my only Viltrox product I've ever bought.
This one looks to be more usable and still quite compact, so I might still get one to see if it might finally get me what I want with the A5100.
p.1 #18 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RacingManiac wrote:
Very curious on this. I think different from some I don't like my 28 f4.5 at all. Maybe it was the early batch or something but that lens was super buggy for me when using on my A5100, even after firmware updates it would often not get recognized by the camera and I can't shoot any photos from it. And its not like I can force it to work because I can force shutter to release but not actually focusing anything because it has no MF ring or ability to control any aspect of it if camera can't see it. So Its pretty much been sitting at the bottom of a pile. And its my only Viltrox product I've ever bought.
This one looks to be more usable and still quite compact, so I might still get one to see if it might finally get me what I want with the A5100. ...Show more →
I am...not bullish on the 28 Chip. I don't think it represents Viltrox well in terms of build or image quality, and I had to laugh when I saw it released for L mount...as if someone with a Leica would bolt that Cracker Jack prize onto their body. The only time it has come out after I reviewed it was for the photo in the OP to compare sizes with the 26 and 35 EVOs.
Like I mention in the website article, the 26 EVO seems MORE logical to be used on an APS-C body for that 40mm FOV thanks to its very sharp center. Worth a shot at least if that focal range is interesting to you.
p.1 #19 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I was hoping this lens would have better AF than the Nikon 26mm pancake which is a bit loud and clunky, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Oh well, not sure how much use I would get from a 26mm lens.
