p.4 #2 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Something I didn't cover was how the 26 EVO handles shooting with Nikon's built in film grain.
For those with a Zf, it should be noted that even a low amount of grain will soften the image considerably, more so than the previous EVO lenses, by virtue of the 26 having less biting microcontrast by comparison.
p.4 #4 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Got mine yesterday as well, unfortunately I'm a bit down with with a cold so no really lens testing outside, but shot some comparison of size on my intended usage of the lens, on a A5100.
Some size comparison, with a Sony FE 40G, TTA AF 27mm f2.8(apsc), Sony E 20mm f2.8. and Viltrox 28mm Chip.
On the A5100:
The part that stood out to me was the "girth" of the lens, its outside diameter is pretty big, even though the optical element doesn't seem that big. Comparison with the TTA stacked on top of it...
Comparing with TTA on camera.
I might try shooting some "studio" scene with some model kits to compare some images. First impression on handling is its not a "light" lens, I think part of it is whatever they had to add for the magnetic lens cap to work probably adds some weight. The cap itself is very heavy. I don't have a 43mm filter around to see inf you can have a filter installed and still fit the lens cap. The built seems nice, but the fit of the bayonet mount on the camera seems looser, I get some small amount of axial play that seems more noticeable than any other lens I have, even compare to other Chinese lenses. AF noise seems louder and not super snappy(on the A5100). I think so far the main gripe is the focus ring seems stiff and feels too recessed. If the OD of the lens body is so big already I think they could afford to have the knurling of focus ring to be more proud of the OD and taller so its easier to turn.
If nothing else I think I will try to spend the next little while playing with this and the TTA. I've had the TTA for a long time but I kinda ignored it because I first got it before I got the A5100 for my NEX5N and with that camera and the TTA the AF just does not work that well, and it subsequently didn't get use a lot since even after I switched my "toy" camera body. Both of these lens are basically for the same purpose and their focal length is near as no different(for APSC use).
p.4 #5 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Shooting random things around I can't really offer anything useful to say or share, but I did notice the issue noted in some review about the glare. This is not particularly well focused or anything and I am not pointed directly at the outside light of my garage window but I get a notable glare in the shot.
Comparing to the TTA, being tighter I also have to more on purpose getting the light into the shot but I don't think the glare is as noticeable...The camera did struggle to find focus and I resorted to manually focus to the closest range.
I won't actually say its a "bad" thing, I think I need to shoot some real photos to get better idea of it. Also with these kind of useless shots I can't really decern any kind of characters of the lens.
p.4 #7 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I agree ,but I usually care way more about the subject.
I want to see it head to head with the Batis.
darbo wrote:
I don’t like the OOF rendering of the tree foliage in the patio shot; it looks weird. It’s not terrible, just don’t like it. BUT I agree the focused subjects have a real nice sharp pop. All in all, it’s such an ideal type lens for my a7C II that it’s a no-brainer must-buy for me.
It would be awesome if Viltrox would make a companion pancake 40mm EVO…a nice less-expensive alternative to Sony’s 24G/40G combo.
p.4 #8 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Garmadon wrote:
I agree ,but I usually care way more about the subject.
I want to see it head to head with the Batis.
Quick and dirty* comparison shots; 25mm Batis vs 26mm Viltrox. (cropped to match FOV and adjusted exposure/curves a bit to get a closer overall match).
Thoughts?
*it was windy, so the foliage was moving around between shots.
ILCE-7RM5ZEISS Batis 2/25 lens25mmf/2.81/500s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5Viltrox 26mm F2.8 FE lens26mmf/2.81/640s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5ZEISS Batis 2/25 lens25mmf/2.81/640s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5Viltrox 26mm F2.8 FE lens26mmf/2.81/800s400 ISO0.0 EV
p.4 #12 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Gerald Brooks wrote:
Any comparison like this for the Sony 28?
That would be interesting to see.
I had the Sony 28mm several years ago. My recollection is that it was reasonably sharp, but had somewhat funky bokeh. Here's a couple old shots I dredged up...
ILCE-7M2FE 28mm F2 lens28mmf/2.01/200s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM3FE 28mm F2 lens28mmf/3.51/30s200 ISO0.0 EV
p.4 #13 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Back to doing some comparison in the cheap APSC compact land...again focus on the most similar lens for this application, the TTA AF 27/2.8. Shot with A5100.
Evo
TTA
I think the actual focus point was not the same between the 2, so the Evo shot the mecha's face looks less sharp. I also thinks the TTA is probably actually not as bright as f2.8 would suggest, but it is an APSC lens. The DoF seems a bit deeper, and the camera also picked a 1/120s slower shutter speed for the same light and iso setting wide open. The Bokeh for Evo seems much more pleasant. And the highlight doesn't seem as fringy
Evo
TTA
TTA also seems noticeably more vignetting. Probably also because of being a APSC lens.
Both pictures are processed on the same preset, I actually degained a bit of exposure for the TTA shots to make the highlight less washed out. No color/WB adjustment. The tone seems to be warmer on the Evo as well comparing against the TTA.
p.4 #14 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I think the Sony 28 has gotten its share of really nice pictures, except in the domain of flower photography. Big nope for the same reason that I hesitate on the Viltrox 26: pale up the middle and no good for the washout/razzy bokeh in backlit trees.
p.4 #15 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
First port of call in comparos: specs.
Batis (EV):
Max aperture f2 (max aperture f2.8);
Weight 335 grams (130 grams);
D 81mm x L 78mm (D 66mm x L 24mm));
plastic lens body (metal lens body);
elements/groups 10/8 (8/6);
four asph surfaces (two (maybe four) asph surfaces);
four ED elements (no ED elements);
No HRI elements (one HRI element);
FLE (no FLE);
AOV 82 degrees (81.2 degrees);
MFD 0.2m (0.2m);
Filters 67mm (43mm);
p.4 #16 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Notes: Batis 25/2 and Viltrox 26/2.8
p.4 #8 Set One
V has better pavement definition (even allowing for exposure differences);
V shaping of pots look more natural;
Z colors are flatter, with glow and loss of detail;
V foliage has more contrast, helping detail and image depth;
Z shadows are more murky;
V retains better detail with increasing distance from lens;
Z all tree detail is smeared due to more rapid focus fade;
Z top bokeh balls are larger and more 'blobby';
Z contrast is poor, high tones dominate and obscure content;
Z corners are worthless, embarrassing actually;
Z greens are cooler and less differentiated with brightness tonality.
p.4 #17 · Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Set Two continues the trend in general, but the Z is a little sharper at the focal plane. Z But see how fast focus fades into the mid distance here. Z Bokeh is beginning to expand to a faux double lining effect (top left branches), and becomes harder to view.
What this rapid fade does is it eliminates all visual cues of distance by overlaying the same degree of abstraction. V main flower is better viewed thanks to better fine tonal grading of the magenta region - less artificial. Nice garden, Mike!
