Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
p.6 #1Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
mjgphotoz wrote:
Jack, really glad you heard it's cries and shared your response! I really like this. Nice! 
Mary
Thank you very much!
Jack Flesher wrote
I saw this grounded boat, and it screamed B&W to me too, so here it is -- V26... Mary
Thank you very much!
Jul 24, 2026 at 09:34 AM
p.6 #2Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
the sheer absurdity of having all that real estate on my nikkor 50mm 1.8 with that single comically large focus ring and then having such an ergonomically compromised aperture ring on a wide angle pancake.
Jul 24, 2026 at 11:42 AM
p.6 #3Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
There is very little winning in this world 
Restrav wrote:
the sheer absurdity of having all that real estate on my nikkor 50mm 1.8 with that single comically large focus ring and then having such an ergonomically compromised aperture ring on a wide angle pancake.
Restrav wrote:
the sheer absurdity of having all that real estate on my nikkor 50mm 1.8 with that single comically large focus ring and then having such an ergonomically compromised aperture ring on a wide angle pancake.
Jul 24, 2026 at 11:53 AM
p.6 #4Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RoamingScott wrote:
There is very little winning in this world
We just can’t catch a break.
There is very little winning in this world
We just can’t catch a break.
Jul 24, 2026 at 12:13 PM
p.6 #5Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I’d like to thank Viltrox for this very compact, high-quality lens, the “Viltrox AF 26/2.8 FE,” which, in terms of feel, is on par with the top-tier, metal-bodied Voigtländer lenses.
This excellent lens is fully capable of taking full advantage of the high-quality 61MP sensor in my Sony A7RV.
The 26mm focal length for full-frame and the 39mm focal length for APS-C mode are very comfortable for everyday photography.
This excellent lens is fully capable of taking full advantage of the high-quality 61MP sensor in my Sony A7RV.
The 26mm focal length for full-frame and the 39mm focal length for APS-C mode are very comfortable for everyday photography.
Jul 25, 2026 at 09:31 AM
p.6 #6Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
First time shooting this IRL, with a Urth 1/8 black mist on a A5100 as a cropped 39mm...Shot mostly at f2.8, but sometimes stopped down to f5.6. Processed with DxO Film simulation. I think the images looks sharp, the in-focus to out of focus transition is very nice and bokeh is nice too. I think it should be a cool lens to keep on this camera. The AF with the A5100 is a bit sluggish, I think its probably more camera than the lens.
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Jul 25, 2026 at 09:50 AM
p.6 #7Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
The only criticism of this lens is that you should avoid shooting directly toward the sun whenever possible.
Jul 25, 2026 at 10:06 AM
p.6 #8Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I definitely tried shooting some shots with head on sun to see how it would be. I think its easier for the glare to occur but the results are not as bad as I thought.
I think this was the worst of it, and I am curious is some of this effect is also because of the filter...
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I think this was the worst of it, and I am curious is some of this effect is also because of the filter...
Jul 25, 2026 at 11:32 AM
p.6 #10Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
It’s a feature, not a bug: a built-in mist filter! 
I actually like the look of the glow. 
I actually like the look of the glow. Jul 25, 2026 at 12:09 PM
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p.6 #11Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Beautiful images @dalegaspi Love your compositions, colors and they look very crisp!
Jul 25, 2026 at 12:33 PM
p.6 #12Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RacingManiac wrote:
The AF with the A5100 is a bit sluggish, I think its probably more camera than the lens.
A7cII here. I think it's the lens, and I really don't mind at all in a pancake. I agree it's a fine lens.
The AF with the A5100 is a bit sluggish, I think its probably more camera than the lens.
A7cII here. I think it's the lens, and I really don't mind at all in a pancake. I agree it's a fine lens.
Jul 25, 2026 at 03:05 PM
p.6 #13Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
twelveish wrote:
A7cII here. I think it's the lens, and I really don't mind at all in a pancake. I agree it's a fine lens.
Cool thats probably gonna be similar to A7IV too. I haven't stick this on that yet but I really bought this for the A5100.
The thing that is annoying with the AF is in places I thought it should just "snap" to it it hunts for a few times before it does. I think in some setting it'll be fine but sometimes that might just miss your shot. Its weird to complain about it because I was using a MF lens on this prior but at least MF you are responsible I guess.
RacingManiac wrote
The AF with the A5100 is a bit sluggish, I think its probably more camera than the lens.Cool thats probably gonna be similar to A7IV too. I haven't stick this on that yet but I really bought this for the A5100.
The thing that is annoying with the AF is in places I thought it should just "snap" to it it hunts for a few times before it does. I think in some setting it'll be fine but sometimes that might just miss your shot. Its weird to complain about it because I was using a MF lens on this prior but at least MF you are responsible I guess.
Jul 25, 2026 at 03:23 PM
p.6 #14Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I placed an order.
Something in those photos really remindes me the Sony Zeiss 55mm ,which has as well low element count and no ED glass.
Maybe the legend is true Philip
Something in those photos really remindes me the Sony Zeiss 55mm ,which has as well low element count and no ED glass.
Maybe the legend is true Philip
Jul 26, 2026 at 01:08 AM
p.6 #15Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
The Viltrox AF 26/2.8 FE is a small, light, and excellent lens for on-the-go photography.
Here are some more pictures from my trip through the beautiful Harz Mountains.
Here are some more pictures from my trip through the beautiful Harz Mountains.
Jul 26, 2026 at 10:29 AM
p.6 #16Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
first impressions: a couple of things i found quite annoying with the Viltrox is that it vignettes at all apertures and its tendency to flare easily at f2.8. I also don't care for the aperture ring and that real estate would have been better served with a wider focus ring (IMO). I also don't like the design language (or lack of) of the Viltrox lenses. I also don't like the magnetized hood and cap.
I have a comparison of the Nikon 26 and Viltrox 26... and just for good measure, the 24-70S II @ 26 .. one thing you'll notice that the zoom has greater magnification at this distance, which makes it annoying to test.
Full resolution here: https://adobe.ly/4x2smMX .. the embedded ones are from Flickr (incredible banding galore!)
all shot with Profoto lights (on manual mode).
sorry for this boring subject, I had this for consistency and the wig is for variation of texture.
for this setup i had to do it _twice_ because there was light flare on the Viltrox from the kicker light (even with the hood on) and had to reposition the light to remove it... :-|
Viltrox 26
Nikon 26
Nikon 24-70 II
for this another boring subject is at f4.0 for less contrast on the subject (on the center flower)... the Nikon 26 did AF hunt, but not as bad as the Viltrox (and of course the 24-70 didn't hunt at all)...the vignetting on the Viltrox is very apparent here...although i wouldn't be that bothered because this is more because i didn't light the background.
Viltrox 26
Nikon 26
Nikon 24-70S II
I will try to add more comparison (until I lose interest). will try to get something more interesting subjects for comparison...
As always, the Viltrox punches above its weight...but my tests shows that the Nikon is sharper up close with less veiling (although you won't see it auntil you zoom to at least 300%). I personally would go for the Nikon because of the annoyances of the Viltrox that's worth the $150 price difference for me.
EDIT: it's worth pointing out that the phillipreeve.net review of the Nikon 26 has mentioned in error that the Nikon 26 has floating element; it does NOT. it has all-element focusing mechanism (not to be confused with multi-focus system found in expensive S lenses..the new name for CRC which is Nikon's name for floating element design).. see this for the full list of Nikon Lens Glossary.
I left a comment in that article pointing out this error but as of this writing it hasn't been approved.
Edited on Jul 27, 2026 at 05:48 AM · View previous versions
I have a comparison of the Nikon 26 and Viltrox 26... and just for good measure, the 24-70S II @ 26 .. one thing you'll notice that the zoom has greater magnification at this distance, which makes it annoying to test.
Full resolution here: https://adobe.ly/4x2smMX .. the embedded ones are from Flickr (incredible banding galore!)
all shot with Profoto lights (on manual mode).
sorry for this boring subject, I had this for consistency and the wig is for variation of texture.
for this setup i had to do it _twice_ because there was light flare on the Viltrox from the kicker light (even with the hood on) and had to reposition the light to remove it... :-|
Viltrox 26
Nikon 26
Nikon 24-70 II
for this another boring subject is at f4.0 for less contrast on the subject (on the center flower)... the Nikon 26 did AF hunt, but not as bad as the Viltrox (and of course the 24-70 didn't hunt at all)...the vignetting on the Viltrox is very apparent here...although i wouldn't be that bothered because this is more because i didn't light the background.
Viltrox 26
Nikon 26
Nikon 24-70S II
I will try to add more comparison (until I lose interest). will try to get something more interesting subjects for comparison...
As always, the Viltrox punches above its weight...but my tests shows that the Nikon is sharper up close with less veiling (although you won't see it auntil you zoom to at least 300%). I personally would go for the Nikon because of the annoyances of the Viltrox that's worth the $150 price difference for me.
EDIT: it's worth pointing out that the phillipreeve.net review of the Nikon 26 has mentioned in error that the Nikon 26 has floating element; it does NOT. it has all-element focusing mechanism (not to be confused with multi-focus system found in expensive S lenses..the new name for CRC which is Nikon's name for floating element design).. see this for the full list of Nikon Lens Glossary.
I left a comment in that article pointing out this error but as of this writing it hasn't been approved.
Edited on Jul 27, 2026 at 05:48 AM · View previous versions
Jul 26, 2026 at 04:08 PM
p.6 #17Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I think if anyone wants the Nikon 26, used is the only sane option. It doesn't hold its value and it's pretty overpriced at MSRP.
Jul 26, 2026 at 04:10 PM
p.6 #18Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
the value of a tool can only be quantified by the one who uses it; to me, the Nikon 26 is not overpriced.
Jul 26, 2026 at 04:21 PM
p.6 #19Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
dalegaspi wrote:
the value of a tool can only be quantified by the one who uses it; to me, the Nikon 26 is not overpriced.
The value of a tool can certainly be quantified by those that don't use it thanks to its position in the market.
I'm not going to buy a $100 hammer just because someone on FredToolranda says it's worth it.
the value of a tool can only be quantified by the one who uses it; to me, the Nikon 26 is not overpriced.
The value of a tool can certainly be quantified by those that don't use it thanks to its position in the market.
I'm not going to buy a $100 hammer just because someone on FredToolranda says it's worth it.
Jul 26, 2026 at 05:56 PM
p.6 #20Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
goes both ways now doesn't it? i'm not going to buy something cheaper just because someone says it is worth it...especially from someone who got it for free...and conveniently not disclosing it in the beginning of this thread.
and i certainly wouldn't make an allusion that someone is "insane" just because they decided to buy the more expensive one new.
such a condescending tone.
Edited on Jul 29, 2026 at 09:42 AM · View previous versions
and i certainly wouldn't make an allusion that someone is "insane" just because they decided to buy the more expensive one new.
such a condescending tone.
Edited on Jul 29, 2026 at 09:42 AM · View previous versions
Jul 26, 2026 at 06:45 PM