Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
p.7 #1Viltrox 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.
It depends on the use case. For me a lightweight lens with sharp corners is important for landscape and travel photography.
My Viltrox 26 EVO sample is sharp into the corners. I can work around the flaring. Hope the focus hunt, others mention too, will be fixed in a firmware update. I think the 26 EVO had a bad start, and was priced too high when it hits the market. Rollei in Germany sells it now for 250 Euros.
I will keep mine. It came with a 2 year exchange warranty, just in case.
Edited on Jul 26, 2026 at 10:44 PM · View previous versions
the value of a tool can only be quantified by the one who uses it; to me, the Nikon 26 is not overpriced.
It depends on the use case. For me a lightweight lens with sharp corners is important for landscape and travel photography.
My Viltrox 26 EVO sample is sharp into the corners. I can work around the flaring. Hope the focus hunt, others mention too, will be fixed in a firmware update. I think the 26 EVO had a bad start, and was priced too high when it hits the market. Rollei in Germany sells it now for 250 Euros.
I will keep mine. It came with a 2 year exchange warranty, just in case.
Edited on Jul 26, 2026 at 10:44 PM · View previous versions
Jul 26, 2026 at 08:16 PM
p.7 #2Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
blnmen57 wrote:
That's what happens when we have to resize the images so drastically on German photography forums.
These links to my photos are from German photography forums.
The Viltrox AF 26/2.8 FE doesn't produce any banding in real-world use on the Sony A7RV.
What German photo forum did you use?
That's what happens when we have to resize the images so drastically on German photography forums.
These links to my photos are from German photography forums.
The Viltrox AF 26/2.8 FE doesn't produce any banding in real-world use on the Sony A7RV.
What German photo forum did you use?
Jul 26, 2026 at 08:41 PM
p.7 #3Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I think it's pretty funny that Viltrox published this on their website and even echoed my criticisms of the lens in their condensed version.
They received very detailed private feedback from me on the incongruities such as the aperture ring direction, hard to find MF ring, and strange filter size, and I'm hopeful the feedback was received with open ears. They came really close to hitting a home run outside of the optics.
https://viltrox.com/blogs/reviews/first-look-viltrox-af-26mm-f2-8-evo-for-nikon-z
They received very detailed private feedback from me on the incongruities such as the aperture ring direction, hard to find MF ring, and strange filter size, and I'm hopeful the feedback was received with open ears. They came really close to hitting a home run outside of the optics.
https://viltrox.com/blogs/reviews/first-look-viltrox-af-26mm-f2-8-evo-for-nikon-z
Jul 29, 2026 at 08:34 AM
p.7 #4Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RoamingScott wrote:
I think it's pretty funny that Viltrox published this on their website and even echoed my criticisms of the lens in their condensed version.
Good on them, though. That means they're not trying to silence any criticism, at least.
I think it's pretty funny that Viltrox published this on their website and even echoed my criticisms of the lens in their condensed version.
Good on them, though. That means they're not trying to silence any criticism, at least.
Jul 29, 2026 at 08:45 AM
p.7 #5Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
mivadep wrote:
Good on them, though. That means they're not trying to silence any criticism, at least.
Oh yeah, for sure, I was happy to see it, albeit surprised. TTArtisan ended our relationship over my pointed criticisms of their build quality, but Viltrox seems to embrace the harsh-but-honest feedback which is good to see. I have had detailed back and forths with their R&D guys over things I've found that other reviewers simply skip over.
RoamingScott wrote
I think it's pretty funny that Viltrox published this on their website and even echoed my criticisms of the lens in their condensed version.Oh yeah, for sure, I was happy to see it, albeit surprised. TTArtisan ended our relationship over my pointed criticisms of their build quality, but Viltrox seems to embrace the harsh-but-honest feedback which is good to see. I have had detailed back and forths with their R&D guys over things I've found that other reviewers simply skip over.
Jul 29, 2026 at 08:48 AM
p.7 #6Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RoamingScott wrote:
such as the aperture ring direction
I think the aperture ring direction is a good thing, as I don't use the aperture ring - Why should I do this in these modern times ...
For me the actual direction is great, because if you are using the A position, as most of modern people do today, the A position remains, when you turn on the lens.
Yes, I know, that Nikon turns the other way around, but that's only a Nikon Problem. The world turns the other way.
So please see the ROW too!
such as the aperture ring direction
I think the aperture ring direction is a good thing, as I don't use the aperture ring - Why should I do this in these modern times ...
For me the actual direction is great, because if you are using the A position, as most of modern people do today, the A position remains, when you turn on the lens.
Yes, I know, that Nikon turns the other way around, but that's only a Nikon Problem. The world turns the other way.
So please see the ROW too!
Jul 29, 2026 at 10:47 AM
p.7 #7Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
EVIL_guy wrote:
I think the aperture ring direction is a good thing, as I don't use the aperture ring - Why should I do this in these modern times ...
For me the actual direction is great, because if you are using the A position, as most of modern people do today, the A position remains, when you turn on the lens.
Yes, I know, that Nikon turns the other way around, but that's only a Nikon Problem. The world turns the other way.
So please see the ROW too!
Asinine. Lots of people enjoy interfacing with aperture rings and for a company to make one product behave completely differently than their entire stable of other lenses for that same mount is pointlessly stupid.
RoamingScott wrote
such as the aperture ring directionFor me the actual direction is great, because if you are using the A position, as most of modern people do today, the A position remains, when you turn on the lens.
Yes, I know, that Nikon turns the other way around, but that's only a Nikon Problem. The world turns the other way.
So please see the ROW too!
Asinine. Lots of people enjoy interfacing with aperture rings and for a company to make one product behave completely differently than their entire stable of other lenses for that same mount is pointlessly stupid.
Jul 29, 2026 at 10:51 AM
p.7 #8Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Asinine. Lots of people enjoy interfacing with aperture rings and for a company to make one product behave completely differently than their entire stable of other lenses for that same mount is pointlessly stupid.
No, don't agree.
- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?
Jul 29, 2026 at 10:59 AM
p.7 #9Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
EVIL_guy wrote:
No, don't agree.
- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?
You are clearly not equipped for this conversation.
Earlier quote
Asinine. Lots of people enjoy interfacing with aperture rings and for a company to make one product behave completely differently than their entire stable of other lenses for that same mount is pointlessly stupid.- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?
You are clearly not equipped for this conversation.
Jul 29, 2026 at 11:04 AM
p.7 #10Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
RoamingScott wrote:
strange filter size
Tell that to my 3 lens kit of 26-40-75mm, all three with a 43mm thread.
My 40 and 75 are adapted from M mount, and I would likely have done the same with a 28 if they had worked better on Sony.
So the 26 makes all kinds of sense to me, but would do less so with a different filter size.
strange filter size
Tell that to my 3 lens kit of 26-40-75mm, all three with a 43mm thread.
My 40 and 75 are adapted from M mount, and I would likely have done the same with a 28 if they had worked better on Sony.
So the 26 makes all kinds of sense to me, but would do less so with a different filter size.
Jul 30, 2026 at 04:00 AM
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p.7 #11Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
43mm filters is really an M thing for sure. This isn’t an M lens but it has an M aperture ring and filter thread…makes you think.
twelveish wrote:
Tell that to my 3 lens kit of 26-40-75mm, all three with a 43mm thread.
My 40 and 75 are adapted from M mount, and I would likely have done the same with a 28 if they had worked better on Sony.
So the 26 makes all kinds of sense to me, but would do less so with a different filter size.
twelveish wrote:
RoamingScott wrote
strange filter sizeMy 40 and 75 are adapted from M mount, and I would likely have done the same with a 28 if they had worked better on Sony.
So the 26 makes all kinds of sense to me, but would do less so with a different filter size.
Jul 30, 2026 at 11:21 AM
p.7 #12Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
are you serious with this response, mate? the other guy happens to not align with you warrants calling his argument asinine and here you call him ill-equipped for the conversation? just because he disagrees with you?
RoamingScott wrote:
No, don't agree.
- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?You are clearly not equipped for this conversation.
RoamingScott wrote:
EVIL_guy wrote
Earlier quote
Asinine. Lots of people enjoy interfacing with aperture rings and for a company to make one product behave completely differently than their entire stable of other lenses for that same mount is pointlessly stupid.- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?
Jul 31, 2026 at 03:40 AM
p.7 #13Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
dalegaspi wrote:
are you serious with this response, mate? the other guy happens to not align with you warrants calling his argument asinine and here you call him ill-equipped for the conversation? just because he disagrees with you?
No, don't agree.
- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?You are clearly not equipped for this conversation.
I mean, there was an objectively false claim that Nikon aperture rings are the only ones that turn the direction they do. Sigma, Sony, Fuji, Pentax, and others disagree.
are you serious with this response, mate? the other guy happens to not align with you warrants calling his argument asinine and here you call him ill-equipped for the conversation? just because he disagrees with you?
RoamingScott wrote
EVIL_guy wrote
Earlier quote
Asinine. Lots of people enjoy interfacing with aperture rings and for a company to make one product behave completely differently than their entire stable of other lenses for that same mount is pointlessly stupid.- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?
I mean, there was an objectively false claim that Nikon aperture rings are the only ones that turn the direction they do. Sigma, Sony, Fuji, Pentax, and others disagree.
Jul 31, 2026 at 09:09 AM
p.7 #14Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
mivadep wrote:
No, don't agree.
- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?You are clearly not equipped for this conversation.I mean, there was an objectively false claim that Nikon aperture rings are the only ones that turn the direction they do. Sigma, Sony, Fuji, Pentax, and others disagree.
Not to mention every other Viltrox-on-Z lens, which was the actual point from the start.
I'm not here to entertain room-temp-level-IQ banter.
dalegaspi wrote
are you serious with this response, mate? the other guy happens to not align with you warrants calling his argument asinine and here you call him ill-equipped for the conversation? just because he disagrees with you?RoamingScott wrote
EVIL_guy wrote
Earlier quote
Asinine. Lots of people enjoy interfacing with aperture rings and for a company to make one product behave completely differently than their entire stable of other lenses for that same mount is pointlessly stupid.- Nikon already has a 26 mm lens in their portfolio and Nikon is only a 15 to18% player in the market.
- So it is more important to cover the Sony guys at first and maybe Canon later.
If they decide to do a Nikon-only Version of this lens, ok, but I don't believe it! Why should they ?
Not to mention every other Viltrox-on-Z lens, which was the actual point from the start.
I'm not here to entertain room-temp-level-IQ banter.
Jul 31, 2026 at 09:13 AM
p.7 #15Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
ooh doubling-down aren't we?
i've never seen display of an individual who has such high opinion of himself that it somehow justifies his abrasive attitude.
i'm old enough (too old) to know that the smartest people don't tend to be mean.
also, smart people don't say that they're smart or say anything that implies that; it shows on how they write their sentences and fully articulate their thoughts and ideas.
i've never seen display of an individual who has such high opinion of himself that it somehow justifies his abrasive attitude.
i'm old enough (too old) to know that the smartest people don't tend to be mean.
also, smart people don't say that they're smart or say anything that implies that; it shows on how they write their sentences and fully articulate their thoughts and ideas.
Jul 31, 2026 at 12:28 PM
p.7 #16Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
This 26mm has been a great companion lens along with my tamron 25-200. love it.
Aug 03, 2026 at 09:04 PM
p.7 #17Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
One aspect that many reviewers comment on is the occasional presence of veiling flare in some photos. It seems to occur somewhat unpredictably. Just wondering if any users here have noticed this in practice using the lens, or found it difficult to spot/avoid?
Aug 04, 2026 at 11:37 AM
p.7 #18Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I think this one is the one that was the most noticeable in my use. I won't say any of them are "unpredictable" because you can see it in your shot....but the effect of this shot it doesn't look good.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1949694/5#17078026
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1949694/5#17078026
Aug 04, 2026 at 03:37 PM
p.7 #19Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Thanks for this. That image is a bit disappointing as you say. In those bright conditions it must have been hard to tell if there was veiling flare even pressed against the EVF.
My question was whether it occurs often or only in special circumstances (like your example). Reviewers are sort of duty bound to point out it can happen. But they are not in a position to say whether it is frequent and annoying or just under certain unusual conditions.
My question was whether it occurs often or only in special circumstances (like your example). Reviewers are sort of duty bound to point out it can happen. But they are not in a position to say whether it is frequent and annoying or just under certain unusual conditions.
Aug 05, 2026 at 04:19 AM
p.7 #20Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I was using a A5100 so it was rear panel LCD and I took the shot knowing about that because I want to see the effect.
I shot other also purposeful photos with glare and I don't think they look that bad...
I shot other also purposeful photos with glare and I don't think they look that bad...
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Aug 05, 2026 at 11:12 AM