Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
p.9 #1Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
deadwolfbones wrote:
[...]
Specifically, I'm sure Viltrox would love for their Lab/Evo lines to have better coatings.
I would think so, yes. I have used the 35 EVO APO a lot lately and you have to watch out for excessive flare in some high contrast situations. Sometimes it works with some extra flare but for the most of the time images would be better with out flair. It is however to easy to learn to know the lens and now I'm seldom surprised by the flare when checking the images in Bridge.
[...]
Specifically, I'm sure Viltrox would love for their Lab/Evo lines to have better coatings.
I would think so, yes. I have used the 35 EVO APO a lot lately and you have to watch out for excessive flare in some high contrast situations. Sometimes it works with some extra flare but for the most of the time images would be better with out flair. It is however to easy to learn to know the lens and now I'm seldom surprised by the flare when checking the images in Bridge.
Aug 09, 2026 at 10:30 AM
p.9 #2Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
After reading all these.. I’m leaning towards not getting it.
Aug 10, 2026 at 07:20 PM
p.9 #3Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
hawon wrote:
After reading all these.. I’m leaning towards not getting it.
I am happy I got mine.
After reading all these.. I’m leaning towards not getting it.
I am happy I got mine.
Aug 10, 2026 at 07:35 PM
p.9 #4Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
pete478888 wrote:
I am happy I got mine.
I am glad you are
I think my biggest concern is variations.
hawon wrote
After reading all these.. I’m leaning towards not getting it.I am glad you are
I think my biggest concern is variations.
Aug 11, 2026 at 10:55 AM
p.9 #5Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
hawon wrote:
I am happy I got mine.I am glad you are
I think my biggest concern is variations.
In terms of sharpness or being decentered? I hope the AF will be improved with firmware updates.
Dustin Abbot has a good description of the veiling the lens can produce. No problem shooting directly into the sun.
It confirms my experience. My sample is sharp into the extreme corners at F5.6 on a Z5II. That's where the lens performs best in terms of optics. Pancakes usually have some optical compromises. It is certainly not perfect. I have not tried it on a Z7.
I enjoy having this little lightweight lens with me on mountain hikes where weight is important, especially when getting older. Certainly great for travel too. I think its great when the 24-120 is too heavy or bulky, or in combo with a 35/50.
https://dustinabbott.net/2026/07/viltrox-evo-26mm-f2-8-fe-review/
pete478888 wrote
hawon wrote
After reading all these.. I’m leaning towards not getting it. I think my biggest concern is variations.
In terms of sharpness or being decentered? I hope the AF will be improved with firmware updates.
Dustin Abbot has a good description of the veiling the lens can produce. No problem shooting directly into the sun.
It confirms my experience. My sample is sharp into the extreme corners at F5.6 on a Z5II. That's where the lens performs best in terms of optics. Pancakes usually have some optical compromises. It is certainly not perfect. I have not tried it on a Z7.
I enjoy having this little lightweight lens with me on mountain hikes where weight is important, especially when getting older. Certainly great for travel too. I think its great when the 24-120 is too heavy or bulky, or in combo with a 35/50.
https://dustinabbott.net/2026/07/viltrox-evo-26mm-f2-8-fe-review/
Aug 11, 2026 at 09:22 PM
p.9 #6Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I got mine yesterday and Im returning it.
Build quality is very nice and I like the magnetic cap , but the images doesn't look as I expected.
Soft/flat wide open vs the Batis.
Could be sample variation ...
Build quality is very nice and I like the magnetic cap , but the images doesn't look as I expected.
Soft/flat wide open vs the Batis.
Could be sample variation ...
Aug 14, 2026 at 01:03 PM
p.9 #7Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I got it too. My 24 1.8 gets a little bulky at certain events so this should be interesting. Only shot a handful of test shots so far and it seems great. Plenty sharp.
Aug 14, 2026 at 04:31 PM
p.9 #8Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I like it so far, using it on both the a7cII and a6700, light and easy to carry, focuses close and the image quality is good, sharp to the corners stopped down:
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A6700
by Choezy, on Flickr
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A7cII
by Choezy, on Flickr
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A6700
by Choezy, on Flickr
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A7cII
by Choezy, on Flickr
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A6700 by Choezy, on Flickr
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A7cII by Choezy, on Flickr
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A6700 by Choezy, on Flickr
Viltrox 26mm f2.8 + A7cII by Choezy, on Flickr
Aug 14, 2026 at 08:03 PM
p.9 #9Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Has Adobe released a lens correction profile for this lens? I could not see it listed in LRC.
Aug 15, 2026 at 09:54 AM
p.9 #10Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
rob_ww wrote:
Has Adobe released a lens correction profile for this lens? I could not see it listed in LRC.
Not so far.
Has Adobe released a lens correction profile for this lens? I could not see it listed in LRC.
Not so far.
Aug 15, 2026 at 10:15 AM
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p.9 #11Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
rob_ww wrote:
Has Adobe released a lens correction profile for this lens? I could not see it listed in LRC.
It's embedded in the lens, at least on Z.
Has Adobe released a lens correction profile for this lens? I could not see it listed in LRC.
It's embedded in the lens, at least on Z.
Aug 15, 2026 at 10:20 AM
p.9 #12Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Getting some use today
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Aug 15, 2026 at 07:46 PM
p.9 #13Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
In using it at car shows, a lot of my shooting these days, this lens really is good enough, and so easy to carry. I am gonna keep it.
Aug 17, 2026 at 09:24 PM
p.9 #14Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Just wondering, does anyone bother with the lens hood on this lens? It seems to provide only token protection and shade.
Aug 18, 2026 at 04:31 AM
p.9 #15Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
rob_ww wrote:
Just wondering, does anyone bother with the lens hood on this lens? It seems to provide only token protection and shade.
I use it to attached filter, and I got a normal 43mm lens cap for it and not used the bulky magnetic one...
Aug 18, 2026 at 05:17 AM
p.9 #16Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
rob_ww wrote:
Just wondering, does anyone bother with the lens hood on this lens? It seems to provide only token protection and shade.
I put it on there, there really isn't a size penalty to it IMO, It doesn't lock in place though. It has a bayonet like a lens mount, but no clicky. I am using the magnetic lens cap. I do like that feature. I also shoot aperture priority so setting the F stop via the ring is nice as well.
Just wondering, does anyone bother with the lens hood on this lens? It seems to provide only token protection and shade.
I put it on there, there really isn't a size penalty to it IMO, It doesn't lock in place though. It has a bayonet like a lens mount, but no clicky. I am using the magnetic lens cap. I do like that feature. I also shoot aperture priority so setting the F stop via the ring is nice as well.
Aug 18, 2026 at 06:38 AM
p.9 #17Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
rob_ww wrote:
Just wondering, does anyone bother with the lens hood on this lens? It seems to provide only token protection and shade.
I do, I like that it keeps rain off better than not number 1, but I also have put a step up ring on it 43-58 so that I can carry one cpl and one nd filter and use it on multiple lenses in my small kit bag. The magnetic cover actually works on the step up ring (albeit not as tight) but sufficient for my use
Just wondering, does anyone bother with the lens hood on this lens? It seems to provide only token protection and shade.
I do, I like that it keeps rain off better than not number 1, but I also have put a step up ring on it 43-58 so that I can carry one cpl and one nd filter and use it on multiple lenses in my small kit bag. The magnetic cover actually works on the step up ring (albeit not as tight) but sufficient for my use
Aug 18, 2026 at 07:28 AM
p.9 #18Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
Max Power wrote:
I put it on there, there really isn't a size penalty to it IMO, It doesn't lock in place though. It has a bayonet like a lens mount, but no clicky. I am using the magnetic lens cap. I do like that feature. I also shoot aperture priority so setting the F stop via the ring is nice as well.
It does lock in place, and once locked, the dot on the hood should align with the dot on the lens body.
rob_ww wrote
Just wondering, does anyone bother with the lens hood on this lens? It seems to provide only token protection and shade.It does lock in place, and once locked, the dot on the hood should align with the dot on the lens body.
Aug 18, 2026 at 09:09 AM
p.9 #19Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I got it for a pretty good price on Aliexpress but sent it back. it was visibly decentered (whole left side was always blurry unless focused there), and the AF speed/vibrations were subpar for my taste…
Aug 21, 2026 at 02:34 PM
p.9 #20Viltrox 26mm f2.8 EVO for Z and E - first look
I bought my 26mm pancake on Amazon for ~$250 USD including tax (it was on a random sale), and it's vastly better and sharper than the last pancake I tried, the Viltrox 28mm.
The flare is awful wide open shooting into the sun, but stopped down to f5.6 or above, and it's mostly fine.
The flare is awful wide open shooting into the sun, but stopped down to f5.6 or above, and it's mostly fine.
Aug 22, 2026 at 01:51 PM