Viltrox 9mm F2.8

[JasonMulvern]

The upcoming Viltrox 9mm F2.8 for Nikon Z looks really interesting, potentially as a compact astro lens. Maybe less for detailed work (the corners look a bit soft in initial tests) but certainly for star trails and starlapses.

I have the 13mm F1.4 which works well on my Z50, but at F1.4 the stars have "wings" even a small distance from the centre, which is a shame.

My Nikon 10-20 via the FTZ has a terrible F4.5 widest aperture, but a great field of view. My Nikon 10.5mm fisheye (also via the FTZ) is fantastic at F2.8 and not bad even at the edges... a secondhand bargain though obviously the image is very curved.

And my Laowa circular fisheye (4mm) is a curious all-sky lens but on the 20mp sensor the resulting circle isn't hugely detailed (also impossible to heat to keep dew off, as it's too stubby!).

Anyone else planning to buy this when released?

 

[InkedMarie]

I just saw that lens in an email from Viltrox, along with the 14mm f/4. They’re both the same price, unless I read wrong. I’ll be deciding and hope Santa brings me my decision for Christmas!



Marie

 

[monte12345]

I have the 20mm f2.8, 33mm f1.4, 35mm f1.7, and 85mm f1.8 FF lenses. The older 33mm f1.4 is a good lens with nice bokeh but it's not super sharp like the 20, 35, and 85mm lenses. Which is why I stated that they have amped up their image quality.

Because of this I expect that the new 9mm lens will prove to be quite good. However I purchased a 10mm f2 TTArtisan 2 weeks ago so the budget is a bit tapped out at present. Note, I really should try doing a few night shots with the new 10mm but Metro Detroit is a horrible area for capturing stars at night and visiting my Sister in Western Virginia won't happen until the fall colors are in full bloom.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

I just saw that lens in an email from Viltrox, along with the 14mm f/4. They’re both the same price, unless I read wrong. I’ll be deciding and hope Santa brings me my decision for Christmas!

Marie

I'm thinking about getting 14mm f/4 as a compact travel alternative for my Z 14-30 and I think in some of the reviews I saw, it may be a tad bit sharper in the corners, but I'd have to look into that more. (14mm is the weakest FL of the 14-30).

Although this does make me wish they would maybe also make a smaller, lighter 16mm prime (like an f/4) as well, because I think 16mm is a good balance bewteen 14mm and around 20mm... wide enough to be, well, ultra-wide but closer to a 24mm which is where most other (zoom) lenses start so the gap between 16mm and 24mm would not be as big.

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* PLEASE NOTE: I generally unsubscribe from forums/comments after a period of time has passed, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. *

 

[duffotos]

I am tempted to get both the 9mm and 14mm Viltrox lenses; the latter because I never upgraded a legacy Tokina 12-24 mm wide angle lens when moving to the Z6, Z50 mirrorless domain. As a workaround, a 10-20 DX with FTZ on a Z50 was found to be pleasing despite the adapter. With a 15-30mm full frame equivalence, and given infrequent use, this DX choice was satisfactory, though not ideal. If I had it to do over, I would have acquired the 14-30 f4 at its introduction. A Tamron 16-30 Z announcement now obfuscates that choice. To some extent, the 14mm Viltrox prime announcement muddies the FX waters even further; but the low cost provides little risk of buyer remorse. The present 24mm limit is not wide enough for full frame use. The newly announced 14mm Viltrox f4 Z lens has been given high value marks by Dustin Abbott amongst others. This minuscule auto-focusing marvel can provide a a place holder for the eventual Tamron or Nikon wide angle FX choice. The Viltrox prime appears to be a winner for ZF and Z5II shooters.

In a similar manner, The 9mm Viltrox lens has much to offer DX users. Those who endured the wait for the arrival of the 12-28 mm power zoom had to accept the compromised field of view reduction from the earlier 10-20 specification. They also needed to reconcile the novel zoom controls. Having done that, and also acquired the Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4, this still left me wanting at least the 10mm capabilities that were present in the earlier 10-24 and 10-20 offerings. The Grays of Westminster provided a nice topical assessment of the relevant lenses that tilted my decision to get the 12-28. Having said all that, and being well satisfied with the brighter but bulkier 13mm f1.4 Viltrox, the 9mm Viltrox is a welcome offering for landscape and other uses to be determined. The $199 price tag at B&H is astounding.

 

[commiebiker]

I am tempted to get both the 9mm and 14mm Viltrox lenses; the latter because I never upgraded a legacy Tokina 12-24 mm wide angle lens when moving to the Z6, Z50 mirrorless domain. As a workaround, a 10-20 DX with FTZ on a Z50 was found to be pleasing despite the adapter. With a 15-30mm full frame equivalence, and given infrequent use, this DX choice was satisfactory, though not ideal. If I had it to do over, I would have acquired the 14-30 f4 at its introduction. A Tamron 16-30 Z announcement now obfuscates that choice. To some extent, the 14mm Viltrox prime announcement muddies the FX waters even further; but the low cost provides little risk of buyer remorse. The present 24mm limit is not wide enough for full frame use. The newly announced 14mm Viltrox f4 Z lens has been given high value marks by Dustin Abbott amongst others. This minuscule auto-focusing marvel can provide a a place holder for the eventual Tamron or Nikon wide angle FX choice. The Viltrox prime appears to be a winner for ZF and Z5II shooters.

In a similar manner, The 9mm Viltrox lens has much to offer DX users. Those who endured the wait for the arrival of the 12-28 mm power zoom had to accept the compromised field of view reduction from the earlier 10-20 specification. They also needed to reconcile the novel zoom controls. Having done that, and also acquired the Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4, this still left me wanting at least the 10mm capabilities that were present in the earlier 10-24 and 10-20 offerings. The Grays of Westminster provided a nice topical assessment of the relevant lenses that tilted my decision to get the 12-28. Having said all that, and being well satisfied with the brighter but bulkier 13mm f1.4 Viltrox, the 9mm Viltrox is a welcome offering for landscape and other uses to be determined. The $199 price tag at B&H is astounding.

I was able to review the 14mm (Sony E mount adapted to my Z8) It's a heck of a bargain

Viltrox 14 mm

 

[DVF Photography]

I dare say I'm tempted! For my Z50 I have a TTartisan 7.5mm f/2.8 Fisheye, which I normally use when I need a wide angle. Has given me great star photos so far, but I am in the market for a normal wide angle, because fisheye isn't always what I want.

Christopher Frost has a neat review on it: