Viltrox Lenses -Wow!

[Kenny08]

Wanted to share my feedback on 3rd party lens offered by Viltrox. Given the low price point of these lenses, I expected terrible results and the "Get what you paid for" motto I prepared for huge disappointment.

Got on super sale of 2 lenses from Viltrox: the 28mm f4.5 and the 40mm.

I ran through both lenses through some tests and I am in awe at the detail these lenses can deliver. Genuinely shocked on the contrast and the sharpness even at the corners. I had the Nikkor 40mm this year and returned it because it was a bit too noisy mechanically. With the Viltrox at least the mount is metal. I don't know why these lens are marketed so low.

The pancake 28mm is flat as a pancake indeed and the intuitive built in lens cover is an amazing thing to have.

I think with these 2 lenses along with the 24 -120mm f4, I'll be set for a long time. I am still on the market for the 105mm macro from Nikon, so hope to pick that up as well.

 

[circa2000]

I have two Viltrox lenses and have mixed feeling about them. My 27mm F1.2 has a grinding noise from its focus ring. Not that loud but strange considering it belongs a higher end Pro lineup of Viltrox lenses.

My new 9mm F2.8 lens has relatively loud sound from AF motor. Also, the programmable focus ring is not that smooth like on native Nikon lenses.

Considering the low price, I think it's OK that the company cuts few corners on quality control. But I don't share wow effect with you. They are just low cost lenses with probably acceptable quality trade-offs made to achieve this price point.

 

[crowley213]

Wanted to share my feedback on 3rd party lens offered by Viltrox. Given the low price point of these lenses, I expected terrible results and the "Get what you paid for" motto I prepared for huge disappointment.

Got on super sale of 2 lenses from Viltrox: the 28mm f4.5 and the 40mm.

I ran through both lenses through some tests and I am in awe at the detail these lenses can deliver. Genuinely shocked on the contrast and the sharpness even at the corners. I had the Nikkor 40mm this year and returned it because it was a bit too noisy mechanically. With the Viltrox at least the mount is metal. I don't know why these lens are marketed so low.

The pancake 28mm is flat as a pancake indeed and the intuitive built in lens cover is an amazing thing to have.

I think with these 2 lenses along with the 24 -120mm f4, I'll be set for a long time. I am still on the market for the 105mm macro from Nikon, so hope to pick that up as well.

Agreed!

Okay, I shoot Fujifilm and owe other Viltrox lenses (13mm f/1.4, 27mm f/1.2 Pro, 56mm f/1.2), but all I can say is that the Viltrox lenses I owe deliver great IQ for a significant lower cost than similar lenses (if available) from Fujifilm.

Are these lenses perfect? No, but I do not know any lens that is perfect. And at the end of the day it is always about a compromise, and in here we all are different!

Herbert

 

[crowley213]

I have two Viltrox lenses and have mixed feeling about them. My 27mm F1.2 has a grinding noise from its focus ring. Not that loud but strange considering it belongs a higher end Pro lineup of Viltrox lenses.

My new 9mm F2.8 lens has relatively loud sound from AF motor. Also, the programmable focus ring is not that smooth like on native Nikon lenses.

Considering the low price, I think it's OK that the company cuts few corners on quality control. But I don't share wow effect with you. They are just low cost lenses with probably acceptable quality trade-offs made to achieve this price point.

Looks like we have a quite different experience in here!

I owe 3 Viltrox lenses (13mm f/1.4, 27mm f/1.2 Pro, 56mm f/12. Pro, shooting Fujifilm) and I am completely happy with them. IQ is absolutely great, functionality and features also, and all that for approx. 50% of the price for similar (if available at all) Fujifilm lenses.

Therefore, I definitely do not consider these lenses as "just low cost lenses". Yes, they may not always play fully in the same league as original lenses, but as always in life it's about the compromises we can accept.

Herbert

 

[madecov]

I own 4 Viltrox lenses in Z mount

13mm f/1.4

16mm f/1.8

28mm f_4.5

135mm f/1.8

All have been perfectly fine so far and image quality has exceeded the price point

Police Officer (Retired)

No plan survives first contact with the enemy.

 

[circa2000]

You are right, they are reasonably good for the price. However, their limitations are quite clear. Comparing the resolution of my Viltrox 9mm F2.8 with Nikon's kit 16-50mm lens, Viltrox is clearly inferior, in the center and everywhere. I'm not even comparing it to Nikon's fixed lenses.

On the other hand, Viltrox 9mm is a unique focal length for a rectilinear AF lens. I'm not sure that comparison with more traditional focal lengths is fair.

Also, Viltrox lens release speed is accelerating:

2025 - 9 lenses so far

2024 - 6 lenses

2023 - 2 lenses

2022 - 3 lenses

2021 - 3 lenses

I wonder how many lenses they release in 2026.

 

[madecov]

You are right, they are reasonably good for the price. However, their limitations are quite clear. Comparing the resolution of my Viltrox 9mm F2.8 with Nikon's kit 16-50mm lens, Viltrox is clearly inferior, in the center and everywhere. I'm not even comparing it to Nikon's fixed lenses.

On the other hand, Viltrox 9mm is a unique focal length for a rectilinear AF lens. I'm not sure that comparison with more traditional focal lengths is fair.

Also, Viltrox lens release speed is accelerating:

2025 - 9 lenses so far

2024 - 6 lenses

2023 - 2 lenses

2022 - 3 lenses

2021 - 3 lenses

I wonder how many lenses they release in 2026.

Photorumors says an 85mm f/2 is next. I have the TT ARTISAN 75MM f/2, so I'm good there.

 

[circa2000]

Photorumors says an 85mm f/2 is next. I have the TT ARTISAN 75MM f/2, so I'm good there.

Indeed, this lens has been officially announced 3 hours ago. This is the 10th Viltrox lens this year. Crazy productivity!