Are you a Gear Snob? Are Viltrox lens' any good? (ft 85mm1.8)

[@patmercier3578]

Thanks for taking the time to test this lens and making this video!

[@NickBarang]

I have the full set of Viltrox primes, been very happy with them. There is some purple fringing but it's easy enough to fix in post. And I do have to pretty much shoot directly into the sun to get it in the first place. It's only the 85mm with a crappy lens hood, the rest have a really good set of metal hoods.

[@GLENNMPHOTOGRAPHY]

I bought this Viltrox 85 1.8 lens for my z6ii and was amazed with the results. Tack sharp, color rendition, and af is top notch. Wont be needing the native glass for my kind of shooting.

[@keithsandercock1412]

Received my Viltrox 85mm f1.8 today. My first impressions? Your review is right on! ESPECIALLY with respect to the lens hood. This hood in its reversed position was so secure that I could not get it off, in fact I thought I was going to have to break it to remove it, or perhaps return the lens to the dealer. It was so tight that I began to think that it was a "shrink fit". With a considerable amount of effort I did mange to remove it, never to be used again. Autofocus works fine, but does seem to be a little slow. Fit and finish of the lens is excellent.

[@tonygreenwoodN10]

I have a Viltrox 56mm 1.4 on my X-T4 - amazing value for money - renders well - focuses quickly, accurately and quietly - it has a bit of fringing totally wide open in very high contrast scenes but other than that, IMO a really good lens! Not surprised that you like it on your Nikon!

[@keithsandercock1412]

Good review. What a salesman! Buying one as a replacement for my Nikkor 85mm f1.4 AIS / FTZ combination, manual focus only. Went on to Amazon and purchased the lens. As a Prime member ... delivery in 4 days.

[@jimwlouavl]

I had the same problem with the hood on the Z mount 85mm. The seller sent me a rubber lens hood as an accommodation. Thanks for the video. I look forward to what other Z lenses Viltrox introduces.

[@SkYjAcKeR666]

I bought the Viltrox 85mm And I was a bit apprehensive I gotta say, but I went ahead and I'm so damn pleased with this, the build quality is awesome, eye tracking is spot on, fast focus, the images are just so nice, Im really gald I only spent £280 on this and not over £600 for the Nikon just for the weather sealing. The lens hood is a bit hard to get on, but once you get the hang of it after a while it's ok, only thing I can diss on it.

[@uncleants]

I can't speak about the 85, but I do have their 23mm in fuji x mount. It's better built than any of my Fuji lenses and the clickless aperture ring has enough resistance that moving it accidentally (something some people worry about) isn't an issue. Af is fast, it tracks well and it's pretty sharp. Downsides are all when it's wide open ... it's a little soft at the edges, vignettes and in some circumstances has some noticeable chromatic aberration. Most of the time these aren't issues in the sense that the times I'm using it wide open they aren't really an issue or can be fixed. Overall it's amazing value for money. Interestingly, the lens hood is very good ... better than any Fuji ones I have ... and so is the lens cap. Fuji lens caps are the worst though.

[@paulm8157]

Points taken. Have the 85 1.8 Mk 2 Fuji; no complaints thus far (hood a tad fussy, as you point out). IMO lens maker reputation (QC, copy consistency, value) takes years to build. Not a snob, but cautious. Good point about contrast - color rendition too? BTW, love your Welsh “happy dance”😁. Cheers!

[@GarryM66]

Nice video and love the images captures 😍I’m definitely not a lens snob and have both tamron and sigma in my Nikon collection. I firmly believe that you have to balance value, usage and specifications to any purchase. For example I bought both the 35mm and 85mm tamron g2s for my D750. Both of these lenses are extremely well weather sealed but additionally have IS built in which is something the Nikon fs don’t, so in my mind better and added value! I personally think Viltrox offers something and especially with the new apsc 1.4s on the Z will be of benefit to Nikon and their Apsc offerings such as the Zfc. We already own the Nikon S equivalents but would certainly buy into the Viltrox 1.4 APSCs for our Zfc.

[@CapturedByKen]

The lens hood goes on WAY easier if you turn the camera and hold the hood still , atleast thats how its been for me ... can put it on and off even with my eyes closed now (I have the Mark ii version)

[@DAVE211147]

I have all 4 Viltrox lenses 23mm/33mm/56mm/and 85mm and used them for a wedding no issues at all use them on an XT4 and XT30

[@BriBarnhamPhotography]

All my lenses are now G Master lenses & I wouldn't look back, the change in Quality is outstanding, for video/images, what you screw on the front of your camera definitely counts.

[@desgardner7169]

There are no bad lenses only bad photographers who blame their equipment when things dont go right, keep watching KZbin you will soon find out who they are! That 85mm looks like a fine lens and the images looked good from it, I believe that lenses that are perfect in balancing the amount of contrast with the glass that is used are the best! The answer to your question are you a camera snob is no I am not, but its nice to hear that someone is pleased with their third party lens, to be used on a Nikon camera, will you be doing any street photography with it? thank you for your thoughts.

[@acmdv]

I used their EF to Fuji XF autofocus adapter, it worked ok until I updated the firmware on my X-T4 at which point it froze the camera - I had also updated the adapters firmware.

[@bcegerton]

As a Fuji user the lack of AF third party lenses, especially for someone like myself that’s on a tight budget really is annoying and the main reason 12 months on I’ve still only got the 18-55 and the 35 f2 WR. Still not convinced I bought the right camera, was thinking of going with Sony but I could only afford the A7iii but heard some have shutter issues and another system I’ve never used, thought of waiting for the R6 used price to drop or go for a Z6/7. Even thought of just going for the XT-4 but would still have the same issue with lenses so for now may try the Viltrox lenses as I want/need a 56mm or similar and definitely do need a longer lens which I guess will have to be Fuji, probably the XC 50-230 unless I can find the XF 55-200 at a good enough price ( read as what I can afford )

[@Zlin0035]

I've been using the Viltrox 33mm f1.4 for Fujifilm and its a fantastic piece of kit for the price. I might sell it for the Fujifilm 33 f1.4 R WR but only for the weather sealing, the VIltrox is slightly sharper.

[@arcanics1971]

My most expensive lens was £80. I think I might not be a gear snob. And my favourite lens is an EF 35mm that came from a chain store in the 80s.

[@4Kandlez]

"Buy cheap buy twice" is a saying in engineering, buy the cheap spanners and they'll break so then you buy the quality ones you really wanted. Also that bargain price usually means that someone down the line is being paid peanuts

[@psoon04286]

No, not a gear snob by any description, but I do expect a certain level of consistent quality control . I’d recommend to anyone that buys products like these is to get it from a seller with a solid return policy and if you are eventually happy with the purchase do give them a good review.

[@MartinArscott1]

Awesome timing! Just bought a Z50 and spotted the Viltrox lenses, was wondering if they were any good...Previously stuck to Nikons plus my Sigma 105mm macro, having sold all my full frame kit a few years back I'm reluctant to go out and spend a lot on new lenses, but my DX ones do become a tad bulky with the FTZ adapter, these could be the answer, thanks!

[@WraithCalling]

I am just a hobbyist, my hobby doesn't financially support itself. So being budget conscious I don't have to have the latest and greatest gear. I do have a Viltrox 33 F1.4, I picked it up as a nifty-fifty. I have been very pleased with the results I have gotten with it. I do prefer native lenses, better resale value, quality, but I really have to be picky about the cost of lenses and how hard they hit my wallet.

[@rtrik73]

Great review thinking of buying this lens for my fujifilm.

[@aminmotin]

I'm not a gear snob, although my family claim I am a general snob! I have that same Viltrox lens and I love it. I'm sure the Nikon Z 85mm will be a tiny bit sharper, but I'm very happy with the results I get from the Viltrox. I got it at a great price and it was just too good a deal to miss out. I love that focal length as well and they are solidly made lenses. The regular firmware updates keep performance high so I would think most people would be happy with the results if they ignore the label :)

[@davekitsonphotography]

As a hobbyist I spend ages comparing the lenses before buying them. My trio of lenses are all 3rd party (Sigma and Tamron), all based on the reviews. So I’d say I’m not a purist. To your question of lenses and the resolution: The lenses are anologue, so they’re not limited to a pixel size. It’s their sharpness (and the focussing) which would up on higher resolution sensors.

[@GarethDanks]

Ah that’s interesting! Good point re analogue. So a sharper lens will render better at higher res. 👏🏻😊

[@buddyWalrus]

I'm a gear snob when it comes to gear I own. But that's just my preference. In reality most modern lenses are plenty capable for most people's needs, it just comes down to what you can afford.

[@spyrosbotsolis2125]

almost tack sharp (nikon version is sharper) Ican live with that.Only if you put them side by side can see it. the big flow is the eye autofocus in a studio. 1 out of 3 is properly focused. maybe its my copy that does that.

[@ArgentoRAWRz]

i love my xf viltrox 85mm, i have it for about 3 years and its a dogggg, still my main lens, beast in low light

[@IanWilkinson]

FYI The Google Drive access request for your sample images responds with "Request sent" but the browser tab shows Access Denied and no email is received.

[@GarethDanks]

thanks ian..!! Grateful for that heads up! short link wasnt working.. fixed it now!! thanks again! shorturl.at/pqvyR

[@IanWilkinson]

@@GarethDanks My pleasure - looks like a lens worth my checking out the FE version (also Mk II). Thanks for your heads up.

[@monkeysausage2404]

The 56mm is on a par with the Fuji version. The Fuji is sharper wide open but stop the Viltrox down to f2 or f2.8 and it give real bang for you buck. I had the 85mm but sold that for the 56mm

[@GarethDanks]

I agree. Bet it tacks better too. Won’t have the character tho

[@monkeysausage2404]

@@GarethDanks Only other photographers will notice any different. And other photographers don't buy your photographs. AF wasn't great at first but a couple updates and it's better than some Fuji glass.

[@richn1751]

Any 3rd party lens hood manufacturers? Haven't had any joy finding one yet

[@ashtonal.2634]

my 85mm is spot on, couldn't be happier with it

[@richardlewis9868]

Great video Gareth, I'm still sitting on the fence with regards to lens, I have found that if you buy cheap you buy twice but as you say technology has come a long way over the last few years, all my canon lens are L series but I do have to expand the Fuji gear, by the way of interest, A few years ago I was listening to a podcast with either the head of sales for canon or nikon (getting old and can't remember) when asked why photography gear is so expensive in the UK the reply was 'people are stupid enough to pay it in the UK' at least he was honest.

[@GarethDanks]

And I very much agree. People like to buy what’s fashionable. Why more don’t use tokina and tamron is beyond me.

[@dbugatto]

Have the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 for my Xpro3 , love the image quality , loathe the the click-less aperture ring ....

[@djtruedomination]

I use that lens more than any other lens I have.

[@harryp6312]

I have the 23mm for fuji lens. All good but for me its a bit bulky and obtrusive for street photography, so although I was happy with it I want to move it on. The flaw, try getting a quote from mpb and the like to sell it on. Unwanted

[@TungstenOvergaard]

Viltrox 85mm for Fuji is really good. The 23/35/56 ones have purple fringing like hell. And flat colour in my opinion.

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

You also own a sigma 100-400 which I am assuming you still own. Not as sharp as Z mount lenses I think you felt at the time. As a Z mount shooter I have bought the FTZ adapter & bought 70-300mm P version because of the lack of long Z lenses. Still awaiting the with big breath there will be a 70-200 f4....

[@GarethDanks]

hi nicky! yes thats right that lens is fantastic for the size and weight but no its not a patch on the other lenses.. i spoke to sigma about this and they said it should be..

[@tonyhayes9827]

Lack of weather sealing........ bugs me from time to time. Will Viltrox focus stack with Nikon bodies? Does it play nice for all these little idiosyncrasies with Nikon bodies?

[@kevingullick1596]

I'm defo not a gear snob, I love my viltrox 85m and use it regularly on my xh1 /xt3 and see no reason to buy "upgrade" to the fuji 90mm, the viltrox 85mm is an absolute bargain.

[@GarethDanks]

I hear amazing things about the 90! but i see lots selling them often too! this thing isnt a cash collector so i see no reason to need to sell it.. again lol

[@psysword]

Will this fit on the zfc? Thanks

[@GarethDanks]

It will indeed

[@gtj47]

I have the viltrox 85mm for my nikon z....I love it!!! brilliant value for money!! No, I'm not a gear snob lol though I agree about the lens hood :)

[@GarethDanks]

Yeah man amazing value. I think they’ll do well 👍🏻😊

[@gtj47]

@@GarethDanks me too :)

[@paulburwood8231]

I'm definitely a gear snob, on the basis you get what you pay for, and I would rather save up for a little longer to buy quality.

[@CaptainCreosoteRN]

Gear snobbery can be an expensive character flaw if you don't think long and hard. Sometime OEM glass IS the right choice but even if you can save on one lens it can be well worth stepping away from the perceived wisdom.

[@martinpickard5818]

I definitely am a gear snob.😂😂

[@GarethDanks]

😂👏🏻 least you’re honest. Let me cancel that Leica order 😂

[@j_a_lee]

Looks worth investigation when considering expanding on an existing collection on a budget. Wide aperture by default. I honestly saw your video title and expected a thumbs down!

[@GarethDanks]

Def not a thumbs down. They’re fantastic lenses.

[@jamesm9560]

Interesting

[@auong4044]

Sir, Have you learned how to put the Len hood on yet since? Yes learn is correct.

[@radeknazwisko9180]

I want to buying Nikon Z7, a have enought Fuji Noisy Master. No sharpness no details no clear photo.

[@davidpearce2981]

Very impressed will definitely check them out mate

[@GarethDanks]

Wish I could get you a discount haha

[@ernestthomas9406]

anybody who uses a Leica digital camera is a super gear snob

[@GarethDanks]

Haha I’ve just commented on another post joking about cancelling my Leica order 😂👏🏻