Cheap Autofocus Lenses: Are They Too Good to Be True?

[@markwiemels]

Ultra-Budget Viltrox Autofocus Lenses (affiliate links) 56mm f1.7 (Sony APS-C) - geni.us/f9g2JHC or geni.us/yLYbp 56mm f1.7 (Fuji X) - geni.us/jzFktTN or geni.us/DsR95K 56mm f1.7 (Nikon APS-C) - geni.us/TXmaqA or geni.us/iOfa9P 20mm f2.8 (Sony Full Frame) - geni.us/zgo2F or geni.us/5X6i0v 20mm f2.8 (Nikon Z Full Frame) - geni.us/Tq1s or geni.us/AZZeUcw 40mm f2.8 (Sony Full Frame) - geni.us/AvpTNs or geni.us/p0mEzee 40mm f2.5 (Nikon Z Full Frame) - geni.us/SiBoBc or geni.us/OwAKg5

[@squidskunk]

the way you present the products in your videos is greatly appreciated... THANK YOU.

[@lionheart4424]

Viltrox is killing it with all these bangers of lenses.

[@fajar13k]

Owned the Viltrox 20mm f2.8, even I use it in professional shooting since I do Cosplay for Business. It's great in my old Nikon Z6, and I don't really see that much downsides, it's small and fun. One thing I always worry is just the weather sealing. And for video, may be slow.

[@dw.in.michigan]

I just recently upgraded my main camera from DSLR to mirrorless - Nikon on both. I'm still using my F-mount glass, but I wanted to get a Z-mount lens, so I bought the Viltrox 20mm F2.8. For daytime photography, it does fine, but for nighttime photography, the focus is a bit soft. Obviously, I don't use the autofocus for nighttime, other than to establish focus initially. For less than $200, it's not bad, but if anyone is buying it (and probably any of the other sub-$200 lenses) specifically for nighttime, be aware that it won't deliver the same performance as other third-party lenses, like Sigma, Tamron, or even Samyang/Rokinon. Viltrox has other lenses in its lineup that are higher quality, that apparently outshine Samyang and can even decently compete with Sigma and Tamron, but they do cost 3-4x as much.

[@markwiemels]

There really should be no difference in daytime focus and night, and the camera should focus in low light without issue. Do you mean night sky photography?

[@abhiipandey4189]

Please recommend best 3 versatile lens for a6600 . Which lens to buy must in budget.

[@ChrisBrogan]

So glad you gave this a run down. Thank you! I appreciate your point of view a great deal.

[@markwiemels]

Thanks.

[@AlanMeksikanac]

I love watching your videos! I cannot decide between vitrox 20mm or ttartisan 27mm

[@markwiemels]

hmm... Well if you have a full frame camera, the Viltrox, it's a full frame lens. I really like the TT27mm for crop sensor, but not everyone feels the same. The TT35 f1.8 is really nice, and Viltrox is about the release a 35 f1.7, which is very good. I will have a video out this week that should help you.

[@AlanMeksikanac]

@markwiemels thank you! I have a6000

[@inSurfersParadise]

Hi Mark, general, off-topic question here but you are the lens guy… so… Accepted conventional wisdom is that the 45 to 50 mm lens length is the 35mm "natural view" range. I take it to mean the view that most resembles things when seen with our own eyes. However, when I put a 45 or 50 on my full frame 5DmkII, the view through the viewfinder is smaller than when I simply look with my eyes. Put the 85mm lens on the 5D and hey presto it’s almost a perfect match. Look through viewfinder, drop camera down. Look at scene with eyes, look through viewfinder again and one overlays the other perfectly. Making the 85mm a normal "natural" view to my eyes and thinking. Um. Any thoughts?

[@markwiemels]

If you can figure this one out, then you tell me :-) I have been scratching my head over this “what the human eye sees” thing for years.

[@inSurfersParadise]

@@markwiemels Good, its not just me. I shall keep it quietly to myself and just nod and wave while the discussion moves on.

[@drchtct]

​@@inSurfersParadiseI agree with you. I always use the 50mm zoom end of my APSC lens, it is an accurate representation of *what my eyes focus on* through the viewfinder. Now, if you look at the photos at home on a big screen, they are way bigger. But in general, the difference comes from what you focus on and what you see including peripheral vision. In my opinion, 24-35mm FF is what your entire view is, including peripheral vision. 70-90mm FF is what we focus on at a time.

[@IngweMutliMediaProductions]

Owning a few different cameras from Canon, Panasonic, Sony and Fuji , I found that Fuji has a different setup for photography and for video , where a the other camera manufactures , what you apply to photographic settings work in Video . In my fuji XH2 the video setting for Auto Focus has far less features and in limited AFS, AFC , which frustrates me and should not be like this for a high-end APC camera. FUJI AFC is probably currently one of the biggest issue after several FW updates for owners . compared to my daughters ZVE10 AFC works for pretty much any lens with AFC making Fuji AFC is lacking. Which comes down to what lens could buy for XH2 from the budget range of lens for Video work which will work . Just my 2cent . Thanks for the awssom work .

[@holgerokorn3164]

Hi Mark I'm waiting for Viltrox for M43 and L Mount. Do you have contacts with Viltrox management?

[@go0ot]

Another amazing apt tutorial . thank you.

[@timothykieper]

interesting but, 56mm seems like an odd choice? Then on crop sensor compares with 90mm full frame. So, not sure what is the inteded application?

[@tmvideosnet]

hello Please tell about canon Thanks

[@DigiDriftZone]

Fuji autofocus is still god awful, it doesn’t compare to even 5 year old Sony bodies :(

[@somnayak1]

Even the x100vi?

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@somnayak1 x100vi is much worse. If you can get modern X mount lenses that have quieter and faster autofocus (although tap to track and in general subject tracking is bad, especially in video), the x100vi is uniquely worse with a very old lens with terrible loud/slow motors. Maybe this was required to make it more compact but it’s awful if you care about autofocus of anything moving or video autofocus.

[@somnayak1]

@@DigiDriftZone Thanks for the genuine info mate. I was actually planning to buy a x100vi. None of the so called reviewers have disclosed this fact about the camera

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@somnayak1 The reviews talk about slowing down, about being deliberate. These things are all true. Many do mention the slow and loud focusing, because there wasn't space to fit in quiet linear motors. But yes, you will hear those motors if you record video and they do miss shots with any kind of movement, it's just inevitable. For me it's a big problem, but for some it's ok?

[@drchtct]

Another autofocus comment... the way this narrative shapes on the internet you'd think Fuji's out of business for 10 years but somehow they're more successful than ever. Possibly... and just possibly you shouldn't believe everything that's said on the internet.

[@carreraluu]

Are these better than the Sony 50mm f1.8?

[@RyanBartonGrimley]

which fuji camera did you use?

[@markwiemels]

X-H2

[@nelsono4315]

I have the Viltrox 85mm f1.8 lens and I absolutely love it ! I use it on my Sony A7iii full frame

[@ZheikoNileth]

This is exactly the lense I am looking to buy next. Are there any drawbacks to that lense? Any quirks that are undesirable?

[@nelsono4315]

@@ZheikoNileth none that I've seen. I did some youtube research before buying.

[@ZheikoNileth]

@@nelsono4315 Haha yea, thats why I am in this comment section, doing the same - so far I am pretty convinced its going to be my next lense:)

[@pbpb253]

Hawks are flying buddy. Good luck in the Finals 👍

[@markwiemels]

Thanks. Yes, it's pretty exciting!

[@pbpb253]

​@@markwiemelshey again. Love the channel. I need a recommendation if possible. Am looking to upgrade on my GoPros and phone video for something of better quality. Main uses are for hiking/backpacking videography & photography (60/40 split favouring video slightly). Occasionally taking pics of family members and 3 cute Yorkies. Budget 4k-ish including a starter lens or 2, and memory cards, cage etc... Strongly considering the Fujifilm X-H2 (as you have recommended), and also the Sony FX30 which has some great reviews. Suggestions appreciated 👍

[@pbpb253]

I should have added, I use Luminar Neo to edit photos, and Resolve for Video. If that matters at all for your recommendation.

[@elzafir]

Damn why they don't release one for M43?

[@holgerokorn3164]

yes, I'm also waiting for Viltrox for M43 and L Mount

[@FishingWithBradders]

No L mount 😔

[@at-tn]

i am going to buy an a6700 or canon r8 i am very confused please reccomend one of these i think the r8 is equal to the a7cm2 and shows better skintones than sony and also better colour science and a6700 has its own advantages

[@markwiemels]

What are you going to use it for?

[@at-tn]

@@markwiemels primarily for videos and some photos

[@at-tn]

reccomend a good and versitile lens for both

[@markwiemels]

The IBIS in the a6700 would be nice to have, and it would be a great setup with the sigma 18-50mm (I use that combo all the time). The R8, you would want a lens with IS, due to the lack of IBIS. Now you are looking at bigger and more expensive lenses, the 24-105 is a good option. I would lean toward the a6700 for the IBIS in video, it means you can use a whole bunch of good prime lenses too (they don't have IS), which wouldn't be as good on the R8 with no IBIS.

[@camstanley]

I’ve got A6700 for photo & video and it’s amazing, does everything I need it to. Sigma 18-50 is the lightest and best versatile lens for it too it’s amazing

[@aryamansinghgaharwar]

I love you mark