Hands-On Impression - Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE (Sony FE)

In this video we are going to look at the new Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE lens for full frame Sony mirrorless cameras. This video is a bit different ffom my usual review as it's mainly based on my hands-on impression with this Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE lens after shooting real-world photos using a Sony A7RV with the team from ‪@masterofcamera‬
9% discount code from Viltrox store: viltroxstore.com/products/vil... (affiliated link)
Amazon: amzn.to/45FAFS8 (affiliated link)
BTS footage: Master of Camera / @masterofcamera
Camera gear I used to shoot this video:
Panasonic Lumix S5II | Lumix S 24mm f/1.8
Synco D2 Microphone: link.syncoaudio.com/Richard-D2
Disclaimer: The product sample I used in this video was sent to me by the manufacturer for this review. I do not need to return the sample but I also did not receive any money from the company
Instagram: / photo_by_richard
My Miniature Photography Instagram: / toycapturer
Facebook: / photobyrichard

[@TheRealRichardWong]

This video is much shorter than my usual review, I hope you would still enjoy it. Do you want to see this lens available for another lens mount? Which one?

[@dannykrzewski2885]

L mount!

[@masterofcamera]

Awesome review, and thanks for the shout out! 🎥💯🔥 Always fun to shoot stuff together.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes. Always great fun shooting with you guys! Guys remember to checkout the official video shot by @Master of Camera on the official @Viltrox Official channel, you may even see my quick cameo if you pay enough attention!

[@justint8115]

nice review as usual. That LCD screen is nice!!!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Justin, yes i love that LCD screen!

[@USGrant21st]

They should make a switch to turn it off. You wouldn't want in a dark setting (like when shooting a performance) to have an LCD shining.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

That's a great idea @U.S. Grant! I have just forwarded this idea to Viltrox and they told me they are already trying to implement it, so we might see that in fw update soon?

[@doxmedia9962]

Currently have this preordered. Can't wait!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Awesome! Enjoy it!

[@mrbassett4388]

How are you finding it? :)

[@hugomartinsphoto]

This lens looks great! thank you for sharing!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks for watching Hugo!

[@hugomartinsphoto]

@@TheRealRichardWong my pleasure!

[@CamMead]

Looks pretty decent, nice photos!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Cam!

[@Vemovemo1]

Viltrox are creating quite amazing lens! I have the 85 1.8 for Nikon Z and the 20mm 1.8 manual, LOVE BOTH. Hope that this one came to Nikon Z mount soon! Seems great for astro, landscape, arquitecture.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I have a feeling it will come to Z mount in near future, and if that happens, I would definitely try to do a full review of it!

[@Blitz_Shorts]

Very solid lens maker company emerges in front of us. I like the commitment of Viltrox to make quality lens once again, for the price this is a steal, also considering it's an AF lens , which add even bigger value to it. Great for vlogging too. I hope we will get the same lens on Z mount very soon. I will buy it instantly.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hey Narek, its very likely it will come to Z mount in near future, and if that happens, I would definitely try to do a full review of it!

[@Sebastiantroegerphoto]

Lately Viltrox said it should come to nikon z in january 2024@@TheRealRichardWong

[@MLee-vcrr]

Nice review man. Seems like the lens has really nice optical performance and build quality. I just don't understand why Viltrox insists on ruining their design look with that ugly bright "red/orange" badging? Well, for the price, guess I will just have to live with it.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I myself do quite often complain about the design/look of some lenses/products but I'm actually quite ok with this one myself. You could remove (or mask) the badge and repaint black ;)

[@peterjmsyoung]

Pretty sure they were prioritizing the Sony branded cameras, and didn't bother to change the colour for other camera.

[@eslamk7859]

Nice as usual 💪🏻 Whats the lenses you shoot this review with

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks! The studio talking head shots were shot with Lumix S5II and Lumix S 24 1.8, that's the setup I usually use for my talking head video these days. For the behind the scene shots, they were shot with a Sony FX6 with Viltrox AF 16mm and a few other lenses. (shot by www.youtube.com/@MasterOfCamera )

[@stjepanjina]

Great lens, waiting for Nikon Z version

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hopefully coming soon! Will see!

[@nancyk9475]

Great video! I’m on the fence between a Nikon 24mm or 35mm and the Viltrox lenses? Viltrox seems like a solid contender to OEM

[@TheRealRichardWong]

The Nikons are technically better lenses, but viltrox are great alternative and great value for money.

[@MechaUsagi]

Is it true that the manual focus is non-linear as other reviews have claimed? That makes it useless for manual focus in video.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Sorry I haven't test that.

[@ekphotography]

Thnaks I saw some other reviews and they stated almost NO vignetting at all and pretty sharp at f2... May depend on your copy I guess... Thanks for the review, looks awesome for the price

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hi there, I just report what i saw, I would suggest check out @christopherfrost 's review and see what he says. His lens reviews are excellent.

[@Regzillaaa]

Is this lens available in Auckland to buy? I saw the photogear website lists it, but I am worried they might be out of stock. I’m going up to auckland next week

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hi there, Photogear's website seems to suggest they do have it in stock. But if you definitely want to buy one, i would suggest email or call them to confirm, then place a order then you can pick up from their shop

[@Regzillaaa]

@@TheRealRichardWong ok I’ll call them up

[@noisackda2564]

Thanks for this Richard. Seems like an exceptional lens. My only concern is weight since I'm a vlogger.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

It is not the lightest lens. But if you like the 16mm focal length, there is no better option at the moment. Sony's 14mm is more compact and a bit lighter but it is too wide for vlogging in my opinion

[@noisackda2564]

@@TheRealRichardWong Your stuff looks amazing so a value your advice. Thanks so much for the response :)

[@phillipenriquez]

wow. i just bought the 7artisans 15mm f4!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

oh.. it's always like that isn't it!

[@phillipenriquez]

@@TheRealRichardWong absolutely!

[@pixelphotographyByPrasad]

Can I use this for interior photos & videos?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Of course you can

[@andrear9500]

Waiting for z mount version. Please!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

This lens will very likely come in Z mount in the near future, and if it does, i will very likely do a full review

[@sykoNR]

Not bad distortion ? As a 16mm, this lens dont have competitor witch distortion as i see. So this is a great lens for interior and architecture.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

It COULD be excellent. but I don't want to call it excellent until I've done more extensive testing. I like to be a bit more conservative instead of misleading my viewers unless i'm very certain about something.

[@sykoNR]

@@TheRealRichardWong i understand :) Waiting for another test then :)

[@kyon_03]

Pls review the upcoming Z mount of this lens Upcoming this may 7 Btw z5 user

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hi John, unfortunately I won't be reviewing this lens in Z mount this time. I was actually waiting for it to release, but the timing just clashed with a few other reviews I've already promised to do.

[@samuelali1]

I find the comparison to the 40mm/f1.8 pricing to a be a little odd. Better price comparison would have been the Sigma 16mm/f1.4. I think the purpose behind the 40mm and the 16mm are quite distinct.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hi Samuel, sorry i mean 14mm f/1.8 not 40mm :)

[@carlosandreviana9448]

I had two viltrox before and sold both. They never convinced me. But this one isn't even for the Z mount

[@TheRealRichardWong]

oh Carlos, why was that? This one will very likely comes in Z mount in the near future

[@carlosandreviana9448]

@@TheRealRichardWongI had the 85 and 24 1.8. May be I was unlucky and got bad lenses but I wasn't satisfied with the output they produced, not to mention that many of the shots were always slightly out of focus

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@carlosandreviana9448 Oh I have to say I didn't notice AF issue myself but it's a shame it didn't quite work for you

[@USGrant21st]

Interesting how reviews differ on different channels, some report the opposite, like some reported poor AF, strong flare, strong over 3 stops vignetting, and visible LoCA.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I haven't really watch many other reviews of this lens, but I definitely notice quite a bit of vignetting at wide open. Flare control seems very decent to me though for a lens at this price point and I didn't have any autofocus issue at all. When I get a chance to do a proper review I will test all these things more.

[@USGrant21st]

@@TheRealRichardWong Yeah, people had AF issues, even some reported they had to turn the camera off and on to revive it. Some reported the LCD went dead. Some reported that the lens froze and didn't even react on turning the camera on and off. I think when the lens gets into the hands of thousands of people we'll hear lots of different stories.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh right, some of these could to due to early preproduction issue (hw or fw,) but then it could be real issue. I can only say I haven't encounter any of these myself

[@chp438]

7:19 wow that's near my home

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Kia Ora! Awesome! You might bump into me on the street !