Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 II Lens Review - Is This Affordable Portrait Lens Worth It?

[@anthonylee5305]

Great review Jason.. I'm going to order one now! Just ordered the Viltrox 85mm.. im excited to get it!

[@kamalapuramrajender6859]

How is it sir, is it working good

[@anthonylee5305]

@@kamalapuramrajender6859 I'm loving it so far, autofocus is really quick in continuous mode and the images are very sharp.

[@MagicianDerrickRose]

I just got this lens yesterday and noticed much improved AF on my A7iii when I updated the firmware from 1.1.3 to 1.1.5. So far there is nothing not to like about this lens.

[@marcelwarnaar]

Hey Jay , another very informative vid! Will you do a piece about the new Sony vlogging camera as well? I mean the ZV-1 plus grip....

[@roxyhot7233]

How you feel it in video bro? sincerely, it works?

[@JacekSopotnicki]

Thanks for the review! If I didn't own Sony 85mm 1.8 already I would go for Viltrox thing.

[@joesoooooooo105]

How can focus by manual, please say i am struggling a lot with this problem 😢

[@Jason_Hermann]

You would need to set that on the camera since this lens does not have the AF/ MF switch on it. Which camera are you using?

[@joesoooooooo105]

@@Jason_Hermann( Sony a7 ii )using , in this camera where the button will be can you say please 🥺

[@Jason_Hermann]

MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Focus Mode] → MF See here for reference: helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1450/v1/en/contents/TP0000386486.html?search=focus%20mode

[@joesoooooooo105]

Sir I done this , just the subject will be zooming but no sharp at all 😢

[@Jason_Hermann]

@@joesoooooooo105 This is not a zoom lens. What you are seeing is the focus changing. If you can't focus on something you are probably to close to the subject. All lenses have a minimum focus distance.

[@LukeWorrall-k6w]

Just watched this on Viltrox. Now I’m interested in TTArtisan’s new offering. I need a lens that’s not bulky. How’s their 75mm f2?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Here are a few options: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWPQaYSZaZ16hdU

[@Liam-c9u3r]

Viltrox's lens is popular, but I'm intrigued by TTArtisan's new 75mm f2. Small size and good image quality? Sounds promising.

[@Cuate]

was able to pick this lens up for $319 plus tax USD during this past black Friday sales! super happy with it , I agree that for video, the autofocus sound is noticeable compare to other lenses but the price is worth it in my opinion😁

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thanks for the comments and sharing your experience ;)

[@АлександрЗверев-г6с]

If it's not a secret, in which store did you buy the lens? Was this the first version of the lens or the Mark 2?

[@michellopes9750]

I'm not able to enable Eye AF on A7S II + Viltrox 85mm II. But Viltrox says it's compatible. Last firmware on both

[@Jason_Hermann]

Sounds like it is not compatible with that camera to me... Being such an older camera, by todays standards that is not very surprising to me at all. Sorry I don't have any good news for you Michel....

[@ayuljenggo]

How do u guys enable auto tracking on a7ii/iii. I tried everthing but i cant

[@crnapagoda]

do you recommend this for aps-c cameras?

[@KeithG75]

Looking good, I shoot Fuji so really considering this lens for my X-H1, the only other real competitor on the Fuji system is the 90mm F2, which costs twice as much as this

[@Jason_Hermann]

For the money it's a really good lens overall in my opinion.

[@michaeldinh3561]

hello sir this lens viltrox 56mm f1.4 and sigma 56 f1.4 which lens better to buy, please let me known.

[@Jason_Hermann]

They are both very good, but iI would go with the Sigma 56mm: geni.us/7HBE

[@michaeldinh3561]

hello i like your video, if i have lens 18-50 f2.8 sigma mount sony a6400 do i need buy this viltrox 85 mm f1.8 II please let me known thank you so much

[@Jason_Hermann]

No I don't think you "need" this lens... It's a full frame lens and you are using a crop factor camera, so something like the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Lens: geni.us/7HBE would make more sense to me...

[@michaeldinh3561]

i appreciate your kindness repond back me, i read detai about viltrox 85mm f1.8 II work sony a6400.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yes it will work, but it’s a much larger and heavier lens than you need in my opinion, which is why I recommended the sigma 56mm…

[@michaeldinh3561]

thank you so much again👍

[@roybenedicto8642]

This Black Friday made me spent a substantial time watching you tube for an 85 mm but very good review! I'm just thinking that if you add up the cost of the Sony 85 f1.8: AF/MF switch, customizable button, light weather sealing???, light & compact size, silent dual linear focus motor, OEM made software between the lens and body, good video performance, and the thought that this has been manufactured and produced by Sony for quite sometime now - maybe the $200 cost difference can be justified or $150 as of this writing :) ???

[@Jason_Hermann]

Hi Roy, If you have the extra $200 I would get the Sony lens for sure. Here is my review of the Sony 85mm f/1.8 lens: www.sonyalphalab.com/my-sony-fe-85mm-f-1-8-lens-review/

[@roybenedicto8642]

@@Jason_Hermann Good Morning Jay, I did checked your review of the Sony 85mm and I like your approach. I find it pleasing to view the coins, bills and crayons instead of charts. which others do, plus you mention the type of motor that each lenses used. I'm looking forward for my new lens next week - Thanks! :)

[@vivy2770]

Can you compare this with the TOKINA ATX-m 85mm F1.8 FE for Sony E Mount ? It has been receiving rave reviews on some other channels

[@mitcho8666]

any news if this can be firmware upgraded to a f1.6 like the mark i??

[@Jason_Hermann]

Not that I know of, sorry...

[@ExploreWay9]

Hi I need help please This lens is also good for Sony Alpha a58?

[@Jason_Hermann]

No, this is an E-Mount lens. You need an A-Mount lens for that camera, see here: www.sonyalphalab.com/guides/sony-lenses-a-mount-guide/

[@ExploreWay9]

@@Jason_Hermann thank you so much .

[@Ghvxddf]

I was thinking of getting this as a budget 85mm and then hopefully getting a more expensive ones. Have you noticed any issues with it being slow with the camera eg: camera taking longer to power on or going black and not working? Chris Brockhurst said he had that issue once

[@Jason_Hermann]

No I have not had that issue with this lens on my A7R or A6400.

[@OptimusPrime-ys5vp]

Hi Jay, I want to update my A6400 to A7 III. May you share about A7 III with firmware 3.01 stack up? Thank you very much.

[@Hatvocate]

Hi Jay, how does it track the subject (like a bee) when you touch to focus for video? Does it also track well in face eye AF for video?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Hey Dude, It works pretty well for tracking in video, but honestly not as good as the Sony, Sigma, or Tamron Lenses as far as Eye-Af. Tracking a Bee for example would be very difficult even with a Sony lens honestly. As long as the bee was not moving to fast it could be done though.

[@Hatvocate]

Jay SonyAlphaLab thanks for replying Jay. Appreciate the feedback. I have Viltrox for Fuji, and they are very competitive against Fuji native, but I guess in Sony world, for video at least, Viltrox may not be the best choice from ur review of it. Maybe I should consider Sony 85mm or Sigma 24-70mm for video AF instead...

[@Jason_Hermann]

For video the 85mm VIltrox worked pretty good, but it was a little more jerky than the Sony lenses and noisier as well. It work though and could be used for video, don't get me wrong. I know a few people that are using it for video based on comments and questions I have gotten in the past few months. However, after using son many Sony, Sigma, and recently Tamron lenses, I can see the difference in performance and you do get what you pay for ;)

[@Hatvocate]

Jay SonyAlphaLab I get what you mean Jay. For other systems, I might not care so much. But for Sony, Im really gunning for their video AF, so the lens has to perform FWIW. If I wanted to manually focus, I could always do so with my other brands system 😂. Hence I asked. Thanks for your input. The Sony 85mm 1.8 isnt that much more than the Sony I just realised.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yeah I would totally agree with you for sure ;) If you are using a crop factor camera body the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DN Lens is also a fantastic option!

[@youmysterious]

Any thoughts comparing to similar in price, Samyang 75?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yes, I want to get the Samyang 75mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.4 as well ;)

[@jonhermannsson9231]

thanks for another nice review as always - I am just debating myself - the Sony is a bit lighter but a super price - have the 23 and 33 for my Fuji x cameras so impressed with IQ from Viltrox - I have the Fuji 56mm f1.2 - but it has no IS and I do not have a XT4 - so thinking that I might be better off with a 85 on my A73s as they have IBIS - the Sony is lighter but $200 more - don't care about AF-MF or button - so it is weight - price - close focusing that I am debating withmyself

[@sidvicious3129]

Does anyone know what improvements that this version 2 has vs version 1 of this Viltrox lens besides the lens hood?

[@Jason_Hermann]

I never used the original, but the specs say this unit has a slightly different design and less weight...

[@k.skyl1n3zz]

Look it up in Facebook search Viltrox in Facebook and they have page about it

[@MrHD71]

kinda torn apart between the viltrox or samyang 85mm. There is 150$ difference between the two in my country. Buy viltrox or spend extra for samyang?

[@Jason_Hermann]

I have not used the Samyang so I cannot speak for it's quality. The Viltrox optics are pretty darn good though as you can see in this review ;)

[@KevinTimps]

Out of nowhere my Sony a7III doesn't recognize the lens. Both are pretty much brand new and they did work for months. I even upgraded lens' software and made a factory reset to my camera, nothing... Does anyone have a soluton or experiences the same problem?

[@Jason_Hermann]

I'm sorry I do not know. DO you have another lens you can try?

[@KevinTimps]

@@Jason_Hermann Yes a different lens works with no issues.

[@Jason_Hermann]

SOunds like the lens is broke then Kevin. I'm really sorry to hear that.... I would try and send it back for repair/ warranty replacement hopefully.

[@shihlihsu9918]

most of the Viltrox 85mm review I watched has a really good bokeh. a really nice circle shape, even better than the Sony 85mm bokeh. not sure what happens to the bokeh in this review lol. anyway, really nice review you got here! thank u sir!

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yeah, I was not impressed with that either and actually contacted the manufacture before I published the review. They said that was normal believe it or not....

[@jaymayugaphoto]

Hi, how's the continuous AF on A7R? I'm using A7

[@Jason_Hermann]

Not that good on the original Sony A7r that I used for this review. It's much better on the A6400, or the new A7R IV for example... It does have a new firmware, so that might help the lens as well.

[@jaymayugaphoto]

Thanks!

[@christianstills]

Does your lens hood look loose when you put it? Mine looks like dosent lock

[@Jason_Hermann]

No, mine is locking tight.

[@christianstills]

Jay SonyAlphaLab ohh so mine probably defected. Need to sent it back

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yeah, or something on the lens hood thread broke perhaps... Sorry to hear that Christian.

[@christianstills]

Jay SonyAlphaLab yeah but this is brand new have just unbox it. Anyway good thing its amazon. Thanks mate

[@JavierGonzalez-xm1fn]

Somebody using this lens attached to a Sony A7 II? I am having a very bad performance with AF-C. In continuous shootings hardly I get a picture in focus. When I am recording video, AF lost the subject easily and in many time focus stuck until I force it with the shutter. In other hand, I have problems with IBIS in automatic mode. Most of times I get blurred photos even shooting with speeds higher than 200. This is an affordable issue because if I select 85 in Steady manual mode the IBIS works perfectly. It seems that camera does not recognize the focal length of this lens. I would like if another user with this camera/lens combination is experiencing the same troubles. Thanks in advance.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thanks for sharing the info and sorry to hear you are having these problems. In your case I would suggest returning the Viltrox and getting the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens instead. On the Sony A7 III it worked pretty darn good for me, but clearly it is not working good on your A7 II. Have you tried updating the firmware on your camera? www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7m3/downloads

[@JavierGonzalez-xm1fn]

@@Jason_Hermann Thanks for your answer. Unfortunately, I bought the lens more than month ago and I can not return it and ask for a cashback. For that reason I would like to know if my lens is a bad copy or if this is the behavior expected in Sony A7 II. In case of a bad copy I would try tu use mi warranty for resolve the problem. Regarding firmware, both my camera and lens are up to date with latest versions, so no problem with that. Thanks

[@Jason_Hermann]

I honestly can't say Javier, because I have not tested it on the A7 II. However, it does not sound like it is working correctly that is for sure.

[@michaelrivera8859]

@@JavierGonzalez-xm1fn hi mate, I am an A7II shooter as well and not being far to buying the Viltrox 85 1.8 II. After 8 months, do you have any luck of sorting the auto focus issue you were having? Cheers!

[@gordons3236]

I'm using this on the A7ii and I've it experienced any focusing issues so far.

Thanks for your work !!

[@Jason_Hermann]

My pleasure!

[@raygeary1698]

Got one for you fuji xt love it

[@Jason_Hermann]

Awesome! How is the Fuji doing for you? I was thinking about reviewing it out of personal curiosity ;)

[@k.skyl1n3zz]

I got this lens when it was released at same date, but I was confused cause I ordered the gen 1 but they started shipping the mk ii so yeah

[@Jason_Hermann]

That sucks... Can you send it back for the version II?

[@k.skyl1n3zz]

I meant that I ordered the gen 1 but instead I received the gen 2 lol but yeah

[@MagicianDerrickRose]

Eco LuX had the same thing happen to me. Hoping we get the firmware update to get f1.6.

[@tannga1222]

can use in a6000?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yes, this is an E-Mount Lens so it will work on any e-mount camera.

[@petegerardini2455]

Just got mine today. Yours has the same uneven aperture blades.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yeah, not the biggest fan of that... I actually called the manufacture to ask about that, and they said it's normal for this lens.

[@k.skyl1n3zz]

Same uneven XD

[@petegerardini2455]

That's not good about the manufacturer response, I think a lot of people will not be happy. I suppose then they are not going to fix in a rom update? On mine the circle starts to distort smaller than f/4. I'll just have to be careful of backgrounds with points of light, no biggie for me. For starting out and the price it's still hard to beat.

[@bryantobin2]

why does everyone care about the focus motor noise? If you're using the onboard mic for your video work you're doing audio wrong. Am I missing something?

[@Jason_Hermann]

No you are not really missing anything, but the noise can be picked up even if you are using an external mic when the room is nearn silent. So it does matter at times, and other lenses like the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens are silent in comparison...

[@bryantobin2]

@@Jason_Hermann ahh gotcha! So it's loud enough that it's even picked up with an external mic, that IS important to note then. 😂 thanks for clarifying! Makes more sense

[@ashgarith6948]

Hi thanks for the review. Does this convert to 1.6f like previous version?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Not that I know of? It says f/1.8 on the camera and in Lightroom Exif data...

[@ashgarith6948]

@@Jason_Hermann ok thank you!

[@aronjrai3798]

❤❤❤❤

[@pedroseara720]

Good evening. i was betting a lot on this lense, but in my xt3 didn't´t work...I sent it back... Send email to viltrox...they didn't´t care too much. It was upgraded, just bad luck---of course. Fuji lens for Fuji cameras

[@ifeanyi_maduka]

A little bit of noise?!!

[@Jason_Hermann]

lol... Well, I have heard way louder lenses in the past ;)

[@Tewahedo]

The lens is snoring 😅😅

[@pablopantaleon1499]

I literally just shot my last video with this

[@legend240891]

There is really no reason to go for this over the Sony 85mm f1.8. For $200 more, you get better IQ, more quiet & reliable video performance, Fn button, AF/MF switch, more compact and hold on to its resell value much longer. It's even cheaper used. Thanks for the review but everyone really should disregard this lens.

[@AndyDay]

Unless you want to save $200 and the stuff you listed is not that important.

[@legend240891]

@@AndyDay alright, if Image Quality is not important to you then what is?

[@BikeLife154]

Dong Cap you sound like an idiot! You’ve written the same stupid comment on other KZbin videos! Let people choose what they want to buy, they don’t need your advice!

[@ChimaChindaDev]

Looks to me like you bought the Sony 85 and now wish you bought the Viltrox.

[@AndyDay]

@@legend240891 Saving $200. Thought that would have been obvious! 😂 If image quality is crucial to you, why aren't you shooting medium format?