Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 lens review...on Sony E mount

This is one of the most exciting lenses I've tested in months...and it's finally arrived on Sony E mount. :-) .
Find it here (Amazon affiliate link for Sony version - thanks for your support!): geni.us/Viltro...
All pictures taken by me on Sony a7R III and a5100 cameras.
Support me on Patreon! / christopherfrost
Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):
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Marumi Fit and Slim CPL Filter: geni.us/Marumi...
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Music:
'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons....

[@christopherfrost]

Viltrox are currently crowdfunding for this lens! Check it out here: www.indiegogo.com/projects/viltrox-13mm-f1-4-lens-ultra-wide-angle-vlog-beast#/

[@MatheusPratta]

The sharpness and lack of distortion on this lens is ridiculously impressive, specially considering it's a cheap third-party lens. Most first-party lenses nowadays rely on in camera correction while this one is optically great! Kudos to Viltrox!

[@trustnugget280]

You can like Chris's videos before watching because you know the quality will be amazing as always!

[@otjutt]

This is true.

[@tielmaster7879]

This lens is on z mount also. Absolute bonkers. Nikon should appreciate the fact that viltrox is single handedly carrying Nikon z50 and zfc. And people used the criticize Sony for forgetting apsc, Nikon barely aknowledges the lack of apsc lenses. F mount never even had a dx prime below 35mm.

[@patrick.771]

True. Nikon gives a fk about their APS-C lenses. I love the Z50 but because of the lack of lenses I don’t own one.

[@CirclesandSounds]

Thank you for this, excellent and very concise deep dive! Also, best Patreon ad I’ve ever seen! Truly brilliant! Thank you :)

[@cyrilhamel8289]

Another nice review! 👍🏻 Even if I disagree with your appreciation of metallic lens hoods... 😬 I much prefer plastic ones, as they will absorb shocks, while metallic ones will transmit to the lens all of the shock in case of fall or hit, therefore risking to damage it.

[@71whitey]

don't drop it then.

[@powbobs]

I agree completely. I don’t understand the obsession with metal hoods. It doesn’t make sense from a protective perspective.

[@powbobs]

@@71whitey ?

[@Princeton_James]

Ive definitely noticed the ghosting wide open even on their pro lenses. But going down half a stop from 1.2 to 1.4 it gets really sharp with better contrast.

[@jonuiuc]

I wonder how this compares to those new 11mm f1.8 and 15 f1.4 lenses. The weight relative to these two may be a factor.

[@lay10vids]

Hoping Viltrox bring these lenses to the EF-M mount.

[@SyntheticFuture]

I think the move to clickless aperture makes sense on the Sony platform considering a lot of people buy a Sony for video. Looks like they checked the target market rather well. A switch for clicked or clickless would have been nicer though. Overall an impressive lens.

[@Donbros]

I am switch sider but smooth is better overall as you have clicky one on camera actually. I tend to use smooth one like to fast change alerture on sunny days

[@Princeton_James]

Loved this lens on my Fuji but i didnt end up using that camera that much so i got it fir my a6700. Beautiful!

[@tykimikk8605]

i hope viltrox makes a 20mm 1.8 ver of this for full frame or even a 18mm f2

[@anulearntech]

I thought this was a full frame lens from the pic. I was so excited. It was short-lived 🤦

[@enshongmiranda]

Now, if Viltrox would just update the other primes with the 13's build quality and clicked aperture ring. The 23mm needs to be improved too with regards to vignetting and fringing.

[@jackyhui2940]

Love it that you went and shot at Castle Coch! My hometown :). Awesome review.

[@kg22kg]

Can't wait to buy it for my Nikon Z50, replacing the kit lens

[@tielmaster7879]

Yeah I was thinking of getting their 23mm 1.4. If I didn't have the tokina 11-16 from before I'd pick this up in a heartbeat.

[@vadergrd]

corner sharpness is insane , can t wait for x mount :))

[@kaimelis]

always test apsc lenses on full frame as well. this lens can *almost* be used on full frame, which is huge.

[@moshesalama]

Hello Chris, I purchased this lens for Sony, tested it on both my Sony a6500 + Sony A7c and found a bug that I believe is the result of faulty quality control: I normally set my cameras to Aperture Priority. The lens aperture ring is set to A. I turn the camera on and the camera defaults to f/2.0 instead of f/1.4 when I turn the aperture ring on the lens back to A, it goes again to f/2.0. of course I can turn the ring manually to f/14 - but it seems like a bug that could be fixed with firmware update. I contacted VILTROX several times via email and messenger and they either ignored me or brushed me aside. I also asked this question in the relevant DP forum, but nobody was familiar with this bug.

[@brunofalcone9979]

Thanks! Great video as usual, but could you not show APS-C lenses on FF cameras, at least in the thumbnail and in the first part of the video? I makes viewers initially think it's a FF lens. Also, labelling the video APS-C/FF would be very useful as well. Thanks!

[@TheSoPhar]

Viltrox still have little problem to correct spherical aberation , overall this is best lens for the price thought.

[@raens7475]

if you can only have 1 , 13mm viltrox or 16mm sigma?

[@tilakbaruajoy6540]

Great another E mount banger lens. He I’m regretting buying a canon efm instead Sony just because lens choices.

[@Bettus074]

Hey Christopher, could you do a review on the Leica Q2? Keep up the good work!

[@IliasKoureas]

my next lens for my nikon zfc

[@victorlim5077]

Please give us a review when you get it.

[@-eduarth_ab6693]

espero que algun dia puedas probar el zeizz otus 100mm 1.4

[@bustyouup4free]

Any chance you happen to have different ef to emount adapters? To do a comparison? There are a few newer models like the Viltrox ef e5 etc. not sure which one to buy. As I just bought a a7iv and have a whole collection of ef and efs lenses I don't wanna sell.

[@Hugo-mh1pe]

Just got this lens for my sony Zv-e10 and I'm very excited to explore its capabilities, but I've got an issue with all my pictures taken with it being pixelated and low quality despite shooting in RAW. Have you encountered any similar issues with it? I'm wondering if there's a setting or whatnot I ought to change. The kit lens wasn't pixelated at all. Great video, I enjoyed seeing the different f-settings and how they compared :)

[@Hugo-mh1pe]

Edit: Checked and the resolution is the same, it seems to be the increased sharpness that make the pixels more evident.

[@bsdgffishtuna5186]

chris....where did you buy this lens..i have a sony a6500 that need this! (wait...this 13mm is for full frame????? - i thought it was aspc only)

[@katismad_]

why does everyone loves viltrox 13mm but not the 23mm? are they this different?

[@EscapeSquad]

Thanks for an other amazing review!!! Have you tried in in full frame mode on sony? Does it vignette a lot??? I am considering getting the lens for my zv e10 but it would be nice if i could use it in my a7iii!

[@shotshdent]

Greetings did you did get it, how did it go???

[@EscapeSquad]

@@shotshdent hello my friend!! No i Just sticked to my viltrox 23mm f1.4 for video on both me zv e10 and a7iv! But i have still my eyes on that lens

[@victorlim5077]

Hopefully the Z mount version doesn't have the backfocus issues.

[@RensKapoor]

My copy of the lens makes quite a lot of focus motor sound in video… is this the case with all the copies?

[@aaronmoe12]

Yes mines makes a lot of noise also. Especially when using continuous auto focus. Huge Deal Breaker.

[@axelmt7163]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@Badonicus]

Time to test these on an updated apsc sony Chris. That white sony has seen better days. Also will you review the canon r7/10 when its out? Or the lenses to pair to it

[@pizzablender]

The resolution is the same. Only low light performance of the new models is better. However that is not relevant for lens tests.

[@TechnoBabble]

No need, Sony's still using a slightly updated version of the sensor in that a5100, no difference in resolving power at base ISO.

[@christopherfrost]

It's still a 24mp sensor. Yes, will review new Canon equipment soonish

[@IliasKoureas]

For image quality tests this sensor is like every other sony apsc camera

[@user-hr3lj2zw9p]

I want this lens 👍

[@Alec_Ci]

Does this beat the Samyang 12mm F2 AF overall?

[@EverythingCameFromNothing]

Howdy everyone 🙃

[@ramadanimam34]

Soo for Milky Way shooting its perfect?

[@pdfdan]

Why would one want to change aperture quietly while filming video? I understand what focus pulling is, but is there a such thing as aperture pulling? Or is there a reason for making smaller aperture changes while recording? Just starting out, and I have lots to learn. Thank you.

[@SyntheticFuture]

For video your shutter speed is set (2x your frame rate) so your only exposure controls are iso / aperture / ND filters. The advantage of clicklsss aperture is that you can change aperture without the exposure changing suddenly (which looks really bad in video). It also gives you a lot more control to balance your iso and aperture.

[@pdfdan]

@@SyntheticFuture thank you! I understand now

[@alwinbenjamin]

❤

[@Donbros]

This lens looks solid for apsc Btw I am actually smooth aperture advocate as you have stepped one on camera actually so why double that? I noticed i use smooth one on both photos and video

[@TW-iu9zy]

… hm, waiting still for the 15 mm f1.4 G review?!

[@rezamozaffari9704]

Hi . we would be too much appreciated if you make a video about astrophotography tips here.

[@kanecain1981]

Just you buddy...

[@k8tv546]

With price 470 usd instead of 400 usd like other viltrox, it not cheap lens much. But still cheaper than sony 15 1.4 price about 700 usd

[@jeremytheoneofdestiny8691]

And way cheaper than the ridiculous Fuji film 14 mm f2.8 lens that sells for like $900

[@franzjosefstakes]

Maybe it'll go on sale on their website, in Germany the current price is 360€ (which already includes 19% tax). Also, for the image quality, it still is a cheap lens.

[@LeifES]

Great!

[@VanaliClara]

is this lens for full frame?

[@novikovgarage_SPB]

Я хочу этот обьектив!

[@aliendroneservices6621]

Manufacturer: Shenzhen Jueying Technology Co., Ltd.

[@sclogse1]

It's yadda yadda yadda these days. Blah blah blah flew the coup with the '80's... or was it da da da....

[@life_in_gen]

Blah blah thank you so much!

[@allen3158]

we lost the sony15f1.4 lens😂😂

[@clintjohnson5914]

Blah blah blah----Great review!!!

[@BITE_MECHANISM]

Did you just say blah blah blah? 😂