Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens review with samples

[@GeorgeOu]

I'm going to go broke if I don't get you off my subscriptions.

[@kiranpr7791]

2:53 i swear it's always on low battery when you test autofocus! ps i love your videos, thanks for the great reviews!

[@ananggadipaxxx]

For fuji users, there's more option for 35 mm equivalent lenses out there, but for sony aps-c users, THIS is the only budget AF option so far (if we don't count on sony FF lenses). For any sony a6xxx users looking for walkaround lens, street photography, etc., I see it as the sensible option. . And of course, great and thorough review as always!

[@JairajSinghPatil]

There's sigma 30mm F1. 4

[@ananggadipaxxx]

@@JairajSinghPatil that's too a great option, and one which I own and use on daily basis. But the sigma, while delivers better results for me, lacks the aperture ring (a feature that I like after using some Fuji cameras and lenses) and is a bit pricier. I still love using my sigma tho...

[@JairajSinghPatil]

@Justin Tian yes 35mm is definitely more usable No new alternatives as far as I'm aware yes?

[@junyangchin8162]

Sony zeiss 24mm

[@slavensmolcic]

Which are other AF options for 35mm eqv.?

[@franzkreul9624]

I really like the size, price and what you get for it factor. In my opinion the right choice for an aps-c system. Offers a lot of photographic possibilities in a compact, affordable system. I tend to use the smaller lenses more often than my 27mm/1.2

[@raalaa121]

This is a cinematic video lens in my opinion. That vignetting will look great when you are focused on a single subject.

[@MichaelMa]

People have no idea how lucky they are that they can get 1.4 lenses with autofocus on APS-C for these prices. Less than 10 years ago, you could only buy a crop sensor camera, and maybe you had 50 1.8 to choose from. The rest of the APS-C lenses were 2.8 or had smaller apertures. And your only option was to buy a full frame 1.4 prime lens that costs more than the camera body, where you don't really get all the benefits of the lens you are paying for. Now, you can get a APS-C body and get a 1.4 or even a 1.2 lens without having to feel like you're making a serious investment into photography. Even for full frame, the lenses by Tamron, Viltrox, and Sigma are a great bargain.

[@patrick.771]

35mm 1.8 for Nikon APS-C. Very good from F1.8 Half the price ...

[@BoxxyFan]

@@patrick.771 50mm is not wide angle.

[@patrick.771]

@@BoxxyFan I know ;-)

[@BoxxyFan]

@@patrick.771 so how is that comparable?

[@patrick.771]

@@BoxxyFan why comparing it? The original comment didn't mention wide angle lenses

[@salmanul_fares]

For Fujifilm, video autofocus is snappy regardless of the settings. If you're buying the X mount version for video be ready to use manual focus for the smooth changes.

[@MichaelMoore-bx6st]

I definitely second this, even after firmware 1.07. very snappy, but even on slower settings it pulses oddly, as if it just wants to be snappy all the time

[@petergabriel1606]

I like the IQ much better than the Fujinon 23mm f2, the rendering is just more pleasing.

[@allbulgaria]

and focusing? I guess you tried both, so it could be helpful a lot for me..

[@amitkrupal1234]

Does 23 f2 have this much bad color fringing?

[@creativepicnl]

Just love the pixel peeping analysis. It’s indeed good value for money. After watching quite some reviews the aperture ring for the Fuji version while shooting video it’s not smooth like on the Sony on AE unfortunately. Nevertheless workable and quite good value. I will be ordering one for holiday purposes.

[@vicentvanmole]

I am glad that now they can final get these affordable lens to more photograph, other else will be out of reach. Should be thankful for China who have been coming out some very good quality lens.

[@giovannicuccu8804]

Nice video..thanks. if you had to choose only one lens between this and the Tamron 24mm F2.8 which one would you choose?

[@yasinsaja6693]

Great review as always...im using sony a5100, now im confuse between pick viltrox 23 mm f1.4 or yongnuo YN 50 mm f1.8...which is better?

[@squirreldemon3506]

Two very different lenses

[@stevennachlas9596]

Nice review as always, Christopher. Did not understand why you didn’t test this lens on a Fuji body.

[@carpediem5008]

I have It for my X-T3 and it is a very nice and sharp lens. Very enjoyable to use...

[@alberte6109]

Does the aperture change smoothly with the new firmware?

[@lukaspictures]

How would you compare this viltrox series of primes for apsc cameras with fuji own line up? Is fuji optically that better? :)

[@gigioustic8190]

Nice review！which sharper/better between viltrox and sigma 30mm f1.4？

[@pizzablender]

This lens compared to the Sigma 30/1.4? Looking at Chris' reviews, I think the sigma is better in the center at f/1,4 and in the corners at all apertures.

[@jetlag1488]

I don't think I'd ever buy this at MSRP but if I find it used then I might go for it.

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😊!

[@diaryofcreation582]

I just bought the Nikkor 28mm F2.8 and am considering sending it back to go for Z version of this, but I am not sure yet. Any recommendations?

[@AleJandro-vg2fh]

Please review of the new Kamlan 15mm f2, seems promising

[@Termidryna]

15 mm f/2 sounds good to me :) Gotta check it, thanks! Edit: unavailable to purchase at the moment.

[@geopapa80]

Good point. There's also a Kamlan 21mm 1.8 out there which is very interesting but sadly there are no reviews. Hope Chris reviews them !

[@Termidryna]

@@geopapa80 they are but it's for full frame only I guess.

[@geopapa80]

@@Termidryna they're for apsc www.kamlan.shop/products/21mm-f-1-8-mf

[@chicojuanito2]

What are your methods for getting extreme color fringing? I took pictures of black ink on white paper with this same lens, I didn't get nearly as bad as what is shown here, but it was still pretty bad.

[@bitmobile5587]

been waiting for this for a looooooong time!! Nice!!!!

[@1fareast14]

Any comment on light transmission? Some commented that the 33mm gave slower shutter speeds than expected of f1.4

[@DjFrankybe]

Is this lens Good enough for Video shooting in Low light ?

[@Termidryna]

I've been waiting for this review, thanks a lot. I hope one day they'll release wider angle lens kinda 16 mm f/1.8

[@danbisson9679]

sigma 16mm 1.4!

[@itacatv2146]

@@danbisson9679 maybe a 13mm f1.4?

[@Mebtaku]

Important question- has anyone tested how far that centre sharpness reach towards the midframe? I’ve seen some opinions that yes, It is sharp in the centre but that resolution doesn’t really reach far from the middle of the frame 🤔

[@amitkrupal1234]

Maybe Dustin Abbot

[@AiurMedia]

incredible value, may get it someday

[@PabloSerranophotography]

I would like to know more about the focus breathing. when I see you changing focus, the grass in the fore ground changes in size quite a bit, to me that is focus breathing. can you tell me why you say there is no focus breathing?

[@amp08021]

It is there, but not to an extent where it would matter too much

[@BensTechLab]

I agree. 2:45 or so shows *substantial* focus breathing, even more than a Sigma 30mm which is even more than a Sony SEL1655G which is what I would call "almost no focus breathing".

[@yuandeita5844]

Thank you for this! I was actually contemplating on this lens

[@techgat3keeper879]

I need a lens that can focus closely on product/food video.. But not macro level of course. Can this lend be use for my needs?

[@Buklymcboingboing]

Do i get the 56mm or 23mm? as my first lens for overall because im planning to buy zve10 body's

[@MicaelWidell]

Christopher, did you notice in your copy that the aperture is not perfectly circular when closed down (as when the camera is turned off?) I had this in my copy, and it kind of looks like it on your lens as well. I am curious if my copy was faulty or if this is simply how the aperture is designed.

[@Elgsdyr]

It's perfectly normal for any lens. Because of the way the aperture works, it's only possible to maintain a perfect circle fully open. As you stop down the polygonal shape will gradually show. Nothing unique to the Viltrox here.

[@MicaelWidell]

Elgsdyr yes but most lenses have a symmetric shape closed down. On this one it is almost heart shaped

[@Elgsdyr]

@@MicaelWidell OK, that's weird...

[@PraveenGurbani]

In this lens with apsc e mount sony cameras can we face a vignetted issues in video shooting?

[@AnthonySmith-sc4zs]

“That writing is supposed to be black, rather than every color of the rainbow…” 😂😂😂

[@rjcaubalejo]

How is the continous AF performance of this lens BTW?

[@joelnormann]

I think this is another example of a Chinese brand lens that is better in the reviews than on the market. The copy you’ve been sent is better than the models people can expect to receive, I think. While I’m reasonably happy with my viltrox 23mm, it’s clear that it’s nowhere near as sharp as your copy, and suffers from some field curvature. Chinese quality control is clearly not that hot, and I think it’s something you should be mindful of when posting these videos, Chris. I’d be happy to send you my version of the lens (I have a zonlai 22 that is very bad too) if you’re interested.

[@pizzablender]

I also tried a Zonlai 22mm. "Murky corners and sides" is a good description. Anyway I do not see much use if I need to stop down to f/5.6 to get the same image quality as my zoom at f/5.6...

[@wanderingambience799]

Nonsense, I think your copy is the bad one. Mine is amazing.

[@joelnormann]

@@wanderingambience799 Well of course it was a slightly bad one, I basically said as much. It wouldn't have been noticeably bad had I not seen this review as it was still a decent performer. My point is, my experience with buying a lot of these Chinese branded lenses has been that they often differ in performance from the ones they send to KZbinrs. The Zonlai experience was particularly egregious, as the replacement copy I received was still pretty dreadful.

[@Zenfiren]

How Cristopher! Is Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 review coming anytime soon? I would be really interested, since i have heard that it might be even better (and cheaper) than Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2. But still would want to hear your opinion also if possible before buying. Appreciate your work, have a nice day! :)

[@christopherfrost]

Review is out now

[@Zenfiren]

@@christopherfrost Thanks for the excellent review! Maybe I will buy Fuji 56mm, I dont care video shooting. You changed my mind! :) Do you think you will ever review Fujis 50mm f1.0?

[@khandam7709]

picked up one one ebay for $150 for canon M mount! the canon 22mm f/2 used is aroudn the same price and smaller though!

[@TheCruisinCrew]

I have this lens and it's indeed sharp and lets in a lot of light. However it (at least my version) does make quite a racket in continuous AF in video... the built in microphones in my A6300 pick up the noise easily and for nature sound ambience it's basically unusable. I'd have to use an external mic with good separation from the camera or even an external recorder to capture the ambience without that clicking of the focus motor... ;)

[@rjcaubalejo]

But is the continous AF good?

[@TheCruisinCrew]

@@rjcaubalejo Yes, no problem with accuracy and speed of the AF compared to Sony lenses (even continuous AF works properly). But it's definitely noisy... ;)

[@rjnakamura1385]

@@TheCruisinCrew so there will be no problem taking photos with this lens then using continous AF. Thanks

[@TheCruisinCrew]

@@rjnakamura1385 For photos, the lens is absolutely perfect, particularly for the low price, great value!

[@stefantanasescu4739]

Hello, firstly i love your work, very informative, not too long, cound you review the laowa STF 105 f2 for sony? Thank you and keep up the good work

[@jbx907]

can this do slow focus transition on your a5100 which i also have with a zhiyun crane M. the focus demonstration is using the shutter , we dont do that for videos

[@Ghertly]

I have a Viltrox 23mm 1.4 e-mount with updated firmware, on my Sony a6600 I have some problems with AF-C (even in AF-S actually) but only when I use the camera vertically. I state that I tested the problem even in perfect daylight conditions. But let's get to the point. If horizontally The focus is almost always perfect, a marvel! in portrait mode it is almost never right, it starts a focus breathing loop, constantly, with small and very fast movements, even having the square in the person's eye .. and when it finally confirms, the focus is wrong or slightly wrong and , only rarely, completely right. Has anyone else had this experience?

[@stanleygabrel1045]

It's good to know, thanks for posting.

[@bretislavvalek9380]

Hi, yes I do. I have Sony A6400 and this lens is almost unusable in AF-C mode. When realtime tracking mode is enabled, the focus system of the lens does not catch the speed of camera. Try this: AF-C, Drive mode set to Continuous Shooting: Mid and Focus Area: Tracking Flexible Spot M. This is killing settings for the lens. Unlike from other third-party lenses (e.g. Sigma f/1.4 trio or any Samyang), Viltrox's AF system is pretty slow. This lens is for taking photos of some still objects, I would not reccommend it for street photo, speed action like kids playing around or just any moving subjects, unless you are prepared for tons of missfocussed images... And even when your object does not move, there is a big chance, that the lens screws it up (somehow) and you wont get the correctly focused photo (e.g. when you focused on the eye of your friend standing still in front of you). Try to put the camera on the tripod and shoot continuously any still object in front of the camera. 20% of the photos taken will be missfocussed. Thats my experience with this lens, latest firmare on both installed. No, Viltrox is expensive peace of crap...

[@Ghertly]

@@bretislavvalek9380 Thanks for sharing!

[@timlong9913]

@@bretislavvalek9380 Slow and frequent misfocus is also my experience on my A6400 unfortunately.

[@thegeneral123]

I have the 33mm on Fuji X mount (not had time yet to use it properly, just briefly tested when it arrived). Took 12 weeks from ordering to arrive. I won't be buying from Viltrox again. Seems like the 23mm is not as good optically as the 33mm.

[@InterMaus]

That is a realy unique longitudina chromatic aberration. But that reminds me of the fact that in 2d animation, and in some anime and some western cartoons too they use chromatic aberration in conjunction with blurring to simulate the sense of depth of field.

[@pizzablender]

Adding lens distortion and CA is pretty standard in computer generated special effects. To make it look more realistic (really).

[@LZXun]

nice, please do a review on the horrendously priced sony zeiss 24mm f1.8 too so we can compare

[@swaggyeggs]

I have that zeis 24mm lens and I like it a lot. The render is just so nice. I hope christ will review it sometimes so I understand what qualities make it so good for me.

[@jeffmalm9708]

@@swaggyeggs you'd think Jesus would be a bit busy for lens reviews.

[@vmartins81]

Hi, great clean reviews, but I have a technical question, some people defend that apsc lenses when used in full flame maintain the physical characteristic so a 23 f1.4 will always be a 23 f1.4, only cropeed if you don"t want the strong vignetting and that gives you the FOV of the apsc but the "perspective" and amount of light passing through to the sensor is given by the lens physical characteristics so it is still a 23 f1.4 ! Could you do a meanful technical test with "equivalent" lenses ? A apsc 24 1.8 vs a ff 24 1.8 cropped and with vignetting to really show the differences between them and help demystify this question please. thank you in advance and keep up the good work.

[@pizzablender]

A lot has ben written about this. But in short: 23mm f/1.4 behaves like 35mm f/1.4 on FF does, for purposes of exposure and view. And you will feel that FF has less noise and more background blur. Alternatively, 23mm f/1.4 behaves like 35mm f/2.1 on FF. Noise and blackground blur are identical then. But exposure is off - you use ISO 200 instead of ISO 100 to get the same shutter and that makes noise identical to APS-C. And because you can lower ISO to 100, you know FF has more dynamic range..,

[@frankseo2099]

Fuji 10 24 please!!!!

[@luisgomez6787]

Viltrox 23mm or sigma 30mm?

[@dandan6683]

I have sigma go for it for less fringing than viltrox. I have only one viltrox lens 85mm that came very dusty inside the glass so I think viltrox is not good on quality control on production as they are still new on making lenses. Shop said viltrox dont cover replacement such issue like mine. Lucky that i did not buy it online and the shop is authorized dealer they clean it for free

[@thedondeluxe6941]

"Moustache distortion" should be an official term.

[@aditya_gupta]

I thought it was

[@christopherfrost]

It's a term that's very commonly used in reviews of camera lenses from all different kinds of people

[@thedondeluxe6941]

@@christopherfrost I'm not a native English speaker, but I've only heard it a couple of times in the last 15 years, I think :-) It's a very precise and funny term!

[@mattbite]

I also heard "wave distortion" :)

[@davidlewis1787]

It is

[@davidsunarto]

I use a6400 & sigma 16mm, its great but im so ready to let the lens go because its big n heavy 😁 i want to travel light, is it worth the change? Thx 😃🙏

[@soneeeee4440]

this is not a small light lens. if you want small, get a pergear 25mm 1.8 for $65 if you like manual lenses. great focal length, extremely sharp but no autofocus. but 16 to 23 or 25 is quite a change. I personally don't find the 16 that useful unless you're shooting whole buildings. 23 or 25 on the other hand, VERY useful focal lenght on aps-c, you can do people, groups, entire rooms and street photo without distrotion but wide enough while keeping focus. if you have the kit lens, you could use that for the odd super wide angle shot, i always have it in my bag with my a6400

[@davidsunarto]

@@soneeeee4440 Thanks for the thought man.. 👍 but it's 405gr vs 260gr, lots of different there 😊 and i also need an autofocus lens, cos sometimes my wife use it.. And i definetely agree about the focal lenght, its the only one needed..

[@MichaelBabich]

Great review. Thanks. It'd be interesting to have a comparison of Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 vs Fuji XF 23mm f/2 - both are in a similar price range and one f stop could be not that big of a difference for a task.

[@kingsamvisuals]

It is at night

[@MichaelBabich]

@@kingsamvisuals Two points: 1. In on of the Veltrox lense reviews it was said that Viltrox's 23mm f1.4 can't compare to Fuji's 23mm f1.4 in results and that it is closer to Fuji's 23mm f2 or rather something in between. 2. Price by itself is important factor here that puts both lenses in the same ballpark -- each having own advantages and disadvantages as to each other.. So it is natural to compare Viltrox f1.4 and Fuji f2 as comparable lenses considering that Viltrox's lense coating shortcomings and absence of camera's support/corrections compensate advantages of f1.4.

[@animaxxx4429]

@@MichaelBabich Did you find your answer ? I'm also considering to choose between them for video , AF and Sharpness will be key factor for me.

[@MichaelBabich]

@@animaxxx4429 There are reviews comparing both. I'm waiting for reviews of Tokina atx-m 23mm 1.4. For now it's my favourite since Tokina is a Japanese brand and official licensee of Fuji as to camera protocols and has better quality assurance, better glass, better coating, and better materials that Viltrox. The latter hacked Fuji protocols without having real access, has terrible aberrations and flaring as also big chance to get lemon. Tokina is more expensive despite having the same formula as Viltrox, but I guess aberrations, flaring, and AF must be better than in Viltrox. It was just released couple of months ago and there are not many reviews yet.

[@animaxxx4429]

@@MichaelBabich I believe they both have same optic (Tokina and Viltrox) . Just the label difference. Also there is only one vide comparing both so want to have few more opinion.

[@joejoe8948]

Now available for Canon M.

[@bhwrice]

What causes the color fringing?

[@salmanul_fares]

Dispersion of light, similar to what happens in a prism. Red refracts more hence why purple fringing is most common

[@stang8913]

Isn’t that exactly the same as Tokina, which is releasing within this autumn.

[@MichaelMoore-bx6st]

From what I understand, those two companies are not related, however they're probably using the same factory

[@stang8913]

@@MichaelMoore-bx6st each lens has its own patent. even they are from the same factory, they cant be exactly the same in the spec and the number of glass in the lens

[@pizzablender]

I wonder what will come out from Tokina. They look identical, but would they be good enough for Tokina?

[@soneeeee4440]

Had no idea this was aps-c specific. i guess they learned their lesson with the 85mm 1.8 V1- 1.5 pounds of glass and metal, total waste of material on aps-c. i sold my V1 brick and got the V2, better in every way.

[@Broodjemetbeleg]

Did they improve anything on it or did they only downsize it?

[@soneeeee4440]

@@Broodjemetbeleg much sharper wide open, much less purple fringing, better af tracking, and of course a lot lighter. didn't cost me much to switch, 30 bucks

[@chrisogrady28]

FYI, 1.4 x 1.5 = 2.1

[@johnxantoro5511]

Viltrox is great, I hope they make 14mm or so ultra-wide-angle and a 50mm 1.4 for Fuji X-Mount.

[@octaviomoran8475]

Search for Viltrox lens Roadmap 😏

[@johnxantoro5511]

@@octaviomoran8475 Ah nice, thanks. Didn't know that existed. Seems there is a 56/1.4 and a 13/1.4 for APS-C on the map. Amazing.

[@trym2121]

Judging from their quality, I'd rather hope Sigma brings their 56 to the table. Those CA on 23 and 33 are crazy rainbow

[@ryanthomas9306]

That looks like average focus breathing

[@JaySilva88]

First! ahah Great to see reviews of third party lens, more affordable for us mortals. A great lens to shoot at f2.8 if you need the image quality, or f2.0 if you're into that bokah. The chromatic aberration and lack of sharpness at f1.4 would keep me out of that range, unless desperate for light or wild bokah.

[@DerSchoermbro]

wow.

[@slammermx]

do you not sleep, just to be the first?

[@JaySilva88]

@@slammermx I was lucky to refresh my subscriber feed and see this "uploaded 43 seconds ago". So obviously had to comment "first"!

[@GeraldBertramPhotography]

Not a bad looking lens...but with the Sigma prime trinity I wouldn't recommend the Viltrox against those amazing Sigma lenses for not a whole lot more money, at least on the Sony side of things.

[@jd3330]

For Fuji, this is a much better option that the Fuji version. I have the Fuji 23mm 1.4 and it’s honestly not worth the $700-800 price tag

[@jd3330]

aceflibble honestly I’ve been considering switching systems too. The lack of glass is really the issue.

[@sobasicreviews3097]

Sony is lucky to have Sigma lenses.

[@adrianwong4655]

Love to

[@alessandrosparapan1081]

Considering the price, it looks really a valuable glass. Unfortunately, being a z6 user, i can only hope for third parties lenses in the future

[@meranlee1911]

Finally..

[@khupload5723]

Does it fit well in fullframe?

[@patrick.771]

Haha .... I watched your Fuji 33mm review today and wished you would also test the 23mm. Here you are :) Sony and Fuji result should be similar?

[@joemann2178]

Second, I have this lens too, hope it's a good one :)

[@aguywithananimeprofile8950]

hmmmm

[@razbiton173]

Can you review the Sony 24mm 1.4 GM?

[@awillingvessel238]

why affiliate link?

[@christopherfrost]

?

[@srijonmondal8842]

I guess it's somewhere between the 30mm Sigma and the 16mm Sigma lens . . . . Although its better than both for video due to no Focus breathing Love the new lens at such a reasonable price

[@awillingvessel238]

is this full frame?

[@marturomano]

Did... you even watch the video?

[@christopherfrost]

Didn't you watch the video?

[@NelsonMichael]

Update your camera

[@musicdefinesgravity]

Viltrox, please make one for the Z crop mount... PLEASE

[@letsgetlost2752]

this lens opens to 1.4 but it's trash at f/4 or wider. PASS

[@chicojuanito2]

This lens is a complete mess. I bought it for $200 off facebook marketplace.

[@angeloop]

Amazing video as always and thanks for listening to your subscribers. However, I am quite disappointed with this lens :(

[@robbycosco2995]

Hey Chris I love your videos but please make you video titles and thumbnails show when a lens is APSC not full frame

[@vikfury]

dude! What you talking about fokus pulling at 2:45 is complete off - this lens has normal fokus pulling for a 300$ Photo Lens - the lens are not made for Videographers - so please dont talk like that

[@geopapa80]

Color fringing is a bit too much, and minimum focusing distance of 40cm is nothing to write home about.. My sigma 19mm can focus to 20cm. I think I'm gonna keep the sigma..

[@royandescartes]

so basically this lens is trash.