Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Z Review | A Quality Lens for $160?

[@clarkejones8090]

Excellently done review, Dustin . Thank you. A nice surprise that you have tried out a lens for the Z mount . I like that you evaluate the more affordable lenses. I look forward to more reviews from you of Z-mount lenses and perhaps you will tell us what you make of some of the Nikon bodies at some time. Cheers.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for the feedback. I will review the Z8 that I purchased after I'm familiar with it.

[@clarkejones8090]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Goodo

[@philcampbell5827]

Thanks for anohter super review Dustin. I currently don't own a 40mm (have the Nikkor Z 50 1.8) and would be interested in how this compares with the Nikkor 40mm f 2. Looking forward to that video once you get your hands on that lens to compare with. Thanks again and have a great weekend :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Mine just arrived yesterday, though I haven't had a chance to use it yet.

[@ralphsaad8637]

I am not usually fond of bubble bokeh but this lens has a sort of character that I really like, from the colors to the general contrast and bokeh.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's a nice little lens, for sure.

[@stkuj]

I hope the Sony E-Mount comes soon!

[@myblujl7503]

That seems to be the pattern with these Viltrox lenses so far and i dont see any reason for them to want to sell less.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think it will come, for sure. I'm not sure about the timing, however.

[@stefpix]

I have the Nikon 40mm f2. I love it. It reminds me of old Nikkor vintage lenses in its rendering. I bought it after the Nikon 50mm f1.8. I use the 40mm way more. I think the Nikon 40mm can be found used, refurbished, or on sale close in price to this Villtrox. Looking forward for a comparison. I do have the Viltrox 24mm f1.8 that I bought asa daily delivery at B and H. I like it fine, except the minimum focus distance that is not very close. But I paid 200 USD for it. But this 40mm is too close in price to the Nikon version. It would be appealing if better optically than the Nikon.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'll be doing a direct comparison with the Nikkor 40mm F2 once I have time in my schedule. My copy arrived yesterday.

[@USGrant21st]

Nikon 40/2 gets really good only starting at f/4, wide open the resolution and contrast drop significantly. I had both Viltrox 40/2.5 and Nikkor 40/2 but not at the same time, so I don't have any side by side comparison. Looking back at the similar pictures taken at the same f-stops I think they are close in resolution, but Nikon bokeh looks better. Also I found a number of pictures taken with Viltrox showing very strong and some very colorful flare and glare, I didn't see anything like that on Nikon pictures. Now Nikon is on sale, only about $60 more expensive than Viltrox, so it should be an easy choice.

[@stefpix]

@@USGrant21st Thank you. I love the Nikon 40mm. It remids me of the old DSLR Nikkor AI lenses or vintage. I really like the rendering and the focal lenght It would be nice if it had a metal mount, but apart from that to me it seems really good with flares. I like it better than the 50mm 1.8. The Viltrox is competing with a really good original lens. It does not make much commercial sense to sell it for Nikon. Maybe it would be a great option for Sony users.

[@USGrant21st]

@@stefpix yes, Sony's 40/2.5 is quite expensive, so Viltrox has a good value proposition in comparison. Though in e-mount one may instead buy Samyang 45/1.8, which is often on sale for under $300. Samyang is also a very small/light lens and a stop faster than Viltrox.

[@hungerworkstudio5773]

I had absolutely terrible IQ with my copy of this lens. The LOCA/Laterial CA was just so intense it my colors look really quite bad in the image and the off-center focus made images feel incredibly flat. While I respect that on paper this is interesting I feel like the Samyang 45mm 1.8 produces an image which makes this look like it should be a $50 lens. Autofocus isn't worth the poor performance I experienced.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would say you got a lens that was damaged in transit. I've reviewed this lens on multiple platforms, and what you describe is not what I saw.

[@Jwitherow1964]

Hey Dustin on his Chanel three blind men and an elephant just gave you a shout out while he was reviewing the Viltrox 16 mm thought you would like to know

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's really interesting. Thanks!

[@Jwitherow1964]

@@DustinAbbottTWI I was in the truck and didn’t spell check that last text I just wanted you to know. That on the channel three blind man an an elephant, he gave you a shot out while he was reviewing the Viltrox 16mm 1.8