Sony full frame e mount lens9/15/2023 ![]() ![]() These elements can minimize image distortions and improve image quality in the outer image field. Wide- and more so ultra-wide lenses rely heavily on aspherical elements in their design. Thus let's have a look at the quality of the bokeh. The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE is a fast lens allowing for some decent object isolation at closer focus distances at least. Lateral CAs are low, with a peak CA pixel width of ~0.6px at the image borders. If you want to know more about the MTF50 figures, you may check out the corresponding Imatest Explanations Chromatic Aberrations (CAs) The chart shows line widths per picture height (LW/PH) which can be taken as a measure of sharpness. Please note that the MTF results are not directly comparable across the different systems!īelow is a simplified summary of the formal findings. The centering quality of the tested sample was Ok. As usual, aperture settings beyond f/11 should be avoided - this is a physical limitation. The outer image field reaches very good quality from f/2.8, with impressive peak results reached at f/5.6. The borders are still good to very good here, and even the corners maintain good levels. The image center is already excellent at f/1.8, with the near center following with very good results. Many ultra-wide lenses struggle when it comes to maintaining a high resolution across the image field, but the Viltrox is, once again, surprisingly performant. At medium aperture settings, the vignetting decreases to ~0.6EV (auto-corrected), which isn't disturbing anymore. It's not quite as much at ~2 EV with activated auto-correction. In RAW images, the light falloff exceeds 3 EV (f-stops). ![]() Ultra-wide lenses produce quite a bit of vignetting at large aperture settings, and the Viltrox lens is no exception to the rule here. Auto-correction with its lossy side effects isn't needed. Namely, it's basically distortion-free - even in RAW images. One of the really surprising aspects of the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE, and there are a couple, is the distortion characteristic. LCD display, 2 custom buttons, clickless aperture mode, dust-sealing, aperture ring Focus breathing is all but absent, so that's good news for videos.ġ5 elements in 12 groups, incl. As usual, manual focusing works "by-wire," which is well implemented. The lens has a noiseless stepping motor (STM) which is reasonably fast. Some of the other Chinese players are still struggling to source autofocus motors for their lenses, but Viltrox solved this quite a while ago already. A depth-of-field indicator would have been nice - possibly something for a firmware update (possible via a USB-C port)? Unlike some of its distant cousins, the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE doesn't have a bulb-like front element, and it accepts 77mm front filters. It's not a first - we have seen this on Zeiss Batis lenses before - but this one shows some more information, including distance, focus distance limiter settings and the current aperture. Another interesting feature is the LCD display. Moreover, there are 2 custom buttons (Fn1, Fn2) that can be configured on certain Sony cameras. They also implemented a dedicated aperture ring which can be set to click or clickless mode. On top of that, it also features dust-proof sealings - 6 of them, to be precise. The length remains constant throughout the focus range. Even the back part of the supplied petal-shaped lens hood has a metal ring instead of being all plastic. The lens barrel is made of metal, including the mount and the smoothly turning focus ring. Viltrox didn't cut corners regarding the build quality of the AF 16mm f/1.8 FE. This sounds too good to be true then? Let's find out. With a weight of 550g, it isn't a burden in your bag either. And it does so without breaking your bank account at just 549 USD - that's less than half (!) of what you have to pay for Sony's own FE 14mm f/1.8 GM. Yes, there are wider and faster lenses, but the Viltrox lens keeps a nice balance by offering a little extra without going downright bonkers. However, there might be a solution to these problems - meet the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE, available in Sony E-mount and, soon, in Nikon Z-mount. And then there's the other problem - the wider and faster you go, the more you are entering stratospheric price levels. Many of us know the problem - sometimes wide and fast just isn't wide and fast enough. Review by Klaus Schroiff, published June 2023 ![]()
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