Viltrox AF 23mm F/1.4 - The GOOD, the BAD & the UGLY

Summary

The video reviews the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens for Sony APS-C cameras, offering an equivalent 35mm focal length. The reviewer highlights the lens's solid build quality, compact size, and wide aperture, while also noting minor frustrations like a tricky lens hood and weak aperture ring stop. Optical performance is praised, with sharp center focus even wide open, though vignetting, chromatic aberration, and occasional issues with out-of-focus areas are mentioned. Autofocus performs well but isn't silent. Overall, the lens impresses with its affordability and features, despite minor flaws.

Takeaways

• 📷 Sony shooters often prefer Sony for its reliable autofocus, great specs, and wide lens selection.
• 🔍 The Sony E-mount system offers a vast range of lenses for both full-frame and APS-C cameras.
• 🌟 The Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens is designed for APS-C cameras, providing an equivalent focal length of 35mm on full-frame.
• 💪 The lens has a high-quality metal construction, but metal surfaces may scratch over time, unlike more durable plastic materials used by other brands.
• 📏 The lens measures 72mm in length without the hood, making it a compact option for Sony APS-C cameras despite the large f/1.4 aperture.
• ⚠️ Some cons include a tricky-to-attach lens hood and a weak stop mechanism between f/16 and the automatic setting on the aperture ring, which can cause accidental changes.
• 💧 The Viltrox lens is not weather-sealed, making the Sigma 23mm f/1.4 a better choice for shooting in wet conditions.
• 🔌 A neat feature is the Micro-USB port in the lens mount, allowing firmware updates without needing a separate lens station.
• 🖼️ Image quality is impressive with good center sharpness, especially from f/1.8 to f/2.8, but corners are soft until around f/2.8.
• 💡 The lens struggles with chromatic aberration and some out-of-focus areas, particularly when the background is not parallel to the camera.

Q & A

What are the main reasons Sony shooters prefer Sony cameras?

Sony shooters often cite reliable autofocus, great specs, and a large selection of first- and third-party lenses as their primary reasons for choosing Sony cameras.

What focal length does the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens offer on an APS-C camera?

The Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens provides an equivalent focal length of 35mm when used on an APS-C camera.

What are some of the external design concerns mentioned about the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens?

Concerns about the exterior include the lens hood being tricky to attach, the metal material being prone to scratches, and a weak stopping mechanism on the aperture ring that can accidentally shift between A and f16.

Why does the reviewer prefer plastic over metal for lens construction?

The reviewer prefers durable plastic because it is less likely to scratch over time, whereas metal, although high-quality, tends to show wear with use.

What issue does the reviewer face with the aperture ring on the Viltrox lens?

The aperture ring has a weak stop mechanism between f16 and A, making it easy to accidentally shift the setting when carrying the camera, which can lead to unexpected underexposure.

What alternative lens is suggested for photographers who shoot in wet conditions?

The Sigma 23mm f/1.4 is suggested as an alternative for those who frequently shoot in wet conditions because the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 is not weather-sealed.

What optical performance issues does the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens have?

The lens struggles with chromatic aberration, especially at larger apertures, and some issues with out-of-focus areas that can appear as motion blur when the background isn’t parallel to the camera.

At what aperture does the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens start to show improved sharpness?

The sharpness improves noticeably by f1.8, and by f2.8, the lens delivers sharpness in both the center and corners.

What are the reviewer’s thoughts on the autofocus performance of the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens?

The reviewer reports that the autofocus performance is generally good, with no major issues, although the autofocus motors produce a clicking sound that could be picked up by an on-camera microphone.

What does the reviewer appreciate about the firmware update process for the Viltrox lens?

The reviewer appreciates that the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 lens includes a Micro-USB port for easy firmware updates, without the need for a separate lens station.