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

Carl🥴
1 Apr 202407:54

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

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Related Tags
Viltrox LensSony CamerasLens ReviewAutofocusAPS-C CamerasImage QualityChromatic AberrationSharpnessPhotography GearCamera Lenses