Viltrox 85 1.8 In-Depth Review - Better than a Sony??
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- I've been using the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 PFU RMBH for a few weeks now in all sorts of scenarios, from studio, to on location, flash, natural light, professional, personal, high light and low light, and it's time to give you my thoughts on this interesting little lens.
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7:40 viltrox software not needed. Just connect to PC or Mac via regular micro USB cable and in the text file on mass storage drive you will see the firmware version. Download the DAT file, drag it to the lens which is a mass storage, it will install software automatically within 5s and will re-appear again as mass storage drive with a text file with new firmware version number inside. DAT file will disapear. Very simple.
You sold me! Best review of this 85. I was saving up for the Sony but now I don't have to to.
Hey Tropikal. How are you getting along with the Viltrox 85mm in real world shooting? Am curious as I'm torn between all the 85mm options available for Sony E mounts. Thanks in advance!
@@perseus2052 Sorry my friend, but with all that is going on right now, I haven't gotten around to ordering it just yet.
Go with the Viltrox! I absolutely love this lens!!!
After doing a Lot of video work with both the 85GM and 85 Viltrox side by side (the GM on the a9 and Viltrox on the a7iii), man does it focus more reliably than the 85GM.
While the Viltrox will indeed inexplicably fail to focus like 1% of the time, it’s still Much more reliable than the GM. Like not even close.
@@WesPerry I'm really surprised. So many people seem to big up the Viltrox and you wonder if there's some kind of catch being at that price, but it doesn't seem to be the case at all, and even gives the 85GM a run for its money!
I got the Viltrox 85mm manual focus for 145 Euro (shipping included), used it for birthday parties and the occasional shooting, a really big bang for the buck!
Great deal!
Just picked this one up for $325 used from B&H, so excited!!! Probably going to watch your review ever day till it comes in lol
Nice! 👌🏻
USED? NEW COST LIKE THAT
@@SayWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat It was used from B&H, couldn't pass it up. It's a great lens!
how was it so far? I am planning to buy one but not sure if it is really good for my Sony a6400
@@webstermickey69 I like it a lot, don't think it's best for the a6400 though. Have you looked at the Sigma 56mm? It's the equivalent of an 85mm on a Full Frame body
This review is spot on!!! My Viltrox 85 stay on my camera 95% of the time!!!
Happy to have updated the software on my Viltrox 85 mm to F1.6...not a huge jump but maybe compensation for the fact that it won't go to F22(?)...and everything still functions perfectly on my Sony A7RIII...I'm happy but I'm not a professional so (grain of salt).
I did the update a while back, and at least on my particular lens, it doesn’t get any brighter, but the aperture blades go a bit wonky and it gets crazy lens flares...which can be fun, too. Haha
@@WesPerry I'm sorry to hear that. At least you can go back to a previous version.
C. L. Sutherland it’s no issue at all. Nothing is different unless I go to f/1.6. If I don’t want the flares, I just don’t go there ;)
I hadn't had the flash issue with mine. I hope they make more and even better lenses.. I frickn love mine and my customers do as well.
Galdem Gizzada they’re releasing 3 more for Fuji X. In the 20, 30 and 50mm ranges
It is a lens that I want more and more. I am considering it as an alternative to the 90mm Fuji f/2, but my problem that where I live, only the Fuji lens is sold, which means paying taxes and more to get the Viltrox, and then suddenly the price difference isn't that great any more.
Interesting. Where are you?
@@WesPerry Israel. I am sitting and looking into it a little now, and even with import fees and taxes it might be a really good deal. I just need a payment option where I pay the taxes and fees when purchasing the lens. If I let it arrive without that, there will be handling fees and a very long waiting time. Can be as much as 100 USD.
That’s unfortunate for sure.
@@peterkaltoft8032 I've got it new for 286USD (luckily no shipping costs and taxes were involved) from Aliexpress sale to Haifa in two weeks, but it was just before the virus crisis.
@@Niko_Ly where did you find it for that price? That's a steal!
I just got this lens today. I honestly can't believe that it's as affordable as it is. I don't at all feel envious of anyone that has any of the more expensive 85mm lenses. This lens almost feels too good to be true.
whats your camera
@@mrvincentpogi Sony A7iii
This is the comment I wanted to see
Well done on the intro sequence.
I bought this lens for $323 from Walmart Online. It’s a great lens at ANY price point. I love it and my friends tell me it’s up to $400 at Walmart now. I’m looking out for the 22/33/56 f/1.4 lens line. Quality and value have me sold on Viltrox.
Low light beast!!!
So good in dark street scenes!
Get this lens.
I didn’t know they sold it at Walmart. Good for viltrox to get into that supply chain!
It’s sold “through” Walmart. A separate vendor ships. I have found several lenses available on their online shopping network and really trust the Shipping and warranty more than any other vendor. I love shopping at Best Buy but I live out in the middle of nowhere and it’s 70 miles away. I also bought a Laowa 25 2.8 macro and the 9mm 2.8 ZD. Love those lenses. Laowa has a magnificent, albeit expensive product line. Great lenses!
Damm how did you get it for$$$ 323
Again a great review, thanks!
you should try the sigma 85, its big, but everything else about it is 10/10
I hope to eventually!
Beautiful Picture and great review :-)
This tipped me over. Just ordered it! omg it's gonna be great on my A7R III ♥
It’s hard to regret a lens that cheap 🤷🏻♂️👌🏻
@@WesPerry Great to see someone growing up to 10k subs and still replying the comments pretty much on instant! You just earned a sub from me :)
@@MaandRi Oh it'll be a while just yet before I stop responding to comments ;)
RITVARS STARKS hey I was curious to know how the lens turned out on your Sony a7riii? Just got a a7riii and was curious to know how it’s working out for you
@@richierichie39 I've made a video on my channel about it. (not stealing viewers) But in short - it's great, really can't say much bad about how it's performing on A7Riii :)
Great review Wes! Did you have any back focusing issues with this lens as it was often mentioned in some earlier tests of this lens ? Actually you're the first who is satisfied by the autofocus performance. It seems that Viltrox has addressed issues with firmware updates.
Yeah, they’ve been releasing the updates hot and fast. No back focusing for me at all. 🤷🏻♂️
That's cool. So it becomes an interesting alternative to the Sony FE 85 1.8
I would still have a hard time recommending this lens over the Batis or the FE. Both feature reliable fast autofocus and are crazy sharp wide open. Would I get it for better autofocus than a GM and to save a ton of cash? Yes.
Hi Wes, This was interesting as I recently watched Dave McKeegan's video on the Viltrox and he came down on the side of the Sony 85 f1.8 as the better lens but did say that the Viltrox is a solid budget option. For him it seemed that the auto focus was unreliable as well, so clearly that is its main weakness as your photos' image quality were great! I already own the Sony 85 f1.8 and just found out that a friend has picked up my new purchase of the Tamron 17-28 f.2.8 from The Camera Store, so this is just academic for me, but a solid 9 out of 10 for this video ( would have been a 10 but the cat did not make an appearance in the kitchen!)
I will take this all under advisement and get the cat out. He was Very present during the detail shots, pulling at the legs of the tripod, unfortunately 😂
@@WesPerry I'm sure he was just trying to help! ( so he could get fed sooner....)
Yeahhh, I Did have a rushed morning and forgot to feed them 😬 In retrospect that may indeed have had something to do with it 😏
@@WesPerry Ha,ha -they run the world! Have you noticed how many views cat videos get??!
Yeah, I’m clearly in the wrong business 😒😂
Very good lighting,,,a very pleasant review
How about comparison to the viltrox 85mm mark II ? Lighter body better hood and is rest the same? Thanks
Trying to get my hands on one. Ironically enough, Viltrox is insisting that they’re similar enough that there’s no point in doing so. 🤷🏻♂️
Have you noticed any issues with the camera slowing down and taking longer to turn on etc with this lens? Or the camera shutting off? Chris brockhurst said he had this issue once
I’d be using this for video and I use manual focus so AF doesn’t bother me. I want to get the Zeiss but it’s out of my price range. What are your thoughts? I can get the MK2 for cheaper here in the UK! Great review btw!
I did see some things about slow downs, but I wonder if they just had earlier firmware revisions than I did, as I haven’t had any. Since this review I’ve continued to use this lens a Lot. And I honestly use it as much or more than my GM now because I find it more reliable.
Thanks for the review, dont know about the bokeh quality though... the highlights look weird, the Sony FE 85 F1.8 looks calmer to my eyes.
That’s funny. I got the opposite impression of the two 🤷🏻♂️
Bokeh is definitely a very subjective thing.
Viltrox vs Samyang vs Sigma 85 1.8, what's your pick and what are your thoughts?
Do you mean sigma 1.4?
@@WesPerry oh yes, you're right, Sigma 1.4. Not 1.8 :)
I think the sigma is by far the best performer optically. While the viltrox is likely best for AF. You can’t have everything ;)
@@WesPerry Thanks!!!
Great review.
Thank you for the review! Which firmware update did you use during the flash problems?
Did you get any feedback if there are similar lightning problems at Fuji? Maybe it's a Sony compatibility issue?
It was on the very latest firmware (I forget which number exactly but I just checked the other day in hope that it had received a new update, but unfortunately not. Almost looks like they’re done updating it now.)
I haven’t heard this exact thing about performance on Fuji, I have however heard more AF complaints in general. It seems as though they don’t have it quite as perfected as the Sony one. I think the Fuji AF algorithm had to be reverse engineered (Fuji doesn’t share it), while Sony actually provides it to third parties.
What a. great review! thank you!
Just got a a7iii and my two lenses are this and the 55mm 1.8 zeiss
Not a bad combo!
great review! thank you
great comment! thank you
I went with the sigma art. I think the IQ is better than the GM and gives you 1.4 for night portraits. I wanted to try this one, but just couldn't quite justify it for professional work.
There’s a new update that allows this lens to “go to f/1.6”
It’s...not exactly what people are saying. Lol
I always found the 85 Sigma to be a bit bland. It’s a matter of taste, of course, but the look and rendering of the 85GM always gets me. Just love it.
Hey Wes, brilliant intro and vid . Until watching this I was convinced the Samyang 85mm was for me, know I'm rethinking it. Have you used the Sammy?
Unfortunately I haven't. I'd be pretty surprised if the AF was as good on it, though.
@@WesPerry Sorry, do you think the Viltrox might be better for focus?
It has very reliable continuous autofocus. Way better than the 85GM. And most reviews I saw put the 85GM just ahead of the Sammy.
@@WesPerry Thank Wes, I want to use this in low light at events where reliable autofocus trumps image quality. Pity you don't have affiliate links for Aust.
Only 2% of my audience comes from down under. I’d have to hook up India, Great Britain and Germany before you I’m sorry to say. And generating new affiliate links for every video is a bit of a pain for just the two countries I Do service.
I actually had some for UK for a little while, but no one used them so they deleted my account! Haha.
It took me hours to get along with that lense hood :D :D :D
Right?? When I finally realized my problem I felt like a bit of an idiot...but you really shouldn’t have to put that much thought into placing and removing a lens hood. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! 😂
The Viltrox 85 stays on my a7ii and the sigma 16mm stays on my a6500...I can master almost any situation with just these two camera setups in my bag!
How well does autofocus work with a7ii camera?
@@UA-camWatcher-t5x I have it on the A7ii and it works even better with the new update that came out not to long ago. (1.1.7 or the 1.1.5 for the Mk2) Low light performance used to be somewhat unreliable on the older update but the new update seemed fixed that.
@@Sukimaye Hey. I got my lens a week ago and I can say that autofocus works no worse than with Sony's native lenses. I am in love with this lens, its picture is simply amazing, and the sharpness is not worse than that of Sony 85 1.8
I can get samyung same price as viltrox where I am.
What be better ? VILTROX OR SAMYANG?
The mark 1 or mark 2 Samyang? The mark 2 is definitely the better lens. I don’t care for the Look of the mark 1 quite as much as the Viltrox, but the mark 2 is much better in terms of AF and overall performance.
@@WesPerry thanks for taking the time Wes. Yeah it's the mark 2 with AF.
Only $45 more than the viltrox
I own the Viltrox for Fujifilm and am very impressed with it even wide open. I also own the Fujifilm 90mm f/2.0 which is also brutally sharp, but albeit with a bit less CA.
But which is your favourite? 😏
@@WesPerry I like them both. One is effectively a 127mm f/2.7 lens the other a 135mm f/2.8. The bokeh is quite different as well. A bit more etherial with the Viltrox.
Perry in video what lens and equipment you are using its really outstanding
For filming the view or the photos?
@@WesPerry for filming
@@PUBGHEX Mostly the a9 with the Sony/Zeiss 35 1.4
Do you recommend the VILTROX mark 2 in 2023 ?
Depends on what’s important to you. It’s not the Sharpest still, but the image character of that lens is still among the best on E-mount. Just a gorgeous look in my opinion. But that’s a matter of opinion, of course ;)
@@WesPerry honestly the lent sold me, because I was comparing it to the GM in quality, over all from the photos it does look sharp and a solid lens
Depends what camera you’re using it on. It doesn’t hold up well on an a7Riv or v, but you can barely tell the difference on an a7iii
@@WesPerry I Have a Sony A7iii
Viltrox always sounded way too close to Valtrex to me. Imagine the strange conversations I get into when I think they're talking about cameras and not herpes.
I had literally never heard of Valtrex before. I think I was better of not knowing. 😂
Never heard of valtrex before, but now that word sounds similar to with zarflax. Imagine the strange conversations I get into when I think they're talking about cameras and not aliens with...
Hey Wes, what do you use for your baldy?
We talkin razors or toques here? 😏
Does it get even better if you add the viltrox speed booster???
That wouldn’t work, I’m afraid. You have to be adapting a DSLR lens to mirrorless to use a speed booster.
Wes Perry thanks for responding. So can I use the speed booster for the kit lens 18-135mm that comes with the Sony a6600?
I’m trying to decide if I should get the kit lens or just get the body and buy this viltrox 85mm?
That’s still not a DSLR lens, that’s a mirrorless lens. Any lens that natively attached to a Sony alpha body can’t be used with a speedbooster.
You need an old full frame Canon DSLR lens, and then it can be speedboosted onto an APS-C Sony body (not a full frame body).
How about tokina 85mm?. Well ,I know it is not available until February Buuuut, it's an other contender too
If you look real close, it appears to be a rebranded Viltrox. Identical optical design. For $100 more 😏
@@WesPerry that's right ,look identical ,but who made it ,tokina? Or Viltrox?..hummmmm....
For all we know neither. Could be contax or another third party.
samyang 85mm 1.4 or viltrox 85mm 1.8? love viltrox bokeh, how well after firm update?
Yasemin it kindof looks like they’ve stopped updating it, unfortunately. I’m still on the latest revision, and it’s a bit maddening. 98% of the time the AF is just stellar. Better than a lot of Sony lenses even. And then that 2% of the time it gets flakey in circumstances that just make no sense at all 🤷🏻♂️
Yasemin I am convinced, however, that during that 98% time, the AF is miles ahead of the Samyang, which is jumpy and somewhat inconsistent at the very smallest increments. Most definitely usable, but not next level like the Viltrox. Hoping for just One More update 🤞🏻
@@WesPerry Well I will leave my nikon dslr, sell whole nikon lenses and just starting to use mirrorless system which will be sony a7r4 :') so %98 accuracy sounds pretty good deal for me. With that I can have extra cash and can buy new tamron 70-180mm too. This two would be enough for portraits and other tele photo stuff.
@@whitekiki Well, to be clear, it's 100% accuracy 98% of the time, if that makes any sense. 😂
Sounds like you're at the start of an adventure!
@@WesPerry I was happy with my nikon d810 as photography actually but camera itself and lenses are two heavy. I couldnt go into videography because of that. Now I have no excuse anymore about heavy video equipment. Gimbals, cameras, lenses are pretty light right now. I believe more woman can get into videography. It was scary 5 years ago and I stopped shoot video. Hope with these new smart and light systems, I can work hybrid.
Can i use viltrox 85 with sony a68?
I’m afraid not. Your camera takes a-mount lenses. This is for the newer mirrorless e-mount.
Will this work on Sony A7 (mark 1)
Yep!
that is just 275 dollars here in the Philippines
How cow. Nice!
It’s $599 here 🤦🏻♂️
Hi Wes, I had this lens as well untill I received the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm F1.4 for almost the same price. And the f1.4 is really worth it :)
Did you try that one out as well?
I’m afraid I have yet to see that one. Where did you find it on the cheap?
@@WesPerry from a local store here in The Netherlands, combined with the cash back from Samyang/Rokinon
Hello Mister
Samyang is have more bokeh and it's sharper or it's not big difference
@@misterpringles2384 there is a significant difference in terms of bokeh. The Viltrox is good, but the Samyang is better :)
@@GaryJahman how about sharpness? and overall quality?
Never underestimate a smaller sensor !
I had a shoot last month where I couldn’t use flash, and was shooting at f/1.4 ISO16,000 to 25,600...I doubt a micro 4/3 sensor would have produced usable results in this circumstance.
Of course you can produce good results with different sensor sizes. But there are different tools for different jobs.
@@WesPerry shooting in the dark, well I think many Sony shooter are shooting in the dark too Wes !
S1H is better in low light.
Lama Steve The S1H has the same sensor as the S1, which has about 5% lower high iso performance than the a7iii (not really different enough to matter. Most likely the exact same Sony sensor in all three cameras).
But how did we get to talking about the S1H anyway? We were talking about the difference between m4/3 and full frame.
@@WesPerry Sony is selling about 10% of the camera’s the did in 2010. How long will they stay in the game ? Brands Wes, Not long ago Sony made its first DSLR. Who’s got staying power Panasonic !
But yet no manual aperture control.
I’m not a fan of aperture rings myself. The camera has three dials, making it somewhat redundant.
@@WesPerry Faster control over the lens for me rather than dealing with the camera itself.
evelasq1 Rather than dealing with the camera? Isn’t the camera already in your hand? 😏
@@WesPerry LOL! I am talking about going fully manual or even aperture priority with my camera rather going through the program listings to set the apertures and having the aperture control through the lens itself is the best lens to have such as the Nikon 50mm F1.4 AIS lens.
I bought the Lumix 85 1.8 for less with “ Dual IS “ but Sony is over priced lenses ! Smaller companies won’t be able to keep up !
ua-cam.com/video/mGMfc9ut5b4/v-deo.html Smaller companies can’t sponsor !
I’m unclear on which lens you’re talking about, as there is no LUMIX 85 1.8. If you mean the 42.5 1.7, you’ll need to convert the aperture as well, making it an 85mm f/3.4 lens, which is a micro 4/3 lens. Comparing the pricing of which to a full frame lens is hardly productive. Larger glass is simply more expensive to produce.
When Panasonic releases their upcoming 85 1.8 for L-mount later this year, you can bet it’ll be close to $1000 (or more).
@@WesPerry I bet you can’t tell which lens shot the picture Wes ? I learned a long time ago I see more than my client’s.
I shot this guys picture a couple times a year for years, a dancer. I just used a Canon 1D Mark ll the year before, 24 to 70 2.8 lens.
I was at a shoot in Canada, the lighten had struck ground, I touched my 20d and the camera started shooting, battery out to stop it ? I had someone bring my a camera from Walmart, an xt silver ! Oh no !
Was this made in virus land ??????
Check the upload date! This was made 4 months ago! lol
👎🏻