Viltrox II - The Limits

Like so many things in this world, you ultimately, get what you pay for. But after such a promising start, I really thought this tiny little lens could be a game changer. And for my next test, it just might. But in the last couple of weeks, I've tried it out in some low light, and even astro applications and ultimately, the lens started to show its true strengths, and weaknesses.

Firstly, low light and unfortunately, you just cant get away from the truth, and that is the large amount of vignette visible in those conditions. Could you work this out in post, yes, but that's not really the point. As you can see from the completely unedited shot below (including my inability to take a straight photo), it really doesn't like low light, especially compared to the Nikkor 20mm f/1.8. Yes, I know, the difference in aperture, but the idea was to see how well it can do, and ultimately, I was a little disappointed.

Yes, it was always going to struggle, but as you can see, you would need a bit of work to salvage a decent shot from this. I will try though.

Next, astro, and all I can say is I stupidly expected a $240 lens to be able to perform miracles, and it just cant. If you try astro once or twice a year, then by all means, buy one. If you put the time into post, and you have half a clue what you're doing, you may pull out something good enough to show your friends on your iPhone, but that's about it (someone will prove me wrong here). I liken it a little to say, a Samyang 24mm f1.4, with the bonus of having AF. It'll pass, but just.

Again, unedited below, which would probably scrub up alright with a bit of a polish in LR (I'll send anyone who wants to try the RAW). But go back to the last blog post and compare to the Nikkor and it really is out of its league.

Now, am I saying "Don't buy this lens?". Or that its not worth the money?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

For travelling and other times when you need a light weight, cheap, small, wide angle, Z mount, AF lens, it's perfect. In fact, I took a shot the other day holding my Z7 on a carbon (floppy) tripod as high as I could over my head for a shot, and you couldn't, or at least I wouldn't even try, with an expensive lens. Just in my opinion, it's not the perfect all-rounder some people are claiming, and not anywhere near a threat to the big players.

But it's cheap, well built, incredible value, and if you're missing a wide, AF lens at this focal length, then it would pair perfectly with a Z5, or Z6, to make a cheap(ish) camera you wouldn't stress about as you walk the back streets of a foreign city. It really is worth every dollar it costs, and then some.

But instead, I have an even BIGGER challenge for it. I'm thinking about throwing it in the ocean... and I'm being quite literal, so stay tuned.