Viltrox is a Chinese language producer that has actually impressed me with a lot of its autofocus lenses for full-frame and crop-sensor mirrorless cameras, over the past three years. Certainly, I’ve loved reviewing a few of them a lot that I’ve purchased a number of of them for my everlasting assortment. They are usually actually properly made, wonderful performers and standout worth for cash. My present Viltrox stash contains the quick, metal-bodied Viltrox AF 23mm F1.4 Z, Viltrox AF 33mm F1.4 Z, and Viltrox AF 56mm F1.4 Z primes, plus the marginally bigger Viltrox AF 13mm F1.4 Z which I take advantage of on my Nikon Z fc digital camera. The 28mm pancake lens that I’m reviewing here’s a totally different form of lens, with the emphasis on being extremely small and light-weight. Even so, it’s full-frame appropriate and goals to some of the inexpensive lenses for Sony E-mount cameras. It’s equally viable to be used on Sony APS-C format mirrorless cameras, the place it offers an ‘efficient’ focal size of 42mm, and thus a really pure perspective fairly than a large viewing angle.
It’s perhaps the smallest and most light-weight lens that I’ve ever used on an interchangeable lens digital camera physique. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE: Specs
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Mount choices
Sony E (FE)
Lens building
6 components in 6 teams
Angle of view
73.4 levels
Diaphragm blades
None (8 simulated)
Minimal aperture
f/4.5
Minimal focus distance
0.32m
Most magnification
0.11x
Filter dimension
None
Dimensions
60x15mm
Weight
60g
Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE: Worth
I examined the Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE in September 2024, earlier than it truly went on sale. The launch was imminent and the promoting worth was closely rumored to be simply $99. That makes it amazingly cheap for a full-frame appropriate lens that options autofocus though the aperture is mounted at f/4.5 so there’s no adjustable diaphragm nor the electronics that go along with it.
Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE: Design & Dealing with
The important thing components within the design of the Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE are compactness and light-weight building. Measuring simply 15mm / 0.59” thick and weighing a mere 60g / 2.1oz, I can’t readily consider many different full-frame appropriate pancake lenses which can be so small and light-weight. Even so, there’s a good bit packed into this diminutive lens. For starters, it has six optical components organized in six teams, that includes two aspherical components and two ED (Further-low Dispersion) components. Extra remarkably, it includes a fast and just about silent autofocus system, primarily based on a voice coil motor.
Regardless of its super-skinny construct, the lens includes a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) autofocus system. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
One other shock, given the featherweight design, is that the lens has a largely steel building. It features a steel mounting plate with gold-plated digital contacts and even a USB-C port for making use of firmware updates if and when wanted.
The steel mounting plate features a USB-C port. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Up entrance, there’s a built-in sliding cap to protect the entrance factor, which is operated by a lever on the entrance of the lens. That’s one other space-saver, though there’s no hood. I’d take into account shopping for a screw-in hood individually however there’s no filter attachment thread both. Again on the plus facet, the lens options HD Nano multi-layer coating and a fluorine moisture-repellant coating on the entrance factor. Across the again of the lens itself, there’s a standard bayonet-fit rear cap.
There’s a sliding lever on the entrance of the lens to open and shut the sliding lens cap. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
When designing a lens this small, one thing has to present. Positive sufficient, the Viltrox lacks an adjustable aperture diaphragm, which saves each dimension and weight in addition to value. As a substitute, it has a set aperture of f/4.5. The aperture itself isn’t round however has an 8-sided form.
With a set f/4.5 aperture, the lens has an 8-sided fairly than round cutout. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
The bayonet-fit rear lens cap is nearly as thick because the lens itself. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE: Efficiency
After I consider actually small, light-weight lenses, avenue images springs to thoughts. It’s a style the place I typically need to be as inconspicuous as potential, not drawing consideration to myself with a giant digital camera outfit. A light-weight digital camera and lens combo can also be nice for walkabout and journey images. A focal size of 35mm is usually most well-liked however I truly like the broader viewing angle of a 28mm lens for common taking pictures with a primary lens. I examined the Viltrox with a Sony A7C II. It’s a really compact digital camera physique and the lens positively follows swimsuit. It’s so skinny that, when it’s mounted on the digital camera, the entrance edge solely protrudes so far as the digital camera’s hand grip. That’s actually fairly one thing.
The Sony A7C II pictured right here actually places the ‘compact’ into compact system digital camera. Even so, the lens solely protrudes so far as the small hand grip. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
I discovered autofocus to be usually nimble and just about silent, for a voice coil motor system. One frustration for conventional avenue images is that there’s no provision for guide focusing, as there’s no guide focus ring. It’s autofocus or nothing. Even so, I discovered that autofocus was not solely fast however constantly dependable.
Not having the ability to alter the aperture may also be a frustration however f/4.5 usually works fairly effectively. It allows pretty quick shutter speeds in shiny lighting situations, which you’ll keep in uninteresting situations by mountaineering up your digital camera’s ISO a bit. The mix of focal size and aperture give a fairly good depth of discipline for common taking pictures, whereas additionally enabling you to blur the background to some extent when taking pictures close-ups.
The mix of focal size and stuck f/4.5 aperture lets you blur the background to some extent, when taking pictures close-ups.
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/ sec, f/4.5, ISO 200) (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Sharpness is superb within the central area of the picture body, fairly common within the outlying space and fairly mediocre on the edges and corners. Colour fringing may also be very noticeable in direction of the sides and corners of the body, in case you don’t reap the benefits of computerized in-camera correction or repair it on the enhancing stage. Higher information is that there’s solely a touch of barrel distortion, even when uncorrected.
My solely actual gripe in regards to the lens’s efficiency is that I discovered it was susceptible to flare when taking pictures towards the sunshine, or with the solar excessive within the sky however not behind me. A lens hood will surely be a bonus however there merely isn’t one for this lens.
With no hood provided, nor a filter attachment thread to screw an after-market one on, this shot take with the solar excessive within the sky and barely ahead of the lens ends in very noticeable flare.
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/ sec, f/4.5, ISO 200) (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE: Pattern Photographs
The gallery of pattern pictures under was shot in shiny sunny climate on the floating harbor in Bristol, UK.
Picture 1 of 17
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/1000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/800 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/640 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/800 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/640 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/1000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/1000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/800 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/200 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/1000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/5000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Physique + Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE (1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE: Lab Outcomes
We run a variety of lab exams below managed situations, utilizing the Imatest Grasp testing suite. Images of check charts are taken throughout the vary of apertures and zooms (the place out there), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.
We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and evaluation software program to plot lens decision on the middle of the picture body, corners and mid-point distances, throughout the vary of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at 4 totally different focal lengths. The exams additionally measure distortion and colour fringing (chromatic aberration).
Sharpness:
(Picture credit score: Future)
Sharpness is great within the central area of the picture body however drops off to common ranges between the middle and the sting. On the excessive edges of the body, sharpness is merely mediocre.
Fringing:
(Picture credit score: Future)
There’s solely pretty minimal colour fringing throughout many of the picture body however it will probably grow to be very noticeable in direction of the sides and corners if computerized correction is switched off in digital camera, otherwise you don’t deal with it when enhancing pictures.
Distortion: -0.5
There’s only a trace of barrel distortion which can usually go unnoticed, even with out making use of any correction throughout RAW picture processing or when enhancing JPEG pictures.
Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE: Verdict
I really feel that the Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE is the final phrase in comfort and portability, due to it’s extremely small and light-weight construct. I actually like utilizing it for avenue images and for walkabout/journey taking pictures, because it retains dimension and weight to an absolute minimal. I’m not overly fussed in regards to the lack of a guide focus ring and, in most respects, I used to be very happy with the lens’s picture high quality. Being unable to regulate the aperture could be a drawback and I discovered the lens was fairly vulnerable to flare, so it’s a disgrace there’s no hood for it. In the end although, it’s a enjoyable lens that retains issues easy.
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Options
Autofocus works effectively however the aperture is mounted at f/4.5 and there’s no guide focus ring.
★★★★
Design
The compact design has so much going for it, together with a built-in entrance cap. The emphasis is certainly on downsizing.
★★★★
Efficiency
Sharpness is enjoyable however colour fringing could be noticeable when uncorrected and it’s vulnerable to flare.
★★★★
Worth
It’s a pancake lens that’s low cost as chips, and excellent worth contemplating the inclusion of autofocus.
★★★★
(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Do you have to purchase the Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE?
✅ Purchase this…
You need the smallest and lightest lens to your digital camera, retaining the scale and weight to an absolute minimal.
You want a set focal size of 28mm in your full-frame digital camera, or a extra normal discipline of view equal to 42mm in your APS-C format physique.
🚫 Do not buy this…
You don’t like being caught with an f/4.5 aperture that you could’t alter, because the lens has a set aperture.
You want having the ability to focus manually. The lens has a really efficient autofocus motor however no guide focus management ring.
