{"id":43678,"date":"2023-08-27T01:39:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T00:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=43678"},"modified":"2024-04-21T11:50:44","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T10:50:44","slug":"review-viltrox-af-85mm-f-1-8-z","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-viltrox-af-85mm-f-1-8-z\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Viltrox AF 85mm f\/1.8 Z"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

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The Viltrox AF 85mm f\/1.8 STM ED IF Z mount is an autofocus mid-range telephoto, which is popular for portrait photography on full-frame cameras. Viltrox originally made this lens for Sony E-mount cameras, but later they managed to improve and produce it also for Fuji X, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts. Viltrox is the only manufacturer that has been able to produce Nikon Z mount lenses with full lens-camera communication and autofocus in the most common focal lengths. 85mm is a focal length that seems easier for manufacturers to design and make lenses with good optical qualities. There are quite a number of those nice and sharp lenses available and it seems that the price, in relation to how good\/fast they are, goes up exponentially. Let’s see how good Viltrox has done with this one!<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Viltrox
Nikon Z6 | Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n

Focal Length: 85mm<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span>Aperture Range: F\/1.8 – F\/16<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span># of Aperture Blades: 9<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span>Min Focus: 0.8 m<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span>Filter Size: 72mm<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span>Lens Mount: Nikon Z<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>Weight: 540g<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span>Size (D x L): 80 mm x 92 mm<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span>Elements\/Group: 10 \/ 7<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z Lens Construction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Disclosure<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

This reviewed lens was kindly provided by Viltrox for testing purposes but this is an independent review.<\/p>\n

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You can order this lens at the manufacturer’s link here<\/a> and you will get an 8% discount<\/strong> or use the discount coupon code MARTINMH <\/strong>and get 8% discount<\/strong> on any product you buy there.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Handling<\/span><\/h2>\n

This lens looks impressive due to the large front lens element. It is made entirely of metal, including the lens mount, the outer casing, and even the focus ring. Because of that, it is heavier than the competitors; both Nikon Z 85\/1.8 (470 g), Sony FE 85\/1.8 (371 g), and even Zeiss Batis 85\/1.8 (475 g). It’s 7 mm shorter but 5 mm bigger in diameter than the Nikon Z 85\/1.8.<\/p>\n

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Viltrox 85\/1.8 Z left, Nikon Z 85\/1.8 right<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The focus ring is quite large and turns very smoothly. It can be programmed to control aperture setting, exposure compensation, ISO sensitivity, or focusing. The build quality seems and feels to be good. It comes with a cloth pouch and a good size lens hood that is of plastic, which of course does not feel as high quality as the rest of the lens.<\/p>\n