Gonna pick up a a6700 with a kit lens, and just ordered this one, super excited for it to get here. Can't wait to see how it works on a a6000's series.
focal length not quite as attractive on apsc as on FF but still very nice with roughly 42mm on APSC. especially with an original a6000 which still has the popup flash! can get the disposable camera look
@@DDHDTVTrue if you have a ff sensor that can crop in to 42mm. However, 42mm is super versatile on it's own. I'm more bummed by the loss of one stop of light in apsc mode, that limits the lens to good light. At 28mm on ff you can still get decent iso levels in somewhat dim light.
on APS-c you're probably better off with the TTartisan 27mm 2.8. Seems to be better built and better optical quality, not to mention the extra light and DoF with the 2.8. I think its about $150 though and I guess at this price the $50 is another 50% haha
Exactly. Also, for me, tracking has eliminated the need for a joystick. Sometimes one is faster, sometimes the other, but in a lot of situations simply tracking what you want to focus on and then reframing as needed takes care of things.
Really interesting lens, but I’m just not sold on the constant f/4.5. Typically I’ll either want some pretty shallow depth of field OR stop down to f/8 or f/16 for maximum sharpness and deep focus. The f/4.5 sits in the middle - which, on 28mm, honestly probably works pretty well. But still it’s kinda turning me off.
the samyang 24mm and 35mm both f2.8 are great options. slightly more expensive and slightly bigger but less vintage image, surprizingly modern looking iq from the sammys
Wish they had gone with a 28 2.8 - I already have the Viltrox 28 1.8 and tbh it's a bit on the big side. One thing that concerns me - Viltrox abandoned the 28 1.8 for Sony in terms of fw support even though it has an issue with the IBIS and you have to set IBIS manually to 28mm to stop problems. I also found some AF issues which could have been addressed with fw but apparently Viltrox don't care. Shame as the lens optically is good.
unfortunately, at this brightness I prefer to use the 28-60 kit lens supplied with the camera. The main flaw is the impossibility of lens aperture. At the same time, do not claim that it is not possible, just look at pancake pentax lenses. And with better lighting. (Pentax HD Pentax-DA 40 mm f/2,8 Limited, APSC SMC Pentax-DA 40 mm f/2,8 XS)
@@chryseass.5143 That, and there’s a MASSIVE difference between 20mm and 28mm. Used on the same sensor size, I don’t think these two are competitors simply for that fact. It’s different if you campare the 20mm f/2.8 on APS-C to the 28mm f/4.5 on full frame though I guess.
Hi Cris, great review your work is amazing ❤ does the lens come with a filter thread, for it so you can add an ND filter or is there literally no room? 😂
No. Using any phone is lazy fotography. No device defines photography by itself but laziness sure it is indicated by using a phone instead of any proper device a phone tries to imitate.
I join the product "Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE Chips-Size Ultra-Thin Lens" project, and i still not receive my product. And Unfortunately, now products already sales on Taobao, and the actual selling price (USD70) is obviously lower than the price of i join (USD89). I fell very angry about the fraudulent behavior.
Why anyone would want to pay $99 to turn a $2000+ Sony camera into a bulkier cell phone camera is beyond me. The TH-cam camera space has truly lost its mind. 🤦🏽♂️ I'm not trying to be negative, I really like your channel man, but this product is absolutely absurd. Any modern phone is "stealthier", more convenient in every way, superior in aperture and already in your pocket... I'm going to tune out of camera TH-cam for a few months, because I truly feel like I'm being Punk'd at this point.
I hear you, but it sounds like this isn't for you and that's ok! The problem with camera youtube now is that every viewer thinks every piece of new gear is for them and that's just not the case. All we're doing is presenting options. If someone wants a budget friendly tiny lens to slap on their camera and keep the size to a minimum this is probably it.
@@chrisbrockhurstmaybe it’s just the timing. I just bought the a7cii this week after watching a few of your videos on it, and unless I’m confused I thought the entire point of the a7c line is to get the shallow depth of field and visual quality benefits of a full frame sensor in a compact body. I’ve been gun shy all week trying to choose the right lenses for it based on combi of size & quality/lens speed (fairly sold on the Sigma DG DN compacts at this point), and now the same guys who were a bit critical of those lenses’ qualities are slapping 4.5 sh*tcakes on with a smile 🤣🤣🤣 It’s been a weird week for me. Looking forward to the next vid bro 🫡
@@pawelostr It's not at all a big lens - you should see the Viltrox 28mm 1.8 ! The Sony 28 f2 is still compact in comparison to a lot of FE mount lenses, it's just not a pancake - it's comparable by virtue of being the same FL.
@@chrisbrockhurst TBH, I don't really understand why people glaze sharpness so hard. What is "sharpness" doing for them creatively? What does sharpness allow in their work that makes it such an important metric?
Buy an expensive full frame camera (and all Sony full frame cameras are expensive) - then slap a cheap budget lens on it that is acceptable, but not great. Priceless.
Viltrox made a deal with TT Artisan? Looks like this? With the cheap China lenses I made very unpleasant experiences. Service? Nope, you literally throw away money…. If there is an issue with more expensive lenses I know I also payed for a service structure…
I don't care if it's cheap. It's also cheap ($99)! That little switch acting as a lens cover just won my heart.
Haha it’s super cute
@@chrisbrockhurst Now I want a 35mm version
@@chrisbrockhurst they should replace it with a filter!
7Artisans has an MF 35mm F5.6 full-frame pancake.
Gonna pick up a a6700 with a kit lens, and just ordered this one, super excited for it to get here. Can't wait to see how it works on a a6000's series.
Hope you enjoy it!
focal length not quite as attractive on apsc as on FF but still very nice with roughly 42mm on APSC. especially with an original a6000 which still has the popup flash! can get the disposable camera look
@@DDHDTVTrue if you have a ff sensor that can crop in to 42mm. However, 42mm is super versatile on it's own. I'm more bummed by the loss of one stop of light in apsc mode, that limits the lens to good light. At 28mm on ff you can still get decent iso levels in somewhat dim light.
on APS-c you're probably better off with the TTartisan 27mm 2.8. Seems to be better built and better optical quality, not to mention the extra light and DoF with the 2.8. I think its about $150 though and I guess at this price the $50 is another 50% haha
You CAN set a focus point by using the touchscreen WHILE you are shooting thru the view finder!
Exactly. Also, for me, tracking has eliminated the need for a joystick. Sometimes one is faster, sometimes the other, but in a lot of situations simply tracking what you want to focus on and then reframing as needed takes care of things.
One of my favorite photography YT’brs
Appreciate you 🙏🏼
Great job on the video Chris! Thanks for making it.
Any time!
Looks worthwhile for the cost tbh. I personally love the 28mm and for a discrete setup this looks appealing
Agreed!
Is this better than when I use Sony 20mm F2.8 pancake lens? Thank you
I'm thinking of buying this to use as a lens cap
Really interesting lens, but I’m just not sold on the constant f/4.5. Typically I’ll either want some pretty shallow depth of field OR stop down to f/8 or f/16 for maximum sharpness and deep focus. The f/4.5 sits in the middle - which, on 28mm, honestly probably works pretty well. But still it’s kinda turning me off.
the samyang 24mm and 35mm both f2.8 are great options. slightly more expensive and slightly bigger but less vintage image, surprizingly modern looking iq from the sammys
Wheres the link to the sony film emulation vid?! I can't find it. :)
thanks for the reminder, have updated the video description to include it.
Your link doesn’t work btw
Fixed!
Wish they had gone with a 28 2.8 - I already have the Viltrox 28 1.8 and tbh it's a bit on the big side. One thing that concerns me - Viltrox abandoned the 28 1.8 for Sony in terms of fw support even though it has an issue with the IBIS and you have to set IBIS manually to 28mm to stop problems. I also found some AF issues which could have been addressed with fw but apparently Viltrox don't care. Shame as the lens optically is good.
Are you using Nomad modern leather case? How was it so far?
Could you have used the electronic shutter (max. speed 1/8000 instead of 1/4000) when it was too bright for f4.5?
I said that in the video 😉
@@chrisbrockhurst Yes I paused the video, wrote the comment and you mentioned it immediately after I unpaused 🙈
Ordered it 😀 will play with it on my a7cII
Can't wait for a comparison with the Samyang Remaster Slim series!
This is so cheap though, I might just get both.
What wood is your table and what color or technique did you use to get that gorgeous look? Did you bought it somewhere as is?
IKEA karlby
@@chrisbrockhurst thy
This would be a prefect fit for my old Sony NEX-5 to get a 42mm focal length.
Viltrox just replied to me that this lens will not work on any of Sony NEX series cameras :(
me too 😅 great review man! ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
unfortunately, at this brightness I prefer to use the 28-60 kit lens supplied with the camera. The main flaw is the impossibility of lens aperture. At the same time, do not claim that it is not possible, just look at pancake pentax lenses. And with better lighting. (Pentax HD Pentax-DA 40 mm f/2,8 Limited, APSC SMC Pentax-DA 40 mm f/2,8 XS)
Love your videos from india
Great videos brother.
All the best.
Thanks a ton
Sony's 20mm 2.8 can often be found for around $200. Gonna guess it performs better. But TBD.
The Sony 20 f2.8 is actually an APS-C lens. This Viltrox 20 f 4.5 pancake is a full frame lens.
@@chryseass.5143 That, and there’s a MASSIVE difference between 20mm and 28mm. Used on the same sensor size, I don’t think these two are competitors simply for that fact. It’s different if you campare the 20mm f/2.8 on APS-C to the 28mm f/4.5 on full frame though I guess.
Hi Cris, great review your work is amazing ❤ does the lens come with a filter thread, for it so you can add an ND filter or is there literally no room? 😂
no filter thread on this.
You can tape one to it.
I'd like to see how this would play on an a6700 ( or any of tha6000 series)
Hmmm I wonder 🤷🏻♂️
I wish they would make a solid quality version. Metal, solid lens cover/switch, maybe f4 for $250. I hate cheaply made equipment
I need you to review the Rokinon remaster slim. I feel it’s a better option than that
I’ll try get my hands on it. A lot more pricey though
@@chrisbrockhurst but it’s 3 lens “technically” haha
I would save these 99 dollars for actual groceries, use my iPhone, and call it a day.
No. Using any phone is lazy fotography. No device defines photography by itself but laziness sure it is indicated by using a phone instead of any proper device a phone tries to imitate.
Each to their own
I get it. It’s pretty cool, but I get your comment. I have the also very small Samyang 35mm F2.8. So I’ll sit this one out for now.
You are kind of right. iPhone 14 Pro and onwards equiv aperture is 6.2 so is better at capturing light than putting this lens in APS-C For example
Man I love marketing. Took a flaw and ran with it lol. 4:50
I wish there was 40mm this compact.
I can only imagine in time there will be
Just use this on an aps-c body or with the crop mode.
@@lepyti eh not what I’m looking for.
@@greysuit17there is the sony 40mm 2.5
@@RNWLL more compact
£67 with the kickstarter, I ordered one right for that
Pair this lens with Sony a5100, and you get a pocketable setup, better than GR3! Pair it with A7C, you beat Fuji X100Vi！
yep!
I join the product "Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE Chips-Size Ultra-Thin Lens" project, and i still not receive my product. And Unfortunately, now products already sales on Taobao, and the actual selling price (USD70) is obviously lower than the price of i join (USD89). I fell very angry about the fraudulent behavior.
my only problem is the f4.5 bit. if it was even just f4 id totally go for it
Agreed
Lame
buy a camera for 3000k, get a lens for 99$
fyi: this should be opposite- lens for 3k and camera for 99$ :D
It’s not for you. That’s ok
chip lens
That’s what they are calling it!
Why anyone would want to pay $99 to turn a $2000+ Sony camera into a bulkier cell phone camera is beyond me. The TH-cam camera space has truly lost its mind. 🤦🏽♂️
I'm not trying to be negative, I really like your channel man, but this product is absolutely absurd. Any modern phone is "stealthier", more convenient in every way, superior in aperture and already in your pocket... I'm going to tune out of camera TH-cam for a few months, because I truly feel like I'm being Punk'd at this point.
I hear you, but it sounds like this isn't for you and that's ok! The problem with camera youtube now is that every viewer thinks every piece of new gear is for them and that's just not the case. All we're doing is presenting options. If someone wants a budget friendly tiny lens to slap on their camera and keep the size to a minimum this is probably it.
@@chrisbrockhurstmaybe it’s just the timing. I just bought the a7cii this week after watching a few of your videos on it, and unless I’m confused I thought the entire point of the a7c line is to get the shallow depth of field and visual quality benefits of a full frame sensor in a compact body.
I’ve been gun shy all week trying to choose the right lenses for it based on combi of size & quality/lens speed (fairly sold on the Sigma DG DN compacts at this point), and now the same guys who were a bit critical of those lenses’ qualities are slapping 4.5 sh*tcakes on with a smile 🤣🤣🤣
It’s been a weird week for me. Looking forward to the next vid bro 🫡
Someone budget-minded could also be using it on a second or third-hand early a7/a5000/a6100 body for considerably less than $2000.
Dang, I'm early.
You’re the best
well, thanks to you, I paid $10 less using your link.
May as well just get Sony 28 f2 - it's quite cheap and pretty compact and the IQ looks a lot better
It’s literally over 3 times heavier and ~6 times longer, how is it comparable?
@@pawelostr It's not at all a big lens - you should see the Viltrox 28mm 1.8 ! The Sony 28 f2 is still compact in comparison to a lot of FE mount lenses, it's just not a pancake - it's comparable by virtue of being the same FL.
I have the 28nn, let me assure you its ALOT bigger.
@@chrisbrockhurst of course because this pancake lens is tiny, but the 28 f2 is not big in comparison to most FE lenses
Not very sharp. I'd rather have the groceries.
its $99.
@@chrisbrockhurst TBH, I don't really understand why people glaze sharpness so hard. What is "sharpness" doing for them creatively? What does sharpness allow in their work that makes it such an important metric?
i probably won't support chinese companies as best i can help it though.
Each to their own
Buy an expensive full frame camera (and all Sony full frame cameras are expensive) - then slap a cheap budget lens on it that is acceptable, but not great. Priceless.
Agreed. It's not going to be for everyone but this has a purpose. To keep size down to super compact.
Viltrox made a deal with TT Artisan? Looks like this? With the cheap China lenses I made very unpleasant experiences. Service? Nope, you literally throw away money…. If there is an issue with more expensive lenses I know I also payed for a service structure…
I can't disagree with you but for $99 you cant expect alot