I was wrong about Chinese lenses...
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I was wrong about Chinese lenses. At least based on the ones I've tested so far, viltrox and laowa. But there are a ton of other third-party lens manufacturers out there making even cheaper lenses...but are they good enough for most people just starting out? Watch this video to find out.
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Nikon, Canon, Sony, Lens, Sigma, Tamron
#FroKnowsPhoto #JaredPolin #RANT
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Sony a7iii user here. My lenses lineup consist of Tamron lenses and a laowa 100mm f2.8 macro. I've never owned a Sony lens but I know my camera's performance. I've shot for over 70 clients and approx 1,500 photo ads and 40 cinematic videos and I, nor my clients, complained about the quality of the content.
Great
Thrilled with my Viltrox 75 and 27 1.2’s. They coexist quite happily with their “more serious” GM, G, Sigma Art, and Sigma Contemporary step-siblings. Best to all.
How is the sharpness in comparison
Plain scale of 1 - 5
Where sony sharp g master is a 4
@@mrangles3402 Why bother? So many reviews and full size samples to be find everywhere. Seeing it with your own eyes surely has more value than a random person just saying "it's sharp bro". For example: th-cam.com/video/OhF8zI0KiHw/w-d-xo.html Summary: very good. But too heavy or for my liking, I prefer my lenses small and manual on APS-C.
@@mrangles3402The 75 and 27 on my Fuji xh2/xh2s are two of the sharpest lenses I’ve ever used on Fuji. So much so that I sold my Fuji 23 and 33 1.4 because the 27 out performed them both in overall image quality.
@@mrangles3402 At least a 3.5. They are stupid sharp, especially for the price. Really happy with my 27mm too
Where or how did you buy from?
Something I like about you and your channel Jared is that you aren't afraid to admit that you were wrong (which isn't too often IMO), and you offer yourself sufficient praise when you are right. Keep up the great vids
He’s said in the past that he never reads the comments
@gregoryz6545 I'm sure he does to an extent, since he reacts to and replies to a few.
@@victahh281 I agree, unless Steven or Dan go through it and tell him ones that might stir him up 😂
@@gregoryz6545 Yes I do, just not all of course
@@victahh281 Yup
I have a TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95. It’s “inspired” by the legendary Leica Noctilux. Manual focus, excellent build quality, metal cap.
Performance-wise, every reviewer agrees it’s about 80% of the Noctilux… but for 8% of the price. Wide open is not sharp, but stopped down it develops beautifully, with gorgeous color rendition and can show excellent detail even on the highest resolution sensor.
One of my absolute favorite lenses for sure.
I have the 35mm version..mounted to an A7SII, you can damn near see in the pitch black haha
If you forced me to chose, I'd probably say Lawoa is my favorite manufacturer of Lenses like full stop. Their entire company is pretty much just built around making lenses that nobody else makes and I really respect them for that. And that's ignoring the fact their lenes are built extremely well too!
Not really the same thing but I really like Sirui. Their Jupiter lenses are really good and well priced, and every lens of theirs that I used was well built with good optical performance, and even though the anamorphics aren't perfect, they do the job quite well for the money.
Laowa is so great. I had their 15mm macro. A freaking 15mm macro, it didn't have to be super good image quality to beat the competition, there is no competition. It takes such unique images, and it still has excellent IQ.
I have the 65mm macro 2x excellent build and image quality with small.
I agree Laowa is great but the idea nobody else makes similar products is old news and not as true as it was a couple years ago. Some of the latest products from other companies join Laowa in making excellent super wide (9mm for full frame), macro and cine lenses. I agree that Laowa is probably my favorite but I'd rather have a 2024 design from one of their competitors than a five year old Laowa made first for long back focus DSLR's. Time are changing. It will be interesting to see who gets left behind.
@@lucadipaolo1997
Actually Sirui is one of the biggest tripod makers. They just started making lenses a few years ago and I heard their anamorphic work really well considering they are priced around a normal lens of similar specs.
For Laowa, its all about making crazy specs and shapes nobody else makes. Like super wide but not fisheye, or super macro and most famously the probe lens.
TT Artisan and the rest of those small manual lenses work, but barely. Most still lack good coating so ghosting is a problem. and they are not the sharpest (even primes aren't)
YongNuo is now creating really good autofocus ones that are really well priced, and really budget autofocus lenses like the plastic 50 1.8(they even made one for for RF mount)
Edit: Viltrox may be the one making really good primes (both performance and build quality), not yongnuo, which is mostly budget autofocus that works.
Viltrox is up to the game now, their 75mm 1.2 for apsc is a masterpiece
Their 13, 27, 75, 16 are some of the best lenses out there
got the 75mm since release - its the best for portraits hands down.
since last week the 27mm also went into my bag, or better onto my X-H2, and its glued to it. That focal length is so damn versatile and sharp from 1.2 just like the 75. Can recommend as well.
@@mongini1Indeed the 27mm is perfect for anything. Will ad the 75mm also soon. Viltrox needs to be a expand this Pro line with more lenses. They need to make a 10mm or something.
@@user-qe7gw4yv7y would love to see a 56mm pro tbh. and the real killer lens would be a 16-50 f2 - i'd happily spend a grand or more if its like the pro primes...
Why does it surprise you? I know the US has a thing about China but Apple products are made there so why the reservations? Don’t know about Sirui lenses but if they’re anything like their accessories (tripods, ballheads, monopods) they’ll be full on quality.
The build and IQ of the TTArtisan 50mm 1.2 is absurdly good. The Viltrox 27mm 1.2 will be known as a legendary lens.
100% agree on the 27mm 1.2 - just got it last week, and its glued to my camera. And i'll never stop it down except for maybe landscape shots.
Yes i love my 50mm f1.2, and for 100 bucks....freaking crazy
Do you own the Sony GM 1.2 in order to compare? Nope.
@@Mike1984-lc9rh I'd bet that you won't be able to tell if you're looking at a 1.2 GM or the Viltrox Pro lenses if you shoot both on an APS-C body and zoom to 100%.
@@Mike1984-lc9rhyou are missing the point. The TTartisan 50/1.2 is an all metal manual focus APSC lens, it doesn’t compete with the Sony, but that’s not what it is trying to do. However it is less straightforward if you compare it to something that is more similar like a Voigtlander. This TTartisan lens is absurdly good for the price and for those who like its character it is simply a nice lens. The Viltrox 27/1.2 and 75/1.2 APSC lenses are not cheap, but still more affordable than the competition and both are pretty exceptional for the price.
Chinese brands are keeping photography alive right now.
Lol…😂
Oh…you’re being serious?!
Yeah great time for beginners, I wish I had all these gears, I hate camera snobs
Lol 😂
@@nasty5-oh893 it has nothing to do with snobs or those who are not snobs. The fact of the matter is, cheap Chinese gear has its place however it is NOT what is “keeping photography alive!”
This is why i like watching fro's videos. He doesn't hesitate to say he was wrong. Honest review always!
TT Artisans 25mm F2 pancake that is all over You Tube. I took the risk since it was cheap. I was shocked that it was sharper overall than my adapted vintage Nikon and Canon lenses on my XE2. The pictures are crisp and sharp. The feel of turning the focusing ring is very smooth and the aperture rings are click smooth too. F8 set at 1.5m, Auto ISO and your camera becomes a point and shoot. Totally surprised. 😮
Thanks for bringing this to light Jared - I bought an RF mount Laowa 15mm Zero distortion full frame lens back in 2019 - and it’s been a BEAST of a lens - And although I’ve since bought a 24-105 L-series, I had already built a six figure business from that Laowa and a couple non-L Canon lenses.
That particular lens is manual, but it never limited me, equally for photo and video, and is still my second favorite lens to this day. second only to my Canon 24-105 L.
Don’t sleep on Laowa. 🙌🙌
We got a Meike 85mm f1.8 full frame AF STM Z mount, using it on my wife's Z30 (so it's 127mm equivalent) for outdoor daytime and it has been great. Lack of VR together with the Z30's lack of IBIS limits it a bit, but I was still able to get some beautiful indoor shots with it at xmas too. The quality and feel is fine, it's basically what you'd expect from Nikon at the kit lens or basic prime level. Does not feel like some kind of cheap knock-off at all. Excellent lens hood and lens cap too. Focus is decently quick. Optics at least on APS-C are sublime.
I got over a year ago my first Laowa 2:1 macro 100mm 2.8 lens for my Z6 II and I was blown away with the sharpness and overal rendition from it, even for landscapes and closeups. I am still amazed every time I use it. I am still not convinced that every product from chinese manufacturers would reach this level but I know I got a gem!
*A young Bob Ross @ **1:11* 😂🤣
Jared Polin and Bob Ross! Two geniuses with afros!
Lol
Cracking video / commentary. It is quite novel for this sort of opinion and is also nice that you define the types of photographer who you say would look at purchasing these.
Great video Jared and yeah, I love the "Butter Maker" Viltrox 75mm f/1.2, 27mm f/1.2, and the 13mm f/1.4 in particular, but I recently tested the new 7artisans 50mm f/1.8 full frame lens and it is also an excellent option "optically" for the money, but build could be better...
I have the Laowa 35mm f0.95 and the 9mm f5.6 for Sony E-Mount. I was rocking the 9mm in lost placesque industrial compounds in north-west Germany. The 135° view angle is amazing, especially when you can’t increase the distance to the object.
The 0.95 is ludicrously bright. It allows for live video of the Milky Way. Yes, you read correctly, you can film the Milky Way with it. 🤩
I bought the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 based on the video you did and have taken a few images... I am blown away at the quality for the price, the autofocus on the Z6 isn't 100% but its 99% of the way there and the photos I can take are very nice looking, sharp and in focus when I hit the focus point I want.
I've bought the Meike 85 mm 1.8 for EF Mount and the quality is good and sharp. Build quality is solid metal and plastic. Only issues is that the autofocus is a bit loud. Shooting wide open has chroma and minimum focus distance is 3 feet but I've been able to get great results with it, plus it has taken a fall on hard concrete and still is ticking. 2 years and still going strong!
We've got the same for Z (using on wife's Z30 which is APS-C though) and have had a similar good experience with it.
I own many ZYO and one TTArtisans. The IQ and micro contrast on ZYO is sensational, that's why I bought them to begin with.
I remember my first camera I was really happy with the tokina 11-16 2.8 lens for my starter crop sensor. Super wide but I had a ton of fun with it starting out.
Always enjoy your video's, thank you. One lens I purchased was a YONGNUO YN35mm F2Z DF DSM Lens Full frame Auto Focus for Nikon z mount. It is extremely sharp and has weather sealing. Full Auto focus with dedicated LN1 button & AF/M switch. It received the same overall score as the native Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 lens. Focus is quiet, seems to work fine, only issue is occasionally when focusing at its minimum focus distance it will sometimes hunt a bit. Canadian Price about $450, not super cheap but well worth it.
I always figured that many of these 3rd party lenses were missing coatings and higher quality manufacturing processes and cheaper materials. I've seen some reviews and things like chromatic aberration and how the f-stop needs to be tightened up to get sharp shots. This is a great update Jared has done. I think limiting yourself to the big three all day every day is not where many people are at. I'm not saying we need reviews on old film cameras, but some budget gear reviews would be great! I know it's hard to show enthusiasm over some cheap glass when you've had your hands on Canon L-series lenses to do your job, but could it hurt to at least show some love to the beginner? THANKS JARED!!
One thing to keep in mind and it took me a while to do it....these days, most all chromatic aberration is exceedingly easy to fix in post...a quick button or slider and *POOF*...gone.
I rarely ever look at what CA a lens has as that I know it's generally nothing I'll end up dealing with in a finished image.
Just my $0.02,
CC
Hi from Uruguay dear Jared ( I have been your follower for many years) and yes, those lenses have really improved! Living in southamerica and having huge taxes on importing them, there was no other chance than to use 3rd party lenses! Sigma and Tamron are the more used down here. You can still find those Yongnuo for sale ! I have used a lot of lenses!!! As I moved to Fuji xt, the Laowa lenses are great for that camera. Those are my prefered ones! Thanks for addressing those lenses!!!
Samyang (Korean) have been killing it. By far my favorite brand. Just don't get their first gen 50 or 35 autofocus. Anything after that they nailed.
To be fair the first generation of Tamron and Sigma lenses were pretty shit too.
Their second/third generation products have absolutely nothing to hide from though. My Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro, 70-210 f/4 and Sigma 17-35 f1.8 Art are quite simply awesome lenses (and in the case of the Sigma, good luck finding zoom lenses wider than f/2.8 from Nikon, Canon or Sony).
Korean Samyang 24mm f1.8 lenses, sharp and good for astrophotography - 85 f1.4 - 35mm f1.4, very good lenses. Samyang also has a zoom glass for Sony f2.8. I'm not sure, but in the USA these lenses are probably called Rokinon, in Europe Samyang.
I got a 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens from 7Artisans and was completely blown away by how high quality the lens was for the price. For a tiny package it has a hefty weight with all metal construction (including the lens cap). A great recommendation for anyone trying to get into Macro lenses
As a Sony APS-C shooter I can confidently say that Viltrox 13mm F1.4 , 27mm F1.2 and 75mm F1.2 are all very good lenses. I also have Yongnuo 16mm F1.8 which is quite good for how cheap it is. I would say Viltrox lenses have a slightly better autofocus mechanism compared to Yongnuo but for the most part Yongnuo is good enough.
See if say the other way around yonguno is better then viltrox af
Great video! The meike RF to EF adapter with the ND filter is amazing!
I purchased a TT Artisan 90mm F1.25 with 77mm filter attachment. It has a L mount which I use on my Leica SL I think it was under $500.00 when purchased. The shallow depth of field is why I purchased the lens as the same lens in Leica was 20 tunes the cost. No auto focus but you get used to using it. It takes very nice images and was worth the investment.
Bought the Nikon Z version of the same lens. VERY happy with it. I usually buy the manual focus lenses from these companies. Reminds me of the lenses I used in the 70s and 80s.
I have it too, I bought it to replace the 85 mm f/1.4 D feeling I had on DSLR. It is very good optically but it is a brick, with no AF, no electronics… They are still not there but they offer a variety of lenses one could not get from traditional manufacturers without spending thousands of euros.
I have the Samyang RF 85.14 and it’s amazing.
5:18 - 100% agreed.
Those Chinese lenses have gotten a lot better the past 4-5 years. I've been advocating for cheap lenses for beginners, especially when EVERY photographer I know (personally) has been suggesting $800+ lenses to beginners.
Great video, Fro!
Hey Fro.... message from a neighbour up in the Great White North. I have the Viltrox Pro Series 27mm f/1.2 and the Viltrox Pro Series 75mm f/1.2 for my Fujifilm X-H1. Both work flawlessly and the results are sharp with good contrast.
Samyang is a phenomenal lens. I still use their 85 & 35 f1.4 V1 for weddings and videos. 3 years and not one client said i wish the images were sharper. Even though my business is growing i am switching over to all sigma or Sony GM lenses. But still plan on keeping the Samyang as backup. And Viltrox 16mm f1.8 is one heck of a lens that is hard to beat
Samyang is a south korean brand
Samyang/Rokinon are GREAT too!!
I have a Laowa 10-18mm on my Sony A7-3 for livestreaming and it was the only for my purpose suitable case available lens a year ago. The 10mm 2.8 will be my next one and I'm excited to get it!
My TT Artissan 1.2 - 50mm is one of my favorite lens.
Samyang 135mm f/1.8 lovely. Tamron and Sigma of course. Sony's edges are (1) perfection optically and (2) fast tracking autofocus.
I’ve been using the new 7artisans AF 50mm 1.8 on Z-mount for a couple of weeks. Loving it! It’s sharp, very well built and renders beautifully.
I shot Nikon for 40+ years and a few years ago switched to Sony. I have a couple Sony G lenses that I have been very happy with (due to budget) and recently got the Yongnuo 85 F1.8. I shot Professional Box lacrosse with this lens and was blown away by the results... The AF was fantastic, and the image quality is amazing (shooting portraits of my family including studio work with Flash work). I don't know about the other manufacturers, but Yongnuo (mentioned in the vid) is amazing for the money. I did try the Viltrox 24-79 F2.8, but returned it when after shooting dogs for the rescue I shoot for I was disappointed with AF performance. I went ultimately to the Sony G 24-105... Not looking back for this focal range.
You should try the 13mm 1.4 the 27mm 1.2 and the 75mm 1.2 from Viltrox for APS-C. They're killing it.
When I started in the mirrorless system I got into the Canon EF-M with the M50. And due to my low budget and lack of options in the Canon native lenses my first lens besides the kit lens was a Viltrox 56mm f1.4. I loved that lens and it helped me improve my work. I’ve also used Meike all manual fisheye lenses which are all metal built and super sharp.
I have the Ttartisan 27mm f2.8 and a 56mm f1.8 both autofocus lenses. Really happy with both of them.
Excellent video 😊!
I own a 7Artisans 50mm f0.95 for ef-m mount. I love the look and the fast aperture. I bought it brand new before I knew about adapting vintage lenses. I don't use it as much as I thought I would. I guess I'll use it today.
You definitely have a point in the context of beginners who need something good enough, and have to buy at a good quality-price ratio without breaking the bank. I re-started a hobby-level photography journey based on a Nikon Z30. Viltrox drew my attention, and I got the 13/1.4, the 23/1.4, the 56/1.4 and the 75/1.2 Pro. At my level, those lenses are capable of doing better than I'm able to do. Very happy with them at the moment. In my opinion, with the 75/1.2 Pro, Viltrox upped their game one more level.
I have used Tamron for several years and I love them. They work great.
I got a Meike 85 f/1.8 for Canon EF, I used it with my crop frame 80D. For the $179 I paid for it, I feel I got a really good bargain. It gave me great images with really nice bokeh and excellent low light performance. Like you said it is not as good as a native canon lens, although I would rank it better than the kit lenses that came with the Rebel cameras like the 18-55. I recently upgraded to an R6 and have adapted all my EF glass. I have used the Meike a couple of time and I am still glad I bought it. It is worth the money I paid for it.
I have used a Loawa 100mm F2.8 macro manual for around 18 months on my R3 & R5 and it’s brilliant. Sharp to the edge at 5.6 .
I’m one of the few that managed to get a Viltrox 85mm F1.8 RF mount and I confirm on my R6 it’s a fantastic lens for the price. Sometimes the burst mode does not work well, so I need to switch off and back on the camera, but other than that I’m very happy with both the build quality of the lens and the pictures it delivers.
Thank you for the video. I know from first hand and the purchase of the Viltrox 27/1.2 and 75/1.2 for my Sony A6700 that some fine lenses can be found at very fair prices. Sure these are a little bit heavier than some other APS-C lenses but their faster aperture seems to justify this size like other f/1.2 lenses I own and have used from Sony, Canon, and Nikon. Interested to see what other lenses they come out with. Take care.
Had a Viltrox 56 1.4 and a 7Artisans 25mm manual focus on my Canon M50ii and loved them.
Jared! Definitely cool to hear your thoughts about Viltrox. I use their 24mm, 35mm, and 85mm lenses on my Nikon Z5 for a lot of my highschool senior, prom, and family portrait sessions. They are definitely great for what they are. I've been debating picking up a small APSC body and trying out the Sirui Sniper series AF lenses. Definitely a newer set of lenses to give a look at. My goal eventually is for all Nikon S primes but for now Viltrox is doing fantastic.
I'm just getting started in photography. I've got a Canon M50 MKII. I have TTArtisan 25mm F2.0 and 35mm F1.4, and 7Artisans 11mm F2.8. All manual focus. They take great pictures for my skill level. They are at least as clear as the Canon kit lens and 55-200mm.
I have Viltrox 23 f.14, 33 f.14 and 85 f1.8 for my Fuji bodies and love them. I like the sharpness and the way they render color. Autofocus is as fast as my older bodies are capable of so no issues there.
Laowa 12mm 2.8 ZeroD and Laowa RF90mm 2.8 2X macro on a Canon R6. Very happy with the results.
Before I got my R3 and 6 of the Canon L lenses, I was on a Canon t6i and still learning. I bought a Meike 85 f1.8, Meike 8mm f3.5 rectangular fisheye, Ultimaxx 7mm f3.0 rectangular fisheye. They are all good lenses.
I use a Mike 85 1.8 on my a6300 and have no complaints on the sharpness or ease of use. It gets the job done, I just wish it was an autofocus lens. I also have a Yongnuo 50 for my Nikon and I love it. It is one of the few that doesn’t sound or feel cheap and hits my autofocus better than the native lens. Creamy background and an almost painterly look while staying sharp. It’s my go-to lens for travel and portraits.
Great to have more third party lens options, exiting times
I my very first third party lens a few months ago, a Laowa Argus 35mm f/0.95 for my Canon RF mount, yes it is still manual focus but it is the most fun I have had with a lens for decades! You do need a ND to avoid having to stop down in bright environments though.
I grabbed the viltrox 85 1.5 years ago. Super impressed by it actually
Just did a short on Meike FF cine primes on my Red Gemini - CLIENT WAS BLOWN AWAY
Switching from my sigma dgdn 35 1.4 to my viltrox 85 1.8 ii, i notice zero significant difference other than bokeh and field of view. Actually, the viltrox is my favorite lens in my kit. The sigma is heavy and feels bulky, whereas the viktrox has amazing build quality and FEELS like an expensive lens. I just love everything about it. I tried Rokinon - not even in the same universe as the viltrox for quality, as I'm a pixel peeper. I'm super excited for their new lenses, just wish they'd make a nifty fifty now!!
Oh, and autofocus is literally never a thought. It's so freaking fantastic i cant explain. I did have ti uodate the firmware because the camera was crashing, but it was also a new a7iv and since flashing I've not had a problem since!! SO GOOD!!
The Meike 85mm f1.8 af is great for the price, autofocus is a bit loud but also comes with a removable hood, I'm happy with it
I haven't used lenses, but I do use adapters for my Canon R7 and M50 previously. My M50 had the Viltrox speedbooster, and it was solid. When I upgraded to my R7, inused the Neweer adapter but that was crap. The fit was so lose, the camera and lens lost connection and I missed out on a lot of shots. Now I'm using the Meike drop in VND adapter, and it works...ish. I recently broke my old EF 70-200 f2.8L v1 when the lens came lose, without me disengaging it from my adapter. I've never had a lens come lose like that.
I have a viltrox 56mm 1.4 that resolves so good on my fujifilm xt5, the autofocus works great too.
I bought a cheap 7Artisins 10mm f/2.8 full-frame fish eye expecting a $250 lens. It’s really well built, and it does what it supposed to do for as little as I use it. I also got the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 Pro for my Z 9 (knowing it’s crop sensor, but for my use, the 19.5mp is plenty), gets me a cheap f/1.2 lens for when it gets really dark and I need to AF in the dark and a 112mm f/1.8 (from a DOF/Bokeh perspective) was a pretty good choice and it’s very well built and gives really good quality.
I practiced on a 2nd hand panasonic g7 and a 7artisan manual as a beginner coming from phone cameras. Now I have the panasonic s5 and sigma art 24 70 2.8 and i classify myself a "pro-sumer". I'd don't make money out of my camera but I do love it as a hobby. Cheap lenses are great for buidling your foundational skills like composition.
I have the Viltrox 75 and 13 for my Fuji. I love them. They easily keep up with my Fuji 23 and 56.
About 6 years ago I bought a Meike battery grip for my then Canon 7D Mark II camera. It took 3 grips before I got one that didn't have loose screws rattling around inside or missing from the outside. Still, I went ahead and bought one because it cost about 20% of the Canon one. It was still working properly up until the time I sold the camera last year. I don't know whether the quality of Meike lenses is better than their battery grips from 6 years ago, but I would be very reluctant to buy one until I was sure their quality control has been drastically improved.
i used Meike S35 and FF and their adapter ef to e and everything i tried was really good! the adapter even makes autofocus on canon lenses work ok on the Sony a7s3 both for video and photo. not great but still ok. downside was a switch that needs to be changed for photos and video that is in a very uncomfortable place if you have a cage on the camera. i can barely push one side or the other with my pinky finger.
I got some Viltrox lenses (DX & FX) and I like them.
The 20mm & 40mm are not as good as the Nikon versions (I guess) but good enough for me, a hobbyist.
I really like the Viltrox 85mm 1.8 and I may get my hands on their 50mm version, too.
For someone earning money, the native or high-end 3rd party lenses may make more sense.
I also love my three ART lenses (35mm, 50mm & the superior 105mm 1.4).
Thanks for the video and I'm looking forward to the next reviews.
I have the Viltrox 85mm 1.8 for my Sony and I Love It!
I've had the Viltrox 85mm F1.8 for almost 3 years. I have the version II. It has been a great lens. It is easy to upgrade the firmware with a USB cable, as it has an onboard port for the upgrade.
I have the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 for my XT-5 and the Mitakon 65mm 1,4 for my GFX and both are incredible. With the Mitakin it's been fun to get back into manual focus.
I bought a TTArtisan 35mm F0.9 for my R7 - cheap manual focus. Great build quality and I like the images. Go high F stop and I can shoot buildings and landscapes, go F0.9 and I can get some damn good portrait images. I have the R7 for reach. My expensive glass is above 400mm. But for occasional messing around in the street for cheap, nothing beats my tiny R7, my tiny 35mm F0.9 with everything manual. I love it and I don’t think you will tell the difference between this and a shot from a 35mm L F1.0 ….which doesn’t exist
Nikon Z50 user... I have owned the Viltrox 23mm and 56mm... I mistakingly sold them. For my uses (portrait and models, posting on the internet) they were awesome, very sharp on the Z mount. I recently purchased a Yonguo 50mm f1.8. I am not as happy with it big quality as the Viltrox, but it is very sharp. No regrets.
Chiming in as one of the few people who has the 85mm 1.4 RF from Samyang before Canon told them to stop making it... and honestly... it's got blazing fast AF, it's super sharp, and it's in my bag every time for both photo and video. It's also surprisingly light. R5, R6ii, and R8 all work perfectly with it.
I have only purchased 1, the ttartisan 100/2.8 m42 trioplan just because the original vintage ones are too pricy. Still waiting for delivery though.
Using multiple Viltrox on Nikon Z. Happy with the results.
I have a Leica M240 digital rangefinder camera. I have this with a TTartisan 50mm f1.4 ASPH chinese lens. This is a "copy" of Leica Summilux 50 f1.4 ASPH for the fraction of the cost and it really is awesome! I really get great results with it and it is built like a tank!
I used the 65mm Mitikon for the GFX system and for 599 USD it's the GOAT for GFX cameras. I also have the 7artisans 27mm f/2.8 for the Fuji X mount and it's okay for the money.
Very happy with my 7artisans, TTartisans, and Viltrox lenses on my Sony FF and APSC bodies. I find they perform virtually as good as my Tamrons.
I got the brightinstar F0.95 recently, and I love it.
I have used 7artisans and TT Artisans manual focus primes and have been very impressed with both builds quality and image quality.
Yes I use a Viltrox 28, 1.8 Z mount on my z5 and get great results. The let down is autofocus breathing in some situations
I recently got a TTArtisan 11mm manual fisheye and I love it. then I bought the Meike 50mm 1.8 and it is fan-damn-tastic
Viltrox 13mm f1.4. Beautiful. Sharp and affordable.
I've been using a Viltrox 85 1.8 for my Nikon Z, and for the last 2 years I've been getting the job more than done, honestly...!
I super reccomend them, and I'm looking forward to use the Viltrox Pro lenses for DX cameras.
I bought the Yongnuo 85mm 1.8 (the new one), for $295 on a Black Friday sale, and it’s a very nice lens. I did see that the old ones are plastic but the new version is an all metal design (except for the lens hood). The autofocus works as well as my tamrons and sigmas.
Jared, isn't there any VIVITAR lenses i remember i have had one several years ago to a pentax, did they just disappear?
i have a Meike 85 as part of my kit.. Loud but that focus and bokeh.. Yes Si!!
16mm FE Viltrox...BANGS....corrected and still great in crop mode on a sony
I have Meike 85/1.4 Z on my Zf, and it's been pretty good.
I have 50/1.8G, Tamron 24-70/2.8 G2, 70-200/2.8 G2, 150-600 G2, SP 90/2.8 macro, Irix 11/4 before getting into Z mount. With Zf, I bought 24-120/4 S which is a very good lens Meike 85/1.4 is a little slower on AF and very yellow shooting against strong light sources. If it had better coating to deal with lens flare, I'd call it a great lens. I heard there is a new firmware update improving AF, but I haven't got the chance to make a video comparing the difference so I am still on an older firmware.
I use a Viltrox 50mm 1.8 for my portrait work on my A7RII and love the rendition of this lens. My Sony 55 actually stays in my shelf most of the time.
I have the Viltrox 16mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 and they are both outstanding lenses! Lightweight, solid AF performance, sharp images......all at 1.8......definite thumbs up.
I Purchased the Viltrox 28 f1.8Z for Nikon Z. Comparing it to what Nikon has to offer in that focal length, it falls right in the middle f/stop aside, the V out performs the Nikon Z 28, but is out performed by the AF-S 28 f1.8G. I don't have the AF-S 28 f1.4E. As you note, the construction of the Viltrox is very, very comforting. It is a sharp lens in the center, but falls off on the edges and corners. There is pretty hefty vignetting, on a Z 8. On a Z fc, the corners and edges are cleaner, and very sharp. With the 28 G, vignetting was not as strong. A key feature on the Viltrox, is that it does have f/stops on the lens barrel. You can also set it to A for use with the camera's command dials. However, except for the detente at f16 to A, there are no click stops between apertures. Generally I pretty happy with the Viltrox 28...definitely happier than when I had the Nikon Z 28 f2.8 (SE). And right now, and in the foreseeable future, it is the only 28 1.8 Z in town.
im a beginner and brought the new viltrox pro 27mm 1.2 apsc lens for my sony fx30. its really nice
That was a smooth plug with the low light guide 😅
I had the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 for Fuji before switching to the Z8, and I absolutely loved that lens.
It's super sharp, virtually no chromatic aberrations and (after the update) the autofocus was fast and accurate too. Was looking forward to the 135mm f/1.8 LAB, but since it seems like it'll be Sony only for now, I went with the for f-Mount Sigma instead.