Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW review for Sony E-mount

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Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW. increase.

Navigation

  1. In short
  2. Similar lenses
  3. History
  4. All lenses from Viltrox
  5. Main Specifications
  6. Assembly
  7. Diaphragm
  8. Focusing
  9. Firmware Upgrade
  10. Image quality
  11. Sample Photos
  12. My experience
  13. All Sony E cameras (Full Frame + APS-C)
  14. Price
  15. Video review
  16. Results
  17. User Comments
  18. Add your review or question on the lens

In this review, I will refer to the Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW lens for short Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

In short

The Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is a fast wide-angle lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras with Sony E mount. It has internal autofocus and is quiet thanks to a stepping motor for focusing. Optically good, sharp in the center of the frame already at F / 1.8 (without any reservations), the build quality is at a high level. The disadvantages include complex distortion and strong vignetting at F / 1.8.

Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is designed to serve as an alternative to original lenses Sony FE 24 / 1.4 GM и Sony FE 24 / 2.8 G... In terms of the combination of focal length and aperture, the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is most similar to Batis 25 / 2 T *.

24mm is a classic and highly demanded focal length. It is quite difficult to make a high-quality 24 mm lens, especially if it must have a high aperture... Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is built on an optical scheme that uses as many as 8 special optical elements.

The price of Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is around $ 400.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

All autofocus full-frame 24mm prime mounts for Sony E

The Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE can be used as a replacement for other similar lenses. Below I have prepared list of all autofocus full-frame Sony E-mount 24mm focal length lenses:

  1. Sony 24 / 1.4 FE GM
  2. Sony 24 / 2.8 FE G
  3. Sigma 24 / 1.4 DG A
  4. Sigma 24/1.4 DG DN A
  5. Sigma 24 / 3.5 DG DN C
  6. Sigma 24 / 2 DG DN C
  7. Zeiss Distagon 25/2 T * (BATIS)
  8. Tamron 24 / 2.8 Di III OSD
  9. Samyang 24 / 2.8 AF
  10. Samyang 24 / 1.8 AF
  11. do you know any other similar ones? Be sure to unsubscribe in the comments to this review.
Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

History

Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE was officially announced December 26, 2020. Simultaneously with the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE, two more lenses were announced: Viltrox 35 / 1.8 AF и Viltrox 50 / 1.8 AF.

As a result, Viltrox has formed a line of lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras with very popular focal lengths: 24, 35, 50, 85 mm and all with a maximum relative aperture of 1: 1.8.

UPDATED: In August 2021, the Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW version was released for full-frame mirrorless cameras with Nikon Z mount.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW


All Viltrox Lenses

For full frame cameras with Full Frame sensor:

  1. Viltrox 16 / 1.8 AF (FE)
  2. Viltrox 20 / 2.8 AF (FE + Z + XF)
  3. Viltrox 24/1.8AF (overview) (FE+Z)
  4. Viltrox 28 / 1.8 AF  (FE+Z)
  5. Viltrox 35 / 1.8 AF (FE+Z)
  6. Viltrox 50 / 1.8 AF (FE+Z)
  7. Viltrox 85/1.8AF PFU (FE+XF)
  8. Viltrox 85 / 1.8 AF (RF+Z)
  9. Viltrox 85 / 1.8 AF II (FE+XF)

For cropped cameras with APS-C sensor:

  1. Viltrox 13 / 1.4 AF (X, E, Z)
  2. Viltrox 23 / 1.4 AF (X, E, Z + EF-M)
  3. Viltrox 27/1.2 AF PRO (X, E, Z)
  4. Viltrox 33 / 1.4 AF (X, E, Z + EF-M)
  5. Viltrox 56/1.4AF (overview) (X, E, Z + EF-M)
  6. Viltrox 56/1.7 AF (to be announced) (X, E, Z)
  7. Viltrox 75/1.2 AF PRO (X, E, Z)

Cinema lenses (manual focus only):

  1. 20mm T / 2.0 S (Full Frame, FE, L)
  2. 23mm T / 1.5 S (APS-C, E, MFT)
  3. 33mm T / 1.5 S (APS-C, E, MFT)
  4. 56mm T / 1.5 S (APS-C, E, MFT)

There are also Vitlrox lenses with manual focusing: 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye, 20/1.8, 35/2, 85/1.8 etc. The easiest way to find and buy these lenses is from official Viltrox dealer on Aliexpress.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Main technical characteristics of Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW:

Review Instance Name Near the front lens: AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF Ø55mm 0.3m / 0.98ft

Body: Viltrox AF 24 / 1.8 FE DF RBW E-mount

Basic properties
  • FE (Sony Full Fcopper E-mount) - designed for Sony E-mount mirrorless full-frame cameras (Sony E mount)
  • AF (Auto Focus) - the lens supports auto focus
  • DF (DIGITAL Full Frame) - lens for full-frame cameras
  • RBW (Real BI was W+ HD Nano Coating - special optical coating
  • STM (Scarpets Motor) - focusing stepper motor
  • IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus
  • ED (Extra Low Dispersion) - low dispersion elements in the optical scheme
  • ASHP (Aspherical) - aspherical elements in the optical design
  • Elements with ultra-high refractive index in the optical scheme
  • USB-port for firmware update
  • Electronic focus ring
  • Lens hood and soft case included
  • Important: lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its use
Front Filter Diameter 55 mm
Focal length 24 mm, EGF for Sony cameras with APS-C sensor is 36 mm
Zoom ratio 1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by for Sony NEX / Sony ALPHA / Sony ILCE E-mount mirrorless cameras (sometimes referred to as FE)
Number of aperture blades 9 rounded petals
Tags bayonet mounting mark and hood mounting mark, aperture numbers on aperture ring
Diaphragm from F / 1.8 to F / 16. The ring has labels F / 1.8, F / 2 (only label strip), 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 + mode label 'A'. Two intermediate values ​​between all pairs of numbers (except F / 1.8 and F / 2.0)
MDF 0.3 meters, maximum magnification ratio 0.1 X (1: 10)
The weight
  • 340 grams per instruction
  • 344 grams in my measurements without caps and hoods
  • 383 grams according to my measurements with hood and caps
Optical design 11 elements in 9 groups. The scheme includes

  • 3 low dispersion elements
  • 3 ultra-high refractive index elements
  • 2 aspherical elements

Optical design Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBWThe image of the optical scheme is clickable to enlarge

Lens hood Bayonet type, model Viltrox PL-20
Manufacturer country Not specified, but known to be manufactured in China
Period From December 26, 2020 for Sony E.

From August 4, 2021 for Nikon Z.

Firmware  The lens from the review used firmware V 1.0.2 from 2021.01.21
Prices

In general, Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is an alternative to the original Sony 24 / 1.4 FE GM... There are currently only about three other autofocus high-aperture lenses on the market with a focal length of 24 mm for Sony E mount and aperture F / 1.4-F / 2.0. Over other similar models, Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE has one indisputable advantage - it significantly cheaper than their competitors. For example, Sony 24 / 1.4 FE GM costs about $ 1400, Sigma 24 / 1.4 DG A costs about $ 900 and Zeiss Distagon 25/2 T * (BATIS) costs about $ 1300 (prices are indicated at the time of this review, spring 2021). Other similar lenses have much lower aperture (F / 2.8-F / 3.5 for models Sony 24 / 2.8 FE GTamron 24 / 2.8 Di III OSDSamyang 24 / 2.8 AF и Sigma 24 / 3.5 DG DN C).

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Assembly

The box with the lens contained a warranty card, instructions in different languages ​​(there is no Russian language), a cloth case, a desiccant, bags, a hood and the lens itself with front and back covers. The covers are made of dense plastic. In the box, the lens is secured by two very large and durable foam clips.

Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE has metal mount... The focusing ring is wide, not rubberized, metal (although it feels like plastic to the touch). The lens feels good in the hands.

On the side of the rear lens there is a light-cutting hood that prevents excess flare and light scattering.

In official sources declaredthat the lens has dust and moisture protectionhowever, the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE does not have a protective rubber mount for the mount. The instructions indicate that the objective lenses have a special protective water-repellent coating that prevents contamination (something like an oleophobic coating).

The weight of the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is about 350 grams. The diameter of the front filter is only 55 mm. Lightweight and small in size, it works well with the lightweight Sony NEX / Alpha ILCE cameras.

There is a bayonet mount mark on the body and a mark for quick attachment of the hood. The lens uses a small plastic hood Viltrox PL-20, which must be fixed in special slots located near the front lens of the lens. The hood can be installed in the transport mode with the reverse side, in this position, access to the focusing ring is practically not lost. It's important: To fix the hood in transport mode (until it clicks), you need to carefully align it with the lens barrel. Initially, it may seem that in this way it is completely impossible to establish.

The lens has a connector USB TYPE C for connection to a computer (see the corresponding section below in the text).

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Diaphragm

The diaphragm has nine blades. On heavily covered apertures, the diaphragm aperture has the shape of a regular nine-sided.

The diaphragm mechanism makes a little noise during operation.

The lens has an aperture control ring. Aperture value markers are engraved on this ring.

The aperture control ring has marks F / 1.8, F / 2 (not explicitly indicated, only a white stripe mark), 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 and two intermediate values ​​between each of the pairs (except for F / 1.8- F / 2). The ring rotates smoothly, without clicks and fixed intermediate values. There is an additional label 'A'. In the 'A' position, only automatic aperture control is available, which is carried out through the camera settings.

It's important: electronic aperture control ring... This means that the aperture blades are always electrically controlled, even when using manual iris control. Aperture cannot be controlled when the camera is turned off or on the lens detached from the camera.

Manual aperture control is quite smooth, without 'jumping', which is very important when shooting video.

It's important: F / 16 position has a strong stop that prevents accidental setting of 'A' position.

Interestingly: At F / 1.8, the aperture blades are not completely hidden in the lens barrel. One gets the impression that at f / 1.8 the aperture is not fully open. Most likely the lens is forcibly apertured to F / 1.8. This is done to achieve higher optical performance at 'full aperture'. My guess is that if the limitation is removed, the aperture will open to f / 1.4. Stories already known casewhen the lens software update Viltrox 85 / 1.8 AF led to an increase in aperture from f / 1.8 to f / 1.6.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Focusing

For focusing, the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE uses stepper focus motor STM (Stapping Motor). Auto focus should work with all Sony E / FE mount cameras. Some sources indicate that the motor is 'STM + Lead Screw Type'.

Focusing speed is average, closer to high, quite comfortable for work. On camera Sony a7r II I didn't have much focusing problems. After the lens loses accurate focusing, refocusing is performed quickly enough.

It's important: In difficult shooting conditions, as well as when shooting dynamic scenes, the focusing quality with the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE can be noticeably worse than with similar original lenses, for example, Sony 24 / 1.4 FE GM... Even in simple shooting conditions, the AF tenacity with the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE will be very dependent on the camera used. Perhaps over time, new lens firmware will improve this situation.

It's important: on camera Sony a3500 the quality of the autofocus is poor, the lens often focuses incorrectly, in some modes the focusing behaves strangely (constant focusing 'beat'). Perhaps in the future, new firmware will correct the situation.

Auto focus silent... True, during video shooting using autofocus and a microphone built into the camera, it is still possible to record noise from the focusing motor in the final video.

Lens uses electronic focus ring. Focus ring not rubberized, wide, in manual focus mode rotates approximately 270 degrees. When extreme positions are reached, the ring does not abut, but continues to rotate. Manual focus is enough conveniently... The focus ring rotates easily. I did not observe any lag (lag) when changing the direction of rotation. The focus ring makes a faint sound of two plastic parts rubbing during manual focusing. The sound changes depending on the orientation of the camera. The electronic focusing ring is implemented well, responds more to the angle of rotation than to the speed of its rotation.

On the case no MF / AF focus mode switch... To change the focus mode, use the camera menu.

During auto focus focus ring remains stationary, however, it can be freely rotated without any effect on focus (if the normal AF mode 'Autofocus', not 'MF', and not 'DMF' is enabled in the camera menu). During manual focusing, a scale of approximate focusing distances appears on the display of some cameras.

The lens has internal focusing, the front lens remains stationary during focusing. It is possible to use various filters without any problems.

The minimum focusing distance is 30 cm, while the maximum magnification for macro photography of 1: 10 can be obtained.

'Focus Breathing' effect (changes in viewing angle during focusing) small and almost invisible.

There are no useful marks on the focusing distance, depth of field, or anything else on the lens.

Focus shift (shift-focus) was not noticed during operation and testing.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Firmware Upgrade

On the mount side, the Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE has a USB port that can be used to update the software (firmware / firmware) of the lens.

The common USB TYPE C port is used for connection (many mobile phones use this one). The package does not include a USB cable. To connect, I used a USB cable from my smartphone. The latest firmware for the lens can be found here.

The firmware update will most likely improve the compatibility of the lens with new cameras, improve the autofocus performance, and eliminate some other disadvantages.

Important: To update the lens firmware (software):

  1. Turn off the camera, detach the lens
  2. Connect the lens to a computer using a USB cable. The lens should be identified as a 'Viltrox PFU' drive
  3. Find the file 'DeviceInformation.txt' on this drive and check the current firmware version (the firmware version may not need to be updated)
  4. Copy the firmware file to the 'Viltrox PFU' folder (file with '.dat' permission, which must be downloaded from the official Viltrox website). Wait for the end of copying
  5. After copying is complete, the 'Viltrox PFU' drive will automatically shut down and reconnect after 5 seconds (approximately), after which you can check the current firmware version
  6. Disconnect cable
  7. Attach the lens to the camera
  8. Turn on the camera
Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Image quality

The Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE easily handles the 20MP APS-C type Exmor CMOS sensor at the heart of the camera Sony α3500 (ILCE-3500)... The pixel density is higher than that of Sony a7r II or a7r III. On a 42 MP sensor Sony a7r II everything is OK as well.

Optically, this is a quite good lens, of the obvious shortcomings - a drop in sharpness in the far corners of the frame when used on a Full Frame sensor, strong vignetting at F / 1.8 and noticeable distortion of the complex type. True, it should be noted that for this lens there are profiles for Photoshop and Lightroom (Download here), which with one click will help get rid of such shortcomings.

Sharpness

  • good sharpness at open aperture in the center of the frame, F / 1.8 in the center of the frame is fully 'working'
  • very good resolution in the center of the frame is achieved at f / 2.8-f / 4
  • there is a noticeable drop in sharpness in the far corners of the frame
  • resolution in the corners of the frame reaches a good level only at closed apertures in the area of ​​f / 5.6
  • large coma, coma significantly reduced at values ​​after F / 5.6

Distortion

  • distortion is complex, perceptible, pincushion in the corners and barrel-shaped in the center
  • manual distortion is not easy to correct (lens profile is best)

Vignetting

  • strong vignetting at F / 1.8
  • vignetting disappears almost completely at values ​​after F / 5.6
  • vignetting decreases with focus towards MDF
  • vignetting is strongest when focusing at infinity

Aberration

  • the lens creates a fairly small amount of chromatic aberrations, both longitudinal and transverse
  • there is a noticeable frigging (the color of the contrasting areas of confusion is green and purple), the frigging is significantly reduced with aperture
  • most chromatic aberrations are observed at the periphery of the frame

Rest

  • the effect of the rays of the star is well pronounced (18 rays)
  • the lens works well in backlight, only in the most difficult conditions can you get flares that significantly spoil the picture
  • the discs of confusion have bulbous concentric circles due to the aspherical element
Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Sample photos on Full Frame (Sony a7r II, JPEG + RAW)

All photos in the review are shown without processing. Camera used Sony a7r II with 42 megapixel full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor. All photos are on-camera JPEG without any manipulation of settings. Standard Picture Control with zero corrections for sharpness, contrast and saturation. All examples were shot using a lens hood.

Original RAW photos ('.ARW' compressed) can be download from this link (Google Drive, 20 photos, 800 MB 'rar' archive). Original photos in JPEG format '.JPG' can be download from this link (Google Drive, 40 photos, 'rar'-archive 430 MB). Some pictures were taken with aspect ratios of 16: 9.

Sample photos on APS-C (Sony a3500, JPEG + RAW)

All photos in the review are shown without processing. Camera used Sony a3500 Based on a 20 megapixel APS-C EXMOR CMOS sensor. All photos are on-camera JPEG. All examples were shot without a lens hood.

Original JPEG '.JPG' photos can be download from this link (Google Drive, 40 photos, 220 MB 'rar' archive). Original RAW photos '.ARW' can be download from this link (Google Drive, 'rar'-archive, 20 photos, 350 MB). Examples of in easy creative processing You can find in the Radozhiva group on Facebook, here.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

My experience

Viltrox has produced best-selling lenses for both crop and full-frame cameras.

Unlike Yongnuo lenses, all Viltrox autofocus lenses have earned, or are likely to earn, a good reputation and will be very popular solutions.

I am very pleased that Viltrox immediately moved to the level of 'serious optics'. Particularly pleasing are the use of complex optical circuits that are not borrowing or updating old designs.

For cropped cameras, it is definitely better to look towards the lens. Viltrox 23 / 1.4 AF.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW


All Sony E-mount cameras with APS-C sensor

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

All Full Frame Sony E-mount Cameras

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Price

The Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is priced around $ 400, which is a very attractive proposition. You can see the prices for Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE with free shipping to the countries of the former CIS on Aliexpress. at this link.

This lens can be purchased and on the website GOX.UAwhich is kindly provided by Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE for this review.

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW

Video review

Results

The Viltrox 24 / 1.8 FE is a lens with a very good price / performance ratio. There are no other similar alternatives with a similar price tag yet.

10 main advantages:

  1. low cost (about 400 $for example like Batis 25 / 2 costs about $ 1300)
  2. good build, metal bayonet, bayonet hood and fabric pouch included
  3. declared about the protection of the lens, including the protective coating of the lenses
  4. aperture control ring, smooth adjustment
  5. focusing stepper motor, fast enough and quiet
  6. internal focusing, fixed focus ring during auto focus
  7. electronic focusing ring, continuous manual focus control
  8. USB port for firmware upgrade
  9. modern complex optical design, which includes 8 special optical elements
  10. good sharpness in the center of the frame already with F / 1.8

10 main disadvantages:

  1. difficult to set the hood to transport mode
  2. there are no additional tags (depth of field, focusing distance, etc.)
  3. no rubber mount for the mount (although the lens is claimed to be protected)
  4. no focus mode switch
  5. no programmable FN button (for example, there is a cheap Yongnuo 35/2 DF DSM)
  6. aperture f / 1.8 (in the Viltrox line 13/23/33/56 used f / 1.4)
  7. bad auto focus behavior on some older cameras
  8. complex distortion
  9. strong vignetting at F / 1.8
  10. sagging sharpness in the corners and edges of the image at F / 1.8

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Anatoly

 

 

Comments: 68, on the topic: Review of Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW for Sony E-mount

  • Jury

    the a3500 jpeg is better than the a7r II. Thanks for your review.

    • Victor

      "The a3500 jpeg is better than the a7r II"

      And noticeably. And this is not the first time this has been observed.

      And the lens is good, as a first approximation. I am beginning to understand Comrade Kobu, who prophesies the gradual seizure of the market by the Chinese)))

      • koba

        I am not saying anything unusual. It's just that people have established stereotypes. For example, if the Koreans release something new, then this is considered normal, there is no talk of capturing the market, like it should be, and if the Chinese release something new, then this is unexpected, especially in the field of high technologies, and the approach of people like that - how dare these Chinese and in general could do something like that. Meanwhile, in China, everything is ready for a qualitative technological breakthrough that the world will see over the next 10-15 years. As for the optics industry in general, in 2028 the commissioning of the largest ground-based telescope in the world will end in China (they have already built the largest ground-based mirror), and the production of some lenses is the business of small companies, there is nothing complicated here. I will say the following about this lens - it is expensive for a viltroska, could you sell it for 300? The cost of special glasses is no longer very different from the cost of ordinary glass, and this is the merit of the Chinese themselves. And the cost of ultrasonic motors is in the region of 10-15 dollars (Also the merit of the Chinese). Another drawback I think is the lack of a full-fledged manual distance scale (in my opinion, all shiriks should have this - manufacturers could take an example from Lake's lenses in this matter!), With it this lens would not have a price. And I think the last drawback is that with so many special glasses, the picture quality on the open one could be better (that is, there is an imperfection of the optical scheme, or the quality of glass processing, or assembly), but we will assume that for a start the result is not bad. I think the company will fix a lot in the second version. Thanks to Arkady for the review!

    • Seladir

      The A7RII was clearly not shot by Arkady.
      The shots are very different in general - something bokeh at close range does not set such requirements to the lens as the architecture.
      Dust on the matrix of the seven is of course PPC negligence.
      But the cyan transitions on the border with the knocked-out sky and the normal one, of course, surprised.

      • Arkady Shapoval

        I filmed. Dust on the sensor - problems Rentals.

  • UstasFritZZZ

    Thanks for the review!

  • Vadim fedorov

    Leitz Elmait R 24 2.8

  • Alex

    And nobody cares at all that the tested sample of the lens is normally so skewed and the lower right corner on the FF lathers be healthy!

    As practice shows, in the case of such glasses, you need to be able to choose from a dozen copies, in order to eventually take for yourself a more or less successful one, without marriage and jambs.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No matter how much I peered and tried, I did not find a significant bias. By the way, by the examples, it is not always possible to strictly judge this indicator, since the shooting point and the slope of the hyperplane may not coincide with the planes of the objects being shot (buildings, for example). Where the left / right / bottom / top corners can be drastically different in comparison. Maybe I just missed this moment and you are really right

      • Oleg

        I noticed this at 10-18 at times I washed the left corner from the conclusions about the skew, discouraged the fact that this happened at times infrequently. Even on objectivities with a stub, if it is not needed, it is better to turn it off, too, may be the reason

      • Alex

        > No matter how much I peered and tried, I did not find a significant bias

        And he is (s)

        And if you didn’t find it, it most likely indicates that you simply don’t know how to search))

        It is clearly visible in almost every FF image with a tightened aperture, when one can certainly speak of a large margin of depth of field.

        • Arkady Shapoval

          No problem, it's good that you found it. Thank you :)

          • Alex

            well, it might be nice to add something like “the specimen I tested had a pronounced asymmetry, due to which the lower right corner of the frame in FF shots is noticeably less sharp than the left. you should carefully choose a copy when buying, if you do not want to run into such a defect ”.

            • Arkady Shapoval

              Thank you added, after the "rest" section

            • Arkady Shapoval

              New information has appeared. Most likely it was a7p2 crooked

              • Victor

                Crooked mount / sensor?

              • Arkady Shapoval

                and there is a suspicion of skewing the matrix itself. On other cameras there is no such a jamb, and the a7p2 itself from the rental is so tortured that it is just tin

          • Alex

            And I also think that the “USB port for firmware update” is a disadvantage, not an advantage.

            A normal manufacturer ships perfectly working lenses, and does not offer people to pay money to work as beta testers after that)

            • Arkady Shapoval

              depending on how you look, I am sure that for a third-party manufacturer this is undoubtedly a plus. The basic idea is simple - new cameras can specifically block work with certain third-party lenses, the firmware allows you to bypass this. For a third-party manufacturer, this is a great help. Sigma, for example, does + - the same thing, only it also needs an additional docking station. And here - just a yusb cord

            • Nick

              I learned today that some Sony lenses (like a normal manufacturer) without new firmware do not support hybrid focusing, which appeared in camera models., how do you like it?

              • B. R. P.

                No wonder.

    • Alex

      left / right edge of the same picture.
      the picture is symmetrical enough, f / 5.6, so you definitely can't write off the depth of field.

  • Alex

    Arkady, I will try once again to convince you not to shoot with a multi-megapixel crop at f / 11 apertures.
    Of course, there are scenes with a wide spread of foreground and background, when you want to get the maximum depth of field at the expense of resolution, but this is definitely not a story about what you usually post as examples in reviews.
    Take a good prime and compare f / 5.6 and f / 8, at 20 megapixels already at f / 8 you will see how well diffraction eats up detail.

    • in

      42 MP on Sonya ff is like 18 MP except for. F11 is quite capable of digesting, really problems with f16.
      Always touched by people who tell you how to shoot.
      I downloaded the raves and did not find a bias, maybe you are confusing this with a different distance to objects, where the corners really go on one side because of the shooting angle?

      • Arkady Shapoval

        theoretically, for 18 megapixels at the crop, the limit is in the region of f8, but personally I do not strictly follow the rules of the diffraction threshold. I believe that, within reasonable limits of the aperture maneuver, tracking this parameter in real problems is redundant. Sometimes even the strong effect of diffraction is leveled by the tasks of long exposures, wide grips. As an example, even conscious landscape painters shoot at f22. For example, Alexey recommends me not to shoot with the a3500 at f11 apertures, while there are only about 2 of these pictures here. By the way, I do not set this aperture on purpose, I use P mode for scenes where I need a balance between grip, aperture and shutter speed. When you shoot often, it's just too lazy to constantly turn the aperture control wheel where you can not. On this occasion I have a video here... The camera itself sets f11, considering that in this case diffraction is not a problem. I agree with the camera, although in theory it could be less “sharp” than the same photo at a wider aperture. But this is more theoretical. It is not always possible to find the balance where flu is more important than diffraction.

        • Alex

          When I access full sizes (thanks for sharing!), I want to appreciate the sharpness of the lens.
          And if all examples at a little bit closed aperture are f / 11, then I simply cannot do this.

          Here's an example of how diffraction kills detail at a 24MP crop, f / 5.6 vs f / 8.
          You don't even have to stutter about f / 11 here.

          • Arkady Shapoval

            This is understandable, but forbidding me to take pictures on f11 is nonsense. After all, sharpness is not the only indicator of a lens. But your position is clear, thank you

            • Alex

              I do not prohibit. I ask for a crop to take at least a couple of shots at f / 5.6 so that you can really look at peak sharpness, not diffraction soap.
              And by and large, the aperture should be dictated by the plot, and not by an automatic machine, which for some reason always loves to press down to f / 11)

              • Novel

                Please advise a lens for shooting billboards, barracks and brilliant green in dense urban areas, so that it gives maximum sharpness, and the pictures cause irresistible vomiting? I am also very interested in the effect of diffraction on COLOR. Thank you.

              • Victor

                Roman, thanks, you just made my day :-)

                I wanted to write something like that to pixelpipers, whose diffraction is already at f / 8, but after this post it doesn't make sense))

              • Arkady Shapoval

                By the way, I have a non-trivial question (and this is not a joke or irony)

                Which will be sharper: Canon Zoom Lens EF-M 18-150mm 1: 3.5-6.3 IS STM + some Canon EOS M50 Mark II at 150mm and f / 6.3 or at f / 8-9.

                Which will give more visual sharpness: open aperture of 6.3, but no diffraction, or closed aperture, but with excess diffraction?

              • Novel

                But here it already strongly depends on the nature of the image. From the point of view of a single detail in the depth of field, diffraction gives this blur, which can be seen in direct comparison. And from the point of view of the image as a whole, increasing the depth of field will give a visually sharper picture as a whole, even if even some of the smallest details float when viewed under a microscope.

            • Michael

              It comes out differently. Closed soap usually looks better for the time being. For example, Tamron 70-300 at 300mm looks better on F11 than on F8 or open. And by 200 mm Ф11 is worse than Ф8.
              For tests, I agree with Alex, it makes sense to take several frames at the diffraction limit

      • Alex

        I'm not confusing anything. I gave an example above.
        In all the pictures the problem is like a blueprint.

      • Alex

        and another example

      • Michael

        F11 12MPix is ​​no longer digested. It also depends on the lens. The resolution with covering increases, diffraction, on the contrary, decreases the resolution. If the lens is soapy, then the best resolution may be already beyond the diffraction threshold

        • Victor

          I beg your pardon, what does it mean - "do not digest"? Yes, in order to notice (really notice, and not crawling with a magnifying glass at 100% of the picture, looking for small nuances) the decrease in resolution from exceeding the DLA, you have to get out of it so well.

          • Michael

            No need for a magnifying glass. 100% already everything is perfectly visible

          • Michael

            About "digestion" - this is to the previous author - he put it that way. Degradation of the image begins and it is clearly visible on F11 at 12 Mpix crop, but whether or not to worry is up to the author of the picture.

        • in

          I was convinced more than once that the difference should be looked for with a magnifying glass. It is worth worrying about this only in very specific conditions. I shoot on a 24 mm crop Sony Nex 7 and my native 10-18, and it is better to close it to f16 than to shoot at f5.6, because the general field of sharpness is better, the vignette is better, and it's just more convenient for me. True, many readers of the site have only theory and crawling with a magnifying glass. On the same 10-18, hardly anyone was holding it in their hands. It is useful to know about diffraction, but making a cult with it is alas, alas

          • Alex

            The vignette is trivially corrected at the processing stage, and the information lost due to diffraction cannot be returned in any way.

            Obviously, the choice of aperture should be dictated by the plot and the nuances of the photographic equipment used, and the photographer himself must consciously find a compromise that suits him. I do not impose on Arkady the requirement to always shoot at f / 5.6, I am saying that the absence of pictures at such aperture does not give me the opportunity to assess the peak sharpness of the lens under test.

            I made a comparison of f / 5.6 and f / 8 at crop above. Is there a difference in sharpness or not?

            I also gave three examples of the fact that the observed lens is skewed and lathers the lower right corner. Do you agree with this or not?

            • Michael

              Agree, agree. But someone does not care and 2 Megapixels are enough for the preview)

              • Arkady Shapoval

                By the way, I have previews of 4 megapixels

              • Michael

                You always have RAVs in your reviews and that's great)

  • Alex

    another example

    • Novel

      Eh, what details about ***.

      • Alex

        Billboards, barracks and brilliant green in dense urban areas. Everything is just as you like.

        • Novel

          It's time for the State Duma to ban bourgeois diffraction!

  • Alex

    I took myself such a glass on the A7 III.

    I can say that for my money, this is a very good option, tk. the same glass from Sony would easily cost $ 1000 (see prices for 20 f / 1.8). About the option in the form of 24 GM, I do not stutter at all.

    About skewed copies.
    It seems that the problem is massive, as I came across a mention of this problem in other reviews (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYEqrjuZRy0).
    I checked my copy right at the post office on an A3 size target and easily found that my upper right corner was washing, and so that the soap did not go away even at f / 9. It is not horror-horror that lathers directly, but lathers. I was depressed and even thought not to take the lens, but then I gave up on the problem.
    And he did the right thing, because the following turned out on the street - there is soap in the corner only when focusing somewhere in the MDF area, and when focusing at least a meter already at f / 5.6, the sharpness becomes more than worthy across the entire field. At the same time, the glass has a fairly even focus field, which cannot but rejoice (I write as an owner who suffered to the point of impossibility with the Distagon 24 f / 2 because of this problem).

    In general, I was definitely lucky with my copy. Now the main thing is that this miracle of Chinese lens building does not die in six months, as their 85s sometimes die.

    If anyone has any questions about glass - write to cdriper@gmail.com (here for some reason notifications about new comments do not come to me).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thanks for your feedback.

    • Anatoly

      Hello! How is your lens doing after half a year ??? Does it make sense to consider this for a purchase, otherwise, on the one hand, there are doubts about the manufacturer, on the other, a very sweet price.

  • Arkady Shapoval

    Added a small video review of the lens https://youtu.be/o1JGjTd2SR8

    • Alex

      I am subscribed, so I already looked and liked)

      I think that if you want success in the video format, you need to invest a lot more effort into it (I'm sure you can imagine how the most popular English-speaking YouTubers do lens reviews).

      Personally, in any case, I definitely prefer the text format, and your materials are generally a storehouse of information, since they contain full sizes (which are always better than a thousand words!), But if your audience is buzzers, then ...))

      shl. Why don't I receive notifications about replies to my mail?

      • Arkady Shapoval

        It's hard to tell why.
        This is my blog, I do it all the same, based on my preferences. It is not always worth looking up to others.

  • Rashit

    This is where the question arises, a good Tamron 24mm f / 2.8 with normal dust and moisture protection, or this one ... Should you focus on these f / 1.8s?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      he will be 2.8 obviously no worse than Tamron. But Tamron already on a step with a tail cannot be opened in any way

    • Alex

      For a photo with a small depth of field of f / 1.8, this lens is more than working.

      The tamron would make more sense if it was comparable in size to the Samyang, but for f / 2.8 it is of some completely indecent size and, perhaps, the main argument for its use can only be macro photography.

      And if you want both compactness and a good picture, then there remains only not the cheapest option in the face of the brand new Sony 24 f / 2.8.

      • Victor

        Yes, its 1.8 is rather weak, frankly, taking into account both the year of manufacture and the stuffed with special optical elements.

        With Viltrox, this is not the only blinkom.
        For example, 23mm also came out very mediocre.

        • in

          Whatever one may say, but still this 24 is an epic win, but not a lumpy pancake. 23im is the same, especially on fuji

          • Victor

            Hmm, in my opinion this 23 is more likely an epic fail, since it is capable of producing this at f / 2)))

        • Alex

          Open on plots, when sharpness is demanded only in a relatively small focus area, it is more than working, with acceptable both sharpness and contrast.

          Moreover, as for me, in such scenes, drawing is much more important, and in this regard Viltrox is very good and definitely makes other f / 1.8 Sony lenses such as 35 and 85 mm.

  • Anton

    The vignette looks like a cropped lens was put on FF, a sickening box on mdf.
    What a good lens here - it's full of crap ((Or a cheap 24mm is never bad ?!
    As for the covered lenses, all lenses are the same there.

    • Oleg

      On such focal points, there is always a torn fighter

      • Joe

        Not true.
        It all depends on the optical design of the lens, aperture ratio, distance to the object and background, and so on.
        Examples of other people's photos on 24mm from flickr:
        https://flic.kr/p/2m95k9k
        https://flic.kr/p/2mFwSpK
        https://flic.kr/p/2mCLwuh
        https://flic.kr/p/2mbRBW3
        https://flic.kr/p/2jimhhk

        • Victor

          And in what way is the bokeh in the examples from flicker fundamentally different from the one found in the review?

          • Joe

            Examples from flickr are not compared with examples from the review.
            Examples from flicker are given to refute the thesis that any lenses with a focal length have such a feature as a “torn fighter”.
            I would like to note that the term “torn fighter” is quite subjective - everyone can have their own ideas of how “torn” or “whole” area is out of focus.
            However, in my opinion, examples from flicker show that a lens with a focal length of 24mm allows you to get subjectively pleasant and smooth blurring in images without pronounced contrast transitions, fringes, and other elements that attract undue attention in the out-of-focus area.

  • Greyhound s

    the main problem with this lens is that it is mounted on a shit camera

    • B. R. P.

      The lens is him, not her. Masculine gender.

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