NIKON Z f (85mm, f/3.2, 1/4000 sec, ISO100)

This one will be much easier than my take on the Viltrox AF 20mm F2.8 Z. Mostly because this Viltrox is in a different league.

What it is: A super compact, only slightly slower 85mm lens. I always wanted a 85mm lens again but I couldn’t justify to get a portraits lens because I don’t shoot many portraits anymore. The Nikon 85/1.8 S seems to be a very fine lens but I think it is too big for what it is and I don’t think I would take it on vacations. The Viltrox is almost as fast but significantly smaller and lighter and it doesn’t hurt that is is much cheaper too.

Mechanical built quality and design: The lens might be cheap but it is not cheaply made. I think the opposite is true. This is a very nicely executed lens with a proper marked aperture ring that can be de-clicked if needed. It’s metal with a metal lens mount and even the lens hood feels good. It’s only 360g compared to the Nikon 85/1.8 which is 470g. Filter size is only 58mm instead of 67mm which shows how compact this lens is. The design of the lens is close to perfect and it’s a perfect fit for my Nikon Zf.

AF performance: AF is rather fast and silent but I learned that I can’t not completely trust it all the time on my Nikon Zf compared to my Nikon lenses. It is still impressive and I would have killed for such an AF performance when shooting Fuji.

Optical quality: I can keep this one short This lens performs much better than expected. It is really good already wide open with good sharpness in the center. Stopping down to f2.8 or f4 mostly improves contrast and vignetting but I would not hesitate to shoot wide open if necessary. Bokeh is good too though for best subject isolation you want something faster like f1.4 or f1.2 even on a full frame sensor.

wish list: Nothing really. Please Viltrox make more small prime lenses like that. Maybe something like a 35/1.8 next or a really good 21/3.5

summary: A portrait lens that is compact enough to take it with you all the time.