Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 Pro Review: So Close to Wonderful

Many of us began our photographic journeys with a hard and fast 50mm lens. Arguments abound about what the very best focal size is, however none can deny {that a} 50mm is the crossover level from large angles to telephotos. It is a flexible focal size that may accommodate so many alternative sorts of images if one is just keen to maneuver their legs.

On the subject of getting my steps in, I had a tremendous alternative to discover the cities of Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, for the primary time ever. So why not problem myself to return to my roots and shoot all of my Sydney journey with the Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 Pro lens?

This inexpensive $550 lens ought to be capable to deal with nearly any degree of sunshine. I additionally liked the character of the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro and wished to see if this new optic shared among the similar quirks. My journey turned out to be unbelievable, however how a lot of that could possibly be attributed to the brand new Viltrox 50mm?

Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 Pro Review: How It Feels

Having a quick f/1.4 aperture is all the time helpful, but it surely does come at the price of some bulk and weight. The Viltrox 50mm isn’t overly heavy, however I wouldn’t name it compact both. At 28.2 ounces (800 grams), it has a little bit of heft to it, which I seen whereas strolling round city. The entrance is lower for 77mm filters as effectively, which is fairly large for a 50mm lens.

I definitely appreciated the construct high quality, although, because it feaures good steel development and management rings. Everything feels premium, and there’s a customizable button, in addition to a correctly listed aperture ring. The aperture ring will also be converted to clean performance, and each it and the the handbook focusing feels good.

The lens may deal with some inclement climate with some degree of climate sealing, though I didn’t have a possibility to essentially check this as my time in Australia was nothing however solar and warmth. There is a rubber gasket across the lens mount to maintain out mud and moisture, and a USB-C port within the mount to facilitate firmware updates. The lens hood is a reasonably commonplace plastic association which bayonets into place.

Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 Pro Review: How It Shoots

The construct high quality is nice, however after we begin wanting on the optical efficiency, we begin to see these quirks that I used to be speaking about. Flare is an effective instance, the place the have a look at f/1.4 could be very completely different from the opposite apertures. I seen a good quantity of ghosting at f/1.4, however much more so an apparent rainbow ring proper in the course of the lens. This can look cool in some conditions, however it will possibly look much more distracting in others.

Stopping the lens down did scale back the glare and ghosting a good quantity and the rainbow ring went away. However, going to a good tighter aperture round f/11 or so causes the ghosting to develop into extra stark and outlined. However you slice it, the Viltrox 50mm Pro goes to have some flare points that require some managing.

Bokeh outcomes are very clear, giving the Viltrox 50mm an exquisite rendition of the out-of-focus areas. This is basically due to the very clear specular highlights, that are devoid of any onion ring or cleaning soap bubble results. I liked the best way that focus would fall off into the gap. The Viltrox appears to scale back the longitudinal chromatic aberrations, or LoCA, fairly effectively, which causes a coloration shift within the areas of sentimental focus. There is a few current at f/1.4, however for essentially the most half, the difficulty is minor.

Like many trendy lenses, the Viltrox makes use of a voice coil motor to focus with. These VCM motors are usually quiet and really clean. I used to be additionally happy with the velocity at which the motor can drive the lens parts and had zero points when taking pictures road images with it. I additionally seen nearly no lens respiration in any respect. This shift within the area of view when focusing the lens is successfully non-existent. Coupled with the graceful handbook focus expertise, this Viltrox is great for a videographer’s pursuits as effectively.

I wished to avoid wasting sharpness for final as a result of one other quirk seems on the widest f/1.4 aperture. The general element of the lens is kind of comfortable and dreamy-looking at f/1.4, each within the heart and corners of the picture. There is a noticeable quantity of vignetting as effectively when taking pictures large open. However, this impact fully reverses when stopped down even one cease, and distinction turns into wonderful throughout the body. I’ve seen this in different lenses earlier than, and to a point, the impact could be helpful for backlit pictures and portraits. I far want a lens that’s good at f/1.4 relatively than one with a softer-focus impact, as a result of I can all the time make a pointy picture comfortable afterward, if desired.

Regardless of all of the quirks concerned, I did actually take pleasure in my time in Sydney. I really feel like the photographs I get with the Viltrox lenses I’ve examined are all the time pleasing to me. There is a few character which can be utilized for inventive impact, and the construct high quality and optical efficiency are very excessive. At $550, the 50mm Pro additionally makes for an inexpensive expertise.

Not Quite Perfect, however Still a Bargain

Where the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro gave extremely sharp outcomes with quirky-looking bokeh large open, this 50mm as an alternative has nearly flawless bokeh, with its personal degree of quirky-looking sharpness and flare large open. Both carry out admirably with even a barely adjusted aperture. Still, I did discover myself slightly pissed off having to continually remind myself to keep away from f/1.4 in conditions the place I’d usually simply fireplace away.

That stated, it’s exhausting not see see the worth that Viltrox is providing right here. For $550, the lens development is top of the range and it will possibly produce spectacular outcomes. You simply have to pay attention to its limitations.

Are There Alternatives?

The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.4 is a good little lens and barely extra inexpensive than the Viltrox. It has good bokeh, is sharp at f/1.4, and is way more compact. It is kind of fundamental, although, and feels slightly plasticky.

In the Sony E-mount, you will have each the Sony G Master 50mm f/1.4 and the Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4. Both of those lenses are significantly better at f/1.4 and are wonderful throughout the board, however each are additionally far dearer.

Should You Buy It?

Yes. The Viltrox is an inexpensive and succesful lens, even when it’s a little heavy and imperfect large open.