Lens ReviewMorten ByskovSeptember 19, 2023Lens Review, Viltrox Lenses, Viltrox 28mm f1.8 review, Viltrox 28mm 1.8 review, Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z Review, Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z sample images, Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z sample photos, Viltrox 28mm f1.8 sample images, Viltrox 28mm Z mount, Viltrox 28mm for Nikon Z, Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z Handling and SpecsComment

Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z Review

Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z shown on the Nikon Z8

Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z Full-Frame Autofocus Lens for Nikon Z-Mount

I have reviewed several Viltrox lenses for my Fujifilm X Series cameras and have especially been impressed with the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF and Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF so far.

The Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z will be the first full-frame lens that I have reviewed from Viltrox and I paired it up with the new Nikon Z8 for a weekend of street photography and general travel photography.

While maintaining a compact size and moderate weight for such a wide aperture lens, I was excited to see how the Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z would fare on a full-frame camera.

Introduction

The Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z was released in late August 2023 and is Viltrox’s latest lens. It joins a list of several f/1.8 prime lenses, 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm. These lenses share a max. f/1.8 f-stop and this is intriguing as it seems to strike a good balance between size, weight, price, and performance.

For full disclosure: Viltrox sent me the AF 28mm f/1.8 Z lens for my review and I get to keep it after the review. Vitrox, however, has not dictated a narrative in any way, and the opinions in this review are my own.

At the time this review was posted the Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z was listed at $379.00.

Posters at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z and Nikon Z8. — Granville Island, Vancouver, Nikon Z8, Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z @ f/1.8

Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z - Handling and Specs

Speaking of size and weight first, the AF 28mm f/1.8 Z balances perfectly on the Nikon Z8 and does not feel heavy. It would be an equally good match for either a Z5, Z6, Z7, or the new Nikon Zf without getting too big.

At 12.9 oz, 367 g, the weight is almost squarely in between the 56mm f/1.4 XF and 13mm f/1.4 XF I mentioned above, and it is nice to learn and feel that the weight didn’t have to increase considering we are now using a full-frame lens.

The overall build quality feels solid with a nice metal mount and smooth aperture ring. The aperture ring, however, is not clickable but instead adjustable in variable f-stops which should make video shooters happy. As a still shooter I would have preferred clicked stops.

On the Nikon Z8, I often chose to put the lens in the A position and then used the command dial on the camera to adjust the aperture. This way I found that I had accurate control.

The lens does not “click” into the A position as with most lenses. Instead, the resistance of the aperture ring gets harder towards the full A stop. I have never seen this before but it is cleverly done. There is no AF On/Off switch on the lens.

The included plastic hood is a bit disappointing. The hood clicks into place just fine but feels a bit flimsy. The Viltrox lenses I have reviewed previously came with a wonderful metal lens hood which instilled a satisfying sense that you are handling a quality product.

The STM autofocus motor is fast and accurate, and I didn’t hear it. I can confirm that it is compatible with Nikon's eye-detection autofocus mode.

The optical formula mentions three ED elements, HD nano multi-layer coating, and a 9-blade diaphragm. The filter size is 55mm and the minimum focusing distance is 14.6", 37 cm. You can update the lens firmware via a USB-C port.

Aquabus sign at Granville Island in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z and Nikon Z8. — Granville Island, Vancouver, Nikon Z8, Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z @ f/7.1

In Action

I have been flirting with the 28mm focal length for quite some time now. Especially the Leica Q, any of the models, have been tempting but I always worry that it is a fixed focal length camera only.

On my Fujifilm X cameras, the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR has been very good but at times, if you are after the full-frame look, you have to go full-frame and it usually means a jump in price and weight.

Things are, however changing, and swinging this lightweight AF 28mm f/1.8 Z option was effortless. I was testing the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S at the same time and while this is a great lens, I much preferred walking around with the smaller and lighter 28mm lens.

Please do not see this as a strike against the Nikon 85mm lens. Personally, I was merely gravitating towards the more compact option when having the choice for a photo walk. The 85mm would mostly certainly shine in other scenarios.

Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z - Image Quality

Sharpness is good in the center at f/1.8, while the corners are slightly soft. Corners, however, are not distractingly soft and images sharpen up nicely as you stop the lens down. I would not be afraid to use the Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z wide open.

Bokeh, while perhaps not over-the-moon wonderful, is smooth enough and has a nice transition from foreground to background.

Color rendering on the Nikon Z8 was pleasing to my eye with the Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z and I did not find it radically or distractingly different from the images I shot with the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S at the same time.

I am sure if you put the images under a loop or pixel-peeped, you would find differences but viewing images full screen the two lenses worked well together as a pair. I will have a first impression look at the Nikon Z8 coming up with images from the 85mm lens as well.

My sample images can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide. Please click to view larger images.

A classic E-Type Jaguar 4.2 at Granville Island in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z and Nikon Z8. — Granville Island, Vancouver, Nikon Z8, Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z @ f/2.2

Conclusion

If you favor native lenses, Nikon has a couple of similarly priced compact options. The Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 is priced a bit higher at $496.95, and the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 is a tad lower at $296.95. I have not reviewed these so unfortunately cannot comment on image quality.

I predict that both Nikon lenses would be fine but they are 1 1/3 stop slower than the AF Viltrox 28mm f/1.8 Z. This will affect your ability to shoot with a shallow depth of field, and the Viltrox lens will excel in this regard. Both Nikkor lenses are, however, more compact and under half or about a third of the weight of the Viltrox lens.

If you are looking for an f/1.8 lens and can live with the 35mm focal length instead, Nikon has an excellent Z 35mm f/1.8 option but at the cost of $846.95, you would be looking at spending more than double the cost of the Viltrox 28mm f/1.8.

The Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z surprised me mostly in good ways. It offers a compact, lightweight, and yet fast full-frame option at an affordable price point, and it delivers very decent image quality.

The overall build quality is perhaps not quite as nice as on the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF (Pro Badge) that I reviewed last year and the omission of the metal hood is unfortunate but of course not crucial for the final image quality outcome.

While the Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z may not deliver results like a Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 or Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM it still delivers impressive results at its price point and offers a good value proposition for the Nikon Z-Mount.

Pros

An affordable wide-angle option for Nikon Z-Mount
Fast f/1.8 max. f-stop
Overall decent image quality
Internal focusing

Cons

The omission of a metal lens hood as seen on other Viltrox lenses

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z - B&H Photo

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