Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 Z-mount Review: Even Better on Nikon?

Viltrox has become my favorite lens as well. Shoots great pics on Sony . No longer use Nikon . Left when the screwed the pooch a few yrs ago. Too much invested in SONY platform to switch back to Nikon

Thanks for the review. Unless you want to adapt the old F-mount 14mm 2.8 this looks like the next best thing. After the Z 35 1.2? gets released I imagine wide angle primes will be back in their to do list as this benefits the cinema direction they are headed. Cheers.

Nice to see Nikon Z8 on the channel. Their Z mount 'S' series lenses are stellar, reason enough to buy a Nikon! (As I i did, amongst other reasons, formerly on canon R5).

As a Sony shooter I feel duped by the release of this improved Nikon version. I just hope that the difference in image quality between both versions isn't too noticeable.

I have now read several times from different users that the firmware update via USB does not work. Not an isolated case, unfortunately

I frequently read/watch your reviews, even some from systems/brands I'll never own. Your way of reviewing is one of the best, imo. And so I'm stoked to learn you might be reviewing more Nikon!

I just got this lens, test shots look great. One issue I see is that the aperture cannot be adjusted using camera dials. Is there a way around it? Am i missing something? 🙏🏼

Hey Dustin, hope your enjoying your new Z8, I'm currently saving up for one myself actually. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd be willing to test one of the many versions of the Sony E – Nikon Z Autofocus Adapters that exist. I've heard from many people online they are pretty reliable overall, but there don't seem to be many good video reviews of them online. Would that be something you'd be able to look into?

I purchased this lens a few days ago for a Sony a7 IV. It is strikingly amazing that for the over a year time period since the lens first came out for Sony first and after dozens and dozens of reviews no one has ever spoken of something that is so important and so obvious that it would be difficult to miss. This lens' firmware can't be updated through its USB port and through a computer. Only via their application and Bluetooth. This information is absent in the manual of the lens and so is on the Viltrox website. I learned it the hard way, trying without success to connect it to Windows 11, disabling Bitlocker, trying at least 5 different USB cables. It would not show on the computer. Then finally their customer service in China replied to my email, stating the above - the lens can only be updated via the app. They sent me a video about that. The video is not on the website. The application is clumsy, it looks like it updated both the firmware of the lens and of the lens' Bluetooth. However, after detaching and reattaching the lens, as they advise, the camera continues to read "version 01" as firmware of the lens. The application, after the one time supposed update, does not give you information about the current firmware version on the lens, even though it connects to the lens. Again - unbelievable that no one has said a word in all the reviews.

First of all I would like to thank you to you as being one of contributors who made me selecting Canon system back (from Fujifilm X-T2 setup) to EOS R back in 2019 as I still remember that your review had been very much helped me taking that decision... After 5 good years with Canon system which actually I had been already using Canon even before Fujifilm for a long time, today I am again sitting on a decision maker's chair and this time on my radar and I am about to switch to Nikon Z8... Biggest reason behind this thought is mainly 2 lenses I have been still deeply investigating; 50mm f1.8 S & 400mm f4.5 S... For the wide angle side I am still not clear but this Viltrox will be definitely a strong candidate as a cost efficient alternative.

It's been a long intro but what I request from you is first a detailed review, as you have always been doing, for Z8! That please do review 50mm f1.8 as well... I am living in Turkey where Nikon users are the minority :) (I guess it's the same in the World) so professional reviews from trustworthy sources like yourself would be much appreciated!

Hi Dustin, many thanks for the review. This lens does look very interesting. I already have the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art (which I know you have reviewed in the past) and was wondering if the Viltrox offers a big advantage for astro (appreciating that it is 11/3 stops faster and a lot lighter…) – I guess primarily regarding coma and sharpness (and how comparable they would be @ 2.8)?

Nice to see you ad Nikon into the mix. I have been telling some people online recently that the 3rd party glass on Sony being restricted to 15fps isn't because these 3rd party companies can't reverse engineer the Sony System. but its because Sony won't allow these 3rd party companies to have the same ability as their own glass. its a contractual agreement. and this Viltrox lens proves the point. maybe now that Nikon is going to get allot of lenses from 3rd party companies without the restrictions. it might force Sony to rethink their limitations they are putting on 3rd party glass. including focus breathing compensation. people need to talk about it more to get Sonys attention.

A great review Dustin, if I needed a lens of that focal length for astro work I would buy it. Good summary at the end 🙂

Watched your video and attempted to order from Viltrox. The DUSTINABBOTT discount code isn't working. It shows the discount but then changed it back to the 549 price once you strata filling out the order... message displays "DUSTINABBOTT discount code isn’t available to you right now

The colors look good on that Nikon love their color science

It’s about time you bought a z8 now you have my attention.

Nikon? I really enjoyed your D850 review back in the day. Is a Z8 review or comparisson vs canon and sony planned?

Great review. Thank you

I can’t believe you came to Nikon. I’m a Nikon Z9 user so I’m extremely happy that you’ll be covering stuff for Nikon now. Been following you for years as I like the way you systematically review things. Chuffed!

Very nice to see you can now do Z mount reviews

Thanks Dustin . As you know, I have this lens for E-mount, partly because of your review. Cheers and best to you.

Fantastic lens, many have been waiting for it. And really happy to see you covered it for Nikon. How is the user experience so far (maybe even compared to Sony bodies)?

Gonna get one for canon R mount the minute it’s avail 😂

Thank you for reviewing this, and other lenses hopefully, on a Nikon body. So, am I understanding correctly that Viltrox didn’t change any lens elements or the optical design in any way to optimize it for the wider Z mount? They only added the additional length to the back of the Sony E mount lens to accommodate the shallower flange distance of 16mm on Nikon? Thank you for your usual great lens review. All your reviews are excellent and I don’t believe anyone else does as good a job at subjective/objective lens reviews.

As a Z-mount user, I'm glad to see Viltrox bring this lens to market. As you stated, Nikon doesn't have a comparable prime so this will help fill a gap in my kit. I previoulsy watched your review of this lens for E-mount, but appreciate you putting this review out highlighting the performance on the Z8 and the variances that Viltrox introduced with this version. Always appreciate your candor and insight Dustin!!

I always used to watch your videos when I still had my X-H2, before switching to the Z8. I'm stoked to see that you're now reviewing lenses for Z-Mount!

What a great lens. It's worth every penny for sure.

Fantastic lens, I would say AF is a little slow in video and sometimes it takes an age to get to the face it should be on in low ish light on the dance floor, when I use it with the A7S3 I put the AF speed to fastest instead of half way like the Sony lenses