Lens ReviewMorten ByskovJuly 24, 2024Lens Review, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z Review, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z Sample Images, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z Sample Photos, Viltrox 16mm review, Viltrox 16mm sample images, Viltrox 16mm 1.8 reviewComment

Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z Review

Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z shown on the Nikon Zf

Going Ultra-Wide With the Fast Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z-Mount

In the fall of 2023, I reviewed the Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 Z on the Nikon Z8 and found it to be a decent performer. The overall build quality, however, was a tad disappointing compared to other Viltrox Pro badge lenses I had tried.

There is something about Viltrox and f/1.8 lenses as we now have a brand new Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 joining a long list of f/1.8 lenses from Viltrox.

16mm is about as wide as I would ever need a lens to be and for years I used various Canon 16-35mm lenses for this focal length. The caveat with those lenses, however, was slower f-stop in the f/2.8 to f/4 range.

I was excited to try a full-frame f/1.8 lens at this focal length and was hoping the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 would feel better overall than the Viltrox 28mm lens I tested in the fall. Let’s see how it stacked up.

The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z-Mount lens — Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z shown on the Nikon Zf

Introduction

The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z was released in the spring of 2024 and is available for Sony E-Mount and Nikon Z-Mount. It joins a list of several f/1.8 prime lenses, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm. These lenses share a max. f/1.8 f-stop, attempting to strike a good balance between size, weight, price, and performance.

For full disclosure: Viltrox sent me the AF 16mm f/1.8 Z lens for my review and I get to keep it. Vitrox, however, has not dictated a narrative in any shape or form, and the opinions in this review are mine and mine only.

The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z was listed at $580.00 when this review was posted.

Office towers and the Marine Building in downtown Vancouver — Burrard Street, Vancouver, Nikon Zf, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z @ f/8

Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z - Handling and Specs

When it comes to size and weight balance with the camera, I wish I had the Z8 for this review as I believe it would have been a better fit than the Nikon Zf I used.

The lens is not excessively heavy at 19.4 oz / 550 g but it comes with a considerable bulk and dimensions of 3.4 x 4.1" or 85.2 x 103 mm and takes 77mm filters.

The lens hood feels good and snaps into place without any wobble. Remove the hood and the lens, overall, is perhaps a bit easier to handle, size-wise.

The LCD display in the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z — Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z and the LCD display shown on the Nikon Zf

I have no complaints about the aperture ring and happily note it is clickable in thirds of a stop. You can also de-click if you use the lens for video. The lens has three aspherical elements and four ED elements along with HD Nano Multi-Layer Coating.

I do not need the LCD screen which is placed center on the lens barrel and have always found these a bit gimmicky. It is, however, well executed, looks great and I can see the benefit if you shoot at night, ie. astrophotography.

The AF 16mm f/1.8 Z is an all-metal design with weather-sealing and answering my question in my opening paragraph, overall it does indeed feel of better build quality than the AF 28mm f/1.8 Z. It is worth mentioning that you can update the lens firmware via a USB-C port.

The Coal Harbour Fellowship Bell, Vancouver — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Nikon Zf, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z @ f/1.8 (without vignette correction)

In Action

The STM autofocus is silent and accurate but I didn’t find it super fast which is less of an issue with an ultra-wide angle lens. I had no problems in regards to AF with the type of images you see in this review.

However, the focal length and camera setting in the Nikon Zf I borrowed from Chris threw me off for the first batch of sample images and I am slightly embarrassed to admit I was firing away with the Zf in the DX crop mode and didn’t notice it a first.

But after a while, it just didn’t feel correct. An inner voice called out; this is not wide enough for a 16mm!! Glad I found out before posting a full set of DX-cropped images :)

But interestingly enough it goes to show that the Viltrox 16mm lens will work nicely as a 24mm full-frame equivalent field of view lens and with the fast 1.8 aperture it could double as a general documentary-style wide-angle lens, especially with the high megapixel cameras (Z8, Z7 II). Now you know why you will see a few DX mode shots in this review.

The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 shown on a Nikon Zf — Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z shown on the Nikon Zf

Image Quality

I am quite impressed with the overall image quality from the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z. Photos are sharp in the center but slightly soft in the extreme corners of the frame at f/1.8 but it quickly gets sharper up as you stop the lens down.

Vignetting is noticeable at lower f-stops but this can add a nice character to your shots. Again it gradually disappears as you stop the lens down or use the Lightroom profile to get rid of it entirely if you wish.

The Viltrox 16mm has “prime lens” quality traits and the fact that you can shoot at f/1.8 will add variety in the types of shots you can produce.

Please make sure to click on the sample images to view sizes up to 2500 pixels depending on your monitor size or pinch zoom if on your mobile phone.

The foyer in the Marine Building, Vancouver — Marine Building, Vancouver, Nikon Zf, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z @ f/2.2

Conclusion

It appears that Viltrox has upped the game with this lens in comparison to the AF 28mm f/1.8 Z when it comes to build quality and it reminds me of the AF 13mm f/1.4 for Fujifilm X-Mount that I reviewed a couple of years ago.

From Nikon, you could opt for either the Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S, $1,346.95, or the Nikkor 14-28mm f/2.8 S, $2,496.95, as alternatives. Both are well-regarded but significantly more expensive and with a maximum aperture of f/4 or f/2.8. They do, of course, have the benefit of the zoom range for various focal lengths.

The Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S is the widest prime lens in the Z series, $1,046.95. I have only heard great things about this lens. It is almost double the cost of the Viltox and not quite as wide but I would love to try it at some point and certainly would not write it off.

The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z seems to hit a sweet spot when it comes to value for dollars spent. With prime lens qualities, and a focal length suitable for a range of topics from landscape to architecture, cityscape, and event photography it is certainly worth considering.

The fast f/1.8 f-stop is what sets it apart from your standard zoom choice which many typically will gravitate towards. The ability to throw your background or foreground out and focus and the ability to shoot in low-light scenarios are greatly improved by this.

Thanks, Chris, for letting me use your Nikon Zf for this review. It is much appreciated.

Pros

Fast f/1.8 max. f-stop

Great build quality
Internal focusing
LCD on the lens

Cons

The size may be a deterrent for some photographers

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z - B&H Photo

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