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 a decent performer. However, the overall build quality 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 a 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 hoped 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 several f/1.8 prime lenses: 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm in the Viltrox family. These lenses share a max f/1.8 f-stop, attempting to balance size, weight, price, and performance well.

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 way, and the opinions in this review are mine and mine only.

When this review was posted, the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 Z was listed at $580.00.

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

Regarding 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 is considerably bulky. It measures 3.4 x 4.1" (85.2 x 103 mm) and takes 77mm filters.

The lens hood feels good and snaps into place without any wobble. When the hood is removed, the lens 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, four ED elements, and 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. However, it is well executed, looks great, and I can see the benefit if you shoot at night, i.e., astrophotography.

The AF 16mm f/1.8 Z is an all-metal design with weather-sealing. To answer 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 with 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 my friend 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 at 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 complete set of DX-cropped images :)

However, it does show that the Viltrox 16mm lens will work nicely as a 24mm full-frame equivalent field of view lens in DX mode.

With the fast f/1.8 aperture, it could double as a general documentary-style wide-angle lens, especially with the high-megapixel cameras (Z9, Z8, and 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 as you stop the lens down.

Vignetting is noticeable at lower f-stops, but it can add a nice character to your shots. Again, it gradually disappears as you stop the lens down, or you can 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 capture images at f/1.8 will add variety in the types of photos 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 you are using a 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 when it comes to build quality compared to the AF 28mm f/1.8 Z. It reminds me of the AF 13mm f/1.4 for Fujifilm X-Mount that I reviewed a couple of years ago.

Nikon offers 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 have a maximum aperture of f/4 or f/2.8. Of course, they 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, and it costs $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 regarding value for dollars spent. With prime lens qualities and a focal length suitable for a range of topics, including landscape, architecture, cityscape, and event photography, it is certainly worth considering.

The fast f/1.8 f-stop sets it apart from a standard zoom many typically gravitate towards. This greatly improves the ability to throw your background or foreground out and focus, as well as the ability to shoot in low-light scenarios.

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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