The Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air lens is the widest possibility within the firm’s light-weight Air lineup. Its dimension and velocity make it interesting for anybody who needs a compact software for broad views, however that comes with some trade-offs you’ll need to learn about earlier than selecting it up.
Coming to you from Dylan Goldby, this detailed video takes a detailed have a look at the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air E lens. Goldby explains that whereas the construct high quality is according to the remainder of the Air collection (light-weight composite supplies, a easy steel mount, and the same old firmware replace port), the filter thread is totally different. Not like the others within the lineup that share a 52mm thread, this one jumps to 58mm. Which means you lose the comfort of swapping filters throughout lenses, which can really feel like a missed alternative. Nonetheless, the dimensions and weight keep very compact at solely 180 g. When you can reside with out weather-sealing and a bodily aperture ring, it provides a clear, minimal setup.
Autofocus is one other key level. The lens makes use of a stepping motor, which supplies you quick and usually dependable focusing. It’s not fairly as fast because the 56mm f/1.7 Air lens, however for many capturing conditions, it gained’t maintain you again. Accuracy is stable total, although Goldby did observe occasional misses, which he attributed extra to digicam methods than the lens itself. The larger technical story, nevertheless, is distortion. Barrel distortion reveals up prominently, and it isn’t the sort that’s simple to repair with out a devoted profile. In case your work depends upon straight traces, akin to structure, that’s a severe consideration. Heart sharpness improves considerably by f/2, however corners by no means fairly catch up, leaving some softness regardless of how a lot you cease down.
Key Specs
Most Aperture: f/1.7
Minimal Aperture: f/16
Lens Mounts: Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z
Format Protection: APS-C
Minimal Focus Distance: 9 in / 22.9 cm
Magnification: 0.1x (1:10)
Optical Design: 12 parts in 10 teams
Aperture Blades: 9
Autofocus: Sure (stepping motor)
Picture Stabilization: No
Filter Dimension: 58 mm
Dimensions: 65 x 56.4 mm
Weight: 180 g
Picture high quality quirks proceed past distortion. Broad open, the lens reveals a heavy vignette of over two stops, which decreases as you cease down however by no means absolutely disappears. Coma is noticeable in level mild sources close to the body edges, so evening capturing is finest executed at f/2.8 or narrower. There’s additionally some chromatic aberration in excessive circumstances, although nothing unmanageable. On the artistic aspect, the shut focus distance of 23 cm permits you to get some good separation for a large lens, and the bokeh, whereas not as sturdy as Fujifilm’s sooner glass, is easy sufficient for informal use. Flare and ghosting are largely managed, with solely minor points in excessive instances. Try the video above for the complete rundown from Goldby.
