They are saying there are as many 50mm lenses as there are cups of espresso in a photographer’s lifetime—and for good purpose. This basic focal size continues to carry a particular place in each photographer’s bag, typically with a couple of variant in rotation.
Originally of this 12 months, Viltrox launched a brand new contender to this crowded lens section: the Viltrox AF 50mm f/2.0 Air, designed for Sony full body mirrorless cameras. This lens is a part of Viltrox’s AIR collection, identified for its light-weight construct, wallet-friendly pricing, and picture high quality that punches above its weight. It guarantees a stability between portability and efficiency, particularly catering to on a regular basis shooters and budget-conscious creatives. So, let’s dive in and assess who this lens is made for—and most significantly, does it deserve a spot in a photographer’s bag?
Construct High quality
Proudly claimed as “The Sharpest Feather within the Air,” the Viltrox AF 50mm f/2.0 is the lightest 50mm lens the corporate has ever made for a full body mirrorless digital camera. Staying true to the AIR collection philosophy, this lens emphasizes portability with out sacrificing high quality. It includes a minimalistic and fashionable lens physique constructed primarily from high-quality plastic. There aren’t any buttons, switches, or aperture ring on the lens physique—solely a large, textured focusing barrel that may be very snug to navigate. Though the lens focuses manually by wire, it has the correct amount of traction and is fairly clean to make use of. The focusing mechanism can also be inner, which helps to stop mud from getting into the lens, as there aren’t any exterior transferring elements.It additionally comes with a sturdy aluminum alloy mount that provides a reassuring contact of solidity. Nonetheless, it doesn’t include a rubber gasket for higher moisture sealing. Viltrox did make an effort to incorporate a water-proof and anti-fouling coating on the entrance component of the lens to broaden its usability. As this lens just isn’t labeled weather-resistant, I’d be a bit extra cautious when utilizing it in tougher situations. Talking of the entrance component, the 50mm Air includes a concave entrance component, which isn’t generally seen—not less than among the many lenses I’ve used and am utilizing. Typically, the entrance component will have an effect on distortion and area curvature, although I’ve no data on whether or not this design impacts it positively or negatively. One necessary level to notice is that the entrance component sits fairly near the barrel; due to this fact, I’d even be extra cautious when capturing with none filters.Regardless of having a compact type issue of Φ65 x 56.5 mm and weighing simply 205 g, it has the correct amount of density—no bizarre rattling sound when shaking the lens. In truth, it doesn’t really feel something just like the toy-like plastic improbable 50mm we used to have again within the day. If something, it feels premium to make use of.
Options
The Viltrox AF 50mm f/2.0 Air presents a viewing angle of 47.4°, which, for my part, sits proper on the candy spot between vast and telephoto ranges. It presents a pure perspective and is flexible sufficient to really feel vast once you need context, but nonetheless able to isolating topics with compression when wanted. My suspicion is that this pure area of view is strictly why it continues to be a favourite for a lot of photographers—it simply works.
Judging by the 13 parts in 9 teams optical association discovered within the 50mm Air, it’s clear Viltrox has packed fairly a little bit of optical engineering into this compact type issue. It’s way more complicated than many commonplace nifty-fifty designs, which function a 7/6 or 6/5 optical format. Inside, it contains 3 ED parts, 4 high-refractive parts, and 1 aspherical component—all coated with Viltrox’s HD nano-coating. Whereas I can’t affirm each little bit of this advertising declare, primarily based on early utilization, the lens seems to have wonderful distinction, good readability, and sharpness even vast open. I’d go so far as to say this stage of picture high quality consistency just isn’t generally anticipated for a lens at this value level.
The utmost aperture of f/2.0, for my part, strikes a very good stability between value, weight, and optical efficiency. It presents shallow depth of area when wanted, clean bokeh, and good low-light dealing with with out pushing the optical design to extremes or making too many compromises. Some extent to notice is that the aperture of the 50mm Air solely stops all the way down to f/16 and never the same old f/22—however realistically, only a few conditions demand something narrower than that, particularly when utilizing a wide-aperture lens. The 9-blade aperture design produces decently spherical bokeh highlights however at the price of dramatic solar stars, as an odd variety of blades will create sunstar factors which are double the variety of blades—making them a bit too sophisticated for many tastes.
Autofocus is pushed by a stepping motor with a lead screw system, identified for delivering quiet and responsive focusing. The 50mm Air can also be able to supporting Eye and Face Detection AF and performs exceptionally properly in video purposes, with little or no focus respiration—one thing typically missed in funds lenses.Different small however considerate options that Viltrox included on this lens are digital contacts for full EXIF transmission, a USB-C port for firmware updates, and a regular 58 mm filter thread. In addition they embody a reasonably deep lens hood with a matte inside to stop reflections, which may be reversed for simple storage. The package deal additionally features a smooth pouch for storage, which is a pleasant contact. The one minor draw back is the minimal focus distance of 0.51 m. Whereas completely usable for normal pictures, it may be limiting if you happen to’re hoping to get nearer for element photographs.
Actual-World Utilization and Examples
From my preliminary testing, I’m fairly impressed with the Viltrox AF 50mm f/2.0 Air, because it delivers very pleasing rendering with vibrant colours and good distinction underneath most lighting situations. The lens helps burst mode properly, with no noticeable lag or delay in autofocus monitoring, even with face and eye detection AF. It is ready to lock focus rapidly and reliably, with no jumpy conduct even in steady AF, making it fairly succesful for each informal portraits and spontaneous road moments. Distortion management is strong and stored to a minimal. In follow, there’s little or no to complain about—except you are intentionally capturing straight traces and check charts.Flare resistance, nonetheless, is the place this lens begins to indicate its weaker facet. When a powerful gentle supply enters the body—particularly from the edges—ghosting and veiling flare grow to be very obvious. The included deep lens hood helps slightly, however it’s not an ideal repair. Stopping down at all times improves issues slightly, however to not a passable stage. I think inner reflections within the lens stands out as the offender. The presence of ghosting and veiling flare reduces each world and micro-contrast, giving photos a barely washed-out look underneath direct gentle. However when paired with the pure vignetting of the lens, the end result can look surprisingly film-like—low distinction, however nonetheless sharp the place it issues.
Talking of vignetting, it’s seen however not overly aggressive. It feels moderately pure even with out post-correction. Chromatic aberrations are additionally impressively properly managed—there’s a small trace of lateral CA in uncorrected photos, however in common use, it’s virtually a non-issue.
Sharpness is the place this lens actually shines. Broad open, heart sharpness is already wonderful, and it solely will get higher by f/2.8. By f/5.6, it turns into tough to seek out any main flaw throughout the body. Nook sharpness holds up properly too, with minimal smearing close to the perimeters. Whether or not you are capturing at medium distances or infinity, the extent of element is spectacular. Shut-focus sharpness additionally holds up surprisingly properly, though it’s value noting the minimal focusing distance of 0.51 m isn’t notably beneficiant. Regardless of that, at a sure distance, the 50mm Air splits the main focus airplane moderately properly, giving the picture a 3D look.
The lens does present some coma when shot vast open, which can be noticeable in night time scenes or astrophotography. However cease all the way down to f/2.8 or f/4, and it’s largely gone. Focus respiration is minimal, making the lens a very good choice for video work. The stepping motor is quiet and clean, with no seen stepping or jitter throughout focus transitions. Whereas there’s no built-in optical stabilization, it really works properly together with in-body stabilization for handheld capturing.
Do word that not all digital camera fashions help this lens absolutely, notably older Sony our bodies. Options like video AF—and even primary picture AF—might differ relying on the physique you pair it with. It’s greatest to verify the official compatibility record offered by Viltrox to keep away from surprises.
Extra straight-out-of-camera JPEG samples from the Viltrox AF 50mm f/2.0 Air, shot on the Sony a7R III.
Abstract
What I Appreciated
Worth
Nice optical efficiency (distortion management, sharpness, and distinction)
Inside focusing
Quiet and correct focusing
USB-C for future firmware updates
Hefty construct high quality
What May Be Improved
Ghosting and veiling flare
Minimal focus distance
From what I see, the Viltrox AF 50mm f/2.0 Air is made for photographers who worth picture high quality with out compromising an excessive amount of on portability—and most significantly, for individuals who need a dependable, on a regular basis 50mm that gained’t break the financial institution. It’s not good—the flare resistance and minimal focus distance could possibly be higher—however what you get is a pointy, contrasty lens with inner focusing, correct autofocus, and a compact type issue that matches simply into any digital camera bag. Whether or not you are a newbie constructing your equipment, a road shooter searching for one thing gentle, or perhaps a hybrid content material creator who dabbles in video, this lens presents wonderful worth. Priced at simply $199, the Viltrox 50mm f/2.0 AIR is a good lens for creators searching for a enjoyable and succesful 50mm if they do not already but to personal one.
