‘Lightweight, razor-sharp, and budget-friendly’ — why I’m not taking the Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO off my camera
Over the past few weeks I’ve been testing the new Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO, and I have to say it’s a fantastic lens that proves once again that the Chinese brand can make stellar optics for a fraction of the price of some proprietary options.
We’ve been fans of Viltrox for a while now at TechRadar, but it’s safe to say that this EVO is already one of my favorites. This is a short, lightweight, exceptionally sharp telephoto lens, And economic. Honestly, what’s not to like?
Improving an already excellent formula
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Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO info
Weight: 340g / 12oz
Opening: f/2 to f/16
Price: $275 / £265
Frames: Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z
Available at Viltrox and Amazon
This isn’t my first experience with Viltrox’s offerings – in fact, I was very fond of the brand’s first 85mm f/1.8 Z. I’ve had this lens for a few years now, and it’s been a staple in my bag – especially when, like many photographers, I took it on my obligatory trip to Japan.
This goal was (and still is) very, very good; It’s just a little heavy at 19.3 oz/548 g. At the time, I made it clear that I would be happy to lose a few stops for a less dense lens, so on paper, the EVO is pretty much exactly what I was asking from the brand.
And I have to say, I think the EVO might actually be sharper than its f/1.8 cousin. I don’t have any MFT charts or fancy studio scenes to compare details to, but I took thousands of images with the old lens and almost thousand with the EVO.
My impression is that the EVO is a little sharper and a little less contrasty. Scientific, I know, but the images are particularly sharp with this new 85mm. I find that the images have a little less character, but the result is more modern. It reminds me a lot of the various Sigma primes I’ve tried over the past few years, which always look nice and sharp.
The older f/1.8, by comparison, has a kind of flattering softness that I think really lends itself to portraits. It’s certainly not a soft lens, far from it, but it just gives a very nice and natural look. In terms of character, this is definitely my favorite of the two lenses and remains a great choice if you’re looking for a traditional portrait lens.
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However, I think the EVO is overall the better package at the moment. Objectively, it’s still a very good lens optically, and Viltrox has really taken the design to another level with this iteration.
Not only are the weight savings hard to ignore (340 vs 550g), but you now get a fully waterproof lens at a very respectable price. Outside? An FN button, an AF/MF switch and a nice aperture ring that pairs wonderfully with Nikon’s Z cameras.
Both lenses are very well built, made of metal, but the EVO now also thankfully includes a lens hood and cap that aren’t complete garbage. I never understood why Viltrox previously included such poor plastic fittings on these premium lenses, but now the brand has fixed that problem entirely with plastics that won’t rattle annoyingly or come loose in your bag.
This 85mm is perfect for street photography
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This lens was stuck on my Nikon
I usually carry an 85mm in my bag at all times because I think it’s one of the most versatile lenses. If you’re used to wider lenses, an 85mm might seem a bit restrictive at first. However, once you get used to it, it’s a fantastic focal length that can allow you to isolate subjects, create abstraction, and play with depth of field.
I particularly like an 85mm for street photography – and that’s a use case for which the EVO is almost tailor-made. Its size naturally makes it a little less visible than most 85mm primes, while the weather sealing is absolutely fantastic for adverse conditions on the street – or while traveling, for that matter.
Because it’s so small, it’s also a lens you can throw in your bag just in case. Even if you’re not someone who is naturally drawn to a closer lens, the EVO is a really compelling package that’s not only light in the bag, but also light in the pocket.
I think I’ll still bring the other Viltrox 85mm for portrait sessions, but otherwise the EVO seems like the natural choice. I usually judge a lens by whether it inspires me to shoot, and the EVO has been stuck to my Nikon Z6 for over a month now, so there must be something in it.
Get it while you can?
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It was quite interesting to read the whispers of an impending legal battle between Nikon and Viltrox while testing this lens. Praise aside, this definitely made me question whether recommending this lens was the right thing to do, as details on the actual case are still emerging.
I suspect the two brands will reach some sort of agreement; likely with Viltrox paying some form of licensing fee. Will this affect the prices of its Z Mount lenses? This seems likely, so you might consider paying a bit more than the $275/£265 this lens currently fetches.
In a worst-case scenario, Viltrox could even suspend its full-frame Z Mount offerings. I obviously hope that’s not the case because the brand offers some truly fantastic gear at a price that most photographers can afford. This is a very valuable thing in such an expensive hobby, so I sincerely hope that Viltrox and Nikon can resolve any dispute amicably.
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