Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 vs Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S

If you need a 24mm prime lens for the Nikon Z system, two of your choices are the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 and the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. There’s a serious worth distinction between them, however not less than each lenses have autofocus capabilities and a Nikon Z mount! So, which one must you get?

Preliminary Issues

Definitely, the 2 lenses that I’m evaluating right now might be described as “funds” and “high-end” respectively. There’s a cause why the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 prices $380 and the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 prices $1000, and it’s not simply in regards to the model identify.

I’ll get into the picture high quality facet of issues momentarily, however it’s in all probability not a lot of a spoiler to say that the Nikon Z lens is clearly forward in that regard. For now, let me give attention to a number of the different issues first.

The largest one which stands out to me is weatherproofing. The Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 doesn’t have climate sealing in any respect, whereas the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S is extensively sealed. This alone may make the distinction in case you’re planning to make use of the lens in adversarial situations. Personally, as a panorama photographer, I’m at all times standing by my tripod within the rain ready for the sunshine to interrupt – and I’d a lot somewhat belief the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S in that state of affairs.

One other distinction is dealing with. The Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 is an all-metal lens, whereas the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 has a mixture of steel and plastic development. Each really feel well-built, however the Viltrox is smaller and lighter than the Nikon. It weighs 370 grams in comparison with the Nikon’s 450 grams (AKA 0.82 kilos versus 0.99 kilos). That’s in all probability not sufficient to matter, however it’s not invisible, both.

When it comes to autofocus, the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 undoubtedly shocked me with its good autofocus efficiency – quick, correct, and quiet. The Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S’s autofocus measures as barely extra constant beneath lab situations, however nothing that’s more likely to be apparent in real-world images.

Lastly, I ought to point out that there’s at all times some distinction between first-party and third-party lenses. Nikon may at all times come out with a firmware replace that harms the Viltrox’s autofocus efficiency. Props to Viltrox for constructing a USB-C port into the AF 24mm f/1.8, to be able to mitigate this potential challenge. However I nonetheless belief a local lens greater than an off-brand lens, all else equal.

Picture High quality

1. Vignetting

The Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S has a lot better vignetting efficiency than the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8. Not solely is the Nikon lens a lot better wide-open, however upon stopping down, vignetting shortly reaches negligible ranges on the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. Considered one of my largest complains with the Viltrox is that it has noticeable vignetting even at panorama apertures like f/8 via f/16.

2. Lateral Chromatic Aberration

Each lenses management lateral chromatic aberration to a really spectacular diploma. You’ll not often, if ever, see this sort of coloration fringing with both lens in real-world photographs, even with chromatic aberration corrections turned off.

3. Distortion

The 2 lenses have very totally different distortion profiles, with the Viltrox measuring at 0.83% pincushion distortion and the Nikon measuring at -1.34% barrel distortion. It is a slight win for the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8, though neither lens has excessive sufficient distortion to be a nuisance in observe. I also needs to point out that the Viltrox’s distortion profile isn’t simply easy pincushion distortion – it’s extra of a wavy, mustache-shaped distortion, which generally is a bit tougher to take away fully in post-processing.

4. Sharpness

Now for the second of fact! Thus far, the Viltrox lens is trying fairly good for the worth, not less than in case you don’t want intensive climate sealing. However how do the 2 lenses carry out in sharpness? Right here’s what we measured within the lab.

It’s fairly clear that the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S is the sharper lens. Central sharpness is rarely significantly shut – the Nikon is method forward, even on the narrower apertures. Nook sharpness additionally favors the Nikon lens, however it doesn’t actually draw back till f/4. And it’s actually the midframes the place we see the largest disparity, as a result of the Viltrox has intensive subject curvature that harms its sharpness on flat topics (similar to overlooks the place all the things is close to infinity focus).

Nonetheless, the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 isn’t a horrible performer and places up an affordable efficiency right here. The Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S is just one of many sharpest 24mm lenses we’ve ever examined, so it makes the Viltrox look worse by comparability.

Worth and Suggestions

I don’t assume that any photographers would severely argue that the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 is a greater lens than the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. However is it a greater worth? At $380 somewhat than $1000, there’s undoubtedly a case to be made.

To me, the largest points with the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 are the dearth of weatherproofing and the excessive ranges of vignetting all through the aperture vary. Sharpness additionally clearly favors the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S, however the Viltrox isn’t fatally unhealthy in that division.

Personally, I might not less than contemplate in search of a used copy of the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S earlier than shopping for the Viltrox, because the Nikon might be discovered for some fairly good costs on eBay lately. It’s undoubtedly the higher lens, and if yow will discover an excellent worth on a used copy, I might snap it up.

That stated, the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 is clearly nonetheless cheaper. When you’re prepared to work round a few of its points, you will get some nice photographs with the Viltrox and maintain tons of of {dollars} in your pocket alongside the way in which.

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Let me know within the remark part if in case you have any questions on these two lenses! I’ve used them each within the subject extensively and can be glad to assist.