Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 vs Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8

I had the possibility to check the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 and Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 extensively within the discipline – a part of my quest to seek out the very best wide-angle prime for the Nikon Z system! Each of those lenses goal for low costs reasonably than most efficiency, however which is definitely higher?

Preliminary Concerns

Earlier than I get into the variations in picture high quality, I ought to be clear that the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 and Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 have been designed with totally different objectives in thoughts. Viltrox’s intent was to supply f/1.8 at a low value, whereas Nikon was extra centered on minimizing dimension and weight.

Why am I evaluating these two lenses, then? As a result of proper now, they’re two of the one price range wide-angle primes for the Z system! The Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 prices $380, whereas the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 prices $300. In case you’re attempting to save cash as a Nikon mirrorless shooter, I’m positive that each of those lenses are in your radar.

In case you have a look at the supposed makes use of of each lenses, you’ll really discover numerous similarities. Each are price range lenses geared towards journey pictures greater than the rest. The Viltrox’s energy is low-light, handheld journey pictures, whereas the Nikon’s energy is that it’s mild sufficient to hold all day with out weighing you down.

It’s not that the Viltrox is a large lens by any stretch, nevertheless it’s greater than double the load and dimension of the Nikon (370 grams vs 155 grams to be precise). That’s not stunning contemplating that it may well collect greater than twice as a lot mild at f/1.8!

A ultimate consideration that I’d like to say is weatherproofing. Whereas the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 has good mud and moisture safety, the Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 has none. This undoubtedly undercuts among the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8’s worth for journey and panorama pictures, the place a sudden rainstorm might all the time seem and swamp your gear.

Picture High quality

1. Vignetting

Each lenses have extra vignetting than I’d like, even at narrower apertures like f/8 by means of f/16. Within the shared aperture vary, the outcomes are very comparable; the Viltrox wins at f/2.8 particularly, whereas the 2 lenses are principally tied after that.

2. Distortion

The Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 measures at 0.83% pincushion distortion within the lab, though in actuality, it displays complicated mustache-shaped distortion that isn’t all the time straightforward to take away utterly. In the meantime, the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 has -2.39% barrel distortion, which is on the excessive aspect for a primary lens, however nonetheless correctable. The Viltrox in all probability wins this spherical, nevertheless it’s fairly shut.

3. Lateral Chromatic Aberration

That is our first clear win up to now, with the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 having hardly any chromatic aberration, whereas the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 has reasonable ranges. In case you’re taking pictures backlit, high-contrast topics (like tree branches towards the sky), you’ll must preserve chromatic aberration corrections turned on with the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8. It’s nonetheless not excessive sufficient to be uncorrectable, however the Viltrox in all probability received’t want any corrections in any respect.

4. Sharpness

That is what I used to be essentially the most interested in. On one hand, the Viltrox is a comparatively low cost third-party optic, which isn’t normally an indication of killer sharpness. Alternatively, Nikon undoubtedly was aiming for mild weight reasonably than most sharpness with the Z 28mm f/2.8. We’re in for an attention-grabbing comparability!

Because the two lenses have totally different most aperture values, just be sure you’re evaluating the identical apertures if you’d like a real head-to-head comparability.

Whenever you try this, it’s clear that the 2 lenses are in the same ballpark. The Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 has greater nook sharpness at f/2.8 and f/4, whereas the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 has higher central sharpness at f/4 and narrower. Midframe sharpness favors the Nikon lens, for the reason that Viltrox has some intensive discipline curvature points. And on the narrower apertures of f/8 and past, the Nikon wins throughout the body, though usually not by enormous margins.

All in all, I’d give the nod to the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8, nevertheless it relies upon the place you look within the picture. The Viltrox undoubtedly holds its personal.

Worth and Suggestions

Each of those lenses are well-priced and characterize good values if you happen to’re on a price range. There isn’t a simple “winner” of this comparability, as a result of it relies upon upon what qualities you worth essentially the most in your personal pictures.

The Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8, for instance, is clearly the higher selection if you happen to plan to do low-light, handheld pictures, because of the f/1.8 most aperture. Plus, many photographers favor a 24mm focal size lens over a 28mm lens for one thing like panorama work.

Alternatively, the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 is unquestionably the way in which to go if portability is your precedence. You could possibly carry two copies without delay and nonetheless be touring lighter than one copy of the Viltrox! It additionally has weatherproofing, which the Viltrox lacks – a significant component if you happen to plan to take pictures in adversarial climate.

As for picture high quality, I personally wouldn’t select between these lenses for that cause; each are strong performers and surprisingly much like each other. However if you happen to’re completely on the fence, the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 has marginally higher sharpness, so possibly that can sway your determination.

In any case, I don’t assume you possibly can go improper with both lens if you happen to want a wide-angle prime on a price range! However hopefully this text gave you a transparent image of the strengths and weaknesses of every lens, each within the lab and within the discipline.

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Let me know within the remark part when you have any questions on these two lenses! I’ve used them each within the discipline extensively and could be comfortable to assist.