The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO has formally arrived, introducing the corporate’s new EVO lineup for Sony full-frame cameras. This compact 85mm portrait lens is designed to steadiness efficiency, measurement, and worth for creators who desire a light-weight choice on this basic focal size.
Over the past 5 years, Chinese language third-party lenses have turn out to be a a lot greater a part of the mirrorless market. Manufacturers like Viltrox, SIRUI, and 7artisans have helped fill the area left by main producers similar to Sony, Nikon, and Canon, whose personal lens ecosystems have turn out to be more and more costly. By providing extra budget-friendly choices with sensible options, these corporations have opened the door for a lot of new shooters trying to broaden their equipment.
We lately coated the Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 AIR, a small wide-angle lens that demonstrated how compact Viltrox designs can get. The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO follows that very same concept within the portrait class, with a concentrate on portability, ease of use, and acquainted dealing with for Sony customers.
Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO key options
- Full-Body Protection | f/2 to f/16 Aperture Vary
- Quick Portrait-Size Prime
- Nano-Coating and Resistance Coating
- 2 ED & 2 HR Lens Components
- 10 Components in 8 Teams
- 9-Blade Diaphragm
- Minimal Focus Distance: 2.43 ft (0.74 m)
- STM Stepping Motor with Handbook Focus Override
- 58mm Entrance Filter Thread
- USB-C Port for Firmware Updates
Picture credit score: Viltrox
Compact design and on a regular basis usability
At simply 340 grams / .74 lbs, the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is the smallest and lightest full-frame 85mm lens within the firm’s lineup. It feels nicely balanced on Sony mirrorless our bodies and has a sturdy construct with an aluminum alloy mount. This mixture of portability and sturdiness makes it appropriate for portrait classes, journey pictures, and general-purpose capturing.
The lens design emphasizes tactile management. A devoted Operate (Fn) button, a click on change, and an AF/MF toggle enable for fast changes with out digging by way of menus. These easy bodily controls make operation easy and direct.
Picture credit score: Viltrox
Optical efficiency and character
The optical design consists of 10 parts in 8 teams, with two ED and two HR parts working collectively to attenuate aberrations and protect distinction throughout the body. As with most lenses, sharpness usually improves when stopping right down to round f/4 or f/5.6, providing extra constant element from heart to nook.
Third-party lenses typically present their best variation in efficiency when shot broad open, and it is going to be fascinating to see how the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO handles that when it’s within the discipline. On paper, the mixture of optical coatings, ED and HR parts, and a comparatively vivid f/2 aperture means that Viltrox is aiming for a succesful and balanced design at this focal size.
Autofocus and construct high quality
Autofocus is powered by a stepping motor (STM), offering quiet and responsive focusing for each pictures and video. Handbook focus override is alleged to really feel easy and well-damped, permitting for finer changes when wanted.
The housing seems to be stable whereas remaining light-weight. The mount is aluminum alloy, and the remainder of the physique makes use of supplies designed for normal use with out including pointless heft. A rubber-sealed mount and a smudge-resistant entrance aspect coating add mild climate resistance. Firmware might be up to date instantly by way of the built-in USB-C port, permitting for future digicam compatibility assist.
Picture credit score: Viltrox
My take
I’m not a Sony shooter, however I was. I normally work with Canon and RED cameras. Nonetheless, the rising variety of third-party Sony autofocus lenses has me tempted to modify again. With choices from Viltrox, Tamron, and SIGMA, Sony shooters can experiment extra simply and discover lenses that go well with their workflow.
What stands out concerning the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is how sensible it appears. It’s small, mild, and designed for easy on a regular basis use. I most likely wouldn’t shoot at 85mm on a gimbal fairly often, but it surely’s good to have that focal size in a lens so mild you’ll barely discover it in your bag. At this worth level, it’s an fascinating new choice for Sony shooters trying to broaden their equipment with out going all-in on higher-end glass.
Picture credit score: Viltrox
Worth and availability
The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is listed at $275, and is obtainable to buy now.
For extra details about the lens, go to Viltrox’s official web site.
What do you assume? Does the value, measurement, and weight of the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO make you contemplate switching third occasion lenses? Share your ideas within the feedback beneath.
