Sony vs Viltrox lens comparison (Page 2): A Dx crop of 20mm leaves you with less than 15MP. If you want 28mm just get a 28mm lens and keep all of those MP. The Sony version is a known...

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Canisdirus wrote:

Neither...I'd get the Sony 20mm f/1.8.

You can easily crop with 33MP down to 28mm if you need to.

It's tack sharp, and gives a very flat image...so astrophotography as well...very well.

Frankly, it' a steal.

A Dx crop of 20mm leaves you with less than 15MP.

If you want 28mm just get a 28mm lens and keep all of those MP.

The Sony version is a known performer and the price is not much higher. We don't have any reputable reviews on the Viltrox, just marketing hype and hearsay.

You can get a used Sony 28mm for about 1/2 the price in EX+ condition at KEH.com.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

dkeysser wrote:

I am debating between the Sony 28mm f2 and the Viltrox 28mm f1.8, mostly for street photography; shooting on Sony A7cii. price and aperture differences not an issue, just overall image quality. Suggestions? Thanks.
Don

What ever lens is smaller and lighter. You want to stay as inconspicuous as possible.
I used to carry mine at belly button level against me and just turn and shoot. Sorta like the camera was taped to me, I would carry it that close.
You may also want to consider the very, nice, very compact, very inconspicuous Sony 20 mm 1.8 lens. It get excellent reviews and is very sharp.
But, I have to tell you, if I find someone who really impresses me, I go out of my way and ask to take their image.
But most of the time I just really look for a good shot while carrying my 70-200, this lens gives you a DISTANCE from folks, so they do not feel their personal space invaded and most of the time I go unnoticed, especially at 200mm.
Below is an example of this type of street photography, by the way, it is referred to street photography because your the one in the street. And your images do not always have to include people to be effective.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

billnikon wrote:

What ever lens is smaller and lighter. You want to... (show quote)

Patriotic, and kids as cute as can be ❤️🤍💙🤍❤️

Canisdirus

User ID wrote:

True, its priced competitively, but its still way bigger and more expensive than the lenses in question here. But thanks for bringing it up, cuz now that Ive looked it up Im tempted.

It's a stellar lens...really GM status...and not very big. It crushes night skies.

User ID

Canisdirus wrote:

It's a stellar lens... .....It crushes night skies.

Excellent double entendre. Its almost poetic.

gwilliams6

In a tough SAB (Sony Alpha Blog) sharpness test, testing their image sharpness on the 61mp A7RIV, the Viltrox 28mm f1.8 tested as "Very Good", while the Sony 28mm f2 tested two whole categories below as just "Average".

I had the Sony 28mm f2 and it was ok on my 24mp A7III, but once I went up in megapixels with later bodies, I sold the Sony 28mm f2 as IMHO its image quality just didn't hold up with fully resolving those higher megapixel sensors, sorry.

Here are the SAB sharpness test results charts. See for yourself:
https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv/

FYI, right now the Sony 28mm f2 lists for $448 USD new on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-SEL28F20-Standard-Prime-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B00U29GN6O

The Viltrox 28mm f1.8 lists for $379 USD new on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/VILTROX-28mm-F1-8-FE-Wide-Angle/dp/B0C55CVMWC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=828SAGPFLF30&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WXnkJG6fPJl4SmwruiDmpR1kMhYgwkRYOimZQGHlrgDPBE05_NfVMOAHddVyRqs-GtnHBXtSxfKl63Spt3ZsQImFYy6vIpf1A2OAopzbLV63-vXU2AR9p4G3GFj_rN8kNrPUx1agQNj5TDiK9Z7f_eUeVz34iXW53Z7urheCW2i79O9plMf7nBNOLBZ263-yqsE31lWyGPwfi7h5VEdPeJsIjcHQVib3wKCNnQbZG27dg_ZOPSgLenL58HbAvnZZzLmSaqOaAfNN7NR-VKLmWdwgFKGy_ktSDlkr_PaIMqY.Ps44dSaRRHBWrNsxYFJFtyLEiLyslJCtw8PT5a8nnKM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Viltrox%2B28mm%2Bf1.8%2Blens%2Bfor%2BSony&qid=1711251718&s=electronics&sprefix=viltrox%2B28mm%2Bf1.8%2Blens%2Bfor%2Bsony%2B%2Celectronics%2C137&sr=1-3&th=1

The sharper lens costs less in this case for a new lens.

CLICK ON DOWNLOAD of attached file (below), to see a sharpness comparison chart at various f-stops of these two lenses and some other competitors. My recommendation between the two would be to choose the Viltrox.

FYI, I have owned Sony A6500, A7RII, A7RIII, A7III, A9, A7RIV; and currently own A1, A9III, A7RV. I currently have 13 E-mount lenses covering 10mm to 600mm from Sony, Sigma Art, Tamron, Viltrox and Laowa. Viltrox quality and value is excellent.

Cheers and best to you.

Attached file:
(Download)

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

gwilliams6 wrote:

In a tough SAB (Sony Alpha Blog) sharpness test, t... (show quote)

That's nice to know but we really need more information. Sharpness is only part of the story. It would help to know about CA and distortion and other stuff.

The Sony has at least been around long enough to be available used for a much lower price.

User ID

selmslie wrote:

That's nice to know but we really need more information. Sharpness is only part of the story. It would help to know about CA and distortion and other stuff.

The Sony has at least been around long enough to be available used for a much lower price.

I use my E-mount lenses on both Sony and Nikon bodies. One of the cool side effects is that in the Nikons theres no lens correction profiles ! Anywho at 45MP with no low pass filter the Sony 28/2.0 is really great across most of the format, the area we all use.

But what about the outermost regions ? If I cared about whats out there Id report on it, for better or worse. But being a somewhat sensible and extremely expert user, I have absolutely nothing to report.

If you wanna know about useless stuff, you know you can always count on william. Its simply not my job.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

gwilliams6 wrote:

In a tough SAB (Sony Alpha Blog) sharpness test, t... (show quote)

I think that it makes a big difference whether you test a lens on a 61 MP or 33 MP body, which is the sensor OP is using. Older lenses, like the Sony 28mm lens, show their limitations on high-resolution sensors while performing well at lower resolutions. This is why the Sony Alpha Blog tests have to be taken with a grain of salt.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

zug55 wrote:

I think that it makes a big difference whether you test a lens on a 61 MP or 33 MP body, which is the sensor OP is using. Older lenses, like the Sony 28mm lens, show their limitations on high-resolution sensors while performing well at lower resolutions. This is why the Sony Alpha Blog tests have to be taken with a grain of salt.

You might see a difference in sharpness at 45 or 61 MP but you need to pixel peep to see it. There is a good chance that you will be the only one that will ever see it.

Most of us don’t print larger than 17x22. Even 24MP might be overkill.

Canisdirus

zug55 wrote:

I think that it makes a big difference whether you test a lens on a 61 MP or 33 MP body, which is the sensor OP is using. Older lenses, like the Sony 28mm lens, show their limitations on high-resolution sensors while performing well at lower resolutions. This is why the Sony Alpha Blog tests have to be taken with a grain of salt.

That's true of all lenses.

Glass is a longer term investment. A great lens will be used for decades.

So the lower resolution compromise...is just that...a compromise.
In 5 years, you may just be shooting with a higher MP body...and then you have a lens that you loved...look anemic.

It's better to get the best glass...even if you have to wait a bit to get it. You'll be using it long after you trade up on the body.

It's better to compromise on the body...than the lenses.

gwilliams6

selmslie wrote:

That's nice to know but we really need more information. Sharpness is only part of the story. It would help to know about CA and distortion and other stuff.

The Sony has at least been around long enough to be available used for a much lower price.

Look at this review by SAB for your inquiries: https://sonyalpha.blog/2023/10/16/viltrox-28mm-f1-8/

And with their price being almost the same, why would anyone choose the lesser image quality lens, not me, ever.

Cheers and best to you.

gwilliams6

zug55 wrote:

I think that it makes a big difference whether you test a lens on a 61 MP or 33 MP body, which is the sensor OP is using. Older lenses, like the Sony 28mm lens, show their limitations on high-resolution sensors while performing well at lower resolutions. This is why the Sony Alpha Blog tests have to be taken with a grain of salt.

SAB says that if you read the article. But 33mp of the A7CII is higher than the 24mp where you would be hard pressed to see the resolution and sharpness difference. And if the OP ever upgrades to even higher than 33mp, the OP wont have to sell and buy other lenses to resolve those sensors.

SAB's does more Sony E-mount lens (OEM and third-party) testing than any other testers, and its lens testing and sharpness ratings are widely regarded as the most comprehensive. Top Pros and hobbyists alike take them with "more than a grain of salt" , LOL

With the price actually favoring the sharper Viltrox, why would anyone buy the lesser lens, not me. And BTW, the Viltrox has an aperture ring that you can adjust manually or leave in auto mode for the camera to adjust. This is a feature on more expensive, newer lenses, but you get it for a price less than the new price of the Sony.

Remember I owned the Sony 28mm f2, and its shortcomings became evident when I moved beyond 24mp sensor cameras. I sold it and bought better resolving glass, the right move IMHO.

I know there may be some inherent reluctance on buying anything but OEM Sony glass. But this longtime pro has learned you buy the best gear you can afford. And nowadays that includes excellent and affordable glass from third-party lens makers.

As I said, I own excellent glass from Sony, Sigma Art, Tamron, Viltrox, Laowa for my A1, A9III, A7RV. And the glass I have chosen will resolve sensors on my 50mp A1, my 61mp A7RV as well as my 24.6mp A9III.

Cheers and best to you.

gwilliams6

Canisdirus wrote:

That's true of all lenses. br br Glass is a longe... (show quote)

gwilliams6

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