Battle of the 85/1.8s: Viltrox vs. Sony & Zeiss

Battle of the 85/1.8s: Viltrox vs. Sony & Zeiss - Whoa!

Рет қаралды 9,856

3 жыл бұрын

Best 85 for the price? I can't think of anything as complete for the money. Buy Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 II here: geni.us/K9sEc8
You can find Laur on instagram here: / laur.weeks
The TWO things I forgot to mention: the Zeiss has the best weather sealing (Viltrox makes NO claim for weather resistance); and close-focusing performance on EVERY lens will be different than at infinity - but I REFUSE to do that many tests when there are others far more qualified than I to do them.
NB: Viltrox sent me the lens, but had no input into my review.
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Пікірлер: 71

@CalMukumoto 3 жыл бұрын

I always considered Hugh a brilliant man, with that ending, I am convinced he is.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

🖖🏻

@reidmcclure1438 3 жыл бұрын

I’m convinced as well Cal!

@j16m02 3 жыл бұрын

Good stuff as usual. As a casual enthusiast, I was about to bail out of the Sony FF system because the price and size of Sony glass. (I shoot m43 as well) but, over the last year, Viltrox and particularly Samyang have completely changed the FF landscape, putting Sony's feet to the fire. BTW, thanks for having the courage to add that ending. I was going to predict you'd take a lot of crap for it, but on second thought, I suspect that the audience you appeal to is pretty much of like mind. Bravo!

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

We LOVE our YT community!

@davidburns9471 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you again for a great review and comparison. I love the choice of Wilson as your optical target. Very amusing! As for your ending....wonderful! You are not alone, even though I do not live in the US, many of my family do and they are appalled at what is happening. We are having our problems here in the UK as well!

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Thank YOU. We live in strange times; we need to take fuller authorship of our own lives. Not easy.

@JamesGamesDotCom 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the review. Excellent and pragmatic as always. But, it was your comment at the end that got me to subscribe. Thank you!

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome!

@acheekymonkey 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for doing the tedious testing so we don't have to! I used to think my hobby was photography but realized it was, in reality, watching photography videos and pixel peeping. It brings so much enjoyment! Love the channel so I'm off to join your Patreon. Cheers!

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome, John!

@jackmatthews9390 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the review Hugh. A great one that cuts to the chase. Even though you put so much work into it to make it look reasonably easy ;-). However, I sign off as silent majority;-). Love to you and Claudia!

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻😎

@markadams9403 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for an other super review. The Viltrox is a compelling package. I'm thinking about a new camera - but I might just have found my next lens first! On a separate note - I loved your book from the moment it arrived, and it's the one in the bookcase that I keep returning to when I need some inspiration for my own projects. Thanks Hugh.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

I’m so pleased, Mark - thanks for sharing! 🙏🏻😊🖖🏻

@albertmeyer8983 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this HONEST review! 👍

@ObservingBeauty 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic review. Would love to see similar comparison for the Fuji X Viltrox 56mm 1.4., and in specific, does Viltrox fully compatible with software features? (I saw that on Fuji, parameters setting of AF speed are not responsive) Thanks!

@wanderingwongs7464 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, Hugh! Just what I was looking for. BTW, just signed up to be a patron. The end of this video was the tipping point 😉. Stay safe!

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome!

@wanderingwongs7464 3 жыл бұрын

@@3BMEP Great to be here. Love your review style.

@art_by_adrian2913 2 жыл бұрын

Sir the bravery to close out a stellar video like that is incredible I'm a massive fan I've lost a lot of respect for a lot of people during these trying times, it's amazing how just saying the truth what is in front of our very eyes is something to be debated upon now a days also you just solidified my choice that the viltrox is amazing thanks so much hopefully I get mine soon

@3BMEP 2 жыл бұрын

😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

@ahmonon4352 3 жыл бұрын

Zeiss Batis is an amazing lens, for those who really cares about wide open sharpness, nice Straight out of camera color and minimal CA, it's a must have 85

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

It IS a fantastic lens.

@nealeblackburn6019 3 жыл бұрын

Nice to see a positive review for the Viltrox I got mine because it fit the budget based on the fact that it wasn't a must have for my day to day work but I have an irrational affection for the 85mm focal length - I'm very happy with the purchase and the results so far and find myself making excuses to use it more than I expected I was going to. As I do a lot of low light action higher ISO work I don't see any real quality issues between this my sony or Nikon native glass. If money was no object I'd have the Zeiss but in the current uncertain climate the premium cost is prohibitive and the quality differences for my work simply don't span the price differential. I like this nearly as much as my G Master 135 F1.8 almost.. Keep up the good work Hugh

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

High praise indeed: that Sony 135/1.8 is outstanding. Enjoy!

@thomashilmersen711 3 жыл бұрын

That Wilson looks like the kind of pal everyone should have in a time of crisis and upheaval.

@bdk1417 3 жыл бұрын

If you have the Zeiss and the Viltrox sitting on the table and you are headed out the door (you need an 85), which one do you grab? The other one gets sold online.

@williamhindle4366 Жыл бұрын

Zeiss

@pavchoo 3 жыл бұрын

Nicely done. Vote 👍

@jeffgrischow1734 3 жыл бұрын

Great video again, I really appreciate the time you've taken to review an affordable lens. And the ending is brave and very important - kudos again for that! Many Canadians like myself are thinking of our brothers and sisters in the US, and you've emerged as an important voice in the fight for democracy and a better future.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻🖖🏻 Jeff! 😊

@brktallman 3 жыл бұрын

Always enjoy your videos and appreciated this one more than most. Thank you for going there in the end. Having moved from the United States to Norway 20 years ago, I can hardly recognize my country any more. Things need to change. Anyway, enough politics. Loved the review. Own the Zeiss Batis (actually all of the Zeiss Batis lenses save the 25) and couldn't be happier. I feel it is good that third party brands are pushing the big names now. I creates competition and a better, cheaper product for everyone. Keep up the good work, and if you ever make it to Norway, look me up.

@QuietOC 3 жыл бұрын

DXOMark only seems to measure lateral CA.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Matthew Huizing If true, this would be disappointing. Source?

@peterhill1944 3 жыл бұрын

Angry Photographer also gives this and other Viltrox lenses high praise. He says that part of high quality images are in part to the fact that they are using old school glass formulation. Have you looked into this? I have been very happy with the Fuji lenses I own but as a result of online images of the Viltrox I am considering buying the 33 and 85mm for my XT4.

@alanbinder6945 3 жыл бұрын

I do not regret the purchase of my 85 and now 56mm viltrox... How ever...I will say my copy of the 23mm was not pleasing. If I shot manual the lens was soft or sometimes out of focus... In auto it was perfect. I now have the 23mm v2 and it is excellent. I believe, (and it escapes me who said it in a review) that Viltrox may be more prone to bad copies here and there long as you have a good copy they're well performing lenses perhaps the only Mark against them is as Hugh said , having warranty work done through their customer service . For me, my customer service experience has been done through text messages instead of emails. 🤔

@SlotCarNewsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, yes, yes and Yes... on ALL comments in this video. Every. Single. One.

@Mr09260 3 жыл бұрын

You left the best out the Z Nikkor 85 f1.8 S lens ..best in class

@charlesmichaud6990 3 жыл бұрын

Can't do much about your final remarks from here in Montreal. I will say, however, we're a bit worried about the neighbors living below. Still I trust cooler, smarter heads will prevail come November. Let's hope this nano-era will shed light on the value of real education. So back to the art. I wholly agree the optics market is moving in very exciting directions. Would have loved to see the Nikon Z 85 in that lineup, just for kicks. I can testify it fits very well into mine. I feel no envy.

@Benjamin_Jehne 3 жыл бұрын

The Sony 85mm F1.8 is a beast in terms of AF speed. Would be nice to see a 50mm F1.4 from Viltrox.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

@Antnie 3 жыл бұрын

#vote

@stephenmorgan5100 3 жыл бұрын

AS always a great presentation. I have been shooting for longer than I care to remember, far before digital raised its head. If you can't take a photo with 99% of modern lens you would not have stood a chance in the 70's & 80's. Way too much attention is put on gear these days, everyday a new 'must have piece of kit comes out',which by magic will totally transform ones images according to manufactures. Perhaps it's time to stand back from gear and take photos again. When KZfaq first really took off, photography channels where about how to take a good photo, it now seems 75% of them are on gear and how the gear will make you take a better picture.

@ccbphoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Hugh!

@lhutton1 3 жыл бұрын

Wowed 😎 In a pure Sony world that was never to happen with a lens of that price.

@bobhanuman65 3 жыл бұрын

The zeiss is far superior in video autofocus. I think a better all around lens. You can get a nice used copy for between 7-800. All 3 are great lenses.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Good input - thanks!

@fepethepenguin8287 3 жыл бұрын

Voting is Consent

@mizinoinovermyhead.7523 3 жыл бұрын

I have owned the Viltrox for a while. Gotten second hand off reddit, at even less than new asking price. At 300 used, or 400 new you cannot beat its quality. the zeiss is not 3 times the lens. The sony might be a third better than it maybe if you need autofocus that badly. It is a beautiful lens and not the only one viltrox makes for sony e-mount. You should check out their 24mm.

@ChipBeforePC 3 жыл бұрын

Hugh... Once again you have delivered both an extremely entertaining and truly informative well balanced review and comparison of these lens with real world perspective, analysis and evaluation... Thank you... And in spirit of Steve Jobs ("Just one more thing...") without the need to resort to bleach, UV, material misrepresentations or tamper with USPS you have present just the facts! Bravo!!

@ronaldsand3000 3 жыл бұрын

It’s very interesting how so many of these Thor party lenses are a fraction of the cost of the camera manufacturers one’s Obviously the cheaper ones are either stealing the R&D or the just making products without the huge profit margins

@seattlevkk 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the ending. Things like Viltrox won’t be available if the trade war is escalated foolishly and without vision.

@bernardosilva7306 3 жыл бұрын

Wait!!! Wilson is not a soccer ball, it’s a volley ball! Blasphemy! :)

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

😜🖖🏻

@gregcorker2193 3 жыл бұрын

This review, like pretty much all of those I have viewed on 3BM&E was informative, richly engaging, and frankly a gift. Regarding your political observations I am reminded of how much is at stake in this election, and perhaps in a bigger sense how badly Americans need to find “The Undiscovered Country”.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

@steven54 3 жыл бұрын

I wonder how they can produce those great lenses at such a cheap price compared to the Japanese. It’s a complete mystery.

@ericludwig9014 2 жыл бұрын

man, adding political sentiments to videos doesn't always age well lol. Great video though it helped me a bit. I currently own the Viltrox 85 and love the quality it produces. I shoot mainly video though and the auto focus is not great. That said, I'm using it on an a7s2 which isn't great at auto focus. I'd like to compare it's auto focus on an a7s3 to the Zeiss and Sony FE. My daughter loves the Viltrox and uses it almost exclusively for her photography portrait sessions.

@davebrown2332 3 жыл бұрын

As ever, excellent and insightful , love my Viltrox 85 on my XT3 and its sibling the 23mm F1.4. Looking forward to a trinity with the 56 F1.4. Best of luck for the election from this side of the pond..We are counting on you all to bring some sanity , as well as some dignity to the office..

@devorator724 3 жыл бұрын

Kinda outdated since you did not test the Sigma 85mm DG DN

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

That’s a 1.4. But I thought enough of it to buy one for my SL2.

@clausstahl5166 3 жыл бұрын

You are the only youtuber I watch who has the courage to make a Statement for humanity and against fascism and Trump...and don't forget I am german so I recognize fascism immediately. Thank you for that

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻 Thank YOU.

@kaptnwelpe5322 3 жыл бұрын

Those who tell you in germany what to recognize as fascism - could those be - fascists? Even better: germans are forced to pay them (Rundfunkabgabe) - regardless of breaking the german constitution in doing so (Artikel 1 GG)... . If you stand for your rights - they will seize your bank account and even put you into jail. Too bad most germans are "Mitläufer" and haven't learned anything from the "Dritte Reich" - but how could they?

@clausstahl5166 3 жыл бұрын

@@kaptnwelpe5322 you are comparing the (Rundfunkabgabe) with the dritte Reich??? 🤦‍♂️

@kaptnwelpe5322 3 жыл бұрын

@@clausstahl5166 Nice try. Read my words again. But - as I assume - you're paying the federal broadcast fee (they are federal agencies by law) - here some informations you should know: - the Indendant of the Hessischer Rundfunk wrote me that Gewissensnot (moral dillema) can't be proven (!!!) and such I have to pay them. - the Hessischer Rundfunk asked another agency (in Wetzlar...) for help seizing my bank account as they can't do it themselves - I told those civil servants (Beamte) about my case and told them that according to Art. 1 GG THEY HAVE to protect my rights - even it is against any order or help request of another agency. I told them that the GG gives them not only the right to disobey but they MUST do it. Didn't bother them at all... You know why we have those articels in the GG? Now ask yourself: are YOU willing to pay the broadcasting fee knowing that those who you forced to pay are breaking the laws in a fascistic way? And even more important: HOW could it be that civil servants are mistreating the GG? Isn't the only reason that they can't be fired so that they are free to protect the rights of the people against the government? Ask yourself: HOW could it come this far again... PS: I don't mind if you're going to pay them further - for most people life is much easier without having a seized bank account. Maybe you just have to disrespect yourself a little bit. But who cares as long a there is an easy fight against "real" facism whose real purpose is to make you feel better...

@clausstahl5166 3 жыл бұрын

@@kaptnwelpe5322 Du verennst Dich. Hier geht es um Trump und seinem offenen faschistischen Auftreten. Du kommst mit der GEZ. Merkst Du was??? Und lass es jetzt gut sein, Du machst es mit jedem Satz nur noch schlimmer. Ich wollte hier nur einem amerikanischen KZfaqr meinen Respekt zollen, weil er sich gegen Trump und seine Ideologie stellt.