LENS TEST
This wideangle prime for Sony full-frame cameras is startlingly cheap, but does this mean it’s overly compromised? Andy Westlake finds out
One of the attractions of mirrorless systems has always been the promise of smaller and lighter cameras and lenses, especially wideangles. The Viltrox AF 20mm F2.8 FE is, perhaps, a case in point. It’s a remarkably small wideangle prime for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, that measures less than 6cm long and weighs a mere 157g. It’s also astonishingly cheap – it can be bought from the firm’s online store for around £125, including free shipping.
To put this bargain-basement price into context, we only have to look at the competition. The closest alternative is the Tamron 20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD Macro, which focuses closer but is rather larger, and costs £299. There’s also the Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE, which is similar in size and weight for £345. We’d usually consider both of these lenses very affordable, but the Viltrox is a fraction of the price.
With its 20mm focal length, this lens looks like an incredibly tempting option for anyone who’d like to complement a standard zoom with something a bit wider. It could be especially interesting for travel photographers who enjoy shooting subjects such as landscapes, architecture, or interiors, and might also be ideal for vloggers. But given the low price, can it really be any good?
Features
On paper, one area where Viltrox doesn’t appear to have skimped lies with the optics. The AF 20mm F2.8 FE employs 10 elements in 8 groups, including two made from extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and one from high refractive-index (HR) glass to minimise chromatic aberrations. Two aspherical elements are also on board in a bid to maximise corner-to-corner sharpness. The firm’s HD Nano multilayer coating is employed to suppress flare and ghosting, while the front element is treated to a waterrepellent coating.
The aperture diaphragm is formed of 7 blades, with no real effort made to deliver a rounded opening for attractive bokeh. But this makes sense, as you’re rarely going to get much in the way of background blur anyway.
Focusing is internal, driven by a stepper motor. The minimum focusing distance is just 19cm, which delivers 0.17x maximum magnification. Filter users are accommodated via a 52mm thread, and a bayonet fitting, petal-shaped hood is supplied.
One neat feature is a USB-C port embedded into the lens mount, which is used for updating the firmware. Connect th
