Viltrox 16mm f/1.8
Full-Frame AF 106º Ultra-Ultrawide
For Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount (LEICA, Sigma, Lumix etc.)
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance User's Guide
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Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version (also made for Sony & for L mount, metal 77mm filter thread, 20¾ oz./588 g, 0.9'/0.27m close focus, 0.10× macro ratio, as low as $523 for Nikon or $523 for Sony or $523 for L mount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). bigger. I got mine directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
February 2026, July 2025 Better Pictures Viltrox Canon Nikon Sony Fuji OM SYSTEM LEICA Zeiss HASSELBLAD All Reviews
Why Fixed Lenses Take Better Pictures
Sample Images top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance User's Guide
Recommendations More Information
More samples throughout this review at Bokeh, Falloff, Macro, Sharpness, Spherochromatism and Sunstars.
These are just snapshots; my real work is in my Gallery.
Under the Cayucos Pier, Cayucos, California, 9:16 AM, Thursday, 08 May 2025. Nikon Z5 II, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 at f/8 at 1/30 at Auto ISO 100, +1 stop exposure compensation (LV 10.9), Radiant Photo and Skylum Luminar Neo software, perspective correction in Photoshop CC. bigger.
Master Lock, Pacific Beach, California, 6:53 PM, Wednesday, 22 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/3.2 at 1/40 at Auto ISO 64, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 9.3), Radiant Photo software. bigger.
Even stopped down to f/3.2 I get great bokeh effects if I want them. It's great having a dedicated aperture ring that actually works so it was trivial to adjust it as I composed to get exactly as much in focus as I wanted.
Under the Pier, Pacific Beach, California, 7:28 PM, Wednesday, 22 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 hand-held at 1/8 of a second at Auto ISO 280, -0.3 stops exposure compensation (LV 3.2), Radiant Photo and Skylum Luminar Neo software. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original © 7.2 MB JPG image.
Yes, it's sharp out to the corners wide-open at f/1.8, but we do need to appreciate that at f/1.8 there isn't much in perfect focus, even as wide as 16mm. At first I was suspicious that this inexpensive lens wasn't sharp everywhere at f/1.8, but turns out that was more an effect of being out-of-focus in those areas.
Here it is sharp edge-to-edge, within the limitations of what's in perfect focus:
La Cocina, San Diego, California, 2:23 PM, Wednesday, 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 hand-held at 1/8 of a second at Auto ISO 200, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 3.7), Radiant Photo software. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original © 5.7 MB JPG image.
Grape Arbor, Mission San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California, 4:26 PM, Tuesday, 06 May 2025. Nikon Z5 II, Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 at f/11 at 1/30 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 11.8), Skylum Luminar Neo software. bigger.
Canary Palm, California, 3:27 PM, Wednesday, 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 at 1/640 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 11.7), Radiant Photo software. bigger or camera-original © 24 MP, 5 MB JPG file.
Remember that at f/1.8 not everything is in focus, and what is in focus is super sharp edge to edge! Bravo!
Sunset, San Diego, California, 7:36 PM, Thursday, 13 June 2024. Square crop from Nikon Z8 in Photoshop CC, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/6.3 at 1/160 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 13.3), Skylum Luminar Neo software. bigger.
Interior, Porsche Macan, 11:26 AM, Sunday, 02 June 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/11 handheld at 1/8 of a second at Auto ISO 250, -0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 8.6), Radiant Photo software. bigger or full resolution (45 MP, 5 MB JPG).
Stone Steps, 7:13 PM, Sunday, 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/4 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 10.6), Skylum Luminar Neo software. bigger or full resolution (24 MP, 4.5 MB JPG).
Interior, Porsche Macan, 11:22 AM, Sunday, 02 June 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/11 handheld at 1/8 at Auto ISO 125, -0.3 stops exposure compensation (LV 9.6), Radiant Photo software. bigger or full resolution (45 MP, 6 MB JPG).
Yellow 911 Targa 4 GTS, 11:00 AM, Saturday, 01 June 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode (24mm eq.), Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/6.3 at 1/180 at Auto ISO 64, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 13.3), Radiant Photo software. bigger.
Introduction top
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Specifications Performance User's Guide
Recommendations More Information
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
I'm impressed! I almost never look at third-party lenses as I prefer camera-brand lenses (if money is a problem I buy them used rather than a new junk-brand lens), but I love this bargain direct-from-China lens better than Nikon's old Z 20mm f/1.8 because it's better made and handles much better. It's also only half the price. In other words, I'm reviewing this lens because I prefer it to what Nikon sells. It's better, and half the price!
This is an extremely useful lens. Add it to a Z 24-200mm or Z 28-400mm and you're ready for anything. With any lens starting at 24mm you don't need a zoom like the laughably huge and impractical and slower Z 14-24mm f/2.8; all you need is this fixed 16mm lens and you're set. (more at Assembling a System).
Of course astronomers and Milky Way shooters are all over this lens; it's wider than anything this fast from Nikon or from Canon. Only Sony has a wider lens this fast. Sigma might have something, but it will be plastic from an off-brand so forget it.
I got my 16mm f/1.8 directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
It's much nicer than anything directly from Nikon, especially compared to Nikon's closest Z 20mm f/1.8, because it:
New Since the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 intro top
Adds all-metal construction - not the mostly plastic rubbish Nikon sells today.
Adds a real aperture ring.
Adds a dual focus preset button.
Adds a great always-on LCD screen with focus distance, apertures and live depth-of-field scales:
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version. bigger.
Good intro top
Surprisingly good optically. It might not be completely space-grade like the Z 20mm f/1.8, but overall it feels and handles much better which leads to better pictures.
Adds a real aperture ring.
Click on/off switch for the aperture ring.
Better than any other brand's aperture rings (like on the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L or anything from Sony), in any mode when you select an aperture, it sets that aperture. If you're in P mode it effectively puts you in A mode, and in S mode it effectively puts you in M mode. Unlike other brands, you don't have to change the camera's mode for this to work most of the time; just move the ring and bingo!, you've forced it to that aperture. (Leave this ring at "A" for the aperture to be selected from the camera.)
The LCD screen is on anytime the camera is on — not just for a few seconds after you had to press a button on the old Nikon lenses that had screens.
The always-on LCD screen is very responsive and reads much more data than the push-to-view OLED screens did on some old Nikon Z lenses.
LCD also shows a depth of field scale.
Better made out of all metal.
Stops down to f/22, not just f/16.
Adds a programmable Function button.
Second Fn2 button is a programmable dual focus-distance instant-recall button.
Real raised red mounting index ball, not an invisible white one.
Tight, precise and very well machined with no sharp edges. Bravo!
Cleaner than offshored Chinese-made products. In other words, when Nikon dumps production to China I often have to spot out many specks of mysterious white dust in my ultra-high resolution studio photos of the products as they are unwrapped, while this lens was unusually clean.
For Nikon, this is probably the very best dark-sky Milky Way lens, because it's as fast as Nikon's fastest Z wides, and it's wider than any other high-speed lens from Nikon. Wider lenses let us make longer exposures without a clock drive before we get blurred stars from the earth's rotation. (for Sony, get the FE 14mm f/1.8 GM.)
AF/MF switch.
Always-active manual-focus override, just like Nikon's own lenses.
Includes a hood.
USB-C jack on the mount for firmware updates.
"Dust and moisture proof:"
Bad intro top
There are occasional programming gaffes, like the fact that the in-finder focus distance reads incorrectly in my Z8 firmware 2.01 / 1.00 and that the Fn1 button only works with half the available options as set in my Z8. Otherwise it's inexpensive, works great and has a USB-C port in its mount for firmware updates, so what's not to like?
Missing intro top
The LCD is easy to read, however it has no manual or automatic brightness control to match ambient lighting.
LCD only seems to read in meters.
No Stabilizer switch for in-camera stabilization (no other unstabilized lens has this, either).
No case included.
Fn1 doesn't do anything with about half the options in my Z8
The depth of field scale outgrows the screen above f/4, so it only works at very wide apertures.
No deeper detents on the full-stop apertures.
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version. bigger.
Specifications top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance User's Guide
Recommendations More Information
I got my 16mm f/1.8 directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Camera Compatibility
It's a full-frame ultrawide. Use it on full frame. More than half the image is thrown away if used on an APS-C camera; I'd use an APS-C 6mm rather than a full-frame 16mm on an APS-C camera.
This Nikon version works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras.
The Sony version works on Sony E-mount cameras, both full-frame and crop-sensor APS-C. This includes all the variations of A7-, A1, A7-, A9-, A6xxx, A5xxx, FX, ZV and NEX series cameras. It will not work on any Sony A-mount DSLR or any Minolta MAXXUM 35mm SLR of any kind. Those use the old A mount which was actually the Minolta MAXXUM mount from 1987.
The L mount version should work on mirrorless cameras from LEICA, Sigma, Lumix and others that share this mount. I haven't tried them.
Format
This is a full frame lens and I'm reviewing it as such.
While it works fine on APS-C cameras, you're paying a premium price for the privilege of covering full frame. Using it on an APS-C camera throws away more than half of the image from this lens. Ideally use this lens on a full-frame camera for the results you deserve.
See also Crop Factor.
Name specifications top
Viltrox calls this the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 STM ASPH ED IF:
STM: STepper (autofocus) Motor.
ASPH: Specially curved aspherical glass elements for sharper pictures.
ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.
Model Numbers: AF16/1.8 Z (Nikon version) or AF16/1.8 FE (Sony version).
Optics specifications top
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 internal optical construction. ED and Aspherical elements. bigger.
15 elements in 12 groups.
4 ED elements: magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced axial secondary chromatic aberration.
3 Aspherical elements.
HD nanolayer multicoating.
Water- and crud-resistant coating.
Diaphragm specifications top
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version. bigger.
9 rounded blades.
Electronically actuated.
Stops down to f/22.
Filters specifications top
Metal 77mm filter thread.
Angle of View specifications top
105.6º diagonal on full frame.
Autofocus specifications top
STM + lead screw.
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus Scale specifications top
Yes, on the LCD!
Infinity Focus Stop specifications top
No, but you can program the Fn2 button function to recall preset focus distances, and by default one of these distances is infinity. I don't know that I trust it as much as a mechanical focus stop, but it's the best I've seen on any modern lens.
Depth of Field Scale specifications top
Yes, on the LCD in manual focus — however it runs out of room at apertures smaller than about f/4.
Infrared Focus Index specifications top
No.
Close Focus (distance from subject to image plane) specifications top
0.9 feet (10.6" or 0.27 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio specifications top
1:10 (0.10×).
Reproduction Ratio Scale specifications top
No.
Image Stabilizer specifications top
NONE.
Caps specifications top
Plastic front and rear caps included.
Hood specifications top
Included hood. bigger.
Case specifications top
None included. So?
Size specifications top
3.35" ø maximum diameter × 4.13" extension from flange.
85.2 mm ø maximum diameter × 105 mm extension from flange.
Weight specifications top
20.750 oz. (588.2 g) actual measured weight.
Rated 19.9 oz. (565 g).
Quality specifications top
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version. bigger.
Made domestically in China.
Announced specifications top
21 May 2024.
Promised for specifications top
2024.
Included specifications top
Lens.
Caps.
Hood.
Paperwork.
Model Numbers specifications top
AF16/1.8 Z, Nikon version.
AF16/1.8 FE, Sony version.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
09 February 2026
Nikon Z
$523 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $450 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sony FE
$523 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $433 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
L mount
$523 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL.
$580 at B&H and at Amazon.
07 July 2025
Nikon Z
$464 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sony FE
$464 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
24 March 2025
Nikon Z
$533.60 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sony FE
$533.60 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
23 October 2024
Nikon Z
$580 directly from Viltrox; coupon code KENROCKWELL may get a discount.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $500 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sony FE
$580 directly from Viltrox; coupon code KENROCKWELL may get a discount.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $500 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
02 August 2024
Nikon Z
$505 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL for 8% off $549.
$549 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sony FE
$534 directly from Viltrox with coupon code KENROCKWELL for 8% off $580.
$580 at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
17 July 2024
Nikon Z
$493 at B&H and at Adorama.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sony FE
$580 directly from Viltrox and at Adorama.
$493 at B&H and at Amazon.
About $400 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
June 2024
Nikon Z
$549 directly from Viltrox, at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $540 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sony FE
$549 directly from Viltrox for Sony, at B&H, at Adorama and at Amazon.
About $490 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Performance top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance User's Guide
Recommendations More Information
Overall Autofocus Manual Focus Breathing
Bokeh Distortion Ergonomics Falloff Filters
Flare & Ghosts Lateral Color Fringes LCD Macro
Mechanics Sharpness Spherochromatism Sunstars
I got my 16mm f/1.8 directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Overall performance top
This is a solid performer optically, ergonomically and mechanically for a discount price. Bravo!
Autofocus performance top
Autofocus is immediate.
It makes only the slightest noise as it moves internally. I doubt you'd notice it under anything but silence indoors.
Manual Focus performance top
Manual focusing is entirely electronic; the manual focus ring isn't connected to anything other than a digital encoder.
On Nikon, grab this electronic manual focus ring for instant manual-focus override anytime the camera is awake.
Even if you're in AF-C and grab the manual-focus ring, it just swaps to manual focus instantly and stays in manual focus. Other brands will try to fight you for focus if you're in continuous AF, while this lens just does what you tell it to do.
Bravo!
I haven't tried the Sony version.
Focus Breathing performance top
Focus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers that the image not breathe because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth.
There is no visible focus breathing.
Only in the lab can I detect the image growing only by the slightest amount as focused more closely.
Bokeh performance top
Bokeh, the feel, character or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is pretty good. Not much gets that far out of focus with a lens this wide, but it it does, it's soft.
Here's a snap from headshot distance wide-open. I'm focused on the DAVIS logo. Click for the camera-original © file:
Made-in-U. S. A. Davis 6357 Wireless Sensor Suite (use with WeatherLink console), 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 at 1/4,000 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.3), Radiant Photo software. bigger or camera-original © file.
Master Lock, Pacific Beach, California, 6:53 PM, Wednesday, 22 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/3.2 at 1/40 at Auto ISO 64, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 9.3), Radiant Photo software. bigger.
Even stopped down to f/3.2 I get great bokeh effects if I want them. It's great having a dedicated aperture ring that actually works so it was trivial to adjust it as I composed to get exactly as much in focus as I wanted.
As always, if you want to throw the background as far out of focus as possible, shoot at f/1.8 and get as close as possible.
Distortion performance top
The Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 has minor barrel distortion. It does not correct with in-camera correction.
For more critical scientific use, use a correction factor of +1.20 in Photoshop's lens correction filter at infinity, +1.50 at 30 meters (100 feet) and +1.80 at 10 meters (30 feet):
On Full-Frame |
|
Infinity |
+1.20* |
30 meters (100 feet) |
+1.50* |
10 meters (30 feet) |
+1.80* |
*Very slight waviness remains after these corrections.
Ergonomics performance top
Ergonomics are superb.
It feels great in hand; far more solid than anything from Nikon, Canon or Sony. Metal feels great, especially when you use screw-in filters as I do and don't have to worry about cross threading the crappy plastic filter threads of most other lenses today.
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version, with 77mm filter. bigger.
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The front flare is nice; it keeps your fingers from gliding off the front and getting in the way of your picture.
The focus ring ribbing feels soft and shallow, it lacks the "bite" of similar metal ribbing on LEICA M lenses.
The LCD is easy to read, however it has no brightness control. It's easy to read indoors, but you'll want to shield it from direct sunlight to read it well outdoors.
The aperture ring is magnificent! It's ribbed just right for lots of grip. The A setting makes this lens work like every other lens, with the aperture controlled from the camera, while better than any other brand of mirrorless lens, setting it to any aperture setting other than A forces the lens and exposure system to that manually selected aperture. Bravo! This saves us the annoying extra steps needed with other brands to change exposure modes to let the camera use the manually set aperture. Bravissimio!
There's a CLICK ON/OF slide switch.
The AF/MF and CLICK ON/OFF switches copy Canon's.
There are Fn1 and Fn2 buttons under rubber on the left.
Falloff performance top
Falloff can be visible because cameras don't do much to correct it automatically. I like this because it emphasizes the ultra wide-angle effect and also keeps people's eyes from wandering out of my image.
I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background; it will not look this bad in actual photos of real things:
Falloff on full-frame at infinity, correction at its default of NORMAL:
© 2024 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
Impressively my Nikon Z8 actually does a little bit of correction at NORMAL.
If I go out my way to turn off the correction, this is what I get:
Falloff on full-frame at infinity, correction turned OFF:
© 2024 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
Filters, use with performance top
There's no need for thin filters. I can use a standard rotating polarizer or grad filter with no vignetting on full frame, but it's tight.
I can't stack two filters unless I'm OK with a little vignetting.
Avoid polarizers with ultrawide lenses; the sky's natural polarization can appear as a dark band across the sky.
Flare & Ghosts performance top
There's only a few small ghosts. This is great for such a fast, wide and complex lens.
See examples at Sunstars.
Lateral Color Fringes performance top
There are no color fringes as shot on Nikon cameras as JPG, which by default correct for any that may be there.
If you shoot raw and then use non-manufacturer software to process that data into images then there is the possibility that there might be some.
LCD Screen performance top
The LCD is always on whenever the camera is awake.
We don't have to do anything to make it turn on; it's just on and powered from the camera.
There isn't a way to turn it off; real men use electrical tape if we have to. Be careful, tape will probably leave goo on your screen, so don't do that.
Macro Performance performance top
It gets close, but it's so wide it doesn't look that way. If you want macro results, try a different or a dedicated macro lens.
At least it's reasonably sharp up close:
At f/1.8
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 at 1/4,000 at Auto ISO 64, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 14.3), Radiant Photo software. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (5.16× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your phone, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 11 × 16" (0.9 × 1.3 feet or 25 × 40 cm).
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 21 × 31" (1.7 × 2.6 feet or 50 × 80 cm).
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 42 × 62" (3.5 × 5.2 feet or 1.05 × 1.6 meters).
At f/8
Stopped down it's super sharp (like every lens), and falloff is much less:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 at 1/4,000 at Auto ISO 64, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 14.3), Radiant Photo software. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (5.16× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your phone, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 11 × 16" (0.9 × 1.3 feet or 25 × 40 cm).
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 21 × 31" (1.7 × 2.6 feet or 50 × 80 cm).
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 42 × 62" (3.5 × 5.2 feet or 1.05 × 1.6 meters).
Mechanical Quality performance top
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version. bigger.
It feels as solid as a rock and everything moves completely without play — the way LEICAs used to be built. By comparison, Nikon's and Sony's plastic-barreled lenses feel like junk. This lens feels much better than any of the camera brand lenses today.
Finish
Black anodized aluminum alloy.
Hood
Plastic bayonet.
Front Bumper
None.
Filter Threads
Aluminum alloy.
Hood Bayonet Mount
Aluminum alloy.
Barrel Exterior
Aluminum alloy.
Focus Ring
Solid aluminum alloy.
Function buttons
Rubber-covered clicky buttons.
Aperture Ring
Solid aluminum alloy.
Slide Switches (AF/MF & Click ON/OFF)
Plastic.
Identity
Printed on a ring around the front element, inside the filter threads.
Internals
Seem like all metal!
Dust Gasket at Mount
Yes, in orange!
Mount
Chromed metal.
Markings
Everything's engraved and filled with paint, except for the printed identity on the ring around the front element.
Serial Number
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version. bigger.
Sticker glued on bottom of the lens barrel, a crappy way to do this for a product that's handled all day.
Date Code
None found.
Noises When Shaken
Nothing. It's as solid as a rock.
Made in
Made domestically in China.
Sharpness performance top
Super-sharp even wide-open at f/1.8:
Canary Palm, California, 3:27 PM, Wednesday, 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 at 1/640 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 11.7), Radiant Photo software. bigger or camera-original © 24 MP, 5 MB JPG file.
Remember that at f/1.8 not everything is in focus, and what is in focus is super sharp edge to edge! Bravo!
Porsche Macan, 11:31 AM, Sunday, 02 June 2024. Nikon Z8, Nikon SB-400 flash for fill, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/4 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 64, -0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 10.6), Radiant Photo software. bigger or camera-original © LARGE NORMAL JPG file (6 MB).
Under the Hood, Left, Porsche Macan, 11:33 AM, Sunday, 02 June 2024. Nikon Z8, Nikon SB-400 for fill, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/11 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 720, -0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 10.0), Radiant Photo software. bigger or full resolution (45 MP, 2.5 MB JPG).
Under the Hood, Right, Porsche Macan, 11:32 AM, Sunday, 02 June 2024. Nikon Z8, Nikon SB-400 for fill, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 at f/11 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 1,600, -0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 8.8), Skylum Luminar Neo software. bigger or full resolution (45 MP, 2.5 MB JPG).
Lens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that.
If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 or smaller at ISO 1,600 or above at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image.
People worry waaaaay too much about lens sharpness. It's not 1968 anymore when lenses often weren't that sharp and there could be significant differences among them; ever since about 2010 all new lenses are all pretty much equally fantastic.
This lens is sharp all over, limited of course by depth-of-field at large apertures and diffraction at the smallest apertures. See also How to Calculate the Sharpest Aperture.
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 claimed MTF wide-open at f/1.8 (black) and at f/8 (blue), at 10 cyc/mm (bold) and 30 cyc/mm (light). Sagittal (solid) and meridional (dashed). bigger.
Spherochromatism performance top
Spherochromatism, also called secondary spherical chromatic aberration or "color bokeh," is an advanced form of spherical and chromatic aberration in a different dimension than lateral chromatic aberration. It happens mostly in fast normal and tele lenses when spherical aberration at the ends of the color spectrum are corrected differently than in the middle of the spectrum. Spherochromatism can cause colored fringes on out-of-focus highlights, usually seen as green fringes on backgrounds and magenta fringes on foregrounds. Spherochromatism is common in fast lenses of moderate focal length when shooting contrasty items at full aperture. It goes away as stopped down.
It has a small amount of spherochromatism; I've never noticed it outside of this test:
Mondaine A132.30348.11SBB at close-focus distance, 29 May 2024. Nikon Z8, Viltrox Z 16mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 at 1/10,000 at Auto ISO 64, +1 stop exposure compensation (LV 15.6), Radiant Photo software. bigger or camera-original © 24 MP, 5 MB JPG file. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (5.16× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your phone, then the complete image printed at this same high magnification would be about 11 × 16" (0.9 × 1.3 feet or 25 × 40 cm).
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same very high magnification would be about 21 × 31" (1.7 × 2.6 feet or 50 × 80 cm).
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 42 × 62" (3.5 × 5.2 feet or 1.05 × 1.6 meters).
Sunstars performance top
With a 9-bladed rounded diaphragm, I get nice, sharp 18-point sunstars on brilliant points of most moderate and small apertures.
Click any to enlarge:
Click any to enlarge.
User's Guide top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance User's Guide
Recommendations More Information
I got my 16mm f/1.8 directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Aperture Ring
You can leave it at A, in which position it makes the lens work like other lenses, always controlled from the camera.
If you want to use Program exposure mode as I usually do, you have to leave it at A.
Set it to any other aperture and it will work at that aperture, and change the camera's exposure mode accordingly.
Instead of having to switch the camera from Program to Aperture-preferred or from Shutter-preferred to Manual, just turn the ring with no need to change anything on the camera.
BRAVO! This is like modern CONTAX cameras.
Fn1 Button
I haven't gotten this to work well yet. All I wanted it to do is focus lock, but darned if I can get it going on my Nikon Z8.
Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, Nikon Z version. bigger.
Focus Preset (Fn2 Button) user's guide top
The Fn2 button only works with the lens' AF/MF switch in MF mode.
The Fn2 button does its own thing; it doesn't respond to the menu settings in my Nikon Z8.
As shipped, pressing the Fn2 button will rack the lens all the way in and out between either 0.27 meters or infinity each time you tap it.
This seems like a weird feature, but what it is is a dual focus-preset function, even more clever than on camera-brand super telephoto lenses because you can program two distances for immediate recall!
The infinity setting (Fn2 B) is extremely useful for astronomy. You can reprogram it if you like, but I'd leave it at infinity
The other (Fn2 A) you might want to program to a typical hyperfocal distance, or anything you like.
It's easy to reprogram either setting:
Set the lens to MF.
Tap the Fn2 button until the LCD shows A or B, whichever you want to reprogram. (I'd reprogram the A setting and leave B at infinity).
Focus manually to your desired distance (or switch to AF, autofocus to your desired distance, and switch back to MF without touching Fn2).
Hold the Fn2 button for a second or so until the letter on the LCD turns cyan, and you're set.
If you want to set either A or B to infinity, simply do the same thing, focussing on infinity before you hold the Fn2 button.
Recommendations top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance User's Guide
Recommendations More Information
I got my 16mm f/1.8 directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
With day-to-day changes in USA tariffs I can't vouch for what may happen getting it directly from Viltrox as I did. Last I asked them they were now shipping from a USA warehouse for USA orders to fix the potential problem. This can change at any minute; if it's a concern, ask Viltrox and be sure to tell them where you are located.
This is an extremely useful lens. Add it to a Z 24-200mm or Z 28-400mm and you're ready for anything.
With any lens starting at 24mm you don't need a zoom like the laughably huge and impractical Z 14-24mm f/2.8; all you need is this fixed 16mm lens and you're set. (more at Assembling a System).
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap (exactly like an iPhone) so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.
The best protective filter is the relatively indestructible 77mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and has special coatings that really do repel dirt and fingerprints.
For less money, the B+W multicoated 010 MRC is an excellent filter, as is the 77mm Nikon Clear (NC - UV), the 77mm Canon PROTECT and the basic multicoated 77mm Hoya UV filter, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.
If I was working in nasty, dirty areas and don't want to spring for the HD3 filter, I'd use a plain glass (uncoated) 77mm Tiffen UV filter instead. Plain glass filters are much easier to clean with soap and water or Windex out in the field, but more prone to ghosting.
Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt, and will outlast this lens.
All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece. Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 40 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s!
I got my 16mm f/1.8 directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
More Information top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance User's Guide
Recommendations More Information
I got my 16mm f/1.8 directly from Viltrox for Nikon (use coupon code KENROCKWELL possibly for an 8% discount). It also comes for Sony (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL) and it also comes for L mount (also possibly a discount with coupon code KENROCKWELL). I'd also get it at B&H (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), at Adorama (for Nikon Z and for Sony) or at Amazon (for Nikon Z, for Sony & for L mount), or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
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