Viltrox Ultra-Wide 13mm f/1.4 Auto-Focus for Nikon Z Review
There's only one way to review a lens like the new Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 Auto-Focus lens for Nikon Z mount crop (DX / APS-C) cameras and that is to take it out in the real world. In this video, I will be using this lens with my Nikon Z fc to capture landscape photographs from Dartmoor National Park. I've also filmed this video using the lens, so I'll also share my thoughts on how it performs with the Nikon Z fc for video capture.
Filling a Gap in My Lens Collection
I’m lucky enough to own all the lenses that I need for my Nikon Z7 for landscape photography (like the excellent Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S). Anything else that I need to do something specific I will just rent. The lens line up for Nikon’s Z crop sensor family of cameras is a different matter though.
I love my Nikon Z fc, but the range of Nikon Z DX lenses is sparse, to say the least. Fortunately, companies like Viltrox have stepped up and are producing some excellent budget prime lenses for the Nikon Z mount. A firm favourite of mine is the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 for the Nikon Z fc. I have used this lens extensively, both for creating my videos and for capturing family photographs.
However, I’ve always wanted a wide-angle version of the Viltrox 23mm. So still fast aperture, but a little wider so that video creation on location is a little easier. It would also make for a great lens for those times when I only take the Z fc out to capture landscape photographs.
When Viltrox told me about the 13mm f/1.4 AF lens for Nikon Z fc (and Z50), and they asked if I wanted to review it, I jumped at the chance. And now I’m ready to share my video review with you.
I hope you found this video useful and if you want to see the photos from the video again, you’ll find them just below.
Landscape Photographs with the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF
Trevose Head, Cornwall
Trevose Head Lighthouse at Sunset #1, Cornwall - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1.6 sec at ISO 320.
Trevose Head Lighthouse at Sunset #2, Cornwall - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 5 sec at ISO 100.
Belstone Tor and Common, Dartmoor
Belstone Sunset #1, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/25 sec at ISO 100.
Belstone Sunset #2, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/8 sec at ISO 100.
Belstone Sunset #3, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/16, 1/10 sec at ISO 100, 16:9 crop.
Irishman’s Wall Sunset #1, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/8 sec at ISO 100, 16:9 crop.
Irishman’s Wall Sunset #2, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/8 sec at ISO 100, 16:9 crop.
Belstone Sunrise #1, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/3 sec at ISO 100.
Belstone Sunrise #2, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 0.6 sec at ISO 100, 4:5 crop.
Belstone Sunrise #3, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/4 sec at ISO 100.
Bowerman’s Nose, Dartmoor
Bowerman’s Nose Sunrise #1, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/3 sec at ISO 100.
Bowerman’s Nose Sunrise #2, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/5 sec at ISO 100.
Bowerman’s Nose Sunrise #3, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/13, 1/6 sec at ISO 100.
Bowerman’s Nose Sunrise #1, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/10 sec at ISO 100.
Bowerman’s Nose #1, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF, f/11, 1/100 sec at ISO 100.
Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 AF for Nikon Z Mount - Review with Real World Concert/Gig Photographs
In this video, I look at the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 autofocus lens for Nikon Z mount. Over the last few weeks, I've had this lens attached to my Nikon Z7 and I've been using it to capture images of the concerts/gigs I've been photographing. I'm missing a fast prime from my gig photography kit bag so will this fill the gap?
And Now for Something Completely Different
Last year I picked up two Viltrox lenses, a 23mm f/1.4 and a 24mm f/1.8. As you can see from my review of those lenses I was rather impressed by the quality and features given their relatively low price point.
So, when Viltrox reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try their Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z mount I said no. Well, initially anyway. After all, 85mm isn’t exactly the go to focal length for landscape photography. Then I had a rethink.
Perhaps this lens would be a good option for me for when I’m shooting live music and gigs. I’ve been shooting concerts and gigs for many years now, but I don’t often talk about it here or on my YouTube channel. You can, however, see my work in this area of photography here.
The global pandemic had prevented me from capturing images of live music and gigs for the last year or two, but with the restrictions on concerts gradually lifting, I was starting to get back into this dynamic area of photography.
My kit bag for this type of photography is dominated by fixed aperture zoom lenses, but I’ve been missing a fast prime since I moved to the Nikon Z system. The opportunity to Viltrox’s fast 85mm prime came just at the right time.
In the video below I’ll share with you my thoughts on this lens, how it’s performed while photographing concerts and of course, I will share some of the photographs I’ve been capturing with this lens.
Live Music Photographs Shot with the Viltrox 85mm
Other Photographs Shot with the Viltrox 85mm
Landscape Photography with the Viltrox 23mm and 24mm Lenses for Nikon Z Mount (Review)
In this two for one blog post, I share with you my video reviews of the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 and 24mm f/1.8 lenses for Nikon Z mount by heading out on location to capture some landscape photographs.
From No Choice to Lots of Choices
I’ve loved my Nikon Z7 from the moment I got it but the one minor gripe I did have at the time of purchase was the lack of native Z mount lenses. Two years on and the landscape of Z mount lenses is quite different. Nikon has flushed out their lens line up and several 3rd party lens manufacturers have started producing Z mount lenses. I’m almost spoilt for choice now!
For the most part, I prefer the convenience of zoom lenses for my landscape photography. For me, they are a good balance between flexibility in focal length and aperture. Many of my landscape photographs are captured between f/8 and f/13 so I didn’t have a need for fast aperture lenses. Since purchasing the Nikon Z fc though, I now need a fast prime for my video work and capturing family photographs.
While I could have purchased some of Nikon’s excellent prime lenses for Z mount, I wanted something that was a bit more budget friendly. How much you choose to spend on a lens will be based on several factors, but I decided to look at the Viltrox lenses as I felt they represented a good balance between price, quality and how often I was going to use them.
In the videos below I explain why I have the 23mm f/1.4 for Nikon DX (crop) lens and the 24mm f/1.8 for Nikon full frame, what I think of these lenses, and I’ll do the most important thing with any bit of gear and that is head out on location to capture some landscape photographs!
