Wide angle lenses used to be necessarily bigger and more expensive in the past. Yet, this affordable and compact option from Viltrox just makes sense.
Not more than a decade ago, prime lenses with relatively large apertures and autofocus would have to make quite a financial dent. Thankfully, the market has been diversified, and photographers who would like to try out different perspectives with different focal lengths can easily choose from a range of lenses without having to spend so much.
There are various reasons to get a budget wide angle prime lens for your camera depending on what you primarily use and what other lenses you have. For a beginner who has just started with a camera body and a kit lens, having a fast wide angle prime can be a good first step if it is what fits their preferences. For a more experienced photographer who either generally uses zoom lenses or longer focal length lenses in general, there is also value in having a wide lens just in case, especially if this lens doesn’t feel like it’s adding to the bulk of their gear. Third, of course, is for anyone who prioritizes size and portability when shooting and/or traveling. For any of those reasons, this compact wide angle prime from Viltrox might be an option to consider.
The Viltrox 20mm f/2.8
This portable wide angle prime lens comes in at just 65 x 59.5mm (2.55 x 2.34 inches) and weighs just 157 grams (0.34 lbs). This weight is primarily because of the mixed plastic and aluminum construction of the lens. The majority of the barrel, including the textured aperture ring, which comes in either black or white matte texture, is made of hard plastic. At the bottom is an aluminum alloy lens mount with electronic contact for autofocus and EXIF information, and a USB-C port for quickly updating the lens’ firmware whenever available.
Aside from the lens markings and the singular focus ring, the length of the barrel has no switches or buttons. Switching the autofocus off has to be done through the camera’s menu system instead. On the front-most part of the lens is a 43mm front glass element surrounded by a larger 52mm filter thread. The Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 also comes with a plastic petal-type lens hood that can be inverted when not in use.
Image Quality, Vignette, and Distortion
Though image quality and sharpness tend to be relatively similar across the aperture range, it is apparent that center sharpness is visibly best at f/5.6 and corner sharpness is best at f/8, while there is very minimal decrease in sharpness at the center. Regardless, shooting at f/5.6 to f/8 gives the best sharpness altogether.
When at f/2.8, there is a subtle but visible vignette on the corners that gradually reduces at f/4 and disappears at f/5.6. Lastly, there is a minimal barrel-type distortion when shooting with a full frame sensor (basically cropped with an APS-C), and it is easily and automatically corrected by either the in-body lens correction or lens correction in post).
Initial Impressions
Out of the box, the first noticeable aspect about this lens is the size and the weight. It is without a doubt an ultra-light and compact wide angle prime. Whether as part of a set of lenses to be used interchangeably or as a single lens to consistently accompany your camera body, how light and compact this lens will impact your workflow and comfort.
While the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 was made to be compatible with full frame cameras, it is also, of course, compatible to be used with APS-C sensors or full frame cameras on crop mode. While this may be a trivial aspect to most users, the difference between a 20mm on a full frame and virtually a 30mm with the crop factor can have so much impact in terms of perspective and framing. This not only makes it applicable in more use cases but, more importantly, makes it a versatile imaging tool.
Personally, as a landscape photographer, I most of the time prefer zoom lenses as I always take into account possible physical obstacles that will prevent me from stepping forward or backward to achieve the right framing. However, there are certain benefits that prime lenses uniquely offer. For one, a wide angle lens with a large aperture would not be compact if it were a zoom lens. More practically, a fixed focal length lens adds a physical challenge that can benefit creativity but at the same time eliminates a logistical challenge because of the weight and size.
Application
One thing that photographers must understand about lenses is that most of them are not made for just a single purpose. Many resources about camera gear will tell you that wide angle lenses are for landscapes, and while that may be true, they certainly are not limited to that. On a full frame camera, the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 was, of course, useful for photos of wide views and cityscapes. While it might not be as wide as the typical 16-35mm ultra-wide angle zoom, it makes up for it in portability and convenience, especially when being used as part of a set of lenses.
While the lens is significantly compact, one of the minor details that I appreciate is the fact that they made the filter thread larger than the front glass element, making the filter size a more common 52mm instead of smaller sizes that are less common in the market.
On the other hand, when used with an APS-C camera or with a full-frame camera on crop mode, the 1.5x crop factor makes a huge difference in perspective and consequently, the use case. Using primes on a walk-around camera is entirely based on preference and compositional style.
For me, using a 30mm, which is the resulting focal length with the crop factor, gives me my preferred perspective specifically for urban street photography that involves the surrounding architecture.
Another use I found for a compact 20mm f/2.8 lens would, of course, be video and content creation. On a full frame camera, this can be very helpful when shooting within a relatively tight space. On crop, this gives a subtly wide angle perspective that does not distort the subject too much but shows enough of the surroundings. This, of course, also benefits users who prefer a light and compact setup, especially when being used with a small vlogging camera. The autofocus is fast and responsive enough to keep track of the subject even while filming on the go, and the f/2.8 opening obviously helps in relatively low light situations.
Altogether, the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 lens is a viable choice for any photographer or videographer who is looking for a budget-friendly wide angle prime lens. The focal length itself is not a new option, but in combination with its size, the overall functionality, and the price point, it is certainly something to consider, especially for
What I Liked:
- Budget-friendly wide prime option
- Large aperture on a compact lens
- Sufficient autofocus
What Can Be Improved:
- Minimal distortion
- Vignette at f/2.8
