Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Full-Frame Lens for Sony E-mount

I have been attracted by the number of top reviews by experts I respect. I received my lens promptly in a well packed and sealed box. I am impressed by its presentation. It is thoughtful too that the product includes accessories like caps and a bag. I will give it a fair tryout and report my opinions in a future review. Thank you.

I’m an experienced lens reviewer - did it for the British Journal of Photography for ten years around the time of the mirrorless transition, started in the 1970s. I know what to look for in the fingerprint of a lens without using a test chart or an MTF testing system. The Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 is exceptional optically, even wide open its fine detail resolution (on 61 megapixels) extends to the extreme corners, improving a barely discernable amount at f/2.8 but any further stopping down (at least until if softens through diffraction beyong f/11) only changes depth of field. It has zero effective distortion and a perfectly flat field at normal working distances and no significant vignetting. It’s got neutral colour (I was testing it alongside a new 28-105mm f/2.8 lens, which had a distinct warm cast), good contrast, and resists flare. It’s also super-light, small, and when used for video the STM motor is silent enough but also very smooth in changing focus when moving across a scene with different subject distances, and on my A7RV had no tendency to lose the target and hunt. It’s hard to believe for under $160 shipped rapidly to the UK.

Nice lens. Fast delivery. Many thanks.

Excellent logistics and delivery service. This is my first Viltrox lens. I have been most impressed by the reviews of their products. Now comes the in the field use to see if I find the same high regard many others have. If so, I see a long and satisfying relationship ahead for both of us. Thank you.