Viltrox AF 28mm F1.8 Z
Launch MSRP
$379- Weight
- 367g
- Filter
- ⌀55mm
- Min focus
- 0.37m
- Max mag.
- 0.10×
- Formula
- 11E / 9G
- Released
- 2023
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x ED
- 2x Aspherical
- 3x HR
- Nano Multi-layer Coating
- Aperture range
- f/1.8 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 367g
- ⌀ × length
- 70.0 × 88.2mm
- Filter
- ⌀55mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.1 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.37m
- Max magnification
- 0.10× (1:10.0)
Optical character
A fast 28mm for Nikon Z full frame that fits between Viltrox's 24mm and 35mm F1.8 primes and shares their 70mm barrel and 55mm filters. It suits street, travel and environmental portraits, and it covers landscapes and night skies for much less than first-party options. Nikon's own 28mm is a slower f/2.8.
The new 11-element design has three ED and two aspherical elements plus three high-index elements. Focus is internal, driven by a lead-screw STM motor with Eye AF support, and reaches 0.37m. A clicked aperture ring with an A position and a USB-C firmware port complete the metal barrel.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers report good centre sharpness from f/1.8 and corners that improve noticeably by f/2.8 to f/4. Distortion is low for a 28mm, but vignetting at f/1.8 is pronounced and some longitudinal fringing appears around bright highlights.
The STM autofocus is quiet and adequate for stills and video, though not as fast or as sure as Nikon's S-line primes in continuous tracking. The overall verdict is a well-built, sensibly priced 28mm that trades a little optical refinement for cost and is two stops faster than the NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8.
Owner sentiment
Owners value the 28mm field of view as an everyday focal length and like the sturdy metal build and the aperture ring. Many pair it with the 16mm or 50mm from the same family because the filters and controls match.
Reported quirks include occasional focus hunting in low light, the need for firmware updates on newer bodies, and a clicked aperture ring that video shooters would prefer to de-click.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Fast f/1.8 28mm with AF
- +Metal barrel with aperture ring
- +55mm filters shared with siblings
- +Low distortion
- +USB-C firmware updates
Weaknesses
- −Vignetting at f/1.8
- −AF not as quick as first-party lenses
- −Aperture ring cannot be de-clicked
- −Modest 0.1x magnification
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.9
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.3
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.1
- Flare Resistance
- 7.0
- Build / Sealing
- 7.7
- Value / Size
- 8.5
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 28mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 11 elements in 9 groups |
| Special elements | 3x ED · 2x Aspherical · 3x HR · Nano Multi-layer Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM (Lead Screw) |
| Minimum focus | 0.37m |
| Max magnification | 0.10× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 367g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 70.0 × 88.2mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀55mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Launch MSRP | $379 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- viltrox.com/products/viltrox-af-28mm-f1-8
- viltrox.com/products/viltrox-af-28mm-f1-8.json
- zsystemuser.com/z-mount-lenses/third-party-lenses/third-party-autofocus-len
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 28mm F1.8 Z vs Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF (Nikon Z)
- VSAF 28mm F1.8 Z vs NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8
- VSAF 28mm F1.8 Z vs NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE)
- LaowaArgus
Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF (Nikon Z)
28mmF1.2- WT
- 562g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.50m
- MSRP
- $599
MFRING·DC - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8
28mmF2.8- WT
- 155g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.19m
- MSRP
- $300
AFWR - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE)
28mmF2.8- WT
- 160g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.19m
- MSRP
- $300
AFWR
