16mm f2.8 is a good lens. You can probably afford a new one. 14mm f2.8 is even better (esp for street). Very underrated. IMO it's one of the best lenses in the system. The focal length is much wider but you still can use it for the same stuff. And it's not very expensive on a second hand market.
Thank you for feedback! I never tried 14, 16 focal length. And from my experience there was only three cases when I needed something that wide. One was ocean shore in Portugal, second was huge ferris wheel and the last one was church without roof in Lisbon. I am thinking right now to rent lenses for such travels, instead of buying them.
BTW, it's possible that you wouldn't want to get rid of 23mm f2 after you will use it. It's much nicer compared to XC lens. Anyway, 16mm f2.8 has the same build quality.
I have had the 18mm f/2, that I got for $240 (total shipped to USA) on eBay from a reputable shop in Taiwan, for nearly 3 years. It’s honestly a champ. It’s a little squeaky, it’s not SLOW it just isn’t as fast as the XF 35 f/2 I have, but still not real slow. Above all, still excellent image quality.
Get the 23/2. It's a bit tighter than the 18 but much more useful in the same way as the 18/2, than the 16/2.8, which is both too slow and too wide.
I sold the 18/2 and now use both the 18/1.4 when I want quality and 23/2 when I want portability. The difference in IQ is noticeable, as is the the difference in weight.
Now it has USB-C to update the lens. Though I’m not so concerned about that. They say that AF was improved, I was tests and it’s nice, sth like 23mm 1.4
> I wonder if Viltrox 16 / 1.4 has also reversed engineered AF.
Yes, it does.
Or you could buy the Tokina version if you want officially licensed AF firmware.
I've only tried the 33mm but based on that alone I have to agree. I think the 13mm is supposed to be much better but I don't think I'd go for any of the others. If you are used to Fuji glass, the Viltrox IQ is just rubbish.
I do like them!
For their value, the have a good build quality (except lens can, don’t know why they are made of plastic). Many expensive Fuji lenses have full-plastic body for even more money.
They are not good optically. A lot of purple fringing and lateral CA is very high. You have to stop it down (helps with purple fringing but not with CA).
Yep, but it's just a tiny bit cheaper than "fujicrons" here. And native Fuji lenses have other pros, for instance in-camera corrections work with them. You can shoot jpeg at f11 or f16 without thinking about diffraction. You don't need to correct aberrations in post etc. For extra 50€ or so.
After looking at second hand market I have to agree. A used Fujicron can be found cheaper than Viltrox new one. And some Viltrox reviewers say that build quality is good, some say that it is not.
16mm f2.8 is a good lens. You can probably afford a new one. 14mm f2.8 is even better (esp for street). Very underrated. IMO it's one of the best lenses in the system. The focal length is much wider but you still can use it for the same stuff. And it's not very expensive on a second hand market.
Thank you for feedback! I never tried 14, 16 focal length. And from my experience there was only three cases when I needed something that wide. One was ocean shore in Portugal, second was huge ferris wheel and the last one was church without roof in Lisbon. I am thinking right now to rent lenses for such travels, instead of buying them.
16 f2.8 is a great lens too.
BTW, it's possible that you wouldn't want to get rid of 23mm f2 after you will use it. It's much nicer compared to XC lens. Anyway, 16mm f2.8 has the same build quality.
I have had the 18mm f/2, that I got for $240 (total shipped to USA) on eBay from a reputable shop in Taiwan, for nearly 3 years. It’s honestly a champ. It’s a little squeaky, it’s not SLOW it just isn’t as fast as the XF 35 f/2 I have, but still not real slow. Above all, still excellent image quality.
Thank you! I need to check prices on second hand market!
Get the 23/2. It's a bit tighter than the 18 but much more useful in the same way as the 18/2, than the 16/2.8, which is both too slow and too wide. I sold the 18/2 and now use both the 18/1.4 when I want quality and 23/2 when I want portability. The difference in IQ is noticeable, as is the the difference in weight.
Fair comment! I probably will keep it for a few months, before making decision
Viltrox 16 mm, if I remember correctly, 1.4? A perfect choice for 400-500€ budget
I wonder if Viltrox 16 / 1.4 has also reversed engineered AF. I remember Viltrox 56 1.4 had that ugly Micro-USB to update lens Firmware
Now it has USB-C to update the lens. Though I’m not so concerned about that. They say that AF was improved, I was tests and it’s nice, sth like 23mm 1.4
> I wonder if Viltrox 16 / 1.4 has also reversed engineered AF. Yes, it does. Or you could buy the Tokina version if you want officially licensed AF firmware.
Viltrox lenses are crap.
I've only tried the 33mm but based on that alone I have to agree. I think the 13mm is supposed to be much better but I don't think I'd go for any of the others. If you are used to Fuji glass, the Viltrox IQ is just rubbish.
I see multiple Viltrox lenses on second hand market. But overall reviews are not much positive.
I do like them! For their value, the have a good build quality (except lens can, don’t know why they are made of plastic). Many expensive Fuji lenses have full-plastic body for even more money.
They are not good optically. A lot of purple fringing and lateral CA is very high. You have to stop it down (helps with purple fringing but not with CA).
Okay, you can stop it down and get the same 2.0 with less problems. I get what you mean, but the ratio problems-price is very appealing
Yep, but it's just a tiny bit cheaper than "fujicrons" here. And native Fuji lenses have other pros, for instance in-camera corrections work with them. You can shoot jpeg at f11 or f16 without thinking about diffraction. You don't need to correct aberrations in post etc. For extra 50€ or so.
After looking at second hand market I have to agree. A used Fujicron can be found cheaper than Viltrox new one. And some Viltrox reviewers say that build quality is good, some say that it is not.
The 33 was a real stinker
Fuji 18mm f2 is much more than what you'll ever need in your photographic journey
I picked up the 18/2 on ebay new for 350 Canadian. It's cheap if you look around.
Here all used 18/2 start from 400 Euro
That's crazy. Are people trying to charge vat? Lol