Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 APS-C Lens Assessment for Nikon Z-Mount

If you’re a person of Nikon Z Mount APS-C sensor mirrorless cameras just like the Nikon Z50 or Nikon Zfc, you may have only a few choices when it comes to native or third-party AF lenses particularly made for this sensor.
The native choices are slower, walk-about lenses – “trip lenses” as I name them – and so they’re very good. Nonetheless, what if you would like a shallow depth of area or want a quick aperture for low gentle?
Viltrox has you coated with their collection of f/1.4 prime lenses, together with this Viltrox Mirrorless Z-mount 33mm f/1.4 Auto Focus APS-C lens (50mm equal focal size).
Can this third-party producer ship a high quality lens with the attributes we’d anticipate from Nikon glass?
I feel you’re going to be stunned. Let’s dig in.
Viltrox Mirrorless Z-mount 33mm f/1.4 Auto Focus APS-C Lens Specs
- Small dimension and weight
- Good construct high quality
- Clean bokeh with 9 aperture blades
- Autofocuses like a local lens together with eye AF
- Consists of lens hood
- Can be utilized and is acknowledged by full-frame our bodies
- USB-C port for firmware updates
- Nice value
- No climate sealing
- Slight shade fringing at broad open aperture
- Average quantity of lens vignetting at f/1.4
- Focal Size: 33mm
- Minimal Aperture: f/1.4
- Most Aperture: f/16
- Lens Mount: Z-mount
- Format Compatibility: APS-C
- Angle of View: 46.8°
- Minimal Focus Distance: 0.4m
- Most Magnification Ratio: 0.1x
- Lens Building: 10 components in 9 teams
- Diaphragm Blades: 9
- Autofocus: Sure
- Picture Stabilization: No
- Filter Thread: 52mm
- Dimensions: 2.7 x 2.9″ / 68 x 73.2 mm
- Weight: 10.6 oz / 300 g
Construct & Ergonomics
Whereas this lens is gentle in weight, I really feel the construct high quality is strong. It has an all-metal building with a built-in USB-C port for firmware updates.
This Viltrox lens additionally features a lens hood (typically unnoticed for price) and a lens pouch.
The lens balances properly on the Nikon Zfc digicam physique. It additionally is available in a silver model to match that digicam’s retro aesthetics.
It really works completely tremendous on a full-frame digicam (Nikon cameras mechanically go into APS-C crop mode when mounted) just like the Nikon Z9, though it seems odd mounted on such a big digicam.

Viltrox Mirrorless Z-mount 33mm f/1.4 Auto Focus APS-C lens mounted on the Nikon Zfc digicam physique.

Viltrox Mirrorless Z-mount 33mm f/1.4 Auto Focus APS-C lens mounted on the Nikon Z9 digicam.
Focus Efficiency

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/320 / f/1.4 ISO 200
This Viltrox lens focuses quick, and its pace was fairly a shock to me. I didn’t assume a third-party lens producer would have the ability to compete with a local lens such because the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 and this one actually did.
It offers a 50mm area of view on APS-C digicam our bodies so I took it out on this winter portrait session.
I tried to decelerate the autofocus system of the lens and physique by capturing by a copper pipe for the blurry tunnel impact you see above. I shot in single level and in addition in eye AF with no points.
In case you’re in any respect involved about this third-party AF lens not speaking with the Z digicam our bodies, don’t have any concern. The truth that the lens behaved natively even when utilizing eye AF tells me there aren’t any points.
Plus, Viltrox seems dedicated to issuing firmware updates by way of the built-in USB-C port ought to any issues come up.
Picture High quality

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/1000 / f/1.4 ISO 200
With this Viltrox lens, you do get some shade fringing when capturing broad open, however it’s nothing to be fearful about.
I discover the sharpness acceptable and for portraits, chances are you’ll discover the delicate softness (as in comparison with S-line lenses from Nikon) preferable.
I feel this lens would give some good character to avenue pictures as properly. It doesn’t have that trendy, ultra-sharp look to it.
Seeing as this lens has the “regular” area of view of 50mm on APS-C our bodies there actually is not any distortion to notice.
Viltrox Mirrorless 33mm f/1.4 Pattern Photographs
Listed below are some pattern pictures taken with the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 Auto Focus APS-C Lens, utilizing a Nikon Zfc.

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/800 / f/1.4 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/320 / f/1.4 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/800 / f/1.4 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/640 / f/1.4 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/320 / f/1.6 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 | 1/320 / f/1.6 ISO 200
Options to Viltrox 33mm f/1.4
The lens that’s closest to this focal size and in addition moderately quick is the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 Z lens for full-frame our bodies.
It will provide you with a 42mm equal focal size on an APS-C digicam physique, however you’ll lose gentle and bokeh with the slower aperture.
There are handbook focus choices just like the Voigtlander D 35mm f/1.2 Nokton Z lens for APS-C sized sensor cameras, however nothing else presently that autofocuses.
The Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 is actually the one customary 50mm equal prime lens with autofocus on the time of scripting this overview.
Worth for Cash

Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 Auto Focus APS-C steel mount and aperture ring.
There is no such thing as a query this lens is wonderful worth at a value of round US$280. It performs as a first-party lens would, gives superb picture high quality and is constructed solidly.
This makes it a no brainer for Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras such because the Z50 or Zfc.
Viltrox has been making these autofocus lenses for the Z mount for a number of years now with no interference from Nikon, so I feel it’s a secure wager to buy this lens with no worries of compatibility points.
That is pure hypothesis, however this lens works so seamlessly (options similar to eye AF and aperture ring communication) on Nikon cameras that I even marvel if Nikon has an settlement with them to fabricate these lenses.
FAQ’s
Will the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 lens work on Nikon APS-C cameras?
Sure, they’re particularly made for crop sensor digicam our bodies.
Can I mount and use the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 on a full-frame Nikon digicam?
Sure, full-frame Nikon cameras acknowledge the lens and mechanically set the digicam to DX because the picture space.
Does the attention AF of Nikon mirrorless cameras work with the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 ?
Sure, eye AF works flawlessly with the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4.
Does the Viltrox 33mm’s aperture ring work on Nikon mirrorless digicam our bodies?
Sure, it really works with no points.
Ultimate Phrases
I’m a fan of quick prime lenses and I’ll positively be selecting up the Viltrox Mirrorless Z-mount 33mm f/1.4 for my Nikon Zfc digicam and probably a few of their different choices as properly.
I used to be pleasantly stunned by the construct and picture high quality of this lens.
This quick prime lens can be nice for avenue images, portrait images in addition to low-light occasions.
I discover this lens to be a hidden gem that will provide you with pleasing outcomes with out breaking the financial institution.