Viltrox AF 14mm F4

Focal length: 14 mm
Aperture: f/4
Weight: 172 g
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Min. focus distance: 13 cm
Length: 54.4 mm

Overview

The Viltrox AF 14mm F4.0 Air is an ultra-wide autofocus prime for full-frame mirrorless cameras with Sony E, Nikon Z or Leica L mount. Viltrox calls it the widest lens in its compact Air series, with a field of view of 112.6 degrees. It targets landscapes, architecture, interiors and group shots.

Optical design

Viltrox specifies 12 elements in 9 groups, including 2 aspherical, 4 ED and 2 high refractive index elements, plus multi-layer coatings. The aperture runs from F4.0 to F16 with 7 blades. The minimum focus distance is only 0.13 m at a maximum magnification of 0.23x, which allows strong foreground perspectives. The lens covers the full-frame format.

Autofocus and handling

An STM stepping motor with a lead screw drives the internal focusing. Viltrox lists eye and face AF and minimal focus breathing, which it recommends for video and focus stacking. The lens has no stabilizer. A USB-C port is used for firmware updates. On L mount Viltrox lists native support for in-camera lens corrections.

Build and size

The weight is 170 g on Sony E, 185 g on Nikon Z and 172 g on Leica L. The diameter is 65 mm (68 mm on Z), the length 56.4 mm on E, 58.4 mm on Z and 54.4 mm on L. The filter thread is a standard 58 mm, so screw-in filters can be used. Viltrox describes a sealed body, a metal mount and a water- and dirt-resistant coating on the front element.

Where it fits

At F4.0 this is a slow ultra-wide, so its strength is size rather than light gathering. Faster options in the Sony E system are the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM, the Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN and the Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 FE. The Sigma 14mm is also available for L mount. Nikon Z users can look at the Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S, which is narrower. On APS-C bodies the Viltrox AF 9mm F2.8 Air gives a comparable view.

Pros and cons

Pros

112.6 degree field of view at 170 to 185 g
Close focus at 0.13 m
58 mm filter thread
Sealed body and coated front element according to Viltrox
STM autofocus with eye and face detection

Cons

Maximum aperture of F4.0, so less suited to astrophotography than F1.4 to F2.8 lenses
No in-lens stabilization
7 aperture blades

Verdict

The AF 14mm F4.0 Air is a small ultra-wide prime for full-frame travel and architecture work. Those who need a bright aperture for low light should look at the faster but larger alternatives.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 14 mm
max focal length: 14 mm
max f (min zoom): f/4
max f (max zoom): f/4
min. aperture: f/16
Elements: 12
Groups: 9
Weight: 172 g (0.38 lb)
Filter diameter: 58 mm
min focus distance: 13 cm (5.12 in)
Length: 54.4 mm (2.14 in)
Diameter: 65.1 mm (2.56 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Viltrox AF 14mm F4 fit?

The Viltrox AF 14mm F4 is a full-frame lens for L-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C L-Mount cameras its field of view equals 21 mm in full-frame terms.

L-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Leica SL3-P, Leica SL3-S, Sigma BF, Panasonic Lumix S1II, Panasonic Lumix S1IIE, Panasonic Lumix S1RII, Leica SL3, Panasonic Lumix S9, Blackmagic PYXIS 6K, Panasonic Lumix S5II, Panasonic Lumix S5IIX, Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K, Panasonic Lumix BS1H, Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S5, Sigma fp L, Leica SL2, Panasonic Lumix S1, Panasonic Lumix S1R, Panasonic Lumix S1H, Sigma fp, Leica SL (Typ 601)
APS-C:: Leica CL, Leica TL2, Leica TL, Leica T (Typ 701)