Sony E Autofocus

Viltrox AF 14mm F4

Focal length: 14 mm
Aperture: f/4
Weight: 170 g
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Min. focus distance: 13 cm
Length: 56.4 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: 170 g (0.37 lb)
Filter diameter: 58 mm
min focus distance: 13 cm (5.12 in)
Length: 56.4 mm (2.22 in)
Diameter: 65 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 Sony E-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Sony E-Mount cameras its field of view equals 21 mm in full-frame terms.

Sony E-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Sony A7R VI, Sony A7 V, Sony FX2, Sony A1 II, Sony A9 III, Sony A7C II, Sony A7CR, Sony ZV-E1, Sony A7R V, Sony A7 IV, Sony A1, Sony FX3, Sony A7S III, Sony A7C, Sony FX6, Sony A7R IV, Sony A9 II, Sony FX9, Sony A7 III, Sony A7R III, Sony A9, Sony A7R II, Sony A7S II, Sony A7 II, Sony A7S, Sony A7, Sony A7R
APS-C:: Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony A6700, Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10, Sony A6600, Sony A6100, Sony A6400, Sony A6500, Sony A6300, Sony A6000, Sony A5100, Sony A5000, Sony A3000, Sony NEX-5T, Sony NEX-3N, Sony NEX-6, Sony NEX-5R, Sony NEX-F3