I recently had the chance to put the Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 Autofocus Air lens through its paces. While it has some great qualities, it also left me feeling a little underwhelmed in certain scenarios. On paper, this lens seems like a fantastic option – a fast f/1.7 aperture, lightweight build, and an affordable price point. But, as always, the real test comes in how it performs in the field. So, I took it for a spin in different lighting conditions, shooting everything from studio portraits to a day at the zoo, and here’s my honest take on it. I used this lens on the Nikon Z6, while my hubby tried it on his Nikon Z6 III.
Note: While we received this lens for review from Viltrox, it is a completely independent review, all thoughts are our own.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design, great for travel and everyday use
- Fast and quiet autofocus in good lighting conditions
- Decent center sharpness and pleasing bokeh
- Affordable price point for an f/1.7 prime lens
- Good color rendition and contrast
Cons
- Autofocus struggles in some low-light conditions
- Soft edges, especially at wider apertures
- Noticeable vignetting and some chromatic aberration
- Plastic build feels somewhat cheap
- Inconsistent performance for studio portraits and low-light shooting
Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 (Z-mount) – Technical specifications
All technical specifications have been taken from Viltrox’s website. Please see the website for full details.
- Mount: Nikon Z-mount (also comes in other mounts such as Sony E- mount, M, RF and X)
- Format: 25mm
- Focal Length: 25mm (Full 38mm)
- Angle of View: 600
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.7
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Construction of Optics: 12 Elements in 10 Groups
- Iris blades: 9
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3m
- Filter Diameter: 52mm
- Dimensions (L): 56.4mm (without hood)
- Weight: 180 grams
- Colour: Black
Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 (Z-mount) – Ergonomics and build quality
Straight out of the box, the Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 is impressively compact and lightweight. It’s part of their “Air” lineup, so the focus is clearly on portability, making it a great option for travel or everyday carry. The plastic construction does feel a bit on the budget side, but it’s solid enough to withstand regular use. The focus ring is smooth, though not the most refined I’ve used, and the autofocus motor is surprisingly quiet, which is always a bonus, especially for video shooters.
Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 (Z-mount) – In the field
Autofocus and Performance in Good Light
In bright conditions, this lens is a solid performer. Autofocus is generally fast and accurate, locking onto subjects with minimal hunting. I took it out to the zoo, and in daylight, it captured some fantastic images with good sharpness and pleasing color rendition. The 25mm focal length (roughly 37.5mm equivalent on APS-C) is a versatile choice, offering a natural field of view that works well for street photography, casual portraits, and even some landscape shots.
Studio Portraits – A Hit and Miss
When I brought the Viltrox into the studio for portrait work, I had mixed results. In controlled lighting, it delivered some beautiful shots with nice subject separation and decent bokeh, thanks to that f/1.7 aperture. The images had a natural look, with pleasing skin tones and good contrast. However, I did notice that when the light levels dropped even slightly, autofocus started to struggle.
For headshots and closer portraits, it performed reasonably well (Nikon Z6), but when I attempted full-body or more creative shots with dramatic lighting (on the Nikon Z6iii), the AF had a tendency to let me down. I also found that some images lacked the sharpness I’d expect from a prime lens, particularly towards the edges. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re looking for absolute tack-sharp detail in a professional portrait setting, this is not the best option.
Low-Light Performance – A Struggle
This is where the lens really faltered. In dimly lit environments, autofocus became inconsistent, often missing focus completely or taking too long to lock on. I tried it in a low-light indoor setting, and while the f/1.7 aperture should theoretically help, the AF just wasn’t reliable enough. I found myself resorting to manual focus more than I’d like, which isn’t ideal for fast-moving subjects.
The lens also exhibited noticeable noise and reduced contrast in low-light shots. While I could recover some detail in post-processing, it wasn’t as clean as I’d hoped. If you’re shooting in well-lit conditions most of the time, this won’t be a huge issue, but if you’re planning to use it for night portrait photography or dimly lit events, you may want to look elsewhere. I must confess we did not try any astro-photography.
Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 (Z-mount) – Image quality and characteristics
Now, let’s talk about the overall image quality. When the lens nails focus, it produces fairly sharp images with a nice depth of field. The bokeh is fairly smooth, though not as creamy as higher-end primes, and there’s a bit of chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes. Colors are pleasant, with a natural look that doesn’t feel overly processed.
Sharpness in the center is pretty good, but the edges tend to be softer, especially at wider apertures. Stopping down to around f/2.8 improves this somewhat, but you’re still not getting edge-to-edge sharpness like you would with premium glass. There’s also some noticeable vignetting wide open, though that can be corrected in post. When compared to other Nikon Z-mount lenses, it is on the softer side, although in focus.
Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 (Z-mount) – Best for casual photographers
The Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 is a great budget-friendly option for casual photographers, hobbyists, and those looking for a lightweight everyday lens. If you shoot primarily in good lighting conditions, it’s capable of delivering lovely results. It’s a good fit for travel, street photography, and even some portrait work, provided you have strong lighting. This is not a Professional lens.
However, if you rely heavily on low-light shooting or need a lens with rock-solid autofocus in all conditions, you might find it limiting. Portrait photographers who demand ultra-sharp results and perfect focus in every shot may want to consider alternatives. This may also suit creative photographers who don’t need ultra sharp focus.
