Viltrox AF 14/4.0 L 14mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Viltrox AF 14/4.0 L 14mm
The Viltrox lenses are overwhelmingly praised for their exceptional value, delivering sharp image quality, solid build, and fast autofocus at a fraction of the cost of name-brand alternatives. Many users highlight the impressive performance for portraits, landscapes, and street photography, with particular acclaim for the 135mm f/1.8 and 16mm f/1.8 models. A few isolated complaints mention autofocus struggles in low light, vignetting, and minor quality control issues, but the overall sentiment is highly positive.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money
- Sharp image quality
- Solid build construction
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons
- Autofocus struggles in low light
- Vignetting at wide apertures
- Minor chromatic aberration
- No weather sealing
- Autofocus noise audible
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Viltrox AF 14/4.0 L 14mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 14 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 14 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 12 | — |
| Groups | 9 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 4★ | 2 |
| Coating | HD multilayer nano coating | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/4 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | L-Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.17 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM+Lead screw★ | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 130 mm★ | 380 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.23X★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Viltrox AF 14/4.0 L 14mm
- Strong build (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average bokeh (30th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
Viltrox AF 14/4.0 L 14mm offers 2.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 4 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 22 specs.
