Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 XF 35mm
What Buyers Say
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
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 XF 35mm
The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 lens is widely loved for its sharp image quality, fast aperture, and surprisingly low price. Users praise its lightweight design, compact size, and quick autofocus, making it an excellent everyday walk-around lens. Some note autofocus can be noisier or slower than premium lenses, and a few report chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes. A handful of complaints involve inconsistent packaging or compatibility misunderstandings, but the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Sharp image quality wide open
- Fast f/1.7 aperture for low light
- Lightweight and compact design
- Great value for the price
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Autofocus noise in quiet environments
- Chromatic aberration in high contrast
- No weather sealing
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Missing aperture ring
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 XF 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | — | 11 |
| Groups | — | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | high-definition multi-layer coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/1.7 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/1.7 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.18 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | STM (Stepping Motor)★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm | 35 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:7.7★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (80th percentile)80th %ile
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 XF 35mm
- Strong macro (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong bokeh (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong aperture (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 XF 35mm offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
