Testing the Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 in Amsterdam

A couple of weeks ago I took a trip to Amsterdam, and this time I finally gave the Viltrox 40mm f2.5 a full proper spin.

You might have seen it pop up in my previous blogs, but I never really tested it properly for an entire trip. So I thought, what better place than Amsterdam? Good light, beautiful streets, lots of movement. Perfect for a 40mm.

Here are my honest first impressions.

First impression: the weight

The main reason I bought this lens was simple. Weight.

It is super light. And when I say light, I mean you genuinely forget it is there.

I had it mounted on my Sony A7 IV, hanging on a small strap the whole day while walking through the city. No shoulder fatigue, no neck pain, no constant adjusting. Just comfortable.

As someone who walks a lot when shooting, especially street and travel, that makes a huge difference. It was honestly a joy to carry around.

Big plus.

Image quality

Now let’s talk about the important part.

The image quality is superb.

I own Sigma lenses, which are significantly more expensive and considered high quality glass. And honestly? In real world shooting, I do not see a huge difference.

Sharpness is great. Colors look good. Contrast is solid.

For 190 euros, that is kind of crazy.

It really holds up next to more expensive lenses. For my type of work, street, travel, portraits on the go, it performs more than well enough.

Autofocus performance

Autofocus is great.

Is it as fast as my higher-end lenses? No.

Is the motor slightly louder? Yes.

But does it matter in real life? Not really.

It locks on fine. It keeps up with what I shoot. And unless you are doing high-speed sports or extremely demanding work, it is more than capable.

For everyday shooting, it just works.

Lens flare performance

This one surprised me.

In the past, I have had issues with cheaper lenses and heavy lens flare. Especially in harsh sunlight.

In Amsterdam I was shooting in pretty strong sun, and I was even using a diffusion filter, which can sometimes increase flare.

But honestly? I barely dealt with any problematic lens flare. It was noticeable but not a deal breaker.

Maybe I got lucky. Maybe I need to test this more. But compared to other budget lenses I have used, this performs way better in that department.

Another big plus.

The downsides

No lens is perfect, especially at this price.

1. No aperture ring

It does not have an aperture ring.

If you are used to shooting with one, you will miss it. I personally enjoy using aperture rings. It makes the shooting experience more tactile and fun.

Luckily, my Sony A7 IV has plenty of custom dials, so it is not a deal breaker for me. But I would love to see a future version with an aperture ring.

2. Build quality

The build quality is good, but it is mostly plastic.

It does not feel like a premium metal lens. Compared to high-end glass, it definitely feels cheaper.

But here is the funny thing. That is also kind of a plus.

Because it is only around 190 euros, you worry about it less. If it gets scratched, dropped, or even stolen, it hurts a lot less than losing a 500 euro lens.

So yes, it feels cheaper. But it also gives you peace of mind in a weird way.

3. No weather sealing

This is probably the biggest downside for me.

It is not weather sealed.

On a sunny day, no problem. But if it starts raining, I get cautious. Not so much because of the lens, but because of the camera body.

My Sony A7 IV is not cheap. And I do not want to risk moisture getting into the system.

Of course, you can use a rain cover or pack it away when it starts pouring. But it is something to keep in mind if you shoot a lot in unpredictable weather.

This is honestly the only thing that makes me consider upgrading to something like the Sony 40mm in the future.

Final thoughts

For the price, this lens is amazing.

You really cannot go wrong with it.

Whether you are just starting out or you are a more experienced shooter looking for a lightweight travel setup, this lens makes a lot of sense.

Viltrox has clearly been stepping up their game. I have heard about their new Evo line, and if they release a 40mm with an aperture ring in that lineup, that could be very interesting.

But as it stands right now?

The Viltrox 40mm f2.5 is absolutely worth it.

Lightweight. Great image quality. Solid autofocus. Affordable.

For a travel and street setup like this Amsterdam trip, it just makes sense.

If you are thinking about picking it up, I would say go for it.