Viltrox Evo 55mm f1.8 First Look
In this blog I will give you a first impression of the new Viltrox Evo 55mm f/1.4 for Sony E mount. For full transparency I have a long standing relationship with Viltrox where they send me their latest lenses to try and write blogs about. This 55mm lens was sent to me ahead of the official release to test out and share my thoughts. With that in mind, this is a first impressions blog, and not a review.
I’ve been using the 55mm Evo for a couple of weeks, and I honestly think this could be one of the best value street photography lenses for the Sony system. Let’s first start with the price, and in the UK it comes in at around £359, making it very affordable in comparison to Sony’s offerings. The 50mm is a focal length that has stood the test of time within the world of street photography, and while 55mm is a little tighter, the difference is negligible. The f/1.4 aperture is an interesting one because it makes this lens a great low light option, without the bulk typically associated with larger aperture full frame lenses. When put together into one package, I can see this lens being popular with many.
Build & Size
This lens is incredibly compact and noticeably smaller than the f/1.4 alternatives, while not being that much bigger than some f/2.8 primes. It can easily be used with Sony’s larger bodies such as the A7V, as well as the more compact systems like the A7C. This is a nice size for a prime I feel, because once you start going bigger or heavier, you really feel it after a day’s shooting.
The build quality seems good, with premium feeling materials and a nice finish. The aperture ring feels well damped with solid sounding clicks. The Fn button sound seems a little cheap compared to other brands, but it’s not a big deal. The focus dial is smooth, and the switches have a nice click to them. The lens is only weather sealed on the base via the gasket, with the rest of the lens not having any weather sealing. This is common for glass at this price point and nothing that I would say is a negative. For the money you pay, I’d say the build is good.
Features
The 55mm Evo comes with all the features one would expect in a more premium Sony lens. You get a solid aperture ring, which is essential for many street photographers. A custom Fn button is invaluable, and it can be directly customised from the Sony menu. I use mine for manual focus hold. A surprising addition is a de-click switch which allows smooth aperture adjustment for video. Finally an AF/MF switch completes the feature list. Overall a great set of features for the price.
Image Quality
I feel we are reaching a point where image quality is already so good that it’s almost meaningless going into fine detail and digging into the weeds for the smallest differences. The image quality is very good. If I compare it to my daily driver, which is the 40mm f/2.5 from Sony, I can’t tell them apart. Of course if I compare it to my 50mm f/1.4 GM, then this lens is softer with a slightly different look. With that said, this lens is £359 while my 40mm f/2.5 is nearly double, and the 50mm f/1.4 is more than four times the price. When taking this into account, the image quality is great. See some sample photos below.
AF
The AF is good enough for most applications, and certainly for my use case it was never too slow. Is it as good as the linear motors found in Sony G lenses? No it’s not, but it’s not too far behind. I’ve used it extensively in AF-S and AF-C for both photo and video, and not once did I experience any focus hunting or other issues which resulted in out of focus photos. Overall the AF performance is good.
Why Avoid?
There are some people who might want to avoid this lens. The first group are those who often shoot in heavy rain, dust, or generally dirty or damp environments. While the base has a gasket, the rest of the lens isn’t sealed at all. I can’t see any issues with the occasional water exposure, but prolonged use can cause issues. I would also suggest that if you need the best AF possible for wildlife, sports, or similar scenarios, to go with more expensive glass with linear motors. f/1.4 is plenty fast enough for most low light photography. However if you find yourself shooting in increasingly dark environments, then looking at something even faster like f/1.2 might be beneficial.
Summary
This is a great value lens that offers a lot for the money. You get a compact package, an aperture fit for night shooting, all the essential features, solid build, good AF, and great image quality. I have no issues recommending this lens to anyone who wants a decent 55mm prime for street or travel photography without spending a fortune. I am a big advocate for buying gear you can actually afford, and avoiding gear that is financially out of reach or would require extensive savings or debt. Having gear you can afford means you will use it, you will take it to riskier places, which will ultimately result in better photos.
Affiliate Link
If you want to pick one up, use the link below. I get a tiny kickback from every sale that helps support this blog without relying on annoying ads. https://geni.us/ROMAN55EVOFE
Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be differences due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!