Viltrox AF 25mm f/1.7 Air Review

credits: Viltrox

Viltrox recently unveiled the AF 25mm f/1.7 Air. At $176 / €189, it’s part of Viltrox’s “budget holy trinity” alongside the AF 35mm f/1.7 Air and AF 56mm f/1.7 Air—a solid, wallet-friendly set of primes. With a 38mm full-frame equivalent focal length, it’s a great all-around lens for street, documentary, and event photography.

Light, Compact, and Feature-Packed

At just 170g, this thing is featherlight. The mostly plastic build keeps it portable, though it’s not fully weather-sealed—just a coated front element that repels water and dust. Some do wish it had a dedicated aperture ring though. The built-in USB-C port is a huge win, making firmware updates super easy.

Autofocus: Fast and Quiet

The autofocus is quick, quiet, and reliable, thanks to Viltrox’s STM motor. Face and eye detection work smoothly, which is a big plus for portraits and street shots. Minimal focus breathing also makes it great for video—perfect for gimbal setups since it's so light.

Image Quality: Impressive for the Price

At f/1.7, center sharpness is solid, though the corners are a bit soft (stopping down to f/2.8 or f/4 cleans that up). The HD nano coating does a great job controlling flare, and while there’s some vignetting at wider apertures, it mostly disappears by f/4. Distortion is minor and easy to fix in post.

How It Stacks Up

Compared to other budget primes like the TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8, the Viltrox delivers better sharpness, contrast, and less vignetting. Plus, its USB-C firmware updates are way more convenient than using a special tool like some competitors require.

Should You Buy It?

If you want an affordable, lightweight, and sharp prime lens for APS-C, yes. It’s fantastic for street, documentary, and event photography, and at under $200, it’s hard to beat. Sure, it has some minor quirks, but for the price, this little lens punches way above its weight.