Viltrox AF 26 mm f/2.8 EVO review

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Viltrox AF 26 mm f/2.8 EVO

27 October 2026

Maciej Latałło

5. Chromatic and spherical aberration

Chromatic Aberration

The Viltrox 26 mm f/2.8 is not particularly complex optically, and it does not contain any elements made of low-dispersion glass. We could therefore have expected some problems with chromatic aberration correction. However, no such problems occurred.

The images below clearly show that longitudinal chromatic aberration is corrected properly and is virtually unnoticeable even at the maximum aperture.

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Viltrox AF 26 mm f/2.8 EVO - Chromatic and spherical aberration

Let's now examine how well the lens corrects the lateral variant of this aberration. Its behavior as a function of aperture for both sensor types used in our tests is shown in the graph below.

Chromatic aberration increases as the aperture is stopped down, but it never becomes a significant issue. Between f/2.8 and f/5.6, it is negligible, while from f/5.6 onward it reaches a low level. Even at f/16, it remains safely below the average range. These are good results, broadly comparable to those achieved by the more expensive Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8.

A7R IIIa, RAW, f/2.8	A7R IIIa, RAW, f/11.0

Spherical Aberration

The first images in this section reveal a slight focus shift, as stopping down the aperture causes the depth of field to extend further into the area behind the plane of focus. The effect is nevertheless small enough that the intended subject remains within the depth of field throughout.

Some concerns with spherical aberration can also be seen in the appearance of out-of-focus highlights. The highlight rendered behind the plane of focus has a distinctly brighter rim, whereas the one in front of it does not exhibit this effect.

The Viltrox AF 26 mm f/2.8 EVO therefore falls well short of exemplary spherical aberration correction. Perhaps this is precisely why it lost the resolution contest at f/2.8 against the Nikkor, which showed virtually no problems with this aberration.