Viltrox 56mm F1.4 Vs Fujifilm 56mm F1.2 - The NEW portrait king? - A few things you should consider.
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- Опубликовано: 6 авг 2024
- Want a discount on your next Viltrox lens? Head to bit.ly/2RG3HMp and enter code: aarondiscovers
(At this time discount only applies on the 23, 33 and 85mm lenses. Discount to the 56mm will only apply after approx one month from release, and from Viltrox directly.)
Do we have a new portrait king? Do you really need that F1.2 from the Fuji? What would you choose? I'd be curious to know.
0:00 Intro
0:32 Image & Video Samples
2:34 Build Quality
3:24 Autofocus
5:02 Aperture Differences
9:01 Bokeh
10:48 Video Performance
13:30 Final Thoughts
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Link to the raw files along with some edited versions shown in this video, all photos shot on a Fujifilm X-T4: bit.ly/3mTTrP3
All images were edited in Capture One.
Follow me on instagram: / aarondiscovers
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Cheers to AJ Mayhew aka AGGA for being my portrait subject, you can find his latest tracks on Spotify: spoti.fi/3c6aicB
I selected the Viltrox each time, really suprised by this
I had been saving for the fuji, but grabbed the viltrox instead and used the leftover money to also get the viltrox 23mm. now that's good value right there... 2 for 1
I have been using the Viltrox 23mm a lot lately. I like it a lot.
The 56 so far is my
Favorite!
Faster focus than the Fuji!
Ended up getting all the viltrox lenses
@@Nightshade1881 I have been seeing a lot of people slamming the Viltrox lenses. I have done some professional work and I have absolutely no complaints. I think the lenses are esquisate!!!!
@@Nightshade1881 the only thing Viltrox is not WR not like other fuji prime lenses
@JokoHolic The Viltrox lenses are real nice for real. It would be a good buy.
Fantastic video, looking to buy a 56mm and you just helped me make up my mind. Viltrox here I come and looking forward to more videos. Keep up the great work!
Really found this a useful and honest account. I think I preferred the Vtx in each scenario you showed! In these days when almost everyone on Ytube seems to shout and flail about with "enthusiam" or drops into loud "violent rant" mode, a calm, authoritative and measured approach like yours is a very welcome change. Thank you.
Appreciate that feedback Martin, we're very much on the same page.
That calmness is golden, love your reviews man!
Appreciate that bud. 👍
Great kind of review. Many clear important informations and own opinions. I am interested for the next one.
Great comparison, thanks! Great music and relaxed. Loved it. Keep on the production pls. OMG the Viltrox is such a fantastic value! I preferred pics of Viltrox in the blind test.
Lots more planned my friend, hope you follow along. 👍
Subscribed. Really high value production and the review is spot on and brings up all the important stuff - super! :-)
Thanks for your reviews on the lens! I bought an xt30 for street portraits recently and I was thinking about getting the 56 1.2 lens. Then I discovered the viltrox alternative, and found that it's lighter and half the price of the fuji. Looks like I'm going for the viltrox now and buy half of the money for the 18-55 2.8-4. I don't like to carry around big equipment anyway so I think I made the right choice.
Thank You Aaron: I never could quite get the money together for the Fuji 56 mm and after watching your review, I just ordered the Viltrox 56 mm from the Viltrox Store.
That's great George. Do me a favour, drop me a message after you receive it and let me know how you get on with it?
How did the new lens treat you?
@ I am very happy with the performance this Lens and considering the price, I am over the Moon with it.
@@1cookgs great to hear that, I'll be getting one soon 😉
It was a toss up for me. They are pretty close. The price of the Viltrox is terrific and hard to ignore.
Thanks, buddy. Great review. Much appreciated! 👌🙏
Very nice review, helped me make my decision. Thanks!
Very well articulated.
Your tone carries with it a sense of authenticity.
Thanks Joe
Great video! I had been saving for the Fuji but decided to save money and get the Viltrox instead. I made the choice before watching your video, but your video did just make me feel better about it! Thanks again
Your aperture explanation was well explained and I appreciate your insight.
nice video, thanks for in depth comparison!
Just got mine yesterday... Love it!
I got all the answers right. I do think that Fuji has better image but it is quite hard to differentiate. I really need to look very carefully. For the vulue, i would get Vitrox any days. Thanks for the video. I love how you did it.
Thank you for the brilliant review... i've been sat on the fence as to which to buy, having listened to your review i'm going to get the Viltrox... i have the 85mm f1.4 Viltrox and i love it, so why not get the 56mm as well, seeing as there's so little difference. Looking forward to watching more of your reviews. Thank you.
Thanks for the review! How did they compare in low light scenarios?
I got the X-T3 a few weeks ago, with the Fuji 23mm f/2 and LOVE that setup. I've been stretching pennies to get the 56 1.2, but no more! Pulling the trigger on the Viltrox. Thanks for the review, and honesty. Now, if they'd make a 16mm 1.4, we'd all be in business!
I hear you! I have the Fuji 16 1.4 and love it. A Viltrox 16 would be a game changer!
@Kirk Hoover Viltrox is going to release a 13 mm 1.4 autofocus lens next year. That might be the go to if coma is handled well.
@@awake780 That might be able to bridge the 16mm AND the 12mm Rokinon. Interesting. Thanks!
just opened the video and heart philipp Bloom speaking ;) nice video man! keep pushin!!
Haha I'll take that as a compliment! 👍
Does the extra speed of the 1.2 vs 1.4 make a huge difference in lowlight situations? I do street photography at night and wondering if it has any affect on shutter speed. If the Viltrox can focus faster, wouldn’t I be better of with it for faster moving objects in lowlight (ex: a cyclist crossing through a street light)?Thanks!
Thanks for the awesome video, Which lens focused more accurately/ consistency? That’s all that matters for me, FYI I have the XT4 also & it’s only stills that I do mainly weddings, I would love to know.
The Viltrox on balance. Although focus speed was fairly consistent throughout both lenses.
Thanks for the review of both lenses. I own both...
Lovely! which lens did you use to shoot this vlog with? curious to know too... But imma go with the Vitrox systems
It's funny that, aside from the CA test, I chose the viltrox over the fuji in every scenario. It seems to have less busy bokeh in my eyes. Interesting little lens, thanks for the review.
The CA photo really just illustrates that any lens can be effected in high contrast situations. It's often referred to as the one big downside of Viltrox but the reality is no manufacturer is immune.
I think you just convinced me to go Viltrox. Thanks!
Your review is amazing
Oof the Viltrox seems pretty awesome. Still torn between that and the Fuji 50mm f2. That extra bit light coming in seems good, but I've heard great things about the sharpness of the f2
I just invested in the x-s10 partly because for years I have been an oly man and prefer the small and more versatile cameras abs up to now oly has been far superior in terms of ibis and also lenses especially for video. I got the 16-80 f4 for now and don’t plan to overinvest in too many lenses but have been thinking of about possibly one portrait lens (toss up between the Fuji and viltrox) and maybe a wide angle lens (possibly the 16 f2.8). Given the small body not sure there is a good smaller longer focal length for the x-s10 like 100mm plus. Perhaps the way to go for now is the viltrox after all but agree like the bokeh of the Fuji and sharpness of the viltrox that I chose every time in your images.
Viltrox is the winner for me... You saved my money :-)
I have the xt4 and the viltrox 23mm f1.4, but seriously I'm having such a hard time deciding between these two I know most people like the vilrox but I just don't know! I got 50/50 on the test, fuji, viltrox, fuji viltrox, I love that background bokeh in the fuji but is it worth double the money for such a small feature that people might not notice the difference between anyway aaaahh can't decide!
I bought their 85 when it first came out as I didn't really fancy dropping £800 on the fuji 90. I've been incredibly impressed by it and honestly I'm not at all surprised this one competes so well. Biggest factor by far is the price. The fuji lenses are technically better imo but I mean it's so close and sure as hell they're not £450 better by a long shot!
im on the XT4 too. is it possible to smooth out (slow down) the auto focus time in the camera settings? got the Vtrox 23mm and love that. same filters can be used on the V56mm so that's a plus. I'm strongly considering getting it, but also the Fuji 56mm 1.2 is discounted a little bit at the moment too! oooff, what to do.
Yes, in video mode you can customize the AF tracking speed and sensitivity. If you do half decent videos you should make slow focus pulls anyway, so slowing it down is a must (well, in general use, for action you obviously will want faster tracking).
I did not have the Fuji when I purchased the Viltrox largely for the reasons you describe. The Viltrox offers much, if not most, of the capability of the Fuji at an attractive price for my secondary system.
Another interesting video, Aaron. Thanks. I am very tempted to order this Viltrox 50 mm F1.4. But since I have a limited reserve of funds, and I already own the Fuji 50 mm F2, I want to be sure it would be a good move. I could always sell the Fuji, yes, but I use the 16 mm F2 and the 35 mm F2 most of the time. Would you expect the Viltrox to be superior to the Fuji 50 mm F2?
On balance I would, but you might not be surprised to know how many people love that 50mm focal length and are protective over losing/gaining that 6mm!
That said, do you expect to shoot wide open often? If you're going to be stopping down then honestly, stick with your 50 until you really feel the need.
Thing is, the 56 1.4 is something crazy like £252 delivered at the moment, so it's almost a lens to buy just to try at that price point.
@@AaronDiscovers I've been wondering how this lens compares to the XF 50mm f/2 as well.
I'm researching the 50mm range (XF 56mm f/1.2, XF 50mm f/1, Viltrox 56mm f/1.4, and the XF 50mm f/2), and I'm leaning toward the f/2.
I've never taken photos with such a fast aperture, so I really wonder how "low" is low-light, and how much of an improvement will the additional stops really make?
With the fast focus, weather sealing, smooth video focus, and price of the f/2; it seems like a good deal. I also tend to think eyes look a little soft when shooting at f/1.2-1.4.
Awesome review! You gave some great comparisons.
The Fuji shots have a slightly larger and closer looking background. There must be a small mm distance, where the Fuji is a hair tighter. That is the biggest difference I see. That makes Viltrox a great value. If the auto focus on the 56 is as good as the 23mm after the last firmware update for video, then I'm sold
To my eyes, the pics taken with the Fujifilm lens seem to be a touch warmer and have a gentler tonality (gradation).
I used the A/B comparison to define my preferred photo and than check if it was Fujifilm or Viltrox lens being used. Did it twice, purely looking at the images. First two go to Viltrox, second couple to Fujifilm. Since the last was a video fragment - and I only take photos - it's 2:1 in favour of the Viltrox. Something to ponder about. Even a used 56 F1.2 would set me back more than the new Viltrox. Buying the latter leaves enough budget for the backpack I'm looking for. Or a fisheye. Or not spending more than I need to. Very interesting indeed! Thanks for your sharing your thoughts and great comparison.
Thanks Peter. Appreciate your message.
It's interesting to see which images you preferred.
It could also leave you enough for the 23 1.4 from Viltrox which is a great lens too if that focal length is your thing.
If I was in your place though? Get the 56, spend the rest on fuel and a hotel room or a tent and go find somewhere epic to have an adventure.
@@AaronDiscovers nr 1 & 2 Viltrox, nr 3 Fujifilm (not counting the video sample). And I know that with a direct comparison this differences seem to matter. So I can clearly imagine that owning the Viltrox 56mm will be more than enough. And it fits my new 'standard' since I switched from full frame DSLR to mirrorless: lighter! Compact! And all that. Viltrox 23mm F1.4 would be great. Already bought a used Fujifilm 23mm F2.0 and absolutely love it. Nevertheless, thanks for the advice! In October I have a few days off form work. Then I'll do some daytrips with the camera. Though there are plenty of options in Amsterdam as well :-)
@@ptrbssr street photography heaven in Amsterdam. :) Good luck whatever you do, and keep in touch.
Thanks for the comparison...I didn't get the Fuji f1.2 due to cost but just ordered the Viltrox 56 after seeing a for reviews! I already have most other focal lengths covered (primes including the Viltrox 85mm)
I called fuji on what seemd to me the best photo and had it wrong every time. Never been more surprised. That Viltrox is comming home to me these holidays!
Thanks for not making us wait super long for the answer to which is which. They look exactly the same to me…
Great video, in the comparison are both shot at 1.4 or fuji is at 1.2 and the Viltrox at 1.4? Thanks
Fuji is shot at 1.2 since that'll be one of the key selling points of that lens.
I was ableble to pick the Fuji glass for each.
easy to guess them right when you know what to look for!!
interesting, do you find Viltrox sharper than Fujinon? I bought the Viltrox 23mm for its centre sharpness, don't mind the soft corners as I shoot portrait more.
I do. I find the Viltrox sharper when wide open for sure.
That chromatic aberration fooled me. Viltrox's looks way better than fujis. Also the busy background, Viltrox's looked less distracting and creamier
I got the 3 stills correct. There is a certain smoothness in fujinon that I can’t explain :) but i got it wrong in the video
I am considering this or continuing to save for the 1.0. I do a lot of daytime portraiture, so using these wide apertures I normally have to buy a high ND filter. I have the 90 mm f2 Fuji and when room permits it's my go to. I recently bought the Viltrox 23 after my 50 f2 took a swim in a Bay. The lens and renditions have a special quality, which is why I am considering this for that mid-range prime. Nice video review!
Recently got the Viltrox. As a purely hobby photographer, I don't need the best lens. And if you compare the price with the new Fuji 1.2 WR version, it is pretty clear that Viltrox gives you more bang for your buck.
I’m REALLY glad you included info on the maximum magnification. So many reviews keep saying “this lens can focus this closely” and they assume that mean anything. It does not tell me much about how much magnification the lens can provide. (Unless I’m not understanding things as well as I think)
Interesting, so to you as a buyer that's super important? I'll make sure to explore this further in videos then if there's value in discussing it.
Aaron Phull Absolutely! I often do close up shots of small details in nature (small mushrooms for instance) and knowing how much magnification a lens can give is useful. (And also the whole “it can focus THIS close!” Thing kinda bugs me :P)
@@just_eirik Gotcha, great ok then I'll do my best to include details like this in future. Thanks for the feedback!
Wow nice nice review thanksssssss !!!1
How about colours? Are the colours coming out of viltrox noticeably different than Fuji? I have rokinon 12mm and very much dislike the colours on that compared to native Fuji.
Slightly more contrast with the Viltrox but in a good way, and I mean slight. Colour reproduction is good and on par with the Fuji tbh. At this point I'd put Viltrox far above the quality of Rokinon and Samyang.
Hahaha, I guessed perfectly just by CA alone.
CA is noticable at Viltrox and on first photo, with busy background, the bokeh rendition is a tad busier.
But everything else, I like Viltrox more. The bokeh rendition is smoother aside from first photo.
Did you color grade the photo comparison? It's hard to see the difference. But on the video, I can see Fuji is a bit warmer.
There is a slight grade on the images, I did adjust the exposure, the 1.2 obviously being lighter. Any changes were identical though.
Video was just the same Look LUT on each.
For me it will be the Viltrox. Really because of the combination of price, size, weight and filter mount. I was considering to get the small and light 2.0 FujiFilm primes of 50, 35 and 23 mm. Instead I will go for the Viltrox ones because of their low-light capabilities as compared to the 2.0 primes, but also their (same) filtermount of 52 mm. I am really curious if new third brand lens manufacturers will dare to compete with these Viltrox primes now that FujiFilm officially allows third parties to produce lenses based on their data, whereas Viltrox did so before that. I wonder if any one will be able to produce better lenses at this price-point.
Better quality lenses... Probably. Better quality lenses with the same value offering? Not so sure.
It's very useful like you say that the Viltrox trio all share the same casing, meaning no having to use different filters.
I’m not not if you mentioned this but which version of the fuji 56mm did you test?
Not the APD version, figured most people would have the standard version.
I only got the first. The Viltrox has a pronounced green fringing. But could not get any diff in the second, and tried to guessed the third and got it wrong.
This was definitely needed. I ended up getting 1 right and the others I was so busy going back and forth I realized it doesn't matter. The only downside of the lens for me is the clickless aperture, but since it has sensors I guess that means checking the settings more. Thanks a lot for the video this made my decision to make this my portrait lens.
Did you know that the Viltrox red and white limited edition variant has the click in aperture? It deterred me from getting them because of the clickless aperture, i still decided to buy them and got surprised by it! Im glad i went with the colored variants!
@@gamemansterjom2315 I didn’t know that I’ll see what the price difference these days are with sigma and the original 56mm being in the running
@@bychrisjones they’re the same at $379 i think same as release. I tried looking for used and not even one available everywhere i looked except Viltrox store. But yeah tbh they build is waay better than the regular lenses.
thank's Aaron, great video I buy Viltrox. Greetings from St. Tropez
Thank you Aaron! Viltrox, it's time for 16 1.4, made by you! :)
That would be awesome.
They've got a 13mm f1.4 on their roadmap!, it could be awesome.
Nicely done, Aaron. I really like your low key thoughtful presentation.
Fuji needs to revamp their lens lineup for upcoming bodies. There are many old lenses that need reworking. Regarding the stepless aperture, I think on E-mount it is smooth. Still electronic, but Sony does a much better job of small steps that are less obvious. Fuji is infamous for having poor electronical controls when it comes to adjusting ISO or aperture. E.g. the 16-55 has exposure stepping when zooming cos the aperture isn't mechanically coupled to the zoom, unlike most other lenses. Auto ISO is also not smooth in video.
I am using viltrox 56mm ... And it's pretty good....
I can tell them apart every time just by looking at the bokeh.
I don't know why, but Fuji has more sharpness and definition in the bokeh, while Viltrox blurs much much better. Viltrox does a lot cleaner bokeh and even blur in the background, while Fuji's background is often times busy with artifacts.
I'd pick the Viltrox every day of the week over the Fuji.
Now the focusing is interesting. In video I think both pull the focus terribly, but Viltrox is poorer in focus pulling with it's nervous jumps. Fuji isn't smooth either, but less hesitation and more precise.
AF speed in the other hand goes to the Viltrox, as the Fuji is a very old design, and much slower motor, etc.
Now when it comes to price... That's out of question. I can buy two Viltrox of the price of one Fuji which is ridiculous.
Amazing review. Just one little tip: the background music was slightly distracting and annoying. Just lower it a tad next time :). Thank you so much for the informative review.
your coupon code doesn't work on the 56. I preferred the Viltrox images on everything except bokeh. Even the skintones look better...The viltrox did a better job with CA and busy background for sure.
Read the video description my man..
@@AaronDiscovers got it, see it now, it was below the fold.
@@TheJoejoez Ah! Yeah Viltrox don't discount their newly released lenses unfortunately, but it does work on everything else. Mind you, tbh, it's not a bad price as it is anyway.
I shoot Fuji and I only got the bokeh shot right. If I were in the market for a 56mm, I'd have to admit that for the money, Viltrox gets my vote.
I just got the viltrox. its amazing- soooo good for video too! i may sell my viltrox 85 now
Keep the 85
It’s awesome as well
Honestly, I couldn’t really tell a major difference. Might as well save the money and get the viltrox. Change my mind.
Third party lenses are really becoming interesting for Fuji now! Not only cheaper, but also with better specs in some respects, since Fuji haven't been very keen on updating their lenses..
Well earlier this year they opened up their API officially so that third parties can produce AF lenses. I can hear Sigma coming....
The viltrox is clearly better bang for your buck. That said I'd still choose the fuji because of the special characteristics of the lense.
Like what?
Love 1.2
The price should draw the line in this one. . .for the untrained eye like mine the difference is just too close and cant just justify the price gap
The Viltrox is great, got it after seeing a number of videos on it. Got the fuji for the small size, and see this is going in the completely wrong direction.....
Will you ask Viltrox to make a auto focus 11 mm 1.8 lens
I'm fairly sure a 13mm 1.4 is on the road map somewhere which comes close.
Aaron Phull thank you
I buy 56 viltrox today ...because of you ;-)
a quality lens has high sharpness into the corners and high contrast, rich colors. Leica is the reference here. Fuji is a close second.
My results: guessed right two times out of three. Incidentally I own a copy of the Fujifilm XF 56 mm f/1.2 🙂
Can I get everyone's ideas as to whether I should get this lens? I literally just ordered the 85mm 1.8 and I thought "yeah, this will be a great portrait and boken lens" and then I saw this and wanted it and thought "yeah, this will be a great portrait and boken lens...oh wait, i already invested in one of those"
This lens does look great, but will i be able to make much use of it if i have the 85mm?
I got both and they both great. You cant go wrong of having them both, still cheaper than owning a Fuji 56mm f1.2
The Fuji and Viltrox resolve tones and colors differently
Aaron, the code doesnt work!
I believe it's been disabled during black Friday as they've already got 10-15% off site wide. 👍
It's not sharp as fuji 56 f1.2
especially at wide open it's a little bit soft where as fuji 56 is really sharp from 1.2
Viltorx all three
Good review, but the background music is really annoying when you speak.
I chose the Fuji for two big reasons. First, its just a better lens. The way it renders, the bokeh and the falloff are quite a bit better. It has far more character while the Viltrox has no character at all really, and the backgrounds are nervous looking. I could absolutely tell the difference between the two in these photos. The 56 f/1.2 is arguably THE best lens on the Fuji system, period. I actually prefer it to the 50 f/1 even. Second reason I chose the Fuji is the Viltrox is a 3rd party lens with reverse engineering. Fuji could put out a firmware update at any point that renders the Viltrox lens useless. Would they update it? How long before you get that update? There are also several users who have reported on B&H and other retailers that the Viltox just stopped working, sometimes after only a month. You get what you pay for, no thanks.
No Sample image. Tidak menarik
In terms of image quality, it's not even a comparison Fuji has better bokeh and at the same time mich sharper
It hit the Viltrox every time, how about that.
You look just like super mario
It's a me.. Aaron.
thanks man I'm a new in fujji you help me a lot