Received it about a week ago. While the comparison to the 33mm is understandable, there are numerous other considerations. For contextual portraits, the 27mm provides a superior experience because of its wider frame. Additionally, it outperforms in sharpness and slightly excels in contrast. Overall, it's a superior lens at a more affordable price.
@@BizonURSthe motors are fully capable. The same lenses in Sony and Nikon are performing really good. Fuji being a meh AF system. It’s the same as other Fuji lenses.
Very good review. Thank you. I have the Fuji 33mm f1.4 lens & it offers excellent optical performance & is fast to focus with its linear motor. So, I do not feel the need to purchase the Viltrox 27mm f1.2 lens. However, I recently purchased the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 lens for portraits. It is phenomenal & has NOT disappointed me. Viltrox has really became a major player with the release of their f 1.2 lenses & offers exceptional value for their price point. Best wishes for your channel.😊
Goughie. You're writing and production values are getting better with each new release. (not that they were EVER bad) Good work, I really enjoyed the review.
Thank you! Means so much! Oh they used to be bad…. Like really bad…. I keep them live as I like to look back at them and remember where I’ve come from 😂
I take your point about the depth of field, but there is another way to think about it. I often shoot with my 33mm wishing I had my 23mm because in some circumstances it’s too tight. This is also the case with the 23mm sometimes finding it’s slightly wide in some circumstances. Answer? I just swap lenses. Easy, right? Well, yes, but in a commercial environment, that means losing time and possibly the shot (I shoot a lot of events). So, the 27mm at f1.2 can do a great job at replacing them both in these situations as it mitigates a lens swap, and as for depth of field, from the testing I have seen, the difference with the 33mm is minimal, and in theory it should destroy the 23mm f1.4 for shallow depth of field. Not that shallow depth of field is everything, but this lens really does suggest to suit replacing them both, at least for me.
@@nordfresse Thank you, but I much prefer shooting primes. In busy events, often I need to isolate my subjects, and I feel I have an advantage with a fast prime to do this, over and above zoom.
@@danfarmer_photo Pretty sure you would get much better isolation with 55mm at 2.8 than you get with 27mm at 1.2.. Unless you are always really close to the people of course.
@@nordfresseI have the 16-55 and tested it. More separation with the 1.2 in most cases. Plus, shooting indoor events can be a challenge at 55mm in some cases. The other element at 2.8 is high iso values. Not always an issue but some of the venues aren’t the greatest for lighting, then add the challenge of shooting kids moving about therefore needing a higher shutter than an adult couple posing, and it’s a recipe for unnecessary noise. Again, this is where the 1.2 shines.
I am a Sony shooter but do have a Fujifilm x-e4 and I have the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2. It is big but the quality is amazing and I am not buying a bigger body to enjoy the lens. I usually carry it with the XF 23mm f/2. I will probably buy the 27mm Viltrox as well.
Viltrox has also created a 33mm f/1.4 lens for the Fuji FX Mount. I own it, and for less than half the price, it performs brilliantly. After watching this video, I would be interested in a comparison video between the original 33mm lens and the Viltrox version
The older lenses like the 23, 33, and 56 f1.4 aren't great. Sharp when stopped down, but wide open they have a lot of issues. Their newer 13, 27, and 75mm however are on a different level completely.
Wow, the lens is a real performer! I should message Viltrox to see if they'd like to send me one too. 40mm is my wife's favorite focal length. :D Very nice video!
Viltrox does very good job with this lens overall quality looks amazing, swirly bokeh looks lovely, but when it comes to that size and weight I wonder a purpose to stay in crop? I guess it's possible to keep pancake size and make it at least f2.2 - in the world of m43 there is panasonic 20mm f1.7 that's also pancake and if we map aperture equivalence we will end up somewhere around f2.2.
You've announced this review and it came, great job as always!;) To come back to your marketing trick I do think this lens would be a no brainer even if it was f/1.4 as it would make the lens smaller and it would still cost less than the 33mm Fuji. Furthermore, depth of field does not tell the whole story as background rendering might vary. Based on a side by side comparison by Xing Liu, the Viltrox actually does render backgrounds a tad softer than the 33mm if both lenses are shot from the same distance. Apart from that, I perfectly agree with your conclusion that the Viltrox is a no brainer for the price if you can work around it's weight.
I think it would be even more attractive were it an f1.4 lens. I think for a lot of people sitting on the fence, size will be the issue. Fujirumors did a survey at the end of last year for the most wanted lenses, and there wasn't a call for an f1.2 lens in sight. A 27mm f1.4 was quite near the top of the list though. I could well live with 27mm and sell both the 23 1.4 and 33 1.4. I saw Xing Liu's videos and preferred the Fuji rendering, but it wasn't so different I wouldn't consider consolidating with a third party option that was 95% of the way there. But I feel the Viltrox engineers took the job description of combining too lenses into one a little bit too literally!
@@brownbear100 I definitely agree that this lens is quite polarising among the Fuji community. Many Fuji users shoot Fuji for the compact lenses they get on APS-C. They will be thrown off by the size and the weight of this Viltrox offering. However, many people love the Fuji system but deplore the "limitations" of the APS-C sensor. That's where Viltrox comes into play by offering these people pro grade lenses with bright apertures at the cost of added weight. These lenses are definitely not meant for everybody but they do generate outputs that come close to those on full frame and I think that's what Viltrox aims for. I think we can all agree that no matter if f/1.4 or f/1.2, the new Viltrox lenses add value to the system. Maybe in the future Fuji themselves will release the 27mm you desire with an f/1.4 aperture in a more compact form factor ;)
Just purchased it today, I never saw such a good build quality, and such sharp photos. Not only that, but the lack of any aberrations and distortion, this lens is above anything else from Fuji. It is big and heavy, but after you try this aperture ring you forget everything. Just not sure if it will be a bit narrow for what I used to, but it sits perfectly between 12, 18, and 56.
Great lens option and seemingly a stunning lens. However this is a full frame size lens on an apsc camera. Before anyone comments that it is a 1.2 lens (which is true, no question) it is nearer a 1.8 equivalent on full frame and not to be compared to 1.4 size. I am glad as a fujifilm user we have more and more options. Good review.
I own two of the three full frame AF lenses for Sony FE that I know of at this focal length (40mm on full frame). The Zeiss Batis 40mm f2 is slightly bigger but considerably lighter - it's my favourite lens, but it's an f2. The Sigma 40mm f1.4 DG HSM is also excellent, but it's vast and weighs more than twice as much! There's also the Sony 40mm f2.5, which is very small and light, but it's f2.5. I reckon Fujifilm did a pretty good job in packaging this lens - it's top of my list as I transition from Sony to Fujifilm, but I'll be using the X-H2 and X-H2s and can see that the lens would not be such an easy choice on the smaller cameras.
I think this and the 75mm are definitely useful for some people in that they can be for certain applications. I love shooting my Fuji with a small light lens for fun but for paid events and things it’s really useful to have tons of speed and shallow depth of field. Could I get a FF camera? Yeah but I’d rather just have one system with different lenses for different uses. Not that I can’t use this for pleasure but my desire to carry it around on a random hike is lower. For paid work I don’t really care how big it is.
The swirl looks like the lensbaby or helios bokeh. This is pretty cool and the extra stops of light make it more attractive to me than the Fuji pancake at that focal length, weight be damned. I love the 33mm though. Cool to see 3rd party lenses going this route.
There are many aspects to judging a lens for quality… aSo I will try to address the very main aspects, when comparing any third party (also this Viltrox lens), to original first-party lenses. Fuji does not have a 27 mm 1.2, they have the pancake 2.8 and a much larger 23 mm 1.4. Third party companies seem to be buying into the simplification of how to judge lenses, being held up to clinical sharpness as the holy grail… this is in fact not the only or not even nearly the only measure of any great lens… usability, optical character and micro-contrast (color spectrum levels of detail, might be a good short explanation), are far more important to actually using and getting great photos! I’ll bet anyone to honestly criticize any classic and universally known photo, based on its technical sharpness, but you cannot disregard the usability aspect here… if that photographer, of some epic wartime in-situation photo, had not been able to carry the weight, or relay on consistent durability, from his/her lenses, then the photo you so adore would never have been taken… The best camera you have, is the one you carry! I seriously doubt, that anyone using a 27 mm prime will bitch and moan over leaving f 1.2 behind for f.2.8, favoring lightweight (the Fuji 27 mm pancake) and high image micro-contrast over absolute sharpness. The Fuji 23 mm sacrifices weight, but gets you to f 1.4, and retains a constructions with a low lens element count. Viltrox, and yes - I have one of their lenses, and yes, the image quality in comparison to Fuji is atrocious - focuses on raw sharpness as the main grail of their products…. For every lens you add into the construction of the collective lens (in the barrel), you lose light and micro-contrast to each and every layer of glass/plastics that the light needs to penetrate (between front and rear elements)… Viltrox does not very public ally disclose the amount of ended in their constructions… Fuji does… only 7 in the 27 mm f2.8… and regarding maximum aperture at such a wide focal length - I challenge anyone to honestly find and argue that they moaned about not taking an image at 2.8, because they should’ve taken it at 1.2 or even 1.4… keeping in mind the high quality imaging we get today at even high ISO, your main issue at f 1.2 or 1.4, will be that any focus is razor thin, so your concerned about sharpness and such go right out the window. This may sound like a Viltrox-slam, and a pro-Fuji argument, but in fact, the points above, apply to every single third party manufacturer of cheaper and modern lenses - Voigtländer is an exception - I attribute this to their long photographic heritage… and they too prioritize low lens element counts, in their constructions…
fuji guy still bring 16-55 and people are gonna buying viltrox lenses, new fuji lenses price just doesnt make sense for recreational user which is their main target many people still buying used lenses and with this good viltrox lenses which priced the same as used dusty sometimes with fungus fujinon lenses i wonder how fuji will maintain its lenses sale
@@kevin-sj3wt Funny enough, I returned my 27mm f1.2 due to unacceptable amount of dust in the inner elements. Anything at f8 and above was unusable with 5 clearly visible dust spots in the frame. My 75mm f1.2 also has dust but only visible at f16, so I kept it. My 13mm f1.4 has dust which I cannot clearly see on images. Viltrox needs to review its quality control. I am now no longer trusting Viltrox.
@@Goughie it isnt just that, youve gotta think vignette, sharpness, etc. so many aspects. This is why cellphones can only ever get close through computational photography… they have to “fake” it
@@phillipstone2563 not sure what that’s got to do with…. Slower lenses being smaller than fast ones? Slower lenses are typically sharper and have less vignette too You’re right about computation photography being required in phones but that’s less to do with lenses, and far more to do with the tiny little sensors in them
Camera bodies tend to be getting smaller, lenses bigger. If you want to be discreet on the street, big lenses won't help. It does seem excellent value for money. Good review.
@@Goughie thank you He was talking about focus breeding. I wonder what the continous focus is like. Looking at other reviews, they don't talk about video AF well, but there seems to be a reason. I will buy it myself and try it out. lol
The thing that Fuji is sleeping on is the prices they charge ( and I own the XS-10 + 55-200mm lens ). Its when viltrox releases a zoom lens with a wide aperture and a good price is when Viltrox give the smack down on the whole industry
@@Goughie i just recently bought one, its sharper and have more contrast than the noktons. paired with the xpro3 and OVF its amazing. Great channel! love everything! cheers!
Thank you for a very balanced review. I am tossing up between this and a few other used fujinon lenses and your point about the cross over and ‘f1.2 isn’t that far from 1.4’ are true. I already own the older 35f1.4 but i find it too tight especially as i mostly shoot night street and landscape. Considering this or the 16-55 used…
I had their 23mm on my Fuji xt30 well made good quality lens no doubt about that, but, omg the weight of it when out for a photowalk. Also not as easy to sell used as you might imagine either.
wow, this lens looks awesome! too bad it's kinda big or else i'd be looking into getting myself one haha really love the photos at 4:30, your colors are amazingg!
Well made video and great review. By the way, just a heads up: if you receive a product for free, that is considered a "paid promotion" for legal purposes, and thus you should tick the box in the video options that it does or you'd be in violation of RUclips guidelines. At least it doesn't seem as if you ticked the option since no "Paid Promotion" notification came up at the start of the video, which is what is supposed to happen.
I’ve gone and checked as I’m sure I’d ticked it! And it is ticked! And when I watch it I do get the alert that it contains one! Not sure why you’re not; I wonder if it’s local based and things are different for your location
@@Goughie I get the alerts when I watch some other videos, and I just checked another one I knew should have one after watching this, so it's RUclips not showing it consistently in that case. Anyway, the important thing is you've done it correctly and won't get into problems, which was the main purpose of my comment. Everything is fine with the world.
Got mine today :) .... thx for a great review ..... quick question .... Is it possible that 1.01 the newest firmware for Fuji X mount ?? Their website is a bit confusing.
I cropped a bit out of the video where I mentioned the 13mm f1.4 and 75mm f1.2 too also being really positively reviewed! Maybe I should check them out!
I want a 27mm f1.4 but I want it the size of the 35mm f1.4. Only needs to be sharp in the center wide open. I don't get these huge lenses aiming for wide open corner sharpness.
in regards the 33 and the 27 comparison, longer focal length does help with DF, however just step forward with the 27 and you will get very similar DF. I had both lenses and I sold the 33... I much prefer the 40mm because it sits in between the 35 and 50... meaning I don't need the 35 or 50. plus the 27 did perform well better in low light than the 33. Of course this is just my opinion and I use gear for my professional work.
Dont think that will happen and that is probably the reason why Viltrox made one. Many people would only go for an FX 27mm instead of buying both the 23mm and the 33mm. I know I would...
Greeting! Could you please make a video comparing the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 and the Sigma 23mm 1.4 for video recording? Or tell me which one is better for Fuji X-t 4. I'm a videographer and I'm not sure which of these two lenses to buy for video recording. Similar focal length, but I prefer the bokeh on the Viltrox. It seems to me that both lenses have a problem with autofocus for video and with focus breathing. Can the new firmware fix this problem? Thank you!
A couple people have mentioned focus breathing in the comments; it’s not really something that can be fixed with firmware as it’s lens design based Sony do it with a combination of camera firmware and lens firmware, I don’t think it’s possible for Viltrox to do it as they’d require camera firmware too
My dude brought the brick wall in?! NOOOOO 😂- great video man I am 100% getting this lens. I’ve been waiting for this video and I’m not disappointed at all. Great job. And yes it’s the f/1.2, price and build for me.
The Veltrox 27mm is basically between the weight and size of the 16-80mm and the 70-300mm and all three work nicely on the X T5 that has the grip and use also of a wrist strap for additional security. And yes, using a lens shade does wonders for protection of the lens if there is a droppage and for keeping out stray light from the lens.
Regarding depth of field in comparison with the Fuji 33mm f1.4 it seems you made the mistake of comparing at the same distance to your subject. In real life you would always want to have your subject in the same size and therefore go closer to your subject with the shorter focal length. That‘s the reason why depth of field doesn‘t depend on the focal length at all but only on the f-stop. The increased subject isolation of longer focal lengths are only due to a usually more homogeneous background from the narrower field of view. No marketing trick here from Viltrox.
I dont think Viltrox is better. First of all, i have the Fuji 23, 33 WR and the Viltrox 27 and 75. Viltrox made a really good pair of lenses, very sharp and ver solid construction...im impressed. Although, after a few months shooting with the four lenses, there is something in Viltrox that i dont like. i took some shots in studio and when it comes to make zoom in the images, the sharpness of the lenses affects the skin texture of models, looks like i put a denoise effect and it looks very weird...zooming 100% Fuji does a better work in the models skins, but for the price Viltrox is great!
Fantastic review Goughie! Really impressive for a third party producing such high quality lens for Fuji. The rainbow artifacts are interesting... I'm for using "jello wobble" over rolling shutter now XD Excellent video as always! Cheers mate!
Clean post, even if timing w/lens release turns the channel into a marketing campaign element. Viltrox lenses tend to be heavy, although IQ is good and improving. Rainbow is likely internal lens flare. Firmware update should not be an issue - PC to lens via USB, as I understand. How often do you use your lenses at their widest aperture? Cheers!
It’s a lens I had interest in myself! I think this might actually be the only time I’ve had a len pre-release date Frequently for portraits, I imagine most of my images are either; at the widest or at 5.6/8
So here’s an interesting one, I took the same photo 3 times, Leica M10, XH2S + 33mm, XH2S + 27mm. Both the Leica and the 27mm on the raw file in Lightroom had the same white balance applied giving them a warm tint, and the 33mm f1.4 files that day were all really cold in comparison. Hard to be conclusive from this one example, and it’s easily fixed in post! But it stood out a lot
Well they are busy making niche lenses like the 8mm F3.5… and not releasing cameras they’ve stopped producing, but as this video concludes… I’m sticking to my Fuji lenses. Really want them to update the 18mm f2 let’s see!
The Fuji 1.4 Primes are the biggest walk around prime lenses I‘m able to tolerate. They are right on the edge and already too big if I use them with a lens hood. So by this measure the Viltrox doesn’t make the cut.
I don't think fujifilm need to wake up because making a lens small is a battle with compromise. Make a big lens is not a proplem at all, just like sigma. I really like your use case though!
this seems to be the lens that is getting all the attention. Its great for sure. But the 75mm f1.2 Viltrox pro is the one IMHO that is a stunning deal. this 27 is not head and shoulders better or cheaper than the Sigma 30mm 1.4 or Fuji 33 1.4. But the 75 1.2 is in a class by itself. More than a stop faster than fuji 90mm f2 and half its price
It’s only because this lens is considerably newer than the 75mm that it’s getting all the attention at the moment, and likely that 27mm is applicable to more people than 75mm I have just received the 75mm! Video coming soon
Great review, well to the point. But marketing trick? No, not in my opinion. You get great image quality for a great price, the trade-off being the weight and size. As Viltrox is manufacturing this lens also for other mounts maybe that explains the latter a bit, I’m not sure. But it seems a great offer. Thx for al the work you put into your videos, and enjoy your lens🙂 Looking forward for you to use it and share some images long term.
I think Fujifilm got it exactly right. The main reason for 27mm lens is to make a pancake lens which they did for the X-E cameras. Tiny camera, tiny lens. As you would not trade your 23mm or 35mm for the Viltrox neither would many others. But who knows? With enough marketing by people who get free lenses, some may decide a giant 27mm lens, a focal length few have ever wanted, is ideal.
Fuji pancake isn't best, in the world of m43 we've got panasonic 20mm f1.7 (same 40mm equivalent). And it's better: very sharp and faster aperture while stays pancake. And even if we calculate equivalent aperture number it would be f3.4 for panasonic and f4.2 for Fuji, that's almost 1 full stop! Forget to say about price, it's also 100$ cheaper than fuji. The only thing it lacks is WR. So yes, Fuji has a plenty of room to be better.
@@Goughie Can't post any links (comment will get deleted) but that's a pretty big deal. Having the same shallow DoF in a wider lens is great. You also wouldn't say the 33mm F1.4 shallow DoF is just marketing because a 50mm F2 gets the same DoF at just F2
It just highlights very well that if you are happy with your portraits etc. with your 33 1.4 (of any brand), then switching to this lens gives you literally no advantage in terms of depth of field, but you do get all of the downsides fairly raised in this video, too, but not forgetting the focus breathing also make it all but unusable for video. So that already takes the key marketing spec out of consideration. The f1.2 really doesn't bring that much to the table when comparing to any of the available fast primes from 33 upwards. Focal length is far more important, and comparing the 33 to a 50mm is a bit disengenious, the 33 and 27 are much closer. So to decide between the 33 and 27, it should really come down to do you like the images so much better when viewed at normal viewing distances that it makes you forgive the obvious downsides. And this is of course subjective. I think really this is a lens Viltrox should want comparing to the 23 1.4 LM WR much more. Because in this fight, the Viltrox does have a DoF advantage and smoother bokeh. On the other hand the Fuji is much more of an all-rounder, excellent for documentary, street, events, video, everyday, travel etc. etc. And it's clear size advantage suits and even contributes to that. So much more of a clear choice, depending on your needs.
@@brownbear100 Comparing the 27mm to the 33mm is disingenous. After all the 23mm is much closer in focal length. And the 27mm F1.2 offers significantly more shallow DoF than the 23mm F1.4. DoF this shallow at such a wide FoV is pretty unique in APS-C. And this renders nicer than either of those lenses if have seen direct comparison.
@@MegaWeitzel in the comparisons I have seen, I mostly preferred the rendering of the 33 1.4. There's not much in it, but the contrast in particular is behind the Fuji until you stop down the Viltrox. Of course the most obvious comparison lens is the 33 1.4. The 27 1.4 is being billed as a "pro" portrait lens. It's even painted on the barrel to remind the user they are a "pro". The closest lens from the Fuji line-up for this purpose is the 33. For someone taking portraiture, the difference between doing so at 27mm and 33mm is mostly insignificant. It certainly is between my 27 and 33. If you can move a couple of steps, you're golden. The pros this lens is marketed at are more than capable of moving slightly. If I want a wide perspective I'll go for the 18mm. 27mm isn't wide. The 23 1.4 LM WR is a documentary lens, it's a street lens, events, travel, video, you name it. Its primary purpose isn't portraiture. And a lens the size of the 27 1.2 will be too cumbersome for most people for the purposes the 23 is intended. Don't just look at the numbers, but what the lens is for.
I am not a fan of Chinese lenses because one of their opitcal gears damages my camera due to lack of QC back in 2018. Therefore I am not recommending any Chinese made lenses. However, all f.12 lenses are more like f1.3 lenses. Better stick to 1.4 lenses and save costs. Most people won't notice the difference between f1.4 and f1.2
Nope not really, I’ve done my fair share of honest negative reviews of Sirui and 7Artisans on this channel. And they still email out frequently, It’s more I’ve stopped wanting to review bad products than them not wanting to send them
Ahaha! It’ll be interesting to see if they do venture into Fuji much! Must say the sigma 18-50mm makes for an interesting proposition! One I’m debating hard on atm
I'm pretty convinced now this is the hierarchy: If you don't need an aperture ring, go with Sigma If you prefer an aperture ring, go with Viltrox If you are professional and your clients take note of your gear, go with Fuji glass
Ahhh what was wrong? I tried a few shots and didn’t really have any issues! I didn’t test video at f1.2 as it meant crazy high shutter speeds that weren’t too usable
Fair enough, ignore every video on this lens for a while as they will all have been gifted atm, they just might not have made it as clear. i try to keep things objective and make it clear where I am giving an opinion. This video ends with me saying if I had to pay for it I wouldn’t buy it
Does Fujifilm needs to wake up? No.. just talk about the lens you like and leave it at that so that manufacturers have their independent unique mind to come up with a completely unique lens/camera and so on. Who inspired Viltrox to come up with 27 and 75? None. So take it easy.
i guess people are always looking for equivalence with full frame DOF specs, or at least roughly equal. 27mm f1.2 is roughly equivalent to 40mm f1.8 on full frame. F1.8 isn’t even a premium lens on full frame… it isn’t all about shallow DOF though. i find myself avoiding it more often than not these days. on full frame, you often have to stop down to eg f2.8 to get an acceptable DOF for the subject anyway, and older lenses like the EF canon lenses are sharper stopped down too, even more so with older lenses. the remarkable thing about fuji lenses and many other modern lenses is they’re sharp wide open, so effectively useable at similar DOF to older lenses
"F1.8 isn’t even a premium lens on full frame…" 1. F1.8 is just an aperture, not a lens. 2. The reason why most f1.8 full frame lenses are no premium, because they have f1.2 or f1.4 high end counterparts. But of course there are also premium f1.8 fullframe lenses like the RF 135mm 1,8 L.
Wouldn't be shocked if Viltrox doesn't have any in stock since it seems like every photographer on RUclips got one in the mail.
😂😂😂 I’m a little slow to post too!
@@Goughie LoL enjoy the lens
@@RandyPollock you got a good laugh out of me! 😂
Idk where mines at 😢
Just ordered and it won’t be here till sep 13th 😅
Received it about a week ago. While the comparison to the 33mm is understandable, there are numerous other considerations. For contextual portraits, the 27mm provides a superior experience because of its wider frame. Additionally, it outperforms in sharpness and slightly excels in contrast. Overall, it's a superior lens at a more affordable price.
I've had it for just over a week. It's a hefty beast, but the quality is incredible for the price.
and how about the autofocus ?? is it fast enough for street ?? I mean .. moving subjects
Should be fast enough for street, certainly on the newer bodies. Sports is a no go for this hefty lens@@BizonURS
@@BizonURSthe motors are fully capable. The same lenses in Sony and Nikon are performing really good. Fuji being a meh AF system. It’s the same as other Fuji lenses.
Very good review. Thank you. I have the Fuji 33mm f1.4 lens & it offers excellent optical performance & is fast to focus with its linear motor. So, I do not feel the need to purchase the Viltrox 27mm f1.2 lens. However, I recently purchased the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 lens for portraits. It is phenomenal & has NOT disappointed me. Viltrox has really became a major player with the release of their f 1.2 lenses & offers exceptional value for their price point. Best wishes for your channel.😊
Goughie. You're writing and production values are getting better with each new release. (not that they were EVER bad) Good work, I really enjoyed the review.
Thank you! Means so much! Oh they used to be bad…. Like really bad…. I keep them live as I like to look back at them and remember where I’ve come from 😂
I take your point about the depth of field, but there is another way to think about it. I often shoot with my 33mm wishing I had my 23mm because in some circumstances it’s too tight. This is also the case with the 23mm sometimes finding it’s slightly wide in some circumstances. Answer? I just swap lenses. Easy, right? Well, yes, but in a commercial environment, that means losing time and possibly the shot (I shoot a lot of events). So, the 27mm at f1.2 can do a great job at replacing them both in these situations as it mitigates a lens swap, and as for depth of field, from the testing I have seen, the difference with the 33mm is minimal, and in theory it should destroy the 23mm f1.4 for shallow depth of field. Not that shallow depth of field is everything, but this lens really does suggest to suit replacing them both, at least for me.
I´d suggest you use the FX 16-55 f2.8 for your events, that way you will have all the options you would ever want.
@@nordfresse Thank you, but I much prefer shooting primes. In busy events, often I need to isolate my subjects, and I feel I have an advantage with a fast prime to do this, over and above zoom.
@@danfarmer_photo Pretty sure you would get much better isolation with 55mm at 2.8 than you get with 27mm at 1.2.. Unless you are always really close to the people of course.
@@nordfresseI have the 16-55 and tested it. More separation with the 1.2 in most cases. Plus, shooting indoor events can be a challenge at 55mm in some cases. The other element at 2.8 is high iso values. Not always an issue but some of the venues aren’t the greatest for lighting, then add the challenge of shooting kids moving about therefore needing a higher shutter than an adult couple posing, and it’s a recipe for unnecessary noise. Again, this is where the 1.2 shines.
This is what I did, sold 35 and 23 to get this 27. Still not sure if it is maybe too narrow, but I believe it will be good after some time.
I am a Sony shooter but do have a Fujifilm x-e4 and I have the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2. It is big but the quality is amazing and I am not buying a bigger body to enjoy the lens. I usually carry it with the XF 23mm f/2. I will probably buy the 27mm Viltrox as well.
Viltrox has also created a 33mm f/1.4 lens for the Fuji FX Mount. I own it, and for less than half the price, it performs brilliantly. After watching this video, I would be interested in a comparison video between the original 33mm lens and the Viltrox version
Ooooo I don’t have it! Maybe I’ll need to have a look for it!
No comparisons. The 1.2 will be sharper with little to zero fringe. With better bokeh and separation. But the 33 is very fun to use
@@ajphelps16 Which 1.2 do you mean? I‘ve talked about the 33mm 1.4
@@OutOfTheBoxHD the 27 1.2 viltrox vs the 33 1.4 viltrox in comparison
The older lenses like the 23, 33, and 56 f1.4 aren't great. Sharp when stopped down, but wide open they have a lot of issues. Their newer 13, 27, and 75mm however are on a different level completely.
I wish they would do “Pro” manual focus lenses at these less common focal lengths. That way we could have nice optics in smaller and lighter package.
Wow, the lens is a real performer! I should message Viltrox to see if they'd like to send me one too. 40mm is my wife's favorite focal length. :D Very nice video!
Viltrox does very good job with this lens overall quality looks amazing, swirly bokeh looks lovely, but when it comes to that size and weight I wonder a purpose to stay in crop? I guess it's possible to keep pancake size and make it at least f2.2 - in the world of m43 there is panasonic 20mm f1.7 that's also pancake and if we map aperture equivalence we will end up somewhere around f2.2.
You've announced this review and it came, great job as always!;) To come back to your marketing trick I do think this lens would be a no brainer even if it was f/1.4 as it would make the lens smaller and it would still cost less than the 33mm Fuji. Furthermore, depth of field does not tell the whole story as background rendering might vary. Based on a side by side comparison by Xing Liu, the Viltrox actually does render backgrounds a tad softer than the 33mm if both lenses are shot from the same distance. Apart from that, I perfectly agree with your conclusion that the Viltrox is a no brainer for the price if you can work around it's weight.
I think it would be even more attractive were it an f1.4 lens. I think for a lot of people sitting on the fence, size will be the issue.
Fujirumors did a survey at the end of last year for the most wanted lenses, and there wasn't a call for an f1.2 lens in sight. A 27mm f1.4 was quite near the top of the list though.
I could well live with 27mm and sell both the 23 1.4 and 33 1.4. I saw Xing Liu's videos and preferred the Fuji rendering, but it wasn't so different I wouldn't consider consolidating with a third party option that was 95% of the way there. But I feel the Viltrox engineers took the job description of combining too lenses into one a little bit too literally!
@@brownbear100 I definitely agree that this lens is quite polarising among the Fuji community. Many Fuji users shoot Fuji for the compact lenses they get on APS-C. They will be thrown off by the size and the weight of this Viltrox offering.
However, many people love the Fuji system but deplore the "limitations" of the APS-C sensor. That's where Viltrox comes into play by offering these people pro grade lenses with bright apertures at the cost of added weight. These lenses are definitely not meant for everybody but they do generate outputs that come close to those on full frame and I think that's what Viltrox aims for.
I think we can all agree that no matter if f/1.4 or f/1.2, the new Viltrox lenses add value to the system. Maybe in the future Fuji themselves will release the 27mm you desire with an f/1.4 aperture in a more compact form factor ;)
Awesome review... touched all the bases for me.... Thank you.
Just purchased it today, I never saw such a good build quality, and such sharp photos. Not only that, but the lack of any aberrations and distortion, this lens is above anything else from Fuji.
It is big and heavy, but after you try this aperture ring you forget everything.
Just not sure if it will be a bit narrow for what I used to, but it sits perfectly between 12, 18, and 56.
Great lens option and seemingly a stunning lens. However this is a full frame size lens on an apsc camera. Before anyone comments that it is a 1.2 lens (which is true, no question) it is nearer a 1.8 equivalent on full frame and not to be compared to 1.4 size. I am glad as a fujifilm user we have more and more options. Good review.
I own two of the three full frame AF lenses for Sony FE that I know of at this focal length (40mm on full frame). The Zeiss Batis 40mm f2 is slightly bigger but considerably lighter - it's my favourite lens, but it's an f2. The Sigma 40mm f1.4 DG HSM is also excellent, but it's vast and weighs more than twice as much! There's also the Sony 40mm f2.5, which is very small and light, but it's f2.5. I reckon Fujifilm did a pretty good job in packaging this lens - it's top of my list as I transition from Sony to Fujifilm, but I'll be using the X-H2 and X-H2s and can see that the lens would not be such an easy choice on the smaller cameras.
I think this and the 75mm are definitely useful for some people in that they can be for certain applications. I love shooting my Fuji with a small light lens for fun but for paid events and things it’s really useful to have tons of speed and shallow depth of field. Could I get a FF camera? Yeah but I’d rather just have one system with different lenses for different uses. Not that I can’t use this for pleasure but my desire to carry it around on a random hike is lower. For paid work I don’t really care how big it is.
The swirl looks like the lensbaby or helios bokeh. This is pretty cool and the extra stops of light make it more attractive to me than the Fuji pancake at that focal length, weight be damned. I love the 33mm though. Cool to see 3rd party lenses going this route.
Yes it does actually! Good shout! The more competition the better for us as consumers too right!
thanks for the review, i really enjoy ur videos
Thank you for watching!
There are many aspects to judging a lens for quality… aSo I will try to address the very main aspects, when comparing any third party (also this Viltrox lens), to original first-party lenses. Fuji does not have a 27 mm 1.2, they have the pancake 2.8 and a much larger 23 mm 1.4. Third party companies seem to be buying into the simplification of how to judge lenses, being held up to clinical sharpness as the holy grail… this is in fact not the only or not even nearly the only measure of any great lens… usability, optical character and micro-contrast (color spectrum levels of detail, might be a good short explanation), are far more important to actually using and getting great photos! I’ll bet anyone to honestly criticize any classic and universally known photo, based on its technical sharpness, but you cannot disregard the usability aspect here… if that photographer, of some epic wartime in-situation photo, had not been able to carry the weight, or relay on consistent durability, from his/her lenses, then the photo you so adore would never have been taken… The best camera you have, is the one you carry! I seriously doubt, that anyone using a 27 mm prime will bitch and moan over leaving f 1.2 behind for f.2.8, favoring lightweight (the Fuji 27 mm pancake) and high image micro-contrast over absolute sharpness. The Fuji 23 mm sacrifices weight, but gets you to f 1.4, and retains a constructions with a low lens element count. Viltrox, and yes - I have one of their lenses, and yes, the image quality in comparison to Fuji is atrocious - focuses on raw sharpness as the main grail of their products…. For every lens you add into the construction of the collective lens (in the barrel), you lose light and micro-contrast to each and every layer of glass/plastics that the light needs to penetrate (between front and rear elements)… Viltrox does not very public ally disclose the amount of ended in their constructions… Fuji does… only 7 in the 27 mm f2.8… and regarding maximum aperture at such a wide focal length - I challenge anyone to honestly find and argue that they moaned about not taking an image at 2.8, because they should’ve taken it at 1.2 or even 1.4… keeping in mind the high quality imaging we get today at even high ISO, your main issue at f 1.2 or 1.4, will be that any focus is razor thin, so your concerned about sharpness and such go right out the window. This may sound like a Viltrox-slam, and a pro-Fuji argument, but in fact, the points above, apply to every single third party manufacturer of cheaper and modern lenses - Voigtländer is an exception - I attribute this to their long photographic heritage… and they too prioritize low lens element counts, in their constructions…
fuji guy still bring 16-55 and people are gonna buying viltrox lenses, new fuji lenses price just doesnt make sense for recreational user which is their main target many people still buying used lenses and with this good viltrox lenses which priced the same as used dusty sometimes with fungus fujinon lenses i wonder how fuji will maintain its lenses sale
@@kevin-sj3wt Funny enough, I returned my 27mm f1.2 due to unacceptable amount of dust in the inner elements. Anything at f8 and above was unusable with 5 clearly visible dust spots in the frame. My 75mm f1.2 also has dust but only visible at f16, so I kept it. My 13mm f1.4 has dust which I cannot clearly see on images. Viltrox needs to review its quality control. I am now no longer trusting Viltrox.
@@danielpv1763 bad for you bro, maybe some are bad qc, but mine is clean no dust, smooth like butter
Viltrox should make an f2 version of this lens. Same IQ and build, but in a much smaller package.
Agreed! Would be awesome! I’d love for them to now focus on size!
Lmao. You can;t do the same image quality in a smaller lens. It has the image quality it does, because it’s larger.
@@phillipstone2563 if it’s slower then size can definitely be reduced?
@@Goughie it isnt just that, youve gotta think vignette, sharpness, etc. so many aspects. This is why cellphones can only ever get close through computational photography… they have to “fake” it
@@phillipstone2563 not sure what that’s got to do with…. Slower lenses being smaller than fast ones? Slower lenses are typically sharper and have less vignette too
You’re right about computation photography being required in phones but that’s less to do with lenses, and far more to do with the tiny little sensors in them
it would have been nice to have some comparison with the 33mm 1.4. Thanks for the video.
Just need a viltrox 18mm f2 pancake to rival fuji now
I have literally just bought the Fuji 18mm f2 for a quick video! Would be awesome if they did release a lens that competes!
Viltrox would consider the 18 1.4 to be a pancake.
@@Goughieaww i have been looking for one but everywhere is out of stock, was hoping that was a sign of a re-release WR mark 2 version 😅
Camera bodies tend to be getting smaller, lenses bigger. If you want to be discreet on the street, big lenses won't help. It does seem excellent value for money. Good review.
Thank you for the wonderful video. Compared to the XF 33mm 1.4, is the video AF comparable?
I’ve missed this from my testing! Someone else in the comments has suggested that it was bad enough they returned it!
@@Goughie thank you He was talking about focus breeding. I wonder what the continous focus is like. Looking at other reviews, they don't talk about video AF well, but there seems to be a reason. I will buy it myself and try it out. lol
@@CMVFactory do you follow me on insta, I could try it for you over the weekend if you’d like
Would love a comparison between this and the Laowa 25mm 0.95.
I already have the 13,75,85 from Viltrox and now I'm sure I'll have this one in my setup amazing lenses
The thing that Fuji is sleeping on is the prices they charge ( and I own the XS-10 + 55-200mm lens ).
Its when viltrox releases a zoom lens with a wide aperture and a good price is when Viltrox give the smack down on the whole industry
i think you should try the voigtlander ultron 27 mm f2, great review!
I’d love to! I thought I’d worked out a way to get it on the channel! But it didn’t work out! I’m still trying!
@@Goughie i just recently bought one, its sharper and have more contrast than the noktons. paired with the xpro3 and OVF its amazing. Great channel! love everything! cheers!
Sharper and cheaper. I don’t know what Fujifilm thinks.
Thank you for a very balanced review. I am tossing up between this and a few other used fujinon lenses and your point about the cross over and ‘f1.2 isn’t that far from 1.4’ are true. I already own the older 35f1.4 but i find it too tight especially as i mostly shoot night street and landscape.
Considering this or the 16-55 used…
I had their 23mm on my Fuji xt30 well made good quality lens no doubt about that, but, omg the weight of it when out for a photowalk. Also not as easy to sell used as you might imagine either.
Size is definitely the big problem! Now they’ve made their statement lenses I’d love to see them focus on quality and size!
wow, this lens looks awesome! too bad it's kinda big or else i'd be looking into getting myself one haha really love the photos at 4:30, your colors are amazingg!
Thank you!! Aha! What an awesome pub! We actually went in too!
Well made video and great review. By the way, just a heads up: if you receive a product for free, that is considered a "paid promotion" for legal purposes, and thus you should tick the box in the video options that it does or you'd be in violation of RUclips guidelines. At least it doesn't seem as if you ticked the option since no "Paid Promotion" notification came up at the start of the video, which is what is supposed to happen.
I’ve gone and checked as I’m sure I’d ticked it! And it is ticked! And when I watch it I do get the alert that it contains one! Not sure why you’re not; I wonder if it’s local based and things are different for your location
@@Goughie I get the alerts when I watch some other videos, and I just checked another one I knew should have one after watching this, so it's RUclips not showing it consistently in that case.
Anyway, the important thing is you've done it correctly and won't get into problems, which was the main purpose of my comment. Everything is fine with the world.
@@hakonsoreide thank you for your help!
Got mine today :) .... thx for a great review ..... quick question .... Is it possible that 1.01 the newest firmware for Fuji X mount ?? Their website is a bit confusing.
Just lean forward 23cm and you ll get same Dof in your example. That Viltrox is really a versatile tool.
Their 13mm 1.4 is a great video lens. Also on the bigger size though
I cropped a bit out of the video where I mentioned the 13mm f1.4 and 75mm f1.2 too also being really positively reviewed! Maybe I should check them out!
Thanks, that was useful!
I want a 27mm f1.4 but I want it the size of the 35mm f1.4. Only needs to be sharp in the center wide open. I don't get these huge lenses aiming for wide open corner sharpness.
You looked so unimpressed at having to photograph the wall 😂😂 lens looks great though!
in regards the 33 and the 27 comparison, longer focal length does help with DF, however just step forward with the 27 and you will get very similar DF. I had both lenses and I sold the 33... I much prefer the 40mm because it sits in between the 35 and 50... meaning I don't need the 35 or 50. plus the 27 did perform well better in low light than the 33. Of course this is just my opinion and I use gear for my professional work.
I'd love to see Fuji strike back with a 27 1.4, it'd probably be 30% smaller/lighter. I'd gladly pay the premium.
Would be awesome! Competition is great for us!
unfortunally Fuji lenses tend to become bigger theses days.
@@muttishelfer9122 idk the size of the Fuji 23 & 33 1.4s don't bother me. Both are more compact than this beast
Dont think that will happen and that is probably the reason why Viltrox made one. Many people would only go for an FX 27mm instead of buying both the 23mm and the 33mm. I know I would...
What about the 27mm f2.8 mkii fuji pancake! I tried them both and I rather keep the pancake!
Same focal length, very different lenses I think! That pancake is surprisingly good!
@@Goughie yes, and lighter
Can you do comparison video with xf33 side by side with sample images
I’ve be been considering doing a short on it!
Greeting! Could you please make a video comparing the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 and the Sigma 23mm 1.4 for video recording? Or tell me which one is better for Fuji X-t 4. I'm a videographer and I'm not sure which of these two lenses to buy for video recording. Similar focal length, but I prefer the bokeh on the Viltrox. It seems to me that both lenses have a problem with autofocus for video and with focus breathing. Can the new firmware fix this problem? Thank you!
A couple people have mentioned focus breathing in the comments; it’s not really something that can be fixed with firmware as it’s lens design based
Sony do it with a combination of camera firmware and lens firmware, I don’t think it’s possible for Viltrox to do it as they’d require camera firmware too
My dude brought the brick wall in?! NOOOOO 😂- great video man I am 100% getting this lens. I’ve been waiting for this video and I’m not disappointed at all. Great job. And yes it’s the f/1.2, price and build for me.
Ahahaha I really did bring in the wall 😂 I won’t do it again for at least 10 videos 😏
@@Goughie holding you to that
My only problem with this lens (as an X-E3 user) is its size and weight. if it's closer to an XF 23mm f/1.4 R, then it's a no-brainer.
The Veltrox 27mm is basically between the weight and size of the 16-80mm and the 70-300mm and all three work nicely on the X T5 that has the grip and use also of a wrist strap for additional security. And yes, using a lens shade does wonders for protection of the lens if there is a droppage and for keeping out stray light from the lens.
@@phlotographer But I have an X-E3, that's why I have a problem with it...
Regarding depth of field in comparison with the Fuji 33mm f1.4 it seems you made the mistake of comparing at the same distance to your subject. In real life you would always want to have your subject in the same size and therefore go closer to your subject with the shorter focal length. That‘s the reason why depth of field doesn‘t depend on the focal length at all but only on the f-stop. The increased subject isolation of longer focal lengths are only due to a usually more homogeneous background from the narrower field of view. No marketing trick here from Viltrox.
I dont think Viltrox is better. First of all, i have the Fuji 23, 33 WR and the Viltrox 27 and 75. Viltrox made a really good pair of lenses, very sharp and ver solid construction...im impressed. Although, after a few months shooting with the four lenses, there is something in Viltrox that i dont like. i took some shots in studio and when it comes to make zoom in the images, the sharpness of the lenses affects the skin texture of models, looks like i put a denoise effect and it looks very weird...zooming 100% Fuji does a better work in the models skins, but for the price Viltrox is great!
Fantastic review Goughie!
Really impressive for a third party producing such high quality lens for Fuji. The rainbow artifacts are interesting...
I'm for using "jello wobble" over rolling shutter now XD Excellent video as always!
Cheers mate!
Ahahah! Let’s just agree it’s called jello wobble from now on! 😂
Clean post, even if timing w/lens release turns the channel into a marketing campaign element. Viltrox lenses tend to be heavy, although IQ is good and improving. Rainbow is likely internal lens flare. Firmware update should not be an issue - PC to lens via USB, as I understand.
How often do you use your lenses at their widest aperture? Cheers!
It’s a lens I had interest in myself! I think this might actually be the only time I’ve had a len pre-release date
Frequently for portraits, I imagine most of my images are either; at the widest or at 5.6/8
I got this lens and it is every bit as good as the Fuji 18mm f1.4. Maybe better. The bokeh, the tack sharpness is unmatched.
Engaging and informative! I don't even own the Fuji system lol
Hello and thank you fir the video. 7:05mns: at F/1.4 you lose 28% of the light you have at F/1.2.
How about the color rendering of this lens.. it's make fuji color different with this lens or not? compare to native fuji lens.. thanks before 😊
So here’s an interesting one, I took the same photo 3 times, Leica M10, XH2S + 33mm, XH2S + 27mm. Both the Leica and the 27mm on the raw file in Lightroom had the same white balance applied giving them a warm tint, and the 33mm f1.4 files that day were all really cold in comparison. Hard to be conclusive from this one example, and it’s easily fixed in post! But it stood out a lot
Native, superb, and reasonable size. If not for the price, the winner is the 33 f1.4 for me. Don’t understand thanks for APSC.
I’ll be keeping my 33mm f1.4 for sure
Wake up what for ? There is an excellent and complete XF series of lenses especially for that range of focal lengths.
Well they are busy making niche lenses like the 8mm F3.5… and not releasing cameras they’ve stopped producing, but as this video concludes… I’m sticking to my Fuji lenses. Really want them to update the 18mm f2 let’s see!
@@Goughie The 18mm F2 is also a niche lens ;)
If you use 3rd party lenses, does Fuji film simulations still work?
Yes of course
@@Goughie thank you. For some reason I always thought they only work with Fuji lenses.
The Fuji 1.4 Primes are the biggest walk around prime lenses I‘m able to tolerate. They are right on the edge and already too big if I use them with a lens hood. So by this measure the Viltrox doesn’t make the cut.
f1.2 vs f1.4 means 1/2 Stop or 50% more light.
I knew someone would help! Thank you! Couldnt remember if it was 1/3 or 1/2!
Viltrox makes an exceptional 33 1.4.
Chinese companies like Viltrox is all about copying, reverse engineering and not about innovation. I’ll support Fujifilm and buy Fujinon lenses.
I don't think fujifilm need to wake up because making a lens small is a battle with compromise. Make a big lens is not a proplem at all, just like sigma. I really like your use case though!
this seems to be the lens that is getting all the attention. Its great for sure. But the 75mm f1.2 Viltrox pro is the one IMHO that is a stunning deal.
this 27 is not head and shoulders better or cheaper than the Sigma 30mm 1.4 or Fuji 33 1.4.
But the 75 1.2 is in a class by itself. More than a stop faster than fuji 90mm f2 and half its price
It’s only because this lens is considerably newer than the 75mm that it’s getting all the attention at the moment, and likely that 27mm is applicable to more people than 75mm
I have just received the 75mm! Video coming soon
Great review, well to the point. But marketing trick? No, not in my opinion. You get great image quality for a great price, the trade-off being the weight and size. As Viltrox is manufacturing this lens also for other mounts maybe that explains the latter a bit, I’m not sure.
But it seems a great offer.
Thx for al the work you put into your videos, and enjoy your lens🙂 Looking forward for you to use it and share some images long term.
OK, we need to change the term "Rolling Shutter" to "Jello Wobble" from now on 👍
I've got the viltrox 23mm 1.4 and cant see the point in me buying this lens. Its to big.
What lens are you using for your talking head A roll? It made your head so big I thought I was watching Alice In Wonderland.
6mm wide angle and sat obnoxiously close
Does Viltrox make the Fuji badged lenses??
I think Fujifilm got it exactly right. The main reason for 27mm lens is to make a pancake lens which they did for the X-E cameras. Tiny camera, tiny lens. As you would not trade your 23mm or 35mm for the Viltrox neither would many others. But who knows? With enough marketing by people who get free lenses, some may decide a giant 27mm lens, a focal length few have ever wanted, is ideal.
Fuji pancake isn't best, in the world of m43 we've got panasonic 20mm f1.7 (same 40mm equivalent). And it's better: very sharp and faster aperture while stays pancake. And even if we calculate equivalent aperture number it would be f3.4 for panasonic and f4.2 for Fuji, that's almost 1 full stop! Forget to say about price, it's also 100$ cheaper than fuji. The only thing it lacks is WR.
So yes, Fuji has a plenty of room to be better.
Your DoF calculations are misleading because you forgot to adjust for framing. If you adjust for framing the DoF is pretty much exactly the same
True! If you’re happy to adjust, I think the point still stands; in terms of don’t get carried away with f1.2 in the name
@@Goughie Can't post any links (comment will get deleted) but that's a pretty big deal. Having the same shallow DoF in a wider lens is great. You also wouldn't say the 33mm F1.4 shallow DoF is just marketing because a 50mm F2 gets the same DoF at just F2
It just highlights very well that if you are happy with your portraits etc. with your 33 1.4 (of any brand), then switching to this lens gives you literally no advantage in terms of depth of field, but you do get all of the downsides fairly raised in this video, too, but not forgetting the focus breathing also make it all but unusable for video.
So that already takes the key marketing spec out of consideration. The f1.2 really doesn't bring that much to the table when comparing to any of the available fast primes from 33 upwards. Focal length is far more important, and comparing the 33 to a 50mm is a bit disengenious, the 33 and 27 are much closer. So to decide between the 33 and 27, it should really come down to do you like the images so much better when viewed at normal viewing distances that it makes you forgive the obvious downsides. And this is of course subjective.
I think really this is a lens Viltrox should want comparing to the 23 1.4 LM WR much more. Because in this fight, the Viltrox does have a DoF advantage and smoother bokeh. On the other hand the Fuji is much more of an all-rounder, excellent for documentary, street, events, video, everyday, travel etc. etc. And it's clear size advantage suits and even contributes to that. So much more of a clear choice, depending on your needs.
@@brownbear100 Comparing the 27mm to the 33mm is disingenous. After all the 23mm is much closer in focal length. And the 27mm F1.2 offers significantly more shallow DoF than the 23mm F1.4. DoF this shallow at such a wide FoV is pretty unique in APS-C.
And this renders nicer than either of those lenses if have seen direct comparison.
@@MegaWeitzel in the comparisons I have seen, I mostly preferred the rendering of the 33 1.4. There's not much in it, but the contrast in particular is behind the Fuji until you stop down the Viltrox.
Of course the most obvious comparison lens is the 33 1.4. The 27 1.4 is being billed as a "pro" portrait lens. It's even painted on the barrel to remind the user they are a "pro". The closest lens from the Fuji line-up for this purpose is the 33. For someone taking portraiture, the difference between doing so at 27mm and 33mm is mostly insignificant. It certainly is between my 27 and 33. If you can move a couple of steps, you're golden. The pros this lens is marketed at are more than capable of moving slightly. If I want a wide perspective I'll go for the 18mm. 27mm isn't wide.
The 23 1.4 LM WR is a documentary lens, it's a street lens, events, travel, video, you name it. Its primary purpose isn't portraiture. And a lens the size of the 27 1.2 will be too cumbersome for most people for the purposes the 23 is intended.
Don't just look at the numbers, but what the lens is for.
Gimme 16mm apc f1.2
I am not a fan of Chinese lenses because one of their opitcal gears damages my camera due to lack of QC back in 2018. Therefore I am not recommending any Chinese made lenses.
However, all f.12 lenses are more like f1.3 lenses. Better stick to 1.4 lenses and save costs. Most people won't notice the difference between f1.4 and f1.2
"You can say anything you like... BUTTTTTTTTTT if we don't like what you say you're probably not getting more free lenses" that about the deal?
Nope not really, I’ve done my fair share of honest negative reviews of Sirui and 7Artisans on this channel. And they still email out frequently,
It’s more I’ve stopped wanting to review bad products than them not wanting to send them
They need to because I paid a lot of money for the 50m f1 and AF is trash meanwhile the Viltrox 75 1.2 is light speed fast
The size and weight is a deal breaker for me. I'll stick with my (FF!!) Samyang 35f1.8 on my A7IV.
Yes wake up Fuji
The title should be "Does Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and Samyang need to wake up?" not Fujifilm.
Ahaha! It’ll be interesting to see if they do venture into Fuji much! Must say the sigma 18-50mm makes for an interesting proposition! One I’m debating hard on atm
No, Fuji getting caught sleeping, free lens and no influence
So confused 😂
let's adres the elephant in the room.....is it a fast or low light lens?
Viltrox i want too a lens free from review and keep it.
Best get that channel started!
I'm pretty convinced now this is the hierarchy:
If you don't need an aperture ring, go with Sigma
If you prefer an aperture ring, go with Viltrox
If you are professional and your clients take note of your gear, go with Fuji glass
For only £432 it's a bit of a bargain
When the Fuji is £700! Is the £270 saving worth carrying the addition weight? It will be for many I imagine!
If you wanna use this lens for video, you should pass and get Fuji 33 f1.4 LM WR instead. I returned mine
Ahhh what was wrong? I tried a few shots and didn’t really have any issues! I didn’t test video at f1.2 as it meant crazy high shutter speeds that weren’t too usable
@@Goughie The focus breathing is pretty bad
@@stratopause ahhh okay! Thank you the insight!
@@stratopause dang... was thinking this might a good all around lens for video. I think I'll just stick with my 18mm 1.4
It dose not have flare coating
ND FILTER???
Definitely an option if you don’t mind taking it off or leaning into iso/shutter when you don’t need it
Can’t take this seriously because of the conflict of interests. Not for you maybe - money is money - but to your viewers, yes.
Fair enough, ignore every video on this lens for a while as they will all have been gifted atm, they just might not have made it as clear. i try to keep things objective and make it clear where I am giving an opinion.
This video ends with me saying if I had to pay for it I wouldn’t buy it
@@Goughie at least you called it out. No issues there 🫰
Does Fujifilm needs to wake up? No.. just talk about the lens you like and leave it at that so that manufacturers have their independent unique mind to come up with a completely unique lens/camera and so on. Who inspired Viltrox to come up with 27 and 75? None. So take it easy.
Are you suggesting never compare lenses? 😂
i guess people are always looking for equivalence with full frame DOF specs, or at least roughly equal. 27mm f1.2 is roughly equivalent to 40mm f1.8 on full frame. F1.8 isn’t even a premium lens on full frame…
it isn’t all about shallow DOF though. i find myself avoiding it more often than not these days. on full frame, you often have to stop down to eg f2.8 to get an acceptable DOF for the subject anyway, and older lenses like the EF canon lenses are sharper stopped down too, even more so with older lenses. the remarkable thing about fuji lenses and many other modern lenses is they’re sharp wide open, so effectively useable at similar DOF to older lenses
"F1.8 isn’t even a premium lens on full frame…"
1. F1.8 is just an aperture, not a lens.
2. The reason why most f1.8 full frame lenses are no premium, because they have f1.2 or f1.4 high end counterparts. But of course there are also premium f1.8 fullframe lenses like the RF 135mm 1,8 L.
@@muttishelfer9122 i know that.
i was commenting on equivalence.
Gives you a free lens… no influence…
You sound like the financial industry…
Bit too sharp and lifeless from everything I've seen of this lens. Not for me. Thanks for the video.