Viltrox 13mm F1.4 Lens Review - Are we looking at the best Fuji X-Mount lens of all time?

[@markwiemels]

Viltrox 13mm best current price - geni.us/BD8Ih

[@rayrayg9]

I just wanna say that you really know your craft well and you're very good at relaying the information to the audience, no frills or filler. Awesome production quality, concise editing. And you cover such a wide range of lenses and ones that don't get much coverage.

[@dissonant21]

You sound exactly like me when I got this lens, couldn’t shut up about how great it is. Sharpness isn’t everything of course but I truly believe you could print a 100% cropped section of an image with this thing and no one would notice. 10/10 across the board for me! I’ve owned all the Viltrox lenses and this the 33 and 85 are my favourite.

[@markwiemels]

Yes, Viltrox make great lenses.

[@_briantravis]

Great video man, your lighting setup (and the blue coloring on the back wall) looks phenomenal

[@markwiemels]

Thank you so much.

[@calibos3329]

I cannot possibly see how someone can claim it's the best fuji mount lens of all time, but it is a great lens.

[@Mayoda4real]

Hello I hope to be able to make great portraits, which portrait prime lens will you advice me for sharpness

[@Moonstone-Redux]

One of the most understated things about the 13mm is that on APS-C it fills one of the fabled Holy Trinity of the old 35mm film photography days. Everyone knows about the 35mm (the normal) and 50mm (the nifty) but what people don't remember is that on the wide angle side there is the 20mm. Nikon had their 20mm f/2.8D which was updated to the 20mm f/1.8G, and even in its slower version that lens has been a dark horse favourite because of the angle it provided. Sony, Nikon, Canon, and Sigma all have 20mm lens for their respective full frame cameras, all being well regarded by their respective fans, so I was actually surprised Fuji didn't make a first party lens for that field of view until Viltrox brought it in.

[@steve.ev.photography]

How does this Fuji lense compare to the sigma 16mm for Canon? Other than the 3mm. Is the Sigma any sharper and lighter. Not entirely scientific, and I don’t own Fuji, but you have experience with both systems. I am currently on the fence for the sigma 16 1.4. I have the sigma 30mm 1.4, canon 11-22, 22mm f2 and like the wide end. But is it worth it after having these lenses already. Sorry, if high jacking the Fuji part. I would consider Fuji if not so invested in the canon efm range. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[@eliaspap8708]

I own the 16mm f1.4 and the Vitrox 13mm and actually the Viltrox has more accurate AF. Regarding Image quality I cant split any difference there both great apart from the 16mm when it misses focus. Im selling the 16mm now.

[@markwiemels]

I would not buy the 13mm over the 16mm sigma, or vise versa, based on image quality, they are both excellent. Really you pick between these two lenses based on the focal length. Given you have the 11-22, which is a very good lens covering 16mm already, I would only get the Sigma 16mm if you want better low light, or a more blurry background, it will do both of those things well, but is only worth it if you like the 16mm focal length. Check out my best prime lens video for more on this, the first part of that video should help you.

[@doubles259]

What mm lens protector for this lens. Thanks. Awesome videos 🤙

[@markwiemels]

67mm

[@fleur003]

Is this lens good on my fuji xt30? I don’t have the xt30 II. Great video by way! 😊

[@markwiemels]

Yes! Same sensor in both cameras. I would 100% get it for the xt30.

[@giuseppe.g]

I have this lens and the 56 1.4... it's ridiculus how good they are for the price, Viltrox do an amazing job, at the price of 1 fuji lens you can take 3/4 amazing Viltrox prime. I hope the do a zoom like the 16-55 F2.8

[@markwiemels]

Yes, 100% agree!

[@paul6x9]

I have the Fuji 14mm F2.8 but am considering this lens for the f1.4 for interiors and astro-photography

[@GarretGrayCamera]

I’d say you have to like that wide, slightly distorted look if you’re photographing people or buildings. It does a good job but it does have an “unnatural” look and everything looks really far away. Truly a well put together lens though and great autofocus and image quality.

[@leemountney8847]

Great review, awesome lens. Also noticed some of these pics from Melbourne where i live. Great images.!😊

[@embracethenoise]

You're really not helping my G.A.S., Mark. I was on the fence about buying this lens until I saw your review, and I really appreciate the way you summarised real world use cases. So now I'm a proud owner with a big smile on my face. All that remains is to retrain my 28mm brain.

[@markwiemels]

I love this lens, it's my most used lens, and I now have it on Fuji and Sony, and shoot all of my KZbin Videos with it.

[@bosskaloi]

How is the chromatic aberation?

[@PJPantelis]

Great video mark! I had no idea you shot fujifilm!

[@markwiemels]

Thanks! Yah, it’s my favourite system to use, it’s what I record most of my YT videos on. I know you’re loving the x100, fuji cameras are just a joy to use.

[@myrtlesalvador]

Would you recommend this for group photos?

[@kwangc6720]

Other than for astrophotography, I find it hard to understand why anyone would want to use a very large aperture wide angle lens such as the Viltrox 13mm. For normal cases, like shooting landscapes, you'd use something like f/8 or f/9 anyway. Why not just get a more versatile lens like the Fujifilm 10-24mm? Even in low light, I wouldn't shoot at f/1.4 inside a room with foreground and background details. The depth of field will be somewhat limited. Then I'm back to asking why not use the 10-24mm then? Appreciate any comments on the above!

[@markwiemels]

Yes for astro, also for low light in general, or if you want a wide look, but also want some subject separation. Keep in mind, with a wide lens, even at f1.4, the background doesn't get so blurry that you can't tell what the out of focus areas actually are, unlike more telephoto lenses. For sure I would use the 10-24 for landscape and and realestate, but in dark indoor environments, like a museum, art gallery, or club, the 13mm f1.4 would be better, as you would still have a useful depth of are that is in focus at f1.4, on a 13mm lens.

[@GarretGrayCamera]

For me 13mm was too wide. Too much distortion on buildings and people and everything looked too small in frame. Sometimes you don’t have to cram everything in with a 13mm and a good 18mm that brings your subject in will be fine. It’s a good lens though if that’s your look. I like the 10 to 24. I rented that and used it mostly at the 16-18mm range and only occasionally below that. This lens is good if you vlog or do astro on a regular basis.

[@staiain]

This lens ticked all boxes for me until i saw only 0.1x magnification, would have been so amazing to get 0.25 or something to use it as a environmental semi macro

[@618barbell]

Hi Mark, are there any rumours of this lens coming out on the canon M Mount. Having a hard time deciding to go with sigma or Viltrox….

[@markwiemels]

I asked Viltrox, and they said that they have no plans for an ef-m version.

[@618barbell]

@@markwiemels that is a shame. Thank you

[@gordon3988]

I’ve heard that the autofocus is noisy for video on the Sony mount; same here? Likely only an issue if you use the internal mike, which most would not. Loved the ‘punting’ the lens story!

[@markwiemels]

I have just tested it for you, I have always used an on camera mic in the past. I don't hear any focus noise at all, it's dead silent the best I can tell.

[@danielpv1763]

The only thing lacking is element coatings. But you can just avoid sun using your hand as lenshood.

[@Alex_564]

Have you compared this to the Fuji 14mm?

[@the1uckyone]

Hello! Did you try your camera + Viltrox 13mm with Zhiyun M2S? Does it work?

[@markwiemels]

I have not, I suspect it will be too much.

[@skills_hd]

hey thanks, i have this lens, how can i find a knf ND filter for it? or any link???thanks in regard

[@BenjaminKanarek]

Thanks for this...mine arrives in a couple days.

[@Vinterloft]

The best lens on Fuji X is IMO the Samyang 135mm F2. Who needs autofocus when you outclass the Canon L and rub shoulders with the Zeiss for a *third* of the price? Edit: You actually want a plastic lens hood. If the lens falls on a hard surface on its front, a plastic lens hood will simply break and most of the energy will be expended before anything gets to the lens itself. If the same thing happens with a metal hood, you're breaking glass, deforming the filter thread, skewing focus or aperture rings, any or all of the above.

[@markwiemels]

Thanks for the tip on the Samyang! I keep the Fuji 50-140 just to access that 135-150 focal length, I could probably replace ith the the Samyang.

[@saiyan_princestudios9790]

I would imagine this lens is amazing for vlogging. Right now I use the 10-24 mark II and I almost always use it at 12-14mm. 10 seems too wide and jittery and 16 is still too close to my face for personal preference.

[@markwiemels]

Yea, agree.

[@GarretGrayCamera]

Yeah, it may have been designed for vlogging. I used it for architecture and thought it distorted too much that it took away from the images. Great build, autofocus, image quality.

[@eliaspap8708]

Great video! Your right about the 56mm f1.4 Viltrox in most situations you won’t notice much difference compared with the Fuji, but don’t forget, that will also mean your images will also look like most other photographers too. If your happy with that then cool, but if you want that little bit extra softness & 3D pop! then its great that Fuji offers that option that can separate you from your competitors. Pardon the punt.

[@markwiemels]

Thanks for the input, I like the insight! I hope to make a video on the 56 f1.2 vs the Viltrox 56 f1.4 to get a fair side by side comparison, of course I cant afford the 50mm f1.0, so can't do that comparison.

[@dustindenisio3245]

Hey man, have a fuji xt3 here, looking to get into real estate photography/video. I’ve done a few projects with a rented 10-20 f4, but thinking about picking up a prime since I primarily needed the wide end. Would you recommend this for that application?

[@markwiemels]

I certainly would. Having said that, the 10-24 is also very good for that application, and has the flexibility of being a zoom lens.

[@dustindenisio3245]

@@markwiemels just ordered it from BH and decided to give it a shot!

[@markwiemels]

@@dustindenisio3245 I think you will be very happy with it.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

Hi Dustin for real estate, especially if you're looking to sell your images, then you really should be looking at tilt/shift lenses. unfortunately there are no native Fujifilm ones that I'm aware of so you're left with adapting something. if you get a chance to rent one then do so

[@dustindenisio3245]

@@markwiemels update, just got the lens today and this one is on another level compared to my 33mm 1.4 in the same line. This has better auto focus, but that 13mm looks awesome on the app-c sensor. Quite a good lens for sure. Still testing if it’s as wide as I’d like but what a great value from Viltrox!

[@brucekraft744]

Good review! Great example photos! Great horror story! Thanks for post!

[@markwiemels]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@RAMtrails]

the ol' punting your camera story. Lol that was great

[@markwiemels]

Haha… thanks.

[@billpeck1189]

Great info. Hope you enjoyed your cruise. 🚢 👍

[@MEEKSREVIEWS]

are they making for canon too?

[@markwiemels]

Yea, RF.

[@MEEKSREVIEWS]

@@markwiemels dang!! no efm 🤢🤢

[@franklonyai4278]

I am getting a bit concerned. Any time I watched one of your videos I end ordering the lens. Great review!

[@REMRODFILMS]

Mannn the 13 and the og 56 1.2 are the best fasure! Top 2!!

[@PhillipRPeck]

Awesome b-roll!

[@DigiDriftZone]

I suppose people compare it to the Samyang 12mm F2 which is tiny by comparison. The Fuji F2 primes are also amazingly small, and the other Viltrox F1.4 lenses are a lot smaller/lighter - so the 13mm is a bit of a beast but I suppose it's worth it for the image quality improvements over the Samyang/Rokinon.

[@dwyerwire07]

Superb photos, looking at replacing my manual Samyang 12mm in favour of this lens. I imagine the astrophotography would be of similar if not better quality. Can't wait to check it out!

[@markwiemels]

Yes, I have seen some tests and it appears to be just as good, if not better, for Astro.

[@rafeekwoods837]

Would love to see a comparison to the Zeiss 12mm 2.8 for landscape.

[@markwiemels]

Once they are both stoped down, as you would use for landscape, you will not be able to tell them apart, aside from the diffrent focal length.

[@goodphotoideas]

Gotta have it. Thanks for the review...

[@markwiemels]

Yes, its good.

[@wlevenson]

Think they will make it with an M mount for canon?

[@markwiemels]

I asked them, they said they have no plans for one.

[@wlevenson]

@@markwiemels what is the best cheap lens adapter in your opinion? I have a few other canon eos lens.

[@Pissarrio]

can it be used for fuji x-s20?

[@markwiemels]

yes

[@WieHurra]

Is it normal for the lens hood in this viltrox to have a slight slack or is it just rattling on my copy? 🤔

[@markwiemels]

No, it shouldn’t. Check the little screws that hold the plastic insert to the metal hood, just in case that’s the issue, easy to tighten up.

[@WieHurra]

@@markwiemels Thank you for the quick reply. This means that my copy has a defect. 😑

[@markwiemels]

I just checked my copy, there is a slight but of of slack, it doesn’t make any noise when in use, but you can move it slightly with your hand.

[@borntoexplore982]

Great video!

[@markwiemels]

Thank you so much!

[@iabhishekmitra]

Absolutely love your take on the Viltrox Lens. I made a video about it as well. It's such an amazing piece of equipment!

[@chrisvassiliou889]

what we now expect from a Viltrox it is a Pancake lens to go/match with the X pro Series

[@alexzhang9318]

Except the wr.

[@bettahalfofme6658]

I hope this will become available for Canon, but it doesn't seem like it will.

[@markwiemels]

I asked them, they said they have no plans to right now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them release it as a Canon RF-S lens.

[@bettahalfofme6658]

@@markwiemels That was my thought as well. I'm not getting another camera until 2023 who knows what will be available then. I just have Canon M & EF lenses.

[@JayUchiha17]

You're a really good photographer

[@markwiemels]

Kind of you to say. Thanks.

[@williamaungleyraud]

Oh man I did similar to my 16-55mm, but unfortunately I couldn't place my food fast enough and it landed right on the lens. Now Fuji is finixing it and it's taking ages, but hopefully it will return anew like a Phoenix 😎📷 a tragedy nonetheless 😅

[@markwiemels]

Ouch! good luck, hope it comes back good as new.

[@TheJ_G]

Accidentally punting a falling camera/lens is like a right of passage haha

[@DWGadgets]

This review is so covinced me to buy which this guy really great when discribe something😂

[@markwiemels]

It’s still my favourite lens.

[@ecmjr]

Oh man, you're really hurting my wallet... Awesome video!

[@markwiemels]

It my all time favourite lens.

[@carspottin_kj]

Ugh, they haven't made this for the m50 yet

[@markwiemels]

No, doesn't look like they will.

[@GrantMcWilliams]

The first thing I have to say about this lens is why in the h*ll can't I get it for EF-M?

[@markwiemels]

I know, I wish, I asked them and they have said that they have no plans to bring it to EF-M mount at this stage.

[@GrantMcWilliams]

@@markwiemels I find myself using my G5x II most of the time because of it's 24 - 120 f/1.8-2.8 lens and optical viewfinder over my M6II largely because there's no equivalent lens for ef-m. In APSC terms that would be at 15-75mm f1.8-2.8 for exposure but 2.8-4.5 for DOF. That lens doesn't exist for EF-M and is giant for EF adapted. I bought a ton of primes to figure out what I need for my type of shooting and learned I probably need to but a different camera. I've been eyeing Fuji.

[@obiromaniankenobi1136]

Great Video, but... Metal lens hood? Why? Why in god's name do you need to put more unnecessary weight on a lens hood. It literally has NO BENEFIT whatsoever, having a metal lens hood. I am actually glad Fujifilm is not jumping on that bandwagon. In 20 years, I have never wished I had a metal lens hood over a plastic one. I'd even say the metal lens hood on the Viltrox or any lens is a con. Sturdier? Yes, in the very very very rarest case most photographers will never encounter. For most accidents where your lens could get damaged, a regular plastic one is sufficient. Also, the hood is not that deep, and even with a metal Hood, your front lens can get damaged. Aesthetics and feels of metal is just illusion, and has literally no benefit. Having a lighter lens or more balanced and less front heavy on the other hand does. Sorry, just always have to roll my eyes about that dumb metal hood debate.. its just silly.. "because of the premium feel" of a thing you won't even touch when you take a picture and will only notice when you first pick it up and then just feel the extra weight.