Viltrox 27mm f/1.2: Ambitious AF - and I'm Not Talking About Autofocus (feat. Fujifilm X-H2)

[@gilleslast3561]

To make a comparison between the XH-2/Viltrox and Leica/Hasselblad is kind of bravery. Thanks Hugh for this very open-minded video.

[@3BMEP]

😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@SwapnilBhartiya]

I just LOVE your narrative style. Thank you!

[@3BMEP]

So glad you do! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@jamestonbellajo]

Then you don’t need the “as” in the title, Hugh! Man, Viltrox really got this lens in everyone’s hands.

[@nolo647]

Hi Hugh, your videos/analysis talks are so pragmatic that they are a sit-up-an-listen experience! Many thanks, great to have a more practical view of how specific gear sits in the photographic world which is churning out products faster than we are able to appreciate their advantages vs. the downsides (information overload.)

[@3BMEP]

😊🖖🏻

[@luispessoa04]

75mm is so unbelievable I'm considering this 27mm. If it's half as good as the 75mm it would already be a great lens. Bought it to take some portraits, stage photos (where it reeeeally shines), but I end up using it for everything. Everything about these pro Viltrox lenses is top quality.

[@anthonym3051]

I hope you got it by now. It is just as amazing as the 75mm. I am hoping Viltrox produces more of these Pro lens.

[@Haarun02]

A year later and I’m in this same situation lol. The 75mm is amazing, I need a 23/27mm that can match the quality, or even beat it.

[@RockNReefPhotography]

Hugh absolutely love your candour and perspective. I am very much of the mindset it is how does my equipment impact the way I feel about my art. The XPRO-1 was what helped me understand this and every fuji camera since. The tactility for me helps, I think less about the mechanics and more about the creativity

[@3BMEP]

👊🏻🖖🏻

[@SpinStar1956]

First off, really appreciate your detailed-reviews. My present gear is a X-T4 with the 16-80mm. I really love the flexibility but do want something much sharper. I'm also hung up on the 27-28mm ( 41-43mm equiv.), as 50mm equiv. is just too tight. I also really want both still and video capability, so LM seems a necessity. I want to hold out for Fuji to make one like the 23mm but that could be some time. So, I'm leaning toward getting the Viltrox 27mm/1.2 as a stopgap. I think this lens will keep its value, because even 'when' Fuji 'finally' makes one, the price differential will (given the 23mm etc.) still be high. Anyway, again thanks for your meticulous analysis work in really ferreting-out the physical realities, no matter what their significant relevance, because they are still so important to contextual understanding of this amazing art of lens-craft. When you know all the details, you can really feel good about the purchase, and what future expectations to have... EDIT: well, I decided that I was not going to wait for Fuji, and actually purchased the Bill trucks 27 mm F/1.2. I was able to get it on a sale from B&H plus some reward points I didn’t know I had! This lens is absolutely fantastic, and actually exceeds what I originally thought by quite a bit. Also, I’d like to say that, as far as the weight, with my X-T4, it feels like a really good balance, and although the total package is a little hefty, it just feels really good. The images are much sharper and have more of a realistic presence to them, reflections are now glassy instead of just grain that mimics the reflection than my 16-80 mm lens. Anyway, Hugh, I really appreciate your review, and feel that I will be very happy with this, as it has become my new. ‘standard’ lens, only switching to the zoom when absolutely necessary. Also, for any of you out there on the fence as I was, I do not believe you will be in any way disappointed by your purchase… 😀

[@Philbreenphotography]

Such a wholesome family. Love watching your adventure

[@franklonyai4278]

This is the first time I have watched a video from your site. I have been thrilled about the depth, style and honesty of how you have approached a lens review. It is refreshing to watch and listen to reviews like this. Viltrox actually has the 13 mm f/1.4 lens that has become one of my favorites. From a Fuji camera owner's perspective, it was the first Viltrox lens deemed good enough to buy and I have never regretted it. I really liked your closing comments because Viltrox has come basically from nowhere and has blown by third party lens providers (acknowledging that the breadth of offering is shorter than other third party offerings but in quality, for me, surpasses thoses companies.) thanks for the grea review!

[@3BMEP]

Thank you - and welcome!

[@jamesbarron5590]

Thank you for the review. I usually carry the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 and an XF 23mm f/2 along with an x-e4 in a peak design 6L sling. Looks like I will have to add a bigger sling to accommodate this Viltrox 27mm. I do not mind the size of their new Pro line lenses. As a hobbyist, it makes it easier to be able to get amazing quality while still using two systems.

[@Autumn-Foxxo]

How does it balance on the x-e4? I have an x-e3 with a wooden grip and seriously thinking about this one. I have the 27mm 2.8 and already fell in love with the focal length and need something for low light events

[@jamesbarron5590]

@@Autumn-Foxxo It is definitely front heavy but having the Fujifilm hand grip and the thumb rest make a huge difference.

[@drthompson65]

The three lenses in this line would give a nice trifecta for a Fuji shooter. Might have to go pick up a used XT3..

[@Timoleon87]

Would be interesting to see Viltrox do a longer tele prime lens. Around 500mm and maybe f4, or a shorter 300mm f2.8.

[@NotAnotherChannel_Channel]

Where do I pre-order?

[@Autumn-Foxxo]

I'd love a 400mm prime for an proximity around 600mm equivalent.

[@gooeytv1184]

Yes.

[@SN4YZE]

a 300/400 f2.8 for fuji would be insane, take my money

[@wagnerjean-francois942]

Hugh, I Truly Appreciate The Criticisms/Flaws Mentioned In Your Review, Regarding The 27mm. I Currently Own Viltrox's 13 & 75mm & As A Hobbyist & For My Style Of Shooting, This 27, Would Be A Great Replacement For My 13mm. Blessings To You & Claudia!🤝🏿♥️

[@3BMEP]

😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@nolo647]

See your point, but surely the 27mm would complement the 13mm, rather than replace it...don't you think? If not, what reasons would you give?

[@trevhill952]

I'd love to see Viltrox be the first 3rd party manufacturer to create an auto-focus GFX lens a fast 50mm equiv around F1.4.

[@anthonym3051]

I am also wishing it. It would be great if we had access to Pro version lenses for the GFX system.

[@OssyKB]

Bro i could listen to you for a month straight 😂 thank you and I’m definitely subscribed. You seem very cool

[@3BMEP]

😊🖖🏻welcome!

[@kiselyo13]

After being on crossroads of building my first fuji kit either on Rringer and Nikon lens or buying something native, I stumble upon your video. Holy Molly, you've got style, sir! I think you finally convinced me which way I should take and that's going to be a Viltroux way. Thank you so much, and I am forever your subscriber!

[@iaincphotography6051]

Thank you Hugh for your honest review, a 27 prime would fit in very well indeed. I tend to carry my camera by its lens (finger and thumb around said lens) base in the palm of my hand so I never moan about the size of the grip.

[@Tempus__Fugitive]

At last!!! Someone who supports a camera in the correct manner.

[@iaincphotography6051]

@@Tempus__Fugitive Sounds like I am not alone, and as for vertical grips, Batteries in your pocket and VG in the bin lol.

[@Tempus__Fugitive]

@@iaincphotography6051 YESSS!

[@thebitterfig9903]

Even if a pro-line Ultrawide isn't on the way, their 13/1.4 was widely hailed as their best lens prior to the 75 and 27. I'd be curious to see Viltrox to something like a 40mm f/1.2 pro. It'd be somewhat akin to the various famous fast 58mm lenses. That'd be an interesting trio: a wide-standard 27, a tight-standard 40, and a mid-telephoto 75. That said... the size isn't something I really want to deal with as a hobbyist, and the 75's weak minimum focus distance (combined with that size) just makes it a non-starter for me since I don't do that much portrait shooting.

[@hankroarkphoto]

I have the 13/1.4 on an X-T5. I have not done anything like a clinical assessment, but I will say it is an incredibly sharp lens for photography, and works pretty well for that vlog style video.

[@AntonyBall-h9g]

looks a great lens Hugh been looking it up the passed few days thanks for your review.......

[@3BMEP]

😊🖖🏻

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Thank you for your review of the 27/1.2 for Fuji. I’m waiting on the Sony E mount version. Already own the 75/1.2 and 40mm equivalent is one of my favorite focal lengths. We know it’s coming but not sure exactly when. Can’t decide if I should keep an APS-C body like the A6700 for it or just use them on the full frame A7CR in crop mode. Already own the Zeiss Batis 40/2 CF though that you mentioned. And it is almost half the weight. What do you think?

[@3BMEP]

Batis will do the business.😊🖖🏻

[@LightDive]

Great work in laying it out! Just from the video quality of your talking head, the lens is fantastically clear.

[@stratopause]

Have been waiting for this video!

[@johndaubney7311]

The thing is as much as I loved the Fuji apsc I went with Nikon Z7 and Z6 two years ago for full frame goodness and then got the gfx 50R and then the 100s…..I have really missed the XT3 …..now with the 75 and this 27mm I’m reconsidering lol. Why oh why ???? 40 megapixels and these two lenses are calling me back. Oh man I hate viltrox for doing this 😊

[@3BMEP]

😉

[@R4YHAN786]

You sir are one of a kind. Subscribed

[@3BMEP]

Welcome! 😊🖖🏻

[@frankthissen3338]

I really like your statements. Thank you so much for it.

[@3BMEP]

Thank YOU. 😊🖖🏻

[@scs6757]

Great review, and great points. In summary, this Viltrox looks like an excellent option if one is already invested in Fuji APS-C. In depth, the Fuji X-H2 is as big as Sony's FF cameras. Even their X-T5 which shares the 40 MP sensor isn't much smaller. Rather than compare the X-H2 to the a7R IVa, I'd compare it to the a7R IIIa. The latter sports an essentially equal resolution 42 MP sensor to the Fuji's 40 MP, and is still available new for just slightly more at $2,198. Then, as you point out, a 40mm f/2 lens on FF equalizes the FOV and DOF of 27mm f/1.2 on APS-C. Let's skip the 2x the price but roughly half the weight Batis 40mm f/2 CF, and the half stop slower Sony 40mm 2.5 G. Sigma bookends the 40mm f/2 FF with both 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/2 lenses in their i Series lineup. At $640 those Sigma lenses are within $100 of the Viltrox in question, come in at just over half the weight, and match (if not exceed) with their clicky aperture rings and all aluminum construction.

[@3BMEP]

Fair points!

[@Joseph88Hui]

Hi Hugh, excellent review! 👍 I may consider this for my XE4 and the newly bought XT5!

[@3BMEP]

Have fun!

[@NotAnotherChannel_Channel]

Gawd… I have a 33 that is out of this world, but man this Viltrox lens is nice.

[@ignatius_guitar7452]

Great to see that Viltrox fills up the gaps in the Fuji system and great that they have a aputure ring with clicks and weather sealing. But size and weight are dealbreakers for me. I would have bought a 75mm and a 27mm with F1.8 or 2.0 in a smaller form factor immediately.

[@3BMEP]

I hear you!

[@fwfeo]

Same sentiment here! I shoot real estate primarily and event occasionally. So, I’d get light weight lenses and maybe a couple fast primes. The lighter the better of course!

[@tridinh1011]

maybe they will bring out a f1.4 in the future in the same form factor as their old f1.4 lineup

[@dxflow3271]

This is a question unrelated to the Viltrox. I love your presentation. Do you work from a script? I have a small channel but I am still finding my way, and your presentation has the feel of where I would like to be some day :). And great review too. I can't wait for this on to make it onto the Nikon Z mount.

[@RobertFalconer1967]

I think it would be fair to say that nine times out of ten, the size of one's imagination is far more important than the size of one's sensor. Because today's APS-C cameras are so good that they're more than capable of meeting most needs. In fact, often the optical quality of the lens is equally as important as the sensor size (and Viltrox are clearly making impressive strides here). Of course I'm not discounting that if you have specific use cases that demand that extra bit of overall bandwidth, then yes, full frame can make a meaningful difference.

[@AndriiHryhoriev]

I've came from a Canon FF to Fuji X for size and price points in 2017. It was X-T20. And now I have two Fujifilm cameras and number of different lenses. And weight and size so good feature for me. It so easy to take a camera with two prime lenses using regular light bag instead of special photo bag.

[@iransirijillo]

I received my copy a few days ago and I’m blown away, I also tried the 75 and while I liked it the focal length wasn’t for me and stuck to the 56 WR

[@R8135003]

Quick question if I may, are the aperture ring the same distance from the mounting flange as the 75mm 1.2? Obviously a nod the video use. be lucky stay safe

[@larskjensen]

Man, these videos are freakin’ awesome. Thanks for putting your time, effort, skill and heart into them.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks, Lars!

[@chengo51]

I'll just keep in mind the last sentence.....because it is what matter to me ....smaller, lighter, cheaper with the same image quality, ..... and BTW to achieve that Viltrox, make it f2 or even 2,8.....we won't cry !

[@ronbaselice7839]

Excellent review, might have to get one, when & if I need it!!!

[@mahdimanesh4221]

Interesting video! Well done! My journey brought me from Nikon to Fuji X, to the GFX, then the Hasselblad cameras and finally including the X2D -- before I made a bold move back to Fuji with the XH2S and the 23 + 33mm LM WR lenses. Took me a while to order the 75mm Viltrox lens but after 2 days of shooting I must admit it is really good! For the 27mm, I am less sure, but just because I already own the neighbor focal lengths... and even then, this may very well be an option to just carry one lens instead of the two. And the 33 is that good -- it made me shoot 50mm equivalent again; after more than 5 years on 35mm mostly. So yes... I may need to get that 27mm as well... for Christmas. Or so. :P

[@myflorist_europe]

still ordered and cant heavy wait for it!! What a great Lens! Thx

[@GregoryDai]

a new video yeah!!

[@TK421-53]

Smooth as silk… …yet little or no BS 😮

[@frankfountain7680]

Once again, an exquisite review!

[@David-pm9nm]

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!

[@nevvanclarke9225]

The reason I left full frame was to have lighter gear and Fujifilm makes me want to shoot. I have the xt5 and it is just amazing

[@jacquesnel8384]

Great review thank you Hugh love from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@3BMEP]

Hello South Africa!

[@shawnsyverson262]

Love your videos! Thanks for producing them. Bought the 13mm last fall. The 75mm arrived two days ago and the 27mm arrives in a couple days. Didn’t really plan on having no Fuji primes. Just sorta happened. Shooting on XH2 and XT3. Looking forward to the 27mm as I really enjoy that focal length.

[@3BMEP]

Have fun! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@clementc7297]

I would love to see an f2 Version

[@ianhawes4584]

Thanks for the interesting review Hugh. Personal reservations on this lens are the obvious ones… size/weight (and existing Sigma glass). But if you don’t have a permanent Fuji body to take advantage, you know where to send it 🙄😉😂

[@3BMEP]

😉

[@garfieldmtify]

Hugh! You is da man! Let’s just start at that. Focus breathing, that’s a major issue for me with video. If they made one of these lens designed for E mount lens at 26 or 27 or equivalent I would be very interesting to at least try.

[@Powerland56]

Great lens. Thank you for the pixelpeeping 😉. I will go to a Viltrox event here in Germany in a few days and I am very excited. In a few days I will compare the Viltrox 13 1.4, 27 1.2 and 75 1.2 with my XF 18 1.4, 33 1.4 and 56 1.2. You really speak german „über alles“ in 8:32 of your video? 😂. I understand, what you want to express, but be careful with this couple of german words, because this is a Part of our forbidden verse of our national anthem from the very dark times of our history. Just a hint from Germany 😉.

[@mikefoster6018]

An interesting lens. But it's weight is much closer to my heavy 16-55mm f2.8 than my lighter 33mm f1.4. I love how my 33mm tucks to my side during hand-carry, whereas I imagine the Viltrox lens would protrude just enough to feel like it might end up bashing into things (like my 16-55mm certainly could). And it's such a wide lens that I wonder what my street subjects might think if they saw it. Those are the negatives, but it still looks VERY nice. And yeah its 40mm equivalent focal length seems to be gaining popularity. I can see the advantages, but I like how my 33mm's 50mm equivalent more convincingly achieves a portrait feel when needed. My inner idealist keeps telling me that the constraints of a 50mm equivalent can be turned into advantages (who needs lots of background context, eh!)

[@3BMEP]

I hear you on all counts!

[@nevvanclarke9225]

It's really funny because I don't use my 23 mm much and I don't use my 35 1.4 much either I wonder whether I could just get away with one lens which is the 27... it's almost in the middle I can then just use my feet to move back or forward

[@npdady]

I had this dilemma as I didn't like both those focal lengths as well. I ended up buying TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 to test it out and I really love the focal length. It's a really cheap AF pancake lens too.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@@npdady yeah I'm not a fan of auto focus because my eyesight is not that great even with the diapter adjusted... I don't trust my eyes well enough to use manual focus. So I stick with auto focus but I definitely think I may sold by other two lenses and just get one lens

[@georgb.920]

2:40 There are 16 lenses on the schematic representation of Viltrox, it is said there are 15. Which is correct now?

[@martinpickard5818]

Love if they make this lens for Sony FF…..

[@MyBernis]

These are Crop Sensor Lenses and they will be sold for the Crop Bodys of Sony and Nikon I guess.

[@martinpickard5818]

@@MyBernis viltrox make FF lense

[@MyBernis]

@@martinpickard5818 But the 27mm 1,2 is a Crop calculation. So this lens will not be sold as Full Frame Lens

[@sethiphotography]

run for president

[@ShaneAndersonProductions]

All we need now is an 18mm 1.2 and a 50 or 56 1.2 to complete the set.

[@Autumn-Foxxo]

I'm hoping for a 16mm f1.2, slightly wider would be wonderful. Though an 18mm 1.2 would be a great addition

[@ryankwan1934]

300mm f/4 for me thanks. Knowing Viltrox, they could deliver something on par with the PL 200mm f/2.8 at a fraction of the price.

[@dpa03]

Just ordered one seconds ago off Amazon, hurry up peeps, there was 2 left on amazon when I went to purchase. Well, 1 now 😂

[@jarmokarkkainen7621]

Mmm...I'm currently looking for some faster prime lens to complement the Sigma 18-50. Size and weight might be an issue here, but I do like the price😊. Thanks for this vid Hugh, I always like to have more options to consider and great to see 3rd party offering availability for Fuji, too. Still cannot understand what the h**l Canon is doing, or rather, not doing...

[@danielmcilroy7089]

Size, weight, price. All that really matter to 99% of us 99% of the time.

[@maaike_franskravelzen8467]

Well , maybe I'm a nuisance to say that this is a product from China. No wonder it can be cheaper and as good (or better) than its opponents from Europe, US and/or Japan... If workers in China would have the same working conditions as in Japan, US and Europe and if they would not have stolen all knowledge and designs the price would be much higher.

[@TK421-53]

Upfront my apologies to this wonderful YT channel, one of my favorites. Stolen? If western companies produce their products in China, the Chinese learn, right? In the west we have learned from each other as well, is that the same as stolen - depends on the method, and sometimes the answer is inspired and sometimes it is stolen, legally or not (for example all those German patents after WW2). Finally, China is developing. You start from somewhere, just imagine the leap from the start of the century, post WW2 and up to today - those living standards will improve automatically (well in the west the opposite seems the norm nowadays). Maybe western companies are too greedy - outsourcing, off shoring and ever increasing their prices. Those western companies will eagerly go to another cheap labor, easy labor law, easy environmental law country, if it helps raise their profit margin. That is capitalism. Ironically not that long ago people were complaining about cheap products from Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Competition catches up. That is a good thing for all of us, both customers and including Chinese laborers. So yes IMO it is a F-ing nuisance if people are hypocritical when it comes to China. Including your “opponent” type of world view, that clearly puts you in the adversarial zero sum geopolitical mind set. Now we could also start a discussion on how the west got its cheap access to resources etc, but that would take this OT ever further beyond the scope of this channel. …no I am not Chinese.

[@maaike_franskravelzen8467]

@@TK421-53 I fully agree with you. Except for one thing...Do we need to develop further or is it maybe time to consolidate?

[@3BMEP]

Guys, this is a good and important conversation. My only request is that it remains civil. Cheers, Hugh