Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 PRO Lens for Fujifilm X Mount Review

[@dandanu2526]

I found this lens for 400 euros brand new. I can't wait to test it on portraits... thank you so much, Pete!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@sshapiro63]

It's a very good lens. I tried it a couple of months ago but decided to stick with my Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 (WR version) and XF 33mm F1.4, mostly because of the size and weight of the Viltrox vs. the Fujifilm lenses. I think the Viltrox would be a great compliment to the XF 27mm for times when you need a faster solution, such as evening street photography. I could also see using it for environmental portraits. The Viltrox 27mm F1.2, Fujfilm XF 50mm F1.0 or XF 56mm F1.2, and Viltrox 75mm F1.2 could make a great portrait system.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yeah for sure

[@brownbear100]

Have all three and still can't decide which to sell. The 27 performs the same roll as the 33 really, which even has shallower depth of field. The 23 is also such a pocket powerhouse. If I'm going for fun, character, a bit wider perspective, I tend to look to the XF 16 2.8 and 27 1.2. For the best optical performance, flexibility, best AF the 18 1.4 and 33. The 23 1.4 always left a little to be desired for me in terms of rendering of out of focus areas when not shooting up close. Why I wanted to try the 27. Now the 23 tends to be the lens of choice when I just need a high quality lens that isn't too wide or long. Often on its own. Problem is the x100vi - which for a portable 23 is certainly no slouch either. Looks like I've unwittingly gained a lens rather than replacing anything!

[@anthonym3051]

This lens is nothing less than amazing. I pair this lens with my XH2. The SOOC with film recipes are wonderful. I have no need for doing any major editing to the images. I wish Viltrox would produce more Pro lens such as this one and the 75mm. I would by them all. And I wish Viltrox would dare to produce a couple lens for the GFX line.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I'm with you my friend - the reception has been so good that I would guess they are planning to release more PRO lenses.... I for one would absolutely love a 35mm f/1.4, and a 50mm f/1 to rival my Fuji....

[@CoeurMind]

Thanks a lot for this wonderful review. I own a X S20 (24 Mpxl) and I am not sure, despite the pixels, if the image quality would be more or less the same compared to your 40mpx sensor. Cheers.

[@gregshawphotography8828]

I love this Viltrox. For the way I photograph I get great images.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Me too!

[@dbean5174]

I found a used condition one for $225! It is such an amazing lens. Perfect all-rounder lens that can basically do it all. Some complain about the size but honestly, after holding it for a little while, it is not as bad as people think especially if you use it on the X-H or X-T bodies. I’ve been recently thinking of getting a 35 prime for that “nifty-fifty”, but I feel that most lenses aren’t anywhere close to the quality of this lens over the whole aperture range.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Great snag!!! I love mine.

[@76steps]

Hay. I have not watched your channel for a while. Glad I found you again. I love the 75mm but it's huge lump on my xs20. Really thinking about this 27mm is it a lot smaller than 75mm?Thanks for the video

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Welcome back! The 27mm is a lot smaller than the 75mm but still not compact. I've been using it every day for a while now and love it more and more as I shoot with it. I think you will dig it.

[@neilmacon8411]

Love this lens on my XT3 !!!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I was so blown away by it!

[@71co0k]

I was surprised to hear that the Fuji 50mm won out in detail and dynamic range. I’ve gotta look into that one.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yeah it was close but the 50 had less blown out highlights and overall appeared slightly sharper. Also, noticed a difference the EVF w the 50 as it was a bit brighter

[@Markovratonjic]

TBH, i didn't know that a lens can impact DR (i assumed that it can, but not noticeable)​@PeteCocoPhoto

[@71co0k]

@@PeteCocoPhoto would you say this is true for the newer Fujifilm 33mm lens too? Thanks

[@71co0k]

This is the one I’m considering vs the Viltrox.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@Markovratonjic just going by what i eyeballed so don't quote me on it. But there were def more blown out highlights w the viltrox

[@homecareful]

Hi Pete. If you ever get the chance come down to New Orleans and spend a week at Fest. There is nothing like it. I have two Viltrox lenses for my X-T3. Solid gear. My only problem is that they are large and heavy and I have to remind myself that I bought into Fujifilm because it is light and small. I just picked up a 58mm f/2 Zeiss Biotar Circa 1949. I would have loved to see you work that out on this shoot.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Hey Edward! It’s on my list but so far I have not been there. I’m a jazz bassist myself - the music in this vid is me playing a little bit of bass. I’m thinking of getting a manual lens for my Fuji, maybe a voightlander.

[@homecareful]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Voigts are beautiful, Pete. Dedicate a full week to Fest. It can change your life, I'm just saying...

[@michaelwhiles5282]

The Viltrox 13 1.4 is my first none Fuji lens and won’t be my last it’s dam good 😊 23 1.4 PRO is on my Viltrox wish list 👍

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Viltrox is really crushing it right now.

[@lionheart4424]

Thanks for the review!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

my pleasure!

[@Ton-x4r]

This one and the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 are easily the best lenses for Fujifilm cameras. Alteady from f1.2 so sharp. Can not fault any of them. They should come with a wide angle like 12mm or something. The current 13mm f1.4 is not that great in my opinion.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I think the 13mm has great character though. I’m sure they are going to make more of the pro line. Should be great stuff!

[@brownbear100]

They certainly are a long way from perfect and have a way to go to compete in the Fuji ecosystem also. Sharpness is far from being everything, and the depth of field achievable with this lens is also nothing new. The 27 indeed has subpar AF compared to both the Fuji 23 and 33 1.4. Forget video too with the focus breathing. And while f1.2 offers a little more for low light, the AF struggles in those situations more than the Fuji counterparts. Compared to the Fuji lenses it flares a lot, you get ghosting a lot. The swirly bokeh is a lens aberration like any other, extending beyond the corners into the central areas of the picture, leaving extremely oval shaped bokeh and onion rings until stopped down. Images taken at the minimum focus distance wide open are notably softer until about f2. For close up sharp images wide open the XF 23 is better, and has warmer tones, too. The 33 on the other hand offers shallower depth of field and smoother bokeh. Despite the swirly bokeh, overall the bokeh of the 27 is more pleasant than the 23 when not using that lens closer to the subject, but as an all-round focal length the compactness, sharpness, close up ability, and superior AF make the 23 a much better choice. The 27 offers a unique perspective, with a wider angle and shallow depth of field. It's sharp but like the 23 really needs softening for portraits. It's certainly full of character, but those optical issues can get in the way, also. And fingers crossed nothing goes wrong, because you'll have to pay return chipping to China for repairs. One year warranty only, and the reports on those that have had to have a warranty repair are not encouraging. Both the 23 and 33 are noticeably better at what they do best and neither suffers from the AF and optical aberrations the 27 does. And both are half the size, you could take both! The 27 is just another option that sits in the middle, is also fast, has some additional character, can be a lot of fun has some extra low light benefits, and if you only consider the price to purchase, cheaper than both. It's a similar story with the 75. A fun lens full of character, thanks to the flaws: swirly bokeh, regular flaring. But the depth of field is roughly the same as the 90, which had far, far superior AF making it a far more versatile lens. Optically the 90 is arguably marginally sharper, but certainly has far better IQ across the frame (it's has a bigger than APSC image circle and it shows), colour rendering is much better and contrast is sublime. The 75 isn't even that much cheaper these days, a used 90 can be had for the same as a used 75. But again, it's a nice character lens, the main issue is it's a lot of lens to carry for some character, especially since it can't really be relied on for once-in-a lifetime shots, the AF is just too unpredictable. Best Viltrox lenses for Fuji, absolutely.

[@Ton-x4r]

@@brownbear100 Considering warranty my camerashop gives me 5 years and they take care of any shipping. Mostly they just give a new lens when something happens.

[@brownbear100]

@@Ton-x4r never seen a Viltrox in any physical store. Viltrox's own warranty is only one year. They aren't going to fix it outside of the manufacturer's warranty for free no matter what your store says. I'd be carefully reading that store warranty! Even within warranty Viltrox does not refund whoever has to post it to China - well over $150 one way from the US for example (£45 from the UK). Viltrox is also silent on out of warranty repairs and has quite the reputation for poor customer service. Perhaps this just means you are without a functioning lens for a long time while your store deals with Viltrox. Perhaps the store would just cut their losses and replace the lens - or more likely argue whatever needs to be done is not covered by the warranty - and worst case just more e-waste but you're not out of pocket. But accidents happen. If you drop it and break the AF/MF switch, crack the front element etc., with a Fuji that's a relatively affordable fix (e.g. the 18mm 1.4 has a fixed repair cost of £108 in the UK). With Viltrox there's no documented repair route and the postage alone will cost you that. I have the lens. It's well made on the face of it, but sadly even the expensive Viltrox lenses need to be considered as future paperweights if anything goes wrong.

[@dbean5174]

@@brownbear100I find the af to be pretty commendable compared to the LM Fuji lenses believe it or not. It is not that huge of speed at least imo

[@jibzouth]

Im sorry for unrelated question haha, but what brand are those glasses? They look super nice!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

haha thanks - they are from warby parker

[@dimpap1370]

Hello, how does it compare to the fuji 33mm 1.4? Thank you

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Haven’t tried that particular lens but I found it to be very much on par with the 16-55 and 50mm f/1

[@daveboyle5751]

Like the 75mm f1.2 the lens hood is the only fault I can find with these two Viltrox lenses, they get so loose I taped them on with Black installation tape, I shoot basketball the 27mm with no issues on the XH2S, AF is super fast, better than the grindy old stepper motor in the 50mmf1.0. If Fuji made these lenses they would be three times the price.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Good insight - I will keep an eye on the hood. Mine is still fitting snugly so far.

[@robertbland5131]

You are not correct when you say this, Selena is not good for neither. I have those slings and it is a great portrait lens as well as it is great for group shots and various other different things.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Sorry I don't understand

[@kne321video]

Using it on X-T2 for portraits and Street Photography - difficult to stop using it, because it gives such pleasing results. Best regards @knederskovpetersen

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thank you! Yes, it’s growing on me more and more as well