Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF lens review with samples

[@ericthestone]

This is amazing. Another huge step for Viltrox. It is no longer a cheaper alternative offering for OEM lens. This is the lens Fujifilm wish to have in their line up.

[@JimboSkinner]

You haven’t tried updating firmware on a Viltrox Fuji lens, have you? The usb-c port does not work at all

[@rafsnchz]

@@JimboSkinner idk, what you’re talking about. all you have to do is connect the lens to your computer and drop a small file into its storage and that’s it. works just fine.

[@kingsamvisuals]

@@JimboSkinner works for me

[@franzjosefstakes]

@@JimboSkinner Plug it in, it appears as a storage device, you drop the new firmware file on it - done. Worked fine for me.

[@scawhitwell]

@@JimboSkinner I've seen a note elsewhere that the issue is there type of usb cable. You may need to see if your cable is right for data transfer.

[@dennydog]

It is heads above the Fuji 10-24 WR f4. I was amazed at the sharpness at 2.8 corners, and overall very nice. So happy I purchased this lens, comes feeling very well made, a METAL shade, aperture ring, sturdy feeling focus and so far I can find nothing negative. Amazing.

[@tobyr8555]

Do you have both? I have a poor/soft copy of the 10-24mm mark1, so looking to sell to buy the mark2 or maybe this viltrox

[@alanglover590]

You have become my go to reviewer. You come HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[@joshua1223ag]

Got to use it yesterday. First time using an ultra wide angle in an indoor setting. Pictures are so sharp and the details I got with this lens.

[@Shuttergames]

Christopher, I don't know what good I did in my life that I went on and found your channel. Thanks for each and every video! Amazing content!

[@geopapa80]

Seems like Viltrox nailed it here. Fantastic!

[@DamianBrown]

With so many sample shots we can tell you enjoyed it!

[@TheGregg1969]

If Viltrox is listening, I have ordered this lens for my Nikon Z50 based upon your excellent review. This is the second lense which ive bought based on your enthusiasm for the lens. Thanks for another great lens video.

[@KwyjiboVanDeKamp]

Would love to see you testing out the 2 new Voigtländer lenses for Fuji X-mount - 35/1.2 & 23/1.2.

[@maxdmachy]

Cool review! It's spectacular that they can make a lens with those specs @ that price so good

[@Lycan546]

Sharpness straight from f1.4, minimum chromatic aberration, negligible distortion i.e perfect lens. Excellence job done by viltrox.

[@AlphaCygni]

Well... I received my copy. At 1.4 it's INSANELY sharp. However, for an unknown reason, the moment I start to close it, it loses contrast and the focus seems to be shifting a little bit. I try to shoot a relatively close subject (no more than 30cm away). It feels like that at 1.4 the center sharpness is like 5.6 or 8, and the moment I start to close the lens down, it's getting worse. The firmware was 1.0.1 and I upgraded it to 1.0.2 - no change. I tried to disable in camera lens optimizer - no change. I tried to disable the stabilizer (Fuji X-S10) - no change. I tried to nail focus in manual focus mode with AF-ON button - no change. I tried to nail focus in AF-S mode - no change. I repeat - at 1.4 it seems to be the sharpest lens I ever put on my X-S10, it's really that good. F/2 and closer - it seems to be loosing contrast and focus. Defective lens? Focus shifting? field curvature? What's going on? I watched again your review, especially the part from 5:01 to 5:10 - It appears that the watch and its frame are less sharper at f/2 than they appear at f/1.4, which.. to some extent.. feels like the same behaviour of my copy.

[@eugenegirshtel]

This is exactly my experience as well. I believe this is a case of focus shifting while changing apertures, which appears to be a known phenomenon in the lens world when dealing with very wide aperture lenses. I was about to send my lens back because of this issue. I believe we have to refocus after changing apertures in order to correct the problem.

[@muttishelfer9122]

Wow, incredible performance for a Viltrox lens!

[@sepdriessen1058]

I have been considering this lens mostly for my interest in nightscape photography. However, I've been holding off pulling the trigger after reading about poor performance regarding coma smearing in the corners when wide open. Yet, after seeing your photo and analyses (at 5:26), this actually seems very acceptable for such a bright and wide angle lens like this!

[@Re-InCarNation]

Would love to see a comparison between this lens and the Samyang 12mm f2.

[@dquarks]

great review ! I am confused however, is the in camera corrections ! Are they done automatically or there is an adjustment from the menu ? I have a XS-20 and it does everything well for my needs. I also just bought the Viltrox 13mm. I have the 10-24mm for years but not really using much so finally I decided to sell it. I am quite excited about the sharpness of the Viltrox and night shooting of street photography.

[@DanPandrea]

This turned out much better than I expected. I guess the next step is to compare it with the Samyang 12mm f/2.

[@davidgaritta9195]

my thoughts exactly. I love the Samyang but this may be a good option

[@budthecyborg4575]

Yes, we need a Samyang 12mm vs Viltrox 13mm shootout.

[@totinospizzarolls4737]

It seems like the viltrox would surpass it. Faster aperture, sharper corners, less flare (versus manual version), less CA... Although price may play a role.

[@Vinterloft]

@@totinospizzarolls4737 Samyang is designed to be small and light first and foremost. It also acquires focus faster and more confidently. The Viltrox is better in most regards though, except for coatings and lack of weather sealing ring. My one worry is sample variance, I've seen MUCH worse copies of this 13mm than the one Chris got. Samyang have much better QC.

[@professionalpotato4764]

Or the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8

[@sommelierofstench]

wow. i think i need this :o thanks for the quality review as always!

[@ineedagoodusername3164]

Wow! Didn't think we'd see a Chinese third-party lens of this quality, at this price! Fuji users really are lucky.

[@musicenjoyer4203]

see i love that this lens feels like it was designed to go on a fuji camera. sigma make great 3rd party options but they never look or feel at home. viltrox understood why people like fuji 1st party stuff when they set out to make this and it really shows.

[@nathanaelvking]

Would you prefer this or the Samyang 12mm F2, which you recently reviewed? Which for astrophotography? Thanks for the excellent reviews!

[@GinoFoto]

Well, what a positive surprise, sharp at 1.4, cudos to Viltrox!

[@Orange074]

I've been waiting for this review! Good work.

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Awesome review, I would never have given viltrox a second glance but I think I will add it to my bag, looks like an awesome lens for travel. Thanks for sharing

[@christerappelgren1665]

I'll buy this when it's for sale. Thank you, your reviews are the best!

[@jumpyee]

Chris, thank you for the support of Ukraine. I am ukrainian, currently live in Ukraine, and seeing your avatar really cheered me up.

[@pizzablender]

May all strength be with Ukraine.

[@jumpyee]

@@pizzablender thank you!

[@MrCyberSlacker]

Your reviews are the best. Thank you! Buying today.

[@andrear9500]

Does it change perspective along aperture changes? I did notice unusual (in your reviews) “movements “ in the corner numbered target and in the longitudinal aberration test. Fantastic performance nevertheless!

[@karlomihalusdianovski5275]

I was wating for this for so long 🥰🥰🥰

[@Leonsimages]

Perfect timing, I was about to buy this lens! It could be an amazing option for shooting in very small venues, where you are close to the subjects and need good low-light capability.

[@TK421-53]

05:00 looks like the examples have been swapped - the first image @f/1.4 seems sharper than the second one supposedly @f/2.0 - look at the 55mm text. Regardless of the actual apertures, the first image is sharper than the second one.

[@yuritimashkov241]

Christopher thank you for your work.

[@sloemo4024]

Great review - this is clearly the new go-to lens for night photography with Fuji X. Question - will you be testing the new Laowa 20mm shift lens? I already ordered one for Fuji G mount.

[@k.sarus.1916]

Excellent lens to have! Was gonna get the 16mm f 1.4! Then i saw this one and intantly thought this is perfect! Reasonable price and great quality! Only half the price of the fuji 16mm! thanks chris for delivering another great review! Helped me picking lenses in the past!

[@69leehammond]

Just received mine yesterday. Looking forward to using it 🙂

[@thegeneral123]

I just wish they'd get on board with the weather sealing and bug fixing. My Viltrox 33mm F1.4 is a lens that can give good results but it's glitchy as all hell and no weather sealing is a huge problem for me.

[@thegeneral123]

@@d.k.1394 Random lock ups on my X-T3 (yes I've updated the firmware on the camera and the lens) inconsistent focus sometimes where it hesitates and hunts which none of my native Fuji lenses do. Lens is extremely sensitive to what usb cable it will work with. I had to try 6 different brands of data/power cable before I found one that would work (olight power cable). Will randomly cause the X-T3 not to power on. Will randomly cause the camera to have the green focus box stuck on the screen. Resulting in needing to restart the camera and this can sometimes happen many times in a day or not at all. You also have to be extremely careful updating firmware as many complain of lenses being bricked even doing nothing wrong. Oh and try and find the latest firmware on their garbage website. It's a nightmare. To be frank, you're buying beta products from them has been my experience and the QC and testing is non existent. Oh and if anything goes wrong and you have problems like I have, your requests for support will be ignored. AWFUL company.

[@mattstolzman]

You mean Viltrox 33?

[@thegeneral123]

@@mattstolzman Yes, good spot, I meant Fuji used Viltrox 33mm. I've changed the wording.

[@thegeneral123]

@@d.k.1394 It is what it is. I also didn't mention how it got lost in the post for 3 months and Viltrox refused to refund me and fought me at every step of the way on getting a refund and then obviously fast tracked a replacement when I escalated to my bank. Untrustworthy company.

[@CorDa]

Very happy with this review as I definitely have had my eye on it. The big want is the xf 16mm f1.4 but since this is half the price and slightly wider I think you've sealed the deal for me with this review.

[@borntoexplore982]

Maybe you should consider getting the sigma 16 mm 1.4 ?

[@CorDa]

@@borntoexplore982 I definitely considered it but ended up going with the 13mm for the wider angle. The only other wide lens I own is an adapted ef-s 10-18, which isn't horrible but nowhere near as good as the Viltrox 13mm.

[@rafaelxenes2034]

Great video, thanks! Seems like an amazing lens. So tempted to buy it right now.

[@norgerichard]

I have been waiting for this.

[@BahiaCast]

Loved the pictures, it seems a very good lens.

[@ggwildlife]

great review i have just put this in my wish list.

[@sclogse1]

I'm shooting at 1:1.37 ratio in terms of video post crop, to match the cinema of the early 60's, and also shooting stills now in square format. It gives me the best numbers on all my lenses, including the poor limping tawdry diseased chained outside to the cactus 16-50mm 3.5, which has remarkable center sharpness. A win win. This Viltrox will also work quite well in my mad schemes.

[@itacatv2146]

More like 40s than 60s. Other than maybe Bergman and some Eastern European filmmakers, nobody was shooting 1:1,37 in the 60s.

[@sclogse1]

@@itacatv2146 The Cranes Are Flying Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Cranes Are Flying arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.Mar 27, 2020. The film was released in 1957.

[@-grey]

I'd love to see it compared to the Samyang 12f2 and the Sigma 16f1.4 if you could. Just to see the difference in Field of View and quality. ✌️

[@ramonarias1234]

WOW WOW WOW... what an incredible lens performance!! Hope they make it also for Z mount

[@doomanygf3017]

thank you for the professional Analyze,Which lens do you think is better samyang 12 mm oder this viltrox?

[@yaelsoto2742]

wow i was amazed at how sharp this lens is. for an alternative to the Sigma 16mm f1.4 it is very good 👌🏼

[@deel7114]

13 mm equivalent of 20 mm in full flame camera , that's wide enough with such tiny size.

[@CianMcsweeney]

100%, was comparing this to his reviews of the sigma, and it seems that the viltrox is sharper and doesn't suffer as much from color fringing, with less barrel distortion as well

[@wwe2kgaming23]

Hello, can you tell me which is better? Sigma 16mm f1.4 vs Viltrox 13mm f1.4?

[@ridingroox]

Hi Christopher, love your videos and bought the lens after watching your review. I made some amateur testing with a printed out chart. f2 and f2.8 is surprisingly bad in the middle for my lens. Unfortunately you stay in the corners after f1.4, so I cannot compare the middle-performance to my results. Can you confirm this "performance-gap" in the middle for your lens? f1.4 / f4 / f5.6 look really good though. Or should I send it back and hope another copy performs better for f2 / f2.8? Thanks in advance and keep up those sweet videos!

[@AlphaCygni]

I received my copy and it feels like it behaves quite similar to yours. When focused on a subject no more than 30cm away, At 1.4 it's incredibly sharp in the middle. when I close it to f/2 onwards it seems to be losing contrast and focus ; Did you replace yours? If you did, does your second copy behaves the same?

[@IliasKoureas]

I need this lens for my Nikon zfc. Hopefully it comes out soon. Want to take it on my astro trips this summer!

[@timblass8873]

Chris, your review convinced me to go for this and I'm just amazed at the build and optical quality so far. This is my first serious lens outside of the Fuji X range (beyond a couple of 2nd hand prime lens for playing around with) and everything to date has exceeded my wildest expectations. Weather sealing would have been nice, but would no doubt have pushed up the unit price a fair bit and as a fair weather shooter this wasn't a deal breaker by any means! Saying that, the build quality feels even better than Fuji's X range out the box. Time will tell how well it fairs after a few inevitable outdoor scrapes and knocks I guess! Packaging and presentation too is outstanding, beautifully presented and lens bag etc.etc. with it too. Watchout for the rear lens cover as it just appears to push on (so use a Fuji or threaded one if you're going to be carrying this as a spare lens in your bag! Paid £326 for this lens including postage - Fuji would double that and more for sure for something of a similar quality and performance. I also have the 10-24 f4mm Fuji XF lens (non-WR) to compare with and may sell it on if the Viltrox performs this well. Not tried at low-light yet, which was a massive decision behind going for the 1.4f aperture, but that's only a matter of time! Great review, great lens, the perfect match!

[@christopherfrost]

Price: $429.

[@dice3809]

I've been wondering...can you replace the mount on the lens to fit eos M camera? Its a great lens and considering the Canon probably killing M mount there won't be an eos M version from viltrox.

[@nyohaku]

I love my 13 mm Viltrox, but the company is not standing behind its warranty for the 24 mm FE that I bought only two months ago. Nerve racking when you’ve been sold a lemon. Not sure I will buy Viltrox again. Buyer beware!

[@zerodicjcorez9173]

Wow ! was going to get the samyang 12 AF but this looks incredible and its actually cheaper than the latter + f1.4 - happy days :-) thanks for great review

[@joseabrantes]

Thanks a lot, Christopher, for all your great videos 👍 Not related to this one but I have to ask you : are you planning to review the Nikon z 24-200 ? I Because I need to decide between this one and the 24-120 that you highly recommended. Thank you in advance. All the best, JRA

[@danchivell938]

Lots great shots of Cardiff Bay 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@tnt4457]

Totally getting this lens. Been waiting since Oct. 2021.

[@skills_hd]

how do i find the filter for this???please. and if knf concept has it

[@991106kk]

Sony/Fuji APSC looks soo good these days. All the new lenses are just awesome.

[@gabewrsewell]

wow, kudos viltrox!

[@gabbiefransis]

hi christopher can you give your opinion which lens is better between the viltrox 13mm f1.4 when compared to the sigma 16mm f1.4?

[@matusmisik_photography]

Hello you doing good reviews I would like to ask you which one is better Fujifilm XF 23mm 1.4 or Viltrox 13mm 1.4 ??? Thank you for your time

[@nvztsnl]

amazing performance, amazing lens!

[@bluecollar8525]

If you shoot raw, are in camera corrections applied to get rid of vignetting and pincushion? Or does the post software need to have a lens profile for it?

[@dtyusufceylan]

Can it resolve 40 megapixels of xh2fuji ? I couldn’t find any information about it.

[@icogicog8287]

Any thoughts as an astrophotography lens?

[@Indydi]

This lens is a winner. Glad I ran across this before I purchased the Samyang 12mm.

[@dimpap1370]

Hello! Even tho not the same focal length but if you had to choose between this viltrox 13mm and the fuji 16 1.4, which one would you prefer? 🤔

[@БогданКошовий-е6ю]

Thank you for this review, was waiting for it for long!) Also I want to thank you for your support for Ukraine, it matters a lot for me❤️

[@networm64]

6:16. My optic's knowledge is weak or is it the first lens I see changes the perspective drastically when you stop down? Very nice review and my MF Samyang 12mm looks like a garbage now!

[@suatst]

Almost perfect. Would be perfect if it was weather sealed. Strange for a lens that is obviously meant for outdoors (astro, landscapes, etc.).

[@Aksunkuvat]

Got it recently its phenomenal.

[@carlostenorio5345]

I have a 33mm 1.4 from VILTROX, forget about the one that Chinese lenses are bad, not VILTROX. Very nice to know you have a 13mm 1.4.

[@justfatherblog]

How about use for vlog ?

[@WeebJail]

how about continuous autofocus? would love to know how well that works

[@cloggyable]

Great review, i was actually waiting for Sigmas new X mount wide lenses but might consider this one, thanks

[@thenorth9159]

even sharper than Samyang 12mm f2... this one is very good one.

[@xr3druM]

Never even heard of this lens - interesting!

[@jdam28k]

Viltrox has really being showing they mean business, right up there with the big boys Tamron and Sigma.

[@JetBen555]

Finally no more purple fringing when wipe open

[@rsmith_aus1371]

Keen to buy this soon for Astro! 👌

[@canermustafa9404]

Hello Christopher. Thanks for another very useful review. It would be wonderful if you could do a Sugma 1.4 16mm vs Viltrox 1.4 13mm.

[@aldrinmarang447]

Hoping they'll drop one for dx z mount🤞🙏

[@southbridgeforestHOA]

I wish they would do an canon efm mount for this lens!

[@tapasyatyaga4041]

Can anyone tell me why you need AF on a super wide angle lens since zone focusing is so effective? Almost everything will be in focus even closeups. For instance using an APS-C sensor if you are onlyb3 feet away from your subject everything from 1.6 feet to infinity will be in focus anyway. So AF provides little benefit.

[@saiyan_princestudios9790]

Anyone try this for vlogging? 13mm is kind of near the sweet spot for me preference wise. Love the new 10-24 at 12-14mm.

[@Pixelpeeps-69]

Great video by the pastor 🙏🏻 it’s all about sharpness these days but i also like lenses with character 📸

[@alfredcam5213]

This is amazing. Much better in the corners than my Tokina 14-20mm f/2, and a stop brighter.

[@devilangel4655]

I love the 1.4👌✨

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

So sharp! I would try one on E-mount and see if I could get away with a 1:1 aspect ratio on full frame.

[@Al.j.Vasquez]

This lens was bred for astro 😍 holy shit, Fuji got a gem of a lens. For now, I'm happy with my 16mm Sigma f 1.4 for my Canon M50, but i wonder how better this lens could be for astro due to the wider angle.

[@ldambies]

For astro all depends is if infinity is precise with manual focus

[@rodrigoparalta6616]

Will it come for Z mount? It would be a grate lense for my Z50.

[@slaphead55]

Viltrox lenses, including this one, are now available for Nikon Z mount (Z50, Z30 & Zfc)

[@kenprodigalidad6925]

Finaly you reviewed it hahahh. Man! this is realy a good lens

[@TroupeGoal]

Blows the Fuji equivalents away and for significantly less dosh

[@sjoerdsiemes]

I guess its better for the money than the sigma 10-18 if you are only searching for the wide angle. Even though the sigma is a bit wider ofcourse.

[@alvintelin]

yep, it is…

[@jonuiuc]

Hmm this or the 12mm rokinon for fuji. the weight sorta makes me partial to the rokinon.

[@franzjosefstakes]

Amazing to see what Viltrox can do when they don't try to offer budget options - a similair Fuji lens would probably cost $700-800.

[@stinkystealthysloth]

A similar Fuji lens would cost 1k easy, look at their 16 and 18mm.

[@bunmeng007]

Fuji would have WR and LM

[@Rooftopaccessorizer]

Too bad i already shelled out 500 for the laowa 9mm already. I dont really like to buy primes that are less than 10mm apart

[@elfynjones2554]

Thanks for the review; sounds like a lens one needs😊 My dilemma is this lens (new) or the Fuji 14mm f2.8 (pre owned).

[@timblass8873]

Hi, I've not used the 14mm f2.8, but having started to use the Viltrox I can confirm this is a great lens in build and optical quality terms. I've got 6 other 'serious' Fuji X series lenses and used more besides and this is up there in both build and optical quality. Having integrated auto-focus etc. means the lens behaves just like a native Fuji X lens on my XT3. Both lenses I say would be comparable in build quality (being an 'old' lens I don't think the Fuji's weather-sealed either and same therefore with Viltrox. For me that wide 1.4 v 2.8 aperture would probably be the deciding factor therefore if I was looking between these lenses (plus any noticeable price differential). If shooting in low light, go for the 1.4, if less of a need, go with gut feel! Hope that helps!

[@scawhitwell]

I have just reluctantly sold my 14mm f2.8. Three issues to consider. 1. Aperture brightness. 2. The clutch mechanism on the Fuji - some people live it but I found it a bit awkward. 3. Size. The Fuji is smaller and lighter. Optically, probably not much in it. The Fuji has really excellent glass, maybe even slightly better. I don't buy the argument that Fuji is over priced. Quality control, enduring workmanship costs time in design and labour. On the other hand Viltrox is trying hard it seems to match Japanese standards.

[@fjp2000]

Wow this is nice!!

[@QippysChannel]

Such great performance for such an affordable lens :)