Viltrox AF 56mm F1.4 XF Definitive Review | 4K

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I have since been able to test video AF on the new X-S10 body - AF performance was MUCH better. No hunting.

[@MayurMahapatraFilms]

How’s it performing with xt4?

[@joshuareveles]

@@MayurMahapatraFilms the same or better tbh

[@starscreamion]

About pulling: fuji in their high tier models has linear motor switcher in cameras. You can turn it on and have totally consistent manual focus. Autofocus speed in video is variable too and can be customised greatly.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's true, though I find the speed painfully slow in linear mode. You have to rotate the focus ring many, many times to go from minimum to infinity.

[@starscreamion]

@@DustinAbbottTWI yep, it is so... And because of it i would recommend for video or manual focus mostly 16/1.4 and 23/1.4 (it have clutch) from fuji, if we dont go for mkx-series...

[@AxelFoley-sb5re]

I’ve done a lot or research on this, and after messing around with the Fuji 56 I think the viltrox is the way to go it’s really a quality lens that I cannot tell a major difference between the two.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I agree that there isn't a significant difference between the two. The Fuji has slightly nicer bokeh, but the Viltrox actually has better AF (after firmware updates).

[@tkermi]

Nice to see very decent optical performance in affordable price range. Thanks for the video.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed. The Viltrox lenses on Fuji are very welcome.

[@maxbembel2962]

Man, an old DM 10.- note!!! As a german I kinda miss those!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I hear that very, very often. There's something about seeing your own country's currency.

[@Sarcastek]

FYI: I haven't experienced the hunting/AF glitches with my copy of Viltrox 56 on Fuji X-T4

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not surprised, as I didn't pick up on there being a broader problem in the user reviews I've seen.

[@DavidFontanari]

Very nice and precise review Dustin, some crucial information to consider before to go for a purchase. At the end I'll buy my first viltrox, have had the 56 1.2, never been really satisfied, then for a third of the price I'll have this 56. I definitely agree that Fuji needs third part lenses: the old 35 needs update, the 23 1.4 too, the 60 "macro", annoption as 55/140 F4 that doesn't exist. At the end I'm considering the possibility that Fuji is not investing anymore in their system (in long term) due to the limitations of the dimension of the sensor. PS: sorry for my english, writing on the go from Italy

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think we're in agreement on a lot of this.

[@giuseppe.g]

Great review, i got this lens and very happy with it, just one question, from F 5.6 to 16 the autofocus it's really noise.. it's ok or it's my lens to have some problem?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's basically impossible for me to diagnose that in a forum like this. You probably need to reach out to Viltrox.

[@Geovane14]

Hello! your videos are very enlightening, your dedication is differentiated. Thanks for sharing. I just bought an Xt4 and the next step is to buy a lens. I already decided on the Viltrox path, your videos helped. I have one last question, I'm undecided between the 33 mm or 56 mm, do you have any opinion if the quality is the same? For now, I'm looking for a lens to take travel photo with my wife, taking landscape and also doing portraits. Any opinion would be of great help!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

If portraits are a priority, go with the 56mm

[@daniel_b_living6133]

Dustin awesome review. Have you tried out any of the new Sigma lenses for Fuji? They have a 16, 30, and 56mm available but not too many reviews at the moment.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't retested them on Fuji mostly because I've already reviewed them all on Sony.

[@daniel_b_living6133]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Ah ok. So I’m looking for the right 56mm for my Fuji. Not interested in the expense of the 56 1.2 so deciding between Viltrox and Sigma. I’ve been told the Viltrox 56 has a bit more character and pop to them, as opposed to the sharper yet more clinical Sigma 56. Which would you recommend between the two?

[@Jwitherow1964]

Is it as good to the full 56 version

[@dandanu2526]

Great lens...love it

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad you are enjoying it.

[@naysaya2935]

Hi there, I have just bought a Fujifilm X-H1 camera and I am looking for lenses, I have none at the moment. Would you recommend I purchase a trinity setup of these lenses or as I am just starting off should I purchase the Fujifilm XF 18-135mm Zoom? Also, are these Viltrox lenses Weather Sealed? Weather Sealing is VERY important for me as I live in Ireland where it rains all the time. Thanks in advance! :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

They aren't weather sealed. You might also consider some of the F2 lenses (23, 35, 50mm) from Fuji, as they have weather sealing and pretty good image quality.

[@geoffrehmet2424]

I would be interested to know if you have tried this lens at all for indoor sports, especially basketball.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't. Because I review so many lenses, I typically only have a few weeks with each lens and try to hit the main purposes of the lens (like portraiture for this one) along with my general tests. The only time I get more variety with the lenses is if I happen to add them to my own kit and use them long term.

[@gerben4875]

Hi Dustin, have you had trouble with exposure flickering in high contrast scenes? When I had the 23 1.4 and 33 1.4 i noticed the shutter speed quickly changing after taking a shot at a high contrast scene which resulted in the exposure flickering.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't, but I didn't use the lens long term...just during my review period.

[@mijnp]

Is your 56mm updated to the oct19, 2020 latest firmware? I believe that's v1.0.8. It makes me hesitant to buy this due to the focusing issues you mentioned

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It was updated to the most recent firmware at the time I did the review (I couldn't tell by memory which that was). If it helps, no one has reported the focus issues that I reported. It may have either been copy specific or due to quirks with the camera I was using.

[@sirbondman007]

Thank you for this review. I use this on my XH-1 & E3 and truly enjoy the sharpness and color rendition, as well as resolving power. I have just one suggestions: Please STOP moving the lens around, as it is excessive and takes away our enjoyment of looking at the lens. Thanks so much. Ciao!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@mariazanon5540]

How about this lens for food photography?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I personally like a shorter focal length for food. Something like the 33mm might be a better fit.

[@mariazanon5540]

@@DustinAbbottTWI thank you

[@opalyankaBG]

Does anybody use this lens on the X-T30? And how do you like it? Thanks in advance.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I've recently tried it on the new X-S10 and it works well there.

[@MisAnkic]

This one or Sigma 56 1.4?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would personally go with the Sigma.

[@MisAnkic]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks man!

[@djxcel23]

Nice, i have this on order

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think you'll enjoy it.

[@T-Slider]

How does it work on the X S10

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm afraid I haven't tested that body.

[@SayWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat]

just like on any other fuji body..DAH!!

[@mik5xa]

4th in line! You forgot 85mm 1.8

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Not exactly. The 85mm is actually a full frame lens, separate from this new series of APS-C only lenses.

[@mik5xa]

Oh thats what you ment... 👍

[@mik5xa]

@Rob Ungerer and its is bigger and it has a II version and and... but it is stil a Viltrox lens

[@JJ-vp3bd]

@@mik5xa doesnt the 56mm fit on lets say a sony a7r series camreas?

[@mik5xa]

@@JJ-vp3bd don't know and couldn't care less... Fuji user here✌

[@thegeneral123]

It's not the same lens or camera but I find my X-T3 on firmware 3.30 with the Viltrox 33mm F1.4 on 1.07 firmware is prone to glitches. Usually I will find the focus system locks up on this lens 2 or 3 times on a session. It will end up with a focus box/boxes/points stuck on screen and the camera will need turning on and off to resolve. Does not happen with any of my other lenses, which are all Fuji. 18-55, 16-55, 16mm F1.4, 55-200. So I think while the Viltrox lenses are pretty good and especially for the money. They're only really interesting at the moment because Fuji have allowed a number of lenses to become incredibly dated and yet are still quite expensive. Villtrox are filling a significant gap in the value/modern technology lens market on Fuji X mount. Question though, ignoring the bokeh and light transmission differences. How would this 56mm Viltrox compare to my Fuji 16-55 lens run at 55mm focal length image quality wise. Sharpness, chromatic aberration etc? This is not a focal length I use really for my style and preference of photography.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I do agree that while you have to work through a few more compatibility glitches, the Viltrox lenses are very welcome on Fuji because of the reasons you mention. This lens will be sharper at equivalent apertures than the 16-55

[@stopdrpnro]

Have you set the camera to shoot without a lens? Had issues with mine till I changed the setting. Now no issues with the 23,33,or 56.

[@thegeneral123]

@@stopdrpnro I've not touched that setting from the default. So it shouldn't be enabled to shoot without a lens that I'm aware of. I'll check the setting before I update the camera to firmware 4.00 on Friday.

[@thegeneral123]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you, that 56mm Viltrox then is incredibly sharp if it beats my 16-55.

[@stopdrpnro]

@@thegeneral123 that setting should be changed. Your camera isn't detecting a fuji lense and performing accordingly.

[@matpez65]

Viltrox 56mm or viltrox 85mm Mark ii

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The 56mm is much more compact, obviously, and the more flexible focal length. The 85mm is the sharper lens at wider apertures and has more background comparession.

[@matpez65]

@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks for the reply, just purchased the 85 Mark ii version, for the extra compression

[@edwinzainudin9272]

Thanks Dustin, I just saved myself about 600 bucks buying this great lens!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Nice - enjoy!

[@jan-hendrikbussmann4644]

With all of your Fuji lens reviews so far, has there ever been a lens for the Fuji system which really was something special in regards to functionality and image quality? I cannot shake the feeling that whatever there is for Fuji, you can get better options for other camera systems, and most of the time at a lower price point. I would love to have a Fuji X-T, but so far I cannot find an objective reason to buy into that system. Not even weight really hits if you come from Sony full frame.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Jan, in all frankness, there is some truth to what you say. I really liked the 35mm F2, and loved the 200mm F2 (though it is exceptionally expensive), but most lenses that I've reviewed for Fuji do have what I would consider an equal or superior counterpart on another system, though it might be a third party lens. Fuji needs third party development.

[@joshuareveles]

the Fuji 33mm f1.4, 50mm f1.0, 90mm f2,50-140mm f2.8, and16-55mm f2.8 are all incredible lens on the X mount with outstanding IQ (especially the 16-55mm since Sony, Canon, and Nikon don't really have an amazing 24-70mm f2.8)

[@SayWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat]

Talking about f5.6 with this lense is not logical IMO. like 2 people will ever use such narrow aperture.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not sure you know what you are talking about. Even if you never take landscapes, you will need to use F5.6 and F8 to photograph groups of people if you want everyone's face to be in focus.