Much more could have been said about this lens so, I would not call this an “ultimate review”, instead a First impression. As a lens owner for 2 weeks, I’ll try to add some info here for the readers that may be important (or is to me) considering I use this lens mostly for street and documentary photography: note, some strengths or weaknesses to me might be the opposite to someone so I will not catalog it, instead I just mention it. First, it’s an heavy and bulky lens for APSC system or at least to Fuji system. I get used to it because is not twice heavy as the last f/1.4 WR Fuji lenses but you feel it. I got a hand grip for my xpro3, maybe not so noticeable in a xt5. Some may ask why so bulky lenses on APSC, starts to look like a Full Frame kit already. I’m a Fuji guy and I don’t think this lens is bigger than a GMaster at Sony but ok, there goes the magic of travel light scene with this lens, that’s the price to pay for what this lens delivers. The lens is bloody sharp, how sharp? Maybe too much sharp… to the point that becomes too clinical to me (like my Fuji 18mm f/1.4 WR). It’s great for client work not so great for street and documentary. But I rather remove sharpness than “add” sharpness even if removing in Lightroom it’s just possible to a certain point, I solved this matter with a Tiffen black pro mist 1/4 filter that I add when doing street. Some say this lens is on par with the last Fujifilm f/1.4 WR lenses, I disagree: the lens is amazing on sharpness, colors, bokeh rendition and all that BUT, there is just a tiny difference between this lens and my 18mm f/1.4 that is maybe at micro-contrast level, I could not figure out exactly what yet, my Fujifilm 18mm it has a more alive 3d pop than this Viltrox but not spot noticeable between photos, and the f/1.2 from Viltrox helps on pushing up for the 3d pop and it’s good to be reminded that we are talking about lenses that cost twice more. I’m also comparing the Viltrox 27mm with (for me) the best Fujifilm lens, 18mm f/1.4 WR so it’s fair if a lens that costs half the price, delivers close to 98% of the same result. Viltrox shows noticeable vignette at f/1.2 to maybe slightly at f/2.8, completely gone at f/4. Not a problem to me but worth to mention. I was surprised by an amazing build quality and nice to know how good it is weather sealed, not only at the mount but also every ring and front. About focus speed and precision, I would say this lens was not supposed to be at the same level as the f/1.4 WR Fujifilm lenses: those are LM motor and Viltrox 27mm is “only” a STM motor. Theoretically should be slower focusing but I can see no major difference between Viltrox and Fujifim, both are enough fast to me and both nail focus amazingly but two notices: 1 - I do not use continuous focus, 2 - Maybe the LM of Fujifim can shine versus the STM of Viltrox at a more recent camera such as a XT5 (not my xpro3). What I can say is that I find Viltrox very fast and accurate at the AF department. For video guys there is some focus breathing, to me this is a no issue. There is a plastic built hood that I don’t use. I see no big flare issues with this lens. Maybe shooting wide open with sun in front I can see a bit of character (more than at Fujifilm) but not a deal breaker to me, I do enjoy it and if I step to f/2.8 gets better. Typical from bright lenses used wide open with strong light in front. Aperture ring is a joy to use, a lot better than any Fujifilm lens. 27mm (40mm FF) is a debatable focal length but if you are viewing this review, you’re already sold to the focal length. To me, this lens is a gem for the price and performance. If it would cost twice the price would be a great lens to buy anyway. This is not a competition but the fact is I’ve chosen the Viltrox 27mm over the Fujifilm 33mm without any doubt after watching every KZfaq review and made my conclusion at the store trying out the lens. Viltrox has stepped up on the game with the Pro Line and there is nothing bad to say about that, it’s good to have options from a consumer perspective side. Viltrox nailed it with this one.

Thank you for information

3:55 wow

Omg just get to the point!!!

You misunderstand one VERY important thing about DR. When camer manufacturers claim their cameras have xx stops DR, the DR is ALWAYS measured at the lowest native ISO! So, if your camera's lowest native ISO is 100, and it claims to has 11 stops DR, it means the whole 11 stops DR is only available when you shot at ISO 100! The higher ISO you use, the less the DR the camera could provide. So, you can not expect to shot at ISO 1600 and still have the whole 11 stops DR.

1/4 of G lens price, but got the maybe 80% image quality of G? can i say that?

It's funny how my perspective on wide angle lenses has dramatically changed Now I've been using a tracker for a few months I'm nearly ready to sell my 16 F1.4. I used to be a big advocate for it, especially with just a tripod it does an awesome job. But since using a tracker and integrating star xterminator into my post processing work flow, it really draw attention to imperfect stars and wouldn't identify maybe 30% of stars in the frame due to severe coma in some frames! Even stopped down to F2.5 The 8-16 and 16-55 have perfect corner stars by about F3.2 to F3.6, the 16 F1.4 needs about F4 for reliable clinical perfect corner stars, unless you are a patient and clinical with focussing at faster apertures haha 33 F1.4 is epic, but again needs to be stopped down to F3.6 to F4 for perfect reliable corner stars. For my the biggest advantage of using primes over zooms is they produce more consistent and manageable gradients throughout the frame (probably because I'm stopping them down and extra stop). I'm keen to try either the viltrox 13 and samyang 12 to see how well they handle corner stars.

Very informative review bro. The 16mm seems like a great option for landscape astrophotography. Looking forward to seeing more content on night sky photography.

Great dokkie 🎉

It would be amazing to see something like the Tamron 70-300mm on the Z7II and cropped to equivilent 'focal length' vs the Fuji... in terms of compromising for weight. I'm really jealous of Canon users and their access to the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS. It seems to have an unbelievable range / weight / price / performance ratio!

Strange to hear from reviewer that he went out for a landscape with 56 mm lens on APS-C sensor. Next time take with you something wider - 12 mm to 16 mm maybe

I just purchased this lens along with a X-T10 from KEH. I think I got a pretty good deal, although I think MPB had the lens cheaper, but I forgot to check there before I purchased. Oh well, the camera was a lot cheaper. Anyway, was excited to learn from your video that this lens is great for Astro as we were just in Australia, out at Uluru and the night sky was fabulous. Sadly, I had not researched how to shoot the night sky so I could not get any shots with the cameras and lenses I had, but my son got some decent pics with my iPhone 14 Pro. We are now very interested in taking pics of the night sly and want to learn, and now we will have this great lens. I was also planning on using it for walk around city shots and nature/landscape shots. I will look more into your channel and your more recent videos. Thanks for sharing info on older, less expensive lenses. This lens seems like a winner.

The Audio is terrible the worst of any video I have ever seen on KZfaq. What bloody lens is he talking about?

Best all around prime lens ever

watched the whole video and still don't know what lens you were talking about 🤦‍♂

Trash video

Sounds like you had a bit of an adventure getting up that mountain! Glad you made it safely and were able to capture.. some amazing photos.. it's cool bro 😀

Conjures up thoughts of "so I purchased the Nikon 20mm 1.8 and so scared to use it", that I will spend even more money to get the more inferior Viltrox 20mm 1.8 and use that instead 😂, and leave Nikon lens at home. Bit of a false economy!

Rifreskoni reklame min Tani jemi ne 2024

Love this video dude! Would it be possible to get the same imagequality with the fuji-system?

Thanks for thisk very good Review. Today Tamron is coming, tomorrow 16-18 mm. I am excited about the results on my xhs2

This lens is insanely good. Super light too. Rapidly becoming my favourite Fuji X lens. Picture quality is amazing. Only challenge is not having aperture markings on the lens parallel, but that's any easy adjustment to make!

Unreal lad. That second image of the Cessna holy bat balls.

I have four telephoto lens along with a bunch of different primes from Fujifilm and other manufacturers for my XT3, XT5 and XH2, the four zoom lens are the three in your video and the 100-400mm Fujifilm that I use mostly for wildlife and distant landscape photography, the Ultra wide angle F4 is the most used.

OMW Matthew! Well done! Amazing images.

Amazing photos in an amazing place!

Hands down Matt, that final image overlooking the town with the aurora and night sky above it, is probably one of, if not the best image I have seen taken from that wonderful night a few weeks ago. I am so glad you had the chance to capture it

I love hearing about your passion for photography and this place. It really comes through in your images. I can't wait to see what you capture next bro

2. 1. 3. or 2. 3. 1. All great photos, hard to choose, but having the guy in the photo made it my favourite…..just !

Honestly, my experience is that weather resistance is overrated and doesn't matter. I've used the Fuji kit lens on all sorts of hikes for almost 6 years in northern norway, hanging from my chest in light rain, fog, hot summers and skiing in winter in for several hours in -10C. The lens still looks like new. As long as you're not drowning the lens on purpose it should be fine.

Thanks for posting this. I am off to Tromso at the end of September in search of the northern lights. This go to guide is so helpful ❤

LOL...he said photo editing was fun 😛 much rather be out shooting and have someone else handle the touch ups!

Hi Matthew sorry I am late to the party but I have just subscribed. What are your night time settings for this lens. Thanks

good show chap, i have that camera, it will still be relevant in 2025, and 26. the manual focus for old lenses is second to none. I have a Leica Summilux attached to my xt1. 16 mp is very adequate. I like your night shots.

Nice gear,plesant presentation, and spectacular land.

I'm using the Samyang 12mm f2 lens on my X-t1 to capture the northern lights. Don't have to worry about the cold, since the lights can be seen well into the northern United States. I'll be shooting about a mile north of my house.

Top to bottom in Albania is beautiful

E gjithe Shqiperia eshte vend natyral turistik Kudo qe te shkosh, nga maja e kokes deri ne fund te kembeve Prandaj, nuk ka nevoje te peishet kjo bukuri natyrale , se nuk e gjen, perseri

I sold off my 10-24mm Fuji in order to purchase the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 last month. I found that most of my shots taken with the Fuji zoom were in the 12-15mm range - and I wanted something faster. So it was a no-brainer really 😊

Great video! I"m on the market looking for an additional monitor to my existing dual 24" Dell U2417H set up for office work and photo editing too. How do you feel about the new IPS Black monitors? I'm considering between the Dell U3223QE / BenQ PD3225U, but feeling overwhelmed by jargon so grateful for your thoughts on this! Thanks

I have both Nikon and Fuji systems. I would never sell either.

¿Profesional? jajaja. Solo leo el titular y me parto de risa, campeon. Gente como tu son los que perjudican la fotografia.

Hey mate, have you tried any of those Lens for surfing photos? Thanks 🤙🏼🤙🏼

I have the X-T5 and Nikon Z7 but I feel the build quality of the X-T5 isn't great for pro use, I always feel something like the flimsy hinges on the lcd could break at anytime. The X-T5 has great IQ but yes at high iso it gets noisy from 1600. I use them for concert photography but the X-T5 will be sold and I'm adding a Z6ii.

Great video! I just recently bought one at $169 , still waiting for it to arrive. There’s Lots of good reviews on it so I’m excited to get it!

Which app is that you're using to help determine shutter speed? Love the vidoes, thanks!

So xt3 beats on video, evf, af and dials, on picture quality they are equal....2nd hand xt3 is not so much more

wtf is with that audio

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