I have the Viltrox 75mm and loved it so much I had to buy the 27mm too. Several other reviewers have equated them to Sony G/GM and Canon L glass. The quality of the photos I get from these lenses are INCREDIBLE.
I have the Viltrox 27mm and am bowled over by that stunning lens - I also own the Fuji 56mm and 90mm so for me the 75mm has always been a curiosity buy! This video has scratched that itch though, and I think the size and versatility of the 56 wins for me. The Viltrox certainly is a compelling lens when you take cost/quality ratio into account.
Thank you for another interesting and helpful review, Dustin! As I do only very occasionally some portraits and only as a „hobby“ I opted for the Viltrox 56mm f1,7.. which is for sure not comparable with these two lenses, however it does for the incredibly cheap pricepoint a decent job for the occasional portrait shooter.. :)
Спасибо за сравнение. На портрете ребенка при съемке с объективом Viltrox произошло сжатие перспективы не из-за фокусного расстояния объектива, а из-за увеличения расстояния до модели. По просторам интернета гуляет миф, что фокусное расстояние влияет на передачу перспективы. Но это - лишь миф. На передачу перспективы влияет ТОЛЬКО расстояние до объекта съемки. Фокусное расстояние объектива влияет на то, насколько крупным будет объект съемки в кадре. При съемке с одинакового расстояния на 24 мм и 85 мм, перспектива будет передана одинаково, но масштаб объекта съемки в кадре будет разным. В Вашем примере для сохранения одинакового масштаба объекта съемки (ребенка) с объективом Viltrox пришлось отойти дальше. Именно из-за этого изменилась передача перспективы. Спасибо за внимание. Удачи.
Так Дастин вроде прямо говорит, что он пытался на фотографиях сохранить масштаб объектов, чтобы сравнить разные фокусные расстояния (перспективу, компрессию, боке и прочее, ну, и как можно разрешение объективов сравнивать, если фотографиях будут объекты разного размера)
I have been using both lenses professionally for a while now and hoped this comparison would scratch a bit beyond the surface of lens specs. Two important aspects of both lenses are omitted. First, assessing focusing performance by shifting from a close to a far object is misleading. While it demonstrates the maximum focusing speed, helping in initial focus acquisition, it does not address the lenses' tracking performance and the accuracy of focus adjustments by the motors for both fast and slow-moving subjects. Second, flare resistance is not being assessed. Backlit portraits are a common use case for such optics, yet they vary greatly in their resistance to flare. While the Fuji keeps up contrast quite well with minimal ghosting, the Viltrox displays significant ghosting and loss of contrast. Those are important aspects to keep in mind before purchasing.
Both of those things are thoroughly accessed in the individual reviews. My experience with the focus adjustment is that the Viltrox is probably the better of the two (it's actually excellent on Sony E-mount, though not as good on X-mount).
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for clarifying. Valid point that lens AF can only be as good as the camera software allows it to be. I think flare performance is a factor you might consider including in future cross-lens comparisons, especially if differences are quite significant.
Hi Dustin. GREAT CHANNEL - please keep it up ;) Would you be so kind as to try and find the time to do this comparison please. Both are very, very similar in price point. YONGNUO YN85mm F1.8S DF DSM vs. Rokinon/Samyang AF 75mm F1.8 Thank you very much !
3:33 THIS is IMO the crux of the matter. All these wonderful lenses are let down by the general “meh” quality AF of the Fujifilm XF system. You might be impressed going from on Fuji to a newer model, but once you refresh your experience with the likes of Sony, Canon and Nikon (they caught up), it really loses its shine. Of course there are still many occasions when it is good enough, but I’m certainly not alone in thinking that Fujifilm AF is mediocre at best. I’ve got the old Fuji 56/1.2 and both the 27 and 75mm Viltrox lenses, but character lens aside, using my Nikon Z 1.8 primes is far more reliable, even my adapted AFS G lenses are more reliable, what comes close are my Fringer adapted EF to Z results. In many ways my 15-10 year old EF to R adapted L lenses are (far) superior. Sorry for the rant, but although I love the Fujifilm colors, black and white, camera design, their AF is just a disappointment, but IMO so are some of their lens designs (you mention a DC motor for AF in their new 56/1.2 WR - come one). Fujifilm imo is both overrated and overpriced. Long story short, the Viltrox lenses are great, but they deserve a better camera.
Have both Viltrox lens, ordered Fuji 56 and returned it. Viltrox is just absolutely superb. The only think I hate about the 75 is that AF/MF button. Neither H2 nor H2s have AF/MF switch on the camera so you have to switch between in the camera. Switch it to MF on the lens and now you can't switch it on MF in the camera because the option is greyed out. So, first set the camera to MF and then set the lens to MF. Also, both camera and lens on MF or both on AF, lens on AF and camera on MF and lens on MF and camera on AF behaves different. Honestly that button is a mess. 😅😅 But the lens is so great I don't mind. It's the Viltrox lens which makes me question why did I put thousands of dollars in the Canon L lens in the past.
Very happy with the 75mm. Regarding price and autofocus performance i really can recommend the viltrox. But of course the fuji focal length is more versatile as you mentioned. Thank you for this comparison. 😊
NO excuses are acceotable. The letters ' Aps-C ' is missing both in the pic and in the titel. Such omissions ARE click-bait. (It's educational and informative guidance, right...?) Even one other faaaamous christian, obstrued, one day miraculous found space enouph within his title-field - although not yet in the real-estate of his pic though indeed one needs to master some graphic art skills...
Thank you, Dustin, for that detailed review. I now know the finer details when I use these lenses. I have both (and including the Viltrox 27) that I use in my dance event photography. When the room is tighter or when I shoot closer, I use the XF56; but then they are farther or sparser, I use the Viltrox 75. They're both excellent. The Fuji, with my X-H2s, is not bad when finding the subjects' eye focus. This is in a low lit room while the dancers are moving constantly. (I use Godox strobes with umbrellas scattered around to light the subjects).
This is literally an A/B choice that’s been before me for about a year or so. The fast telephoto prime is absolutely indispensable for photojournalism and reportage in low light and for more dicey situations (things with sirens) it’s my favored kit, and it’s these two are the ones in the running in my considerations for an upgrade from my vintage Minoltas
Not so sure about the viltrox being the superior alternative to the 90. Having had the 56 (the AF just didn't cut it for me for that more versatile focal length), the 90 is even more contrasty, and has smoother bokeh more of the time. No swirl or busy bokeh with some backgrounds like the 75 can have. Although bokeh is quite subjective. The compression advantage of the 90 you really notice between the two, though. According to photopils there is a very slight advantage to the 75 in terms of achieving a shallow depth of field at the same distance to the subject. If the subject's the same size it will be more of course. That reflects using them in the field. For me the 75 is the character lens. Flare ghosting quite often, swirly bokeh. But also very shallow depth of field if you get closer. It's like a modern day, but sharp, Helios! The 90 is the one to go for rendering, contrast reliable dependable output and focus. More the complete package. But the focal length harder to live with. Thought the 56 would stay not the 75. Just a pity about that AF. The 18 pairs very well with the 56. So a real shame.
Thanks for all the X mount portrait lens comparisons lately. If possible, throwing the new Meike 55 1.4 in the mix against the equally cheap Viltrox 56 1.7 and the TTArtisan 56 1.8 would be very interesting, as it has a lower maximum aperture and an aperture ring. MTF charts look very decent. And I would be particularly interested in how the Sigma 56 1.4 fares against all of them. It's really hard to find good comparisons, because most reviews of the Sigma are from many years ago when it launched for E-mount. The Sigma is probably still the most popular option between all 56mm APSC options because of the good performance for the decent price and small size, so seeing if these new ones come anywhere close to would be great.
I've had both these lenses and kept the 56mm f1.2. Portrait's are better on the Viltrox and wow is that lens SHARP but it's not very versatile. I love what I get from the 56mm just fine. My favorite Fuji lens.
Dustin, thanks for the incredible reviews. I've owned both lenses and loved both of them. Here are a couple thoughts: 1) You can't go wrong with either choice. 2) I think one specialized scenario that the viltrox 75mm is great for is low light recitals and other events. My daughter is 9, so there is dance, gymnastics, choir, etc, etc. The 75mm is the perfect lens for capturing those events where the lighting is unfavorable. This is a niche use case, but the viltrox 75mm is stellar is if you can get somewhat close in these settings. 3) I ended up selling the 56mm and I bought the voigtlander 50mm. That lens is not for everybody, but it definitely has a certain character. Paired with the viltrox 75mm it creates a lot of interesting portrait options.
Thanks for a very useful side-by-side comparison. I have both lenses, and find them both very impressive from an IQ perspective, and for my purposes adequate enough in the AF department. For what I shoot, which is more street and landscape than portraits, the 56 gets the edge due to its much more modest size and weight. And when I do shoot portraits, the 56 (and 33) give me more operational flexibility than the 75.
Thanks so much, Dustin! I plan to get the Vilyrox 75mm f1.2 for low light events, I think it has potential for that. The Fuji is regarded as one of the best portrait lenses in the system, even more so than "the one" (50mm f/1).
Yeah, your videos are in-depth, honest and detailed. If I have any purchase plans, I will check your video first. I'm waiting for the Viltrox and TTArtisan video; I hope you publish it this week. Thanks.
Thank you! Great comparison. I own both, love the look out of the Viltrox and have yet to test out the Fuji, as I just traded in the old R version against the new WR version. I shot a portrait session with the old 56 and was drawn to the focal length, so I made the switch to get a bit better focus and a bit better resolution on my 40MP body. I think both lenses complement each other quite well focal length wise. The Viltrox is a bit heavy, though.
Thank you very much for yet another great comparison. I like these videos because they answer the logical question and really help me to make decisions. Thanks to a bargain I'll soon see how I like shooting with the 56 mm. :)
well, first of all, I've never been on any of those trips, so I can't really comment firsthand. But I will say this as a general principle: I think the effect depends a lot on the individual and their set of morals. I'm a pastor, so across the hundreds of people I minister to I've got some who contribute large amounts of money to the church and others that give next to nothing. If I treat the large contributors differently than those who contribute little, that's a problem with my ethics and my objectivity - a me problem. It's the same principle here. I strive to treat every piece of gear that comes across my desk with the same level of objectivity and thoroughness...regardless of how much I'll be personally rewarded for doing so.
Top review. I've got the Viltrox 56mm it's absolutely superb. Can't wait until they bring us a macro or a zoom for wildlife 👍
I have the Viltrox 75mm and loved it so much I had to buy the 27mm too. Several other reviewers have equated them to Sony G/GM and Canon L glass. The quality of the photos I get from these lenses are INCREDIBLE.
The same, I am praying Viltrox makes a 50 1.2 PRO for a great trio
@@MichaelFrederickPhoto The more lenses from Viltrox, the merrier IMO!
The 27mm is a great lens. Love it.
I have the Viltrox 27mm and am bowled over by that stunning lens - I also own the Fuji 56mm and 90mm so for me the 75mm has always been a curiosity buy! This video has scratched that itch though, and I think the size and versatility of the 56 wins for me. The Viltrox certainly is a compelling lens when you take cost/quality ratio into account.
That's a fair take.
great review & depth comparison, thank you
Thank you for another interesting and helpful review, Dustin! As I do only very occasionally some portraits and only as a „hobby“ I opted for the Viltrox 56mm f1,7.. which is for sure not comparable with these two lenses, however it does for the incredibly cheap pricepoint a decent job for the occasional portrait shooter.. :)
Exactly. It's a great budget alternative.
Спасибо за сравнение. На портрете ребенка при съемке с объективом Viltrox произошло сжатие перспективы не из-за фокусного расстояния объектива, а из-за увеличения расстояния до модели.
По просторам интернета гуляет миф, что фокусное расстояние влияет на передачу перспективы. Но это - лишь миф. На передачу перспективы влияет ТОЛЬКО расстояние до объекта съемки. Фокусное расстояние объектива влияет на то, насколько крупным будет объект съемки в кадре. При съемке с одинакового расстояния на 24 мм и 85 мм, перспектива будет передана одинаково, но масштаб объекта съемки в кадре будет разным.
В Вашем примере для сохранения одинакового масштаба объекта съемки (ребенка) с объективом Viltrox пришлось отойти дальше. Именно из-за этого изменилась передача перспективы.
Спасибо за внимание.
Удачи.
Так Дастин вроде прямо говорит, что он пытался на фотографиях сохранить масштаб объектов, чтобы сравнить разные фокусные расстояния (перспективу, компрессию, боке и прочее, ну, и как можно разрешение объективов сравнивать, если фотографиях будут объекты разного размера)
Hmm what about vs the 90mm? You can find good condition used versions of the 90 for around $550-$600 nowadays.
It's been a few years since I've looked at the 90mm, and I haven't ever tested it on the 40MP sensor, so I don't really know.
I have been using both lenses professionally for a while now and hoped this comparison would scratch a bit beyond the surface of lens specs. Two important aspects of both lenses are omitted. First, assessing focusing performance by shifting from a close to a far object is misleading. While it demonstrates the maximum focusing speed, helping in initial focus acquisition, it does not address the lenses' tracking performance and the accuracy of focus adjustments by the motors for both fast and slow-moving subjects. Second, flare resistance is not being assessed. Backlit portraits are a common use case for such optics, yet they vary greatly in their resistance to flare. While the Fuji keeps up contrast quite well with minimal ghosting, the Viltrox displays significant ghosting and loss of contrast. Those are important aspects to keep in mind before purchasing.
Both of those things are thoroughly accessed in the individual reviews. My experience with the focus adjustment is that the Viltrox is probably the better of the two (it's actually excellent on Sony E-mount, though not as good on X-mount).
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for clarifying. Valid point that lens AF can only be as good as the camera software allows it to be. I think flare performance is a factor you might consider including in future cross-lens comparisons, especially if differences are quite significant.
Hi Dustin.
GREAT CHANNEL - please keep it up ;)
Would you be so kind as to try and find the time to do this comparison please.
Both are very, very similar in price point.
YONGNUO YN85mm F1.8S DF DSM vs. Rokinon/Samyang AF 75mm F1.8
Thank you very much !
3:33 THIS is IMO the crux of the matter.
All these wonderful lenses are let down by the general “meh” quality AF of the Fujifilm XF system.
You might be impressed going from on Fuji to a newer model, but once you refresh your experience with the likes of Sony, Canon and Nikon (they caught up), it really loses its shine. Of course there are still many occasions when it is good enough, but I’m certainly not alone in thinking that Fujifilm AF is mediocre at best.
I’ve got the old Fuji 56/1.2 and both the 27 and 75mm Viltrox lenses, but character lens aside, using my Nikon Z 1.8 primes is far more reliable, even my adapted AFS G lenses are more reliable, what comes close are my Fringer adapted EF to Z results. In many ways my 15-10 year old EF to R adapted L lenses are (far) superior.
Sorry for the rant, but although I love the Fujifilm colors, black and white, camera design, their AF is just a disappointment, but IMO so are some of their lens designs (you mention a DC motor for AF in their new 56/1.2 WR - come one). Fujifilm imo is both overrated and overpriced. Long story short, the Viltrox lenses are great, but they deserve a better camera.
I'm with you 100%
Have both Viltrox lens, ordered Fuji 56 and returned it. Viltrox is just absolutely superb. The only think I hate about the 75 is that AF/MF button. Neither H2 nor H2s have AF/MF switch on the camera so you have to switch between in the camera. Switch it to MF on the lens and now you can't switch it on MF in the camera because the option is greyed out. So, first set the camera to MF and then set the lens to MF. Also, both camera and lens on MF or both on AF, lens on AF and camera on MF and lens on MF and camera on AF behaves different. Honestly that button is a mess. 😅😅 But the lens is so great I don't mind. It's the Viltrox lens which makes me question why did I put thousands of dollars in the Canon L lens in the past.
That's fair. There's a reason why Viltrox dropped the AF | MF switch on the 27mm F1.2
I have the Fuji 56mm and the excellent Fuji 90mm, I could replace them like the only Viltrox 75mm, what do you think?
I suspect you could do just that and be pretty happy.
Very happy with the 75mm. Regarding price and autofocus performance i really can recommend the viltrox. But of course the fuji focal length is more versatile as you mentioned. Thank you for this comparison. 😊
My pleasure, and I'm with you on that.
NO excuses are acceotable. The letters ' Aps-C ' is missing both in the pic and in the titel.
Such omissions ARE click-bait.
(It's educational and informative guidance, right...?)
Even one other faaaamous christian, obstrued, one day miraculous found space enouph within his title-field - although not yet in the real-estate of his pic though indeed one needs to master some graphic art skills...
With all due respect, Fuji X-mount is ONLY APS-C. Anyone who shoots Fuji knows that already.
@@DustinAbbottTWI 'Sure. Sure"
75mm 1.2 viltrox is my favorite lens. Love the 75mm for street photography
It's a sweet lens.
Thank you, Dustin, for that detailed review. I now know the finer details when I use these lenses. I have both (and including the Viltrox 27) that I use in my dance event photography. When the room is tighter or when I shoot closer, I use the XF56; but then they are farther or sparser, I use the Viltrox 75. They're both excellent. The Fuji, with my X-H2s, is not bad when finding the subjects' eye focus. This is in a low lit room while the dancers are moving constantly. (I use Godox strobes with umbrellas scattered around to light the subjects).
Great feedback. Thanks
This is literally an A/B choice that’s been before me for about a year or so. The fast telephoto prime is absolutely indispensable for photojournalism and reportage in low light and for more dicey situations (things with sirens) it’s my favored kit, and it’s these two are the ones in the running in my considerations for an upgrade from my vintage Minoltas
Sounds good.
Not so sure about the viltrox being the superior alternative to the 90.
Having had the 56 (the AF just didn't cut it for me for that more versatile focal length), the 90 is even more contrasty, and has smoother bokeh more of the time. No swirl or busy bokeh with some backgrounds like the 75 can have. Although bokeh is quite subjective. The compression advantage of the 90 you really notice between the two, though.
According to photopils there is a very slight advantage to the 75 in terms of achieving a shallow depth of field at the same distance to the subject. If the subject's the same size it will be more of course. That reflects using them in the field.
For me the 75 is the character lens. Flare ghosting quite often, swirly bokeh. But also very shallow depth of field if you get closer. It's like a modern day, but sharp, Helios! The 90 is the one to go for rendering, contrast reliable dependable output and focus. More the complete package. But the focal length harder to live with.
Thought the 56 would stay not the 75. Just a pity about that AF. The 18 pairs very well with the 56. So a real shame.
Fuji has GOT to do better in the AF department. The gap is widening.
Thanks for all the X mount portrait lens comparisons lately. If possible, throwing the new Meike 55 1.4 in the mix against the equally cheap Viltrox 56 1.7 and the TTArtisan 56 1.8 would be very interesting, as it has a lower maximum aperture and an aperture ring. MTF charts look very decent. And I would be particularly interested in how the Sigma 56 1.4 fares against all of them. It's really hard to find good comparisons, because most reviews of the Sigma are from many years ago when it launched for E-mount. The Sigma is probably still the most popular option between all 56mm APSC options because of the good performance for the decent price and small size, so seeing if these new ones come anywhere close to would be great.
I've got a comparion of those two already filmed, so the Meike won't make it into the mix.
I've had both these lenses and kept the 56mm f1.2. Portrait's are better on the Viltrox and wow is that lens SHARP but it's not very versatile. I love what I get from the 56mm just fine. My favorite Fuji lens.
The versatility of the focal length is a very important consideration.
Dustin, thanks for the incredible reviews. I've owned both lenses and loved both of them. Here are a couple thoughts:
1) You can't go wrong with either choice.
2) I think one specialized scenario that the viltrox 75mm is great for is low light recitals and other events. My daughter is 9, so there is dance, gymnastics, choir, etc, etc. The 75mm is the perfect lens for capturing those events where the lighting is unfavorable. This is a niche use case, but the viltrox 75mm is stellar is if you can get somewhat close in these settings.
3) I ended up selling the 56mm and I bought the voigtlander 50mm. That lens is not for everybody, but it definitely has a certain character. Paired with the viltrox 75mm it creates a lot of interesting portrait options.
That's great feedback. Thanks.
Thanks for a very useful side-by-side comparison. I have both lenses, and find them both very impressive from an IQ perspective, and for my purposes adequate enough in the AF department. For what I shoot, which is more street and landscape than portraits, the 56 gets the edge due to its much more modest size and weight. And when I do shoot portraits, the 56 (and 33) give me more operational flexibility than the 75.
That's an important point. The flexibility of the focal length does matter.
Viltrox 75 1.2, paired with my Z8 becomes a 112.5 mm lens, which is great for portraits. I love love this lens, the 'bokeh' is insane!
The Viltrox is a pretty sweet lens.
Thanks so much, Dustin! I plan to get the Vilyrox 75mm f1.2 for low light events, I think it has potential for that.
The Fuji is regarded as one of the best portrait lenses in the system, even more so than "the one" (50mm f/1).
I think you'll enjoy it.
Would be great if Viltrox joined L mount alliance
I wouldn't put anything past them. They are a company on the move.
As daily user of 90mm LMWR i would love to see comparison between 75mm Viltrox and OG 90mm.
Fair enough, though I can't make any promises as I'm booked solid for months in advance as it is.
@@DustinAbbottTWI i think it would be great video if will be ever made.
Hi, could you please do a comparison video for the TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8 and the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7?
It's filmed' I just have to find a slot to release it in. I've got very high demand for my reviews right now.
Yeah, your videos are in-depth, honest and detailed. If I have any purchase plans, I will check your video first. I'm waiting for the Viltrox and TTArtisan video; I hope you publish it this week. Thanks.
Great review Dustin. Thank you very much!
i tried both and end up keeping the viltrox 75mm..
Fair enough.
I clearly prefer the Viltrox after watching your video. Thank you.
I'm glad the video helped.
Thank you! Great comparison.
I own both, love the look out of the Viltrox and have yet to test out the Fuji, as I just traded in the old R version against the new WR version.
I shot a portrait session with the old 56 and was drawn to the focal length, so I made the switch to get a bit better focus and a bit better resolution on my 40MP body. I think both lenses complement each other quite well focal length wise.
The Viltrox is a bit heavy, though.
I think the 56mm WR version is a worthy upgrade.
Thank you very much for yet another great comparison. I like these videos because they answer the logical question and really help me to make decisions.
Thanks to a bargain I'll soon see how I like shooting with the 56 mm. :)
I'm glad to help out.
Not related to this video.
What is your opinion on the ongoing conversation about conflict of interests with camera reviews, media trips, etc?
well, first of all, I've never been on any of those trips, so I can't really comment firsthand. But I will say this as a general principle: I think the effect depends a lot on the individual and their set of morals. I'm a pastor, so across the hundreds of people I minister to I've got some who contribute large amounts of money to the church and others that give next to nothing. If I treat the large contributors differently than those who contribute little, that's a problem with my ethics and my objectivity - a me problem. It's the same principle here. I strive to treat every piece of gear that comes across my desk with the same level of objectivity and thoroughness...regardless of how much I'll be personally rewarded for doing so.
Fuji made 2012 lens in 2022
That's true of the AF, for sure.