i also have that combo and i love it! people that only judge it by technical details don‘t understand it! i just love how it looks on the camera and how small it is! this makes it something completely different than those big ‚serious‘ cameras where you need a camera bag.
Travelled around Japan with it on x-pro3. Took Fuji glass too and tbh rarely took Voightlander off the camera. Absolute joy to use and unique satisfying images.
I have it on my XT5 - it's so much fun to use. Only critique is the focus throw from 3m to infinity is so small, would have been great to make that a bit bigger for precision. Didn't realise squarehood had been teasing a lens cap, definitely picking that up as soon as it comes out
I think it's the only lens I'm interested in as long as I have the Nokton 35mm f/1.2. It's even more compact, gives you a wider point of view with less character, but still with a very nice rendering, and I like that it has a hard stop at infinity.
I just got this lens (like hours ago) and it's the first time I've used a manual lens on mirrorless and it feels amazing, honestly better than it did with my film SLR since I can see focus through the whole frame using peaking. It also feels amazing and it's so tiny. It's cute! Looking forward to taking shots with it. I'm a bit nervous about focusing, but practicing on stuff in my room I find myself being surprisingly fast.
@@calebbrunkow And I now also got an X-E4 to go with it. Damn what a combo! Incredible to have this image quality and subject separation in such a tiny package. I can't think of anything (digital) that can do the same.
@@calebbrunkow the biggest jump in the fuji system was when they did the next gen (xt1 to xt2, xpro1 to xpro2 and so forth) the sensors went from 16-24. But also, the interface got a lot easier to operate (i.e. the inclusion of a joystick for focus points). Once you get past the notion that you're dealing with the latest/greatest, you'll have a really good time. There has been a general consensus on the internet (two word to never put together, Internet consensus) that that first two trans sensors, despite being 16mpx were the best.
@@calebbrunkow You can really tell it in yellows and reds. The reds are less magenta and more red red. yellows, seem to glow. Most of us "day shooters" don't need the fancy stuff, but I do love the color renderings.
Great Review! At f2 it has some "retro-vibes" with the vignette, the okay-ish sharpness and the not so stunning contrast. At 2.8 it produces some fantastic light-stars for night photography and at f4 it has this really really nice look i can't get enough of♥. From 5.6-8 fantastic sharpness for landscapes - all in all a nearly perfect lens for me. Btw: The lenses have nothing to do with the original "Voigtländer". I think from around 2000 Cosina produces the Voigtländer branded lenses. The quality of their X-Mount lenses is still stunning (same with their Leica-M-glass).
This is kind of an obscure question but important to me: does the aperture stay open until you half-press the shutter when not wide open? I am annoyed with fuji lenses because when I try to zone focus at f8, the aperture does not stay open but rather closes only on half-press, which delays delays each shutter actuation slightly in comparison to shooting wide open (but then you cannot zone focus).
It's hard to say if it's my favourite, as I love my Canon FD 80-200 f4 L, but the lens that is almost always attached to my Fuji is the TTArtisan 27 f2.8 with a 1/8 diffusion. Like you I think it's one of best or most versatile focal lengths, and I really enjoy it for everyday and travel shooting. I wish I could afford the Voigtlander, or even the Fuji 27 lol, but I actually really like the character and bokeh of the TTA 27.
I bought one a few months back, and also love it: the way it looks and feels gives me great pleasure when I'm using it. It also helps me take pictures that I like. Did you try the 18mm yet? I bought one of those, too. Back in the day, when I shot film on a Pentax ME Super, I used a 28mm lens all the time. So, I figured that I'd love the 18mm from Voigtlander just as much as the 27mm, but MORE because of it's focal length. But actually, I find that I prefer the 27mm for what i now use my camera for, and the 18mm is a little wide. Still, I'm happy to have it in my kit. Both are joyful to use, and the manual focus is effortless; mostly, I just zone focus, and I don't really think about it. Nice review.
I haven’t used the 18mm yet, for walking around the 28mm equivalent is usually a little wide for me but if I ever feel the need to go wider I’ll pick it up for sure
I had the same… I went with Fuji 27mm. I only have the 35mm f2 so I’m not totally done with AF yet. Plus I figured I’d get the VL 18mm f2.8 pancake that’s just come out, if I want to give the VL lenses and manual focus a go later.
Very interesting video about this quality lens. Makes me think abour purchasing the voightlander 27mm f2. Currently i use the kipon iberit 35mm f2.4 on my fuji xe4, and am quite satisfied with its perfotmance
Have you ever tried the Voigtländer 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar II? It's also a pancake lens but I much prefer the classic design along with the focal length over this one. A conspicuous classic decently fast nifty-fifty lens, honestly I thought Fuji would've made one already on their own but nope.
Its an Leica M mount or LTE mount version, you need a Leica M to Fujifilm X adapter..which makes everything bigger. That Color-Skopar is also 35mm, for 36x24mm Sensors - and not for APS-C hereby. (edit) Yes, you can use Fujifilms own adapter, but then you do have a 52.5mm focal length - and no more 35mm for real...in terms of FoV, so it doesn't make sense. Since a nifty-fifty is more compressed FoV, than a wideangle 35mm lens, for real. (Fujifilm, Sony, Pentax & Nikon APS-C is usually x1.52 cropfactor - Canon APS-C is x1.6)
@@marcp.1752 yes, I am aware. Fortunately Leica M (along with LTM39) to other mirrorless camera adaptors are quite thin and small so the lens will still be compact when mounted while still retaining electrical contact. I prefer longer focal length, my phone can do the wide stuff so I never felt the need to have wide lenses (I don't like wide angle distortions either). What doesn't make sense exactly? Yes, the crop factor will make it a classic nifty-fifty, that is exactly what I said.
@@shira_yone For my taste, that Color Skopar 35/2.5 (II) doesn't make sense via crop Sensor, because you'd end up with 52.5mm FoV in 35mm terms, plus the added adapter. But if you're being fine with roughly 50mm, it's fine. But everyone is being different. I'd use that lens on a Leica M film, or even digital, if i'd own one. Have the also very small Heliar 40/2.8, which fits perfectly the CL/CLE.
@@marcp.1752 okay. It definitely made sense to me. The Heliar 40/2.8 is also one lens I'm interested in, since it'll be a 61mm lens in 35mm terms on a Fuji X system. Another one is a really tiny lens, the TTArtisan 28/5.6 (a copy of Summaron 28/5.6) made of brass. I think this Voigtlander 27/2 in the video is probably better overall, but the TTArtisan does look really cool (and is cheaper).
Still new to photography but I really love the look and size of the Voigtländers (The Fuji & TTartisan look like toys to me) and am tempted to go for either this one or the 23 1.2. Just tested some manual focusing on my Sigma zoom lens with my dog and found it pretty managable with the red or yellow focus assist and the focus scale at the bottom, but am a bit concerned about shooting in the sun as the LCD is a bit dark then and I don't love using a viewfinder with glasses. Would you say the bigger sized 23 1.2 would help with focusing? 40mm is still super small imo and it gives more space for my hand on the aperture ring and has a larger focus throw as well I think.
i have this and also the nokton 35mm f1.2.I find myself focusing faster and more precise with the Nokton than the ultron.Other than that its a nice lens
@@calebbrunkow a bit bigger but i feel that focusing it is more precise.Maybe its just me,i bought 27 just a few days ago while the 35 im using it for 3 months allready.Time will tell after i will spend some more with 27
Yo bro love this video! It’s my First manual lens after a decade not using canon (I think) - one question: can you use the aperture ring with the the wheels on the camera like with the Fuji lenses or are they exclusive to af lenses? I usually switch iso to aperture but tbh not a big deal if I have to use my other hand haha.
my favorite lens is the new fx23mm. 1.4 Lm WR by using xt5 >> i going to buy this lens >> right now i'm practice how to manual focus by using fuji len the 23mm. and set it to shooting without len and evf +5 so u can see the highlight when focusing better but the second screen is very small to my eyesight but still i m manage the nail focusing about 85%
XE Series should be the right direction for Fuji. It is totally unique style camera which you couldn't find from Canon, Sony and Nikon. Instead of launching new unique X-E5, Fuji just presents X-T50 or X-S20 in this year. Fuji just puts products line that other brands also have and they are better.
with the rise of decent offerings from the likes of ttartisan, 7artisans, etc, it becomes ever more difficult to justify the price of the voigtlander on a fuji body, particularly if you're more concerned about character than you are edge to edge sharpness and clinical perfection. is the voigtlander better? absolutely. but is it 8x better than similar products? the honest answer there is most likely no. their pricing appears to still be structured around the theory that "yes, we're expensive, but not as expensive as leica and we can get you similar build quality and performance." unfortunately, that theory falls apart when talking about fuji.
Totally hear what you mean, this lens is definitely more of a luxury item than one you need but I really enjoy shooting with it and it makes me wanna go out and use it and that’s huge for me
@@davevaynI have both the Voigtlander 27mm f2 and TT Artisan 27mm f2.8 The Voigtlander is worth every cent. The TT Artisan vignettes badly even at F8.
@@willisbcteoh9840 if we're talking about manual lens then it's only fair to compare this to something like the 7Artisans 25mm f1.8 or the TTArtisan 25mm f2, which offers even more value per cost because they're significantly cheaper while having better image quality than the autofocus lens (they have to cut corner somewhere to have a cheap autofocus lens after all). The Voigtlander also have auto vignette correction, just like any other Fujinon pancakes. Vignetting is probably the least of people's concern when it's so easily fixable in edit.
i also have that combo and i love it! people that only judge it by technical details don‘t understand it! i just love how it looks on the camera and how small it is! this makes it something completely different than those big ‚serious‘ cameras where you need a camera bag.
So true! Rangefinder style Fujis are great everyday walk around cameras so it’s nice to have great small lenses to pair with them
took this lens and my x-t30 to paris and london and loved every second of it. it rarely if ever comes off that camera body now.
That’s awesome! Would love to shoot in Paris with this combo
For when I do eventually get a small Fuji as an EDC, this lens will be my go to (if its within budget hha), great review
Thank you! It really is a fantastic lens
Travelled around Japan with it on x-pro3. Took Fuji glass too and tbh rarely took Voightlander off the camera. Absolute joy to use and unique satisfying images.
That is awesome, sounds like a great trip
I have it on my XT5 - it's so much fun to use. Only critique is the focus throw from 3m to infinity is so small, would have been great to make that a bit bigger for precision.
Didn't realise squarehood had been teasing a lens cap, definitely picking that up as soon as it comes out
Same! Would love if that throw was changed a bit
i have this lens, it great but it stores the wrong f stop at wide open… if i shoot at f2 some how the exif data says f22
Oh weird! I need to check the exif data on mine now
I think it's the only lens I'm interested in as long as I have the Nokton 35mm f/1.2. It's even more compact, gives you a wider point of view with less character, but still with a very nice rendering, and I like that it has a hard stop at infinity.
Haven’t tried the Nokton 35 1.2 but seen some videos on it. Seems like a great lens
I just got this lens (like hours ago) and it's the first time I've used a manual lens on mirrorless and it feels amazing, honestly better than it did with my film SLR since I can see focus through the whole frame using peaking. It also feels amazing and it's so tiny. It's cute! Looking forward to taking shots with it. I'm a bit nervous about focusing, but practicing on stuff in my room I find myself being surprisingly fast.
Manual focusing on a mirrorless with peaking is such a nice experience compared to past systems. Glad you like the lens!
@@calebbrunkow And I now also got an X-E4 to go with it. Damn what a combo! Incredible to have this image quality and subject separation in such a tiny package. I can't think of anything (digital) that can do the same.
@torb-no I love that combo too, this lens almost never leaves my X-E4
When I'm just walking around, I love the combo of the xpro1 with the OLD 23mm f1.4 Just amplifies the colors and makes the subject pop.
Never tried that one, I’ll have to sometime
@@calebbrunkow the biggest jump in the fuji system was when they did the next gen (xt1 to xt2, xpro1 to xpro2 and so forth) the sensors went from 16-24. But also, the interface got a lot easier to operate (i.e. the inclusion of a joystick for focus points). Once you get past the notion that you're dealing with the latest/greatest, you'll have a really good time.
There has been a general consensus on the internet (two word to never put together, Internet consensus) that that first two trans sensors, despite being 16mpx were the best.
@andychandler3992 I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about the 1 and 2 sensors, only used them briefly though
@@calebbrunkow You can really tell it in yellows and reds. The reds are less magenta and more red red. yellows, seem to glow. Most of us "day shooters" don't need the fancy stuff, but I do love the color renderings.
Great Review! At f2 it has some "retro-vibes" with the vignette, the okay-ish sharpness and the not so stunning contrast. At 2.8 it produces some fantastic light-stars for night photography and at f4 it has this really really nice look i can't get enough of♥. From 5.6-8 fantastic sharpness for landscapes - all in all a nearly perfect lens for me.
Btw: The lenses have nothing to do with the original "Voigtländer". I think from around 2000 Cosina produces the Voigtländer branded lenses. The quality of their X-Mount lenses is still stunning (same with their Leica-M-glass).
I really appreciate the more technical look at this lens! I didn’t know about it being manufactured by cosina, very cool
This is kind of an obscure question but important to me: does the aperture stay open until you half-press the shutter when not wide open?
I am annoyed with fuji lenses because when I try to zone focus at f8, the aperture does not stay open but rather closes only on half-press, which delays delays each shutter actuation slightly in comparison to shooting wide open (but then you cannot zone focus).
The aperture on this is fully manual so will stay at whatever you set it to
I've got stuck on a TTArtisan 27mm AF on my X-M1. My X-E4 swaps around a bit, 18 or 35mm Fuji or 56mm 1.7 Viltrox lately.
The 18 seems really cool, been wanting to try one out
It's hard to say if it's my favourite, as I love my Canon FD 80-200 f4 L, but the lens that is almost always attached to my Fuji is the TTArtisan 27 f2.8 with a 1/8 diffusion. Like you I think it's one of best or most versatile focal lengths, and I really enjoy it for everyday and travel shooting. I wish I could afford the Voigtlander, or even the Fuji 27 lol, but I actually really like the character and bokeh of the TTA 27.
The ttartisan is an amazing 27mm for the price!
I bought one a few months back, and also love it: the way it looks and feels gives me great pleasure when I'm using it. It also helps me take pictures that I like. Did you try the 18mm yet? I bought one of those, too. Back in the day, when I shot film on a Pentax ME Super, I used a 28mm lens all the time. So, I figured that I'd love the 18mm from Voigtlander just as much as the 27mm, but MORE because of it's focal length. But actually, I find that I prefer the 27mm for what i now use my camera for, and the 18mm is a little wide. Still, I'm happy to have it in my kit. Both are joyful to use, and the manual focus is effortless; mostly, I just zone focus, and I don't really think about it. Nice review.
I haven’t used the 18mm yet, for walking around the 28mm equivalent is usually a little wide for me but if I ever feel the need to go wider I’ll pick it up for sure
I have decision paralysis between this and the Fujifilm 27mm pancake only because of WR
me too
I had the same… I went with Fuji 27mm. I only have the 35mm f2 so I’m not totally done with AF yet. Plus I figured I’d get the VL 18mm f2.8 pancake that’s just come out, if I want to give the VL lenses and manual focus a go later.
The Squarehood for that 27/F2 Voigtländer is being avialable since 4 months...came shortly after your video 🙂
I thought it was so funny they launched it like as I hit upload it seemed, love that hood
Very interesting video about this quality lens. Makes me think abour purchasing the voightlander 27mm f2. Currently i use the kipon iberit 35mm f2.4 on my fuji xe4, and am quite satisfied with its perfotmance
That Kipon looks pretty cool, I was thinking about getting one when looking for lenses for the XE4
It certainly looks cool on the xe4 and has a vintage image character. Heavier than the voightlander 27 by about 100 grams. Bottom line, fun to use.
Awesome!
Have you ever tried the Voigtländer 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar II? It's also a pancake lens but I much prefer the classic design along with the focal length over this one. A conspicuous classic decently fast nifty-fifty lens, honestly I thought Fuji would've made one already on their own but nope.
I haven’t tried that one yet but sounds awesome! May have to
Its an Leica M mount or LTE mount version, you need a Leica M to Fujifilm X adapter..which makes everything bigger. That Color-Skopar is also 35mm, for 36x24mm Sensors - and not for APS-C hereby.
(edit) Yes, you can use Fujifilms own adapter, but then you do have a 52.5mm focal length - and no more 35mm for real...in terms of FoV, so it doesn't make sense. Since a nifty-fifty is more compressed FoV, than a wideangle 35mm lens, for real. (Fujifilm, Sony, Pentax & Nikon APS-C is usually x1.52 cropfactor - Canon APS-C is x1.6)
@@marcp.1752 yes, I am aware. Fortunately Leica M (along with LTM39) to other mirrorless camera adaptors are quite thin and small so the lens will still be compact when mounted while still retaining electrical contact.
I prefer longer focal length, my phone can do the wide stuff so I never felt the need to have wide lenses (I don't like wide angle distortions either). What doesn't make sense exactly? Yes, the crop factor will make it a classic nifty-fifty, that is exactly what I said.
@@shira_yone For my taste, that Color Skopar 35/2.5 (II) doesn't make sense via crop Sensor, because you'd end up with 52.5mm FoV in 35mm terms, plus the added adapter. But if you're being fine with roughly 50mm, it's fine.
But everyone is being different. I'd use that lens on a Leica M film, or even digital, if i'd own one.
Have the also very small Heliar 40/2.8, which fits perfectly the CL/CLE.
@@marcp.1752 okay. It definitely made sense to me.
The Heliar 40/2.8 is also one lens I'm interested in, since it'll be a 61mm lens in 35mm terms on a Fuji X system.
Another one is a really tiny lens, the TTArtisan 28/5.6 (a copy of Summaron 28/5.6) made of brass. I think this Voigtlander 27/2 in the video is probably better overall, but the TTArtisan does look really cool (and is cheaper).
Fuji needs to update their 27 mm, but instead of a 2.8 they need to make it at F2! And with decent auto focus!
@@simon359 if they could make it the same size that would be really cool
Still new to photography but I really love the look and size of the Voigtländers (The Fuji & TTartisan look like toys to me) and am tempted to go for either this one or the 23 1.2. Just tested some manual focusing on my Sigma zoom lens with my dog and found it pretty managable with the red or yellow focus assist and the focus scale at the bottom, but am a bit concerned about shooting in the sun as the LCD is a bit dark then and I don't love using a viewfinder with glasses.
Would you say the bigger sized 23 1.2 would help with focusing? 40mm is still super small imo and it gives more space for my hand on the aperture ring and has a larger focus throw as well I think.
I think the 23 would be a little easier but the focus tab on the 27 really does help a lot.
@@calebbrunkow sounds good, just saw it for €400 used on a marketplace, I'm definitely tempted
@drchtct not a bad price
The Squarehood hood is out, I bought it and it is so nice!
Yeah but it nearly doubles the size of the lens….From pancake to muffin top!!!
@TheVFXbyArt very funny comparison with pancake to muffin top and yes it does make the lens a bit bigger but that’s a sacrifice with any lens hood
23 mm 1.2 Voigtländer ❤
Oooo that sounds like a good one
i have this and also the nokton 35mm f1.2.I find myself focusing faster and more precise with the Nokton than the ultron.Other than that its a nice lens
Super interesting! Is that one more comfortable to use or just that it’s a bit bigger and easier to use?
@@calebbrunkow a bit bigger but i feel that focusing it is more precise.Maybe its just me,i bought 27 just a few days ago while the 35 im using it for 3 months allready.Time will tell after i will spend some more with 27
I tried the 35mm but it was softer than my 7artisans 35mm1.2 mark2 from f1.2 to f2. and 5 times more expensive
Do u know when the lens hood is releasing?
I don’t know for certain but I would imagine pretty soon now
Yo bro love this video! It’s my
First manual lens after a decade not using canon (I think) - one question: can you use the aperture ring with the the wheels on the camera like with the Fuji lenses or are they exclusive to af lenses? I usually switch iso to aperture but tbh not a big deal if I have to use my other hand haha.
Glad you enjoyed the video! The aperture is a physical ring on the lens and can only be controlled on the lens
I love my XF 18mm F1.4 lens.
Haven’t used that one but sounds like a great one
my favorite lens is the new fx23mm. 1.4 Lm WR by using xt5 >> i going to buy this lens >> right now i'm practice how to manual focus by using fuji len the 23mm. and set it to shooting without len and evf +5 so u can see the highlight when focusing better but the second screen is very small to my eyesight but still i m manage the nail focusing about 85%
That’s awesome!
Why the need for a square hood? The metal hood that comes with the lens is more than adequate. Square hood only makes the lens "longer," IMHO.
@@willisbcteoh9840 there’s no need for the squarehood, I just like the looks of it. Purely a personal aesthetic choice
@@calebbrunkowOK got it.
Excellent video 😊!
Thank you!
Check out the 18mm!!!
Will do!
A cheaper but still good alternative is the TTArtisan 25mm f2
Great option, my wife has been using that on her XE4 a lot lately
It has enormous vignette and odd bokeh
Love the Goldilocks reference! 😂
Glad you enjoyed it! Haha
XE Series should be the right direction for Fuji. It is totally unique style camera which you couldn't find from Canon, Sony and Nikon. Instead of launching new unique X-E5, Fuji just presents X-T50 or X-S20 in this year. Fuji just puts products line that other brands also have and they are better.
I would love more XE cameras, they discontinued the XE4 with nothing in sight to replace it
XE-5 with IBIS would be great. The XT-50 is quite a nice camera and on that is in my consideration right now.
The focus tab desgner runied this lens, it's so annoying to focus. Also the focus throw is so weird. I sold my copy of this lens
It’s definitely not the best focus tab but I don’t think it’s ruined by any means
with the rise of decent offerings from the likes of ttartisan, 7artisans, etc, it becomes ever more difficult to justify the price of the voigtlander on a fuji body, particularly if you're more concerned about character than you are edge to edge sharpness and clinical perfection. is the voigtlander better? absolutely. but is it 8x better than similar products? the honest answer there is most likely no. their pricing appears to still be structured around the theory that "yes, we're expensive, but not as expensive as leica and we can get you similar build quality and performance." unfortunately, that theory falls apart when talking about fuji.
Totally hear what you mean, this lens is definitely more of a luxury item than one you need but I really enjoy shooting with it and it makes me wanna go out and use it and that’s huge for me
So the artisan is just slightly worse? I have the XF27 from Fuji atm but online people say this one is waaaay better sharper more Leica like.
@@davevaynI have both the Voigtlander 27mm f2 and TT Artisan 27mm f2.8
The Voigtlander is worth every cent. The TT Artisan vignettes badly even at F8.
@@willisbcteoh9840 if we're talking about manual lens then it's only fair to compare this to something like the 7Artisans 25mm f1.8 or the TTArtisan 25mm f2, which offers even more value per cost because they're significantly cheaper while having better image quality than the autofocus lens (they have to cut corner somewhere to have a cheap autofocus lens after all).
The Voigtlander also have auto vignette correction, just like any other Fujinon pancakes. Vignetting is probably the least of people's concern when it's so easily fixable in edit.
How you guys use the manual focus on the Fujifilm camera? I see there are couple of options but which one is more efficient?
What do you mean by couple of options?
Definitely Focus Peaking -- I use High + Blue but that's personal preference