More choice is always good, at it's price point it is an option, although having to stop down so much is less appealing, but for a certain look at a cheap price, some will buy and love it. I am very happy with my Sigma 23mm and 56mm lenses, I don't find them too clinical, but I also love shooting with the 35mm F/1.4 which is just special
Fair points all around. I do agree that the 35mm F1.4 is a very nice lens that strikes a good balance between sharpness and rendering. I actually prefer it to the Fuji 23mm for that reason.
Could you give me some advice of how is the Sirui 23mm/f1.2 compared to Viltrox 23mm/f1.4? I am thinking about buying Viltrox instead but love the silver skin of Sirui
Thank you for your review, your style is just my cup of tea! I went with the Viltrox, had great results with the 75mm already, so I bought the 27mm also. Results so far very nice. If I need less sharpness I change it in post or put on a diffusion filter… but the price for the Sirui was very tempting, I admit😏
I agree with your recommendation of the Viltrox 27mm. I once was a "bloom" photographer, but what I love about the Viltrox Pro series is that, to me, it's very sharp while still having a unique look I don't get with my other Fuji lenses. There's an "it" factor to the Viltrox Pro series I can't put my finger on, but I love the look!
As a non-Fuji shooter, I've nonetheless taken great interest in the recent Fuji autofocus troubles with their top cameras. I wonder if some of the autofocus issues you found with this lens might be gone, or at least different, if you had shot on a recent AI-equipped Sony body, as I do. Given the moving target of Fuji autofocus behavior, I also think this must be a nightmare for lens companies trying to update their lens firmware.
I always find your reviews interesting. I have/ had no real interest in the lens, I have my 24mm GM BUT….. I see the review lens as a bit like a classic car, not built as well, lacks a lot of modernity but has real character, with the right amount of manual input you take a lot of very unique shots and as I grow older I miss the huge amount of manual effort I used to have when taking pictures. Very interesting DA. 👍
I don't know if my Samyang contact has left the company, but the last I've heard from Samyang was in July and none of my attempts to reach out since then have had a response. They sent me the V-AF lenses in March, but that's the last time I've had a look at any of their new lenses.
Hey man, thanks for recommend me the Sony 12-24mm F4 in one of my last comments! But can you check if my setups is too much and weighty or just right? Sony A7RV 723g Sony 12-24mm F4 565g Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 1155g Panasonic HC-X1500 1200g iPhone 15 171g = 4.814kg I will add an action camera too and I will take them out with a Peak Design 10L Sling V1
The 23mm and the 33mm Are fantastic, and in Super35 on a full frame, there is no magnification from the sensor. The 56mm Is beyond horrendous and I wouldn't recommend that one. I returned the set and bought the 23mm alone as I already had a 35mm.
I don't think Chinese lenses will break through in the West. First because people who buy lenses aren't totally clueless about what they buy. Second because they tend to be traditionalists and loyal to a brand.
@@DustinAbbottTWI 💯 ! Just right, Dustin. And i am still waiting for a 35/1.4 Viltrox Pro, and could only imagine - what a Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB can do...if these lenses would ever see the living daylights. 🙂
Hmmm, not sure if this is a compliment or an insult ;) Companies like Samyang and Viltrox started out much like Sirui with these lenses, but they have become very valued players in the market. I try to balance my reviews between mainstream, high end, budget, and new players because people are interested in different things and have different budgets.
@@DustinAbbottTWIAnd your efforts to balance the range and kinds of lenses you review is very successful. It’s why I keep coming back to see what I can learn from you. I enjoy lenses across from the spectrum, from inexpensive ones to high-end ones. Steady on your course! It’s working for me.
And one final thought: Why is it relevant if Dustin makes money on his UA-cam channel or not? And further it is rather presumptuous and rude to ask such a question.
More choice is always good, at it's price point it is an option, although having to stop down so much is less appealing, but for a certain look at a cheap price, some will buy and love it.
I am very happy with my Sigma 23mm and 56mm lenses, I don't find them too clinical, but I also love shooting with the 35mm F/1.4 which is just special
Fair points all around. I do agree that the 35mm F1.4 is a very nice lens that strikes a good balance between sharpness and rendering. I actually prefer it to the Fuji 23mm for that reason.
The DG DN Sigma 35mm 1.4 is great. So happen premium feeling lenses do not have to be $2-3000 :-)
Could you give me some advice of how is the Sirui 23mm/f1.2 compared to Viltrox 23mm/f1.4? I am thinking about buying Viltrox instead but love the silver skin of Sirui
I would say that the Sirui is fairly similar optically. If you like the look of the Sirui, then go for it.
Thanks,@@DustinAbbottTWI
Thank you for your review, your style is just my cup of tea!
I went with the Viltrox, had great results with the 75mm already, so I bought the 27mm also. Results so far very nice.
If I need less sharpness I change it in post or put on a diffusion filter… but the price for the Sirui was very tempting, I admit😏
That's my thoughts, too. It's easier to soften an image than to sharpen it.
I agree with your recommendation of the Viltrox 27mm. I once was a "bloom" photographer, but what I love about the Viltrox Pro series is that, to me, it's very sharp while still having a unique look I don't get with my other Fuji lenses. There's an "it" factor to the Viltrox Pro series I can't put my finger on, but I love the look!
You've put it a well. Both of those lenses manage to strike a unique balance between sharpness and rendering.
But it's expensive
@@MANZANOADRIANhow?
As a non-Fuji shooter, I've nonetheless taken great interest in the recent Fuji autofocus troubles with their top cameras. I wonder if some of the autofocus issues you found with this lens might be gone, or at least different, if you had shot on a recent AI-equipped Sony body, as I do. Given the moving target of Fuji autofocus behavior, I also think this must be a nightmare for lens companies trying to update their lens firmware.
I own a Sony AI equipped body and can attest the auto focus is light years ahead of what he has here. Much, much better.
Lol, that cup of tea joke was unexpectedly funny. On a side note, glad to see that the picture is still hanging after many years.
I still get a lot of positive comments on that when people visit our house.
I always find your reviews interesting. I have/ had no real interest in the lens, I have my 24mm GM BUT….. I see the review lens as a bit like a classic car, not built as well, lacks a lot of modernity but has real character, with the right amount of manual input you take a lot of very unique shots and as I grow older I miss the huge amount of manual effort I used to have when taking pictures. Very interesting DA. 👍
And that's what I feel about the potential value of the lens to some photographers.
What tripod are you using?? I’m looking for a small table top that’s extendable like that
Oben Tabletop Tripod shown in video: bhpho.to/3vL8YWy
Hi Dustin,
Thank you for your video. Would your opinion differ with the camera brands? The auto-focus seems much better on my zv-e10 and my A9.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if focus (particularly for video) worked better on Sony.
Somewhat off topic, but has Samyang perchance sent you a sample of the v-af 100mm f2/t2.3 ? It looks to be a lovely pairing for fx the 45mm
I don't know if my Samyang contact has left the company, but the last I've heard from Samyang was in July and none of my attempts to reach out since then have had a response. They sent me the V-AF lenses in March, but that's the last time I've had a look at any of their new lenses.
Hey man, thanks for recommend me the Sony 12-24mm F4 in one of my last comments! But can you check if my setups is too much and weighty or just right?
Sony A7RV 723g
Sony 12-24mm F4 565g
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 1155g
Panasonic HC-X1500 1200g
iPhone 15 171g
= 4.814kg
I will add an action camera too and I will take them out with a Peak Design 10L Sling V1
It's a nice kit, but I don't really know the specifics of what your weight tolerance is and how you're packing out this equipment.
Very nice balanced review. I like lenses.
Glad you like them!
My man! And holy ghost filled, love you brother
That's for sure!
The 23mm and the 33mm Are fantastic, and in Super35 on a full frame, there is no magnification from the sensor. The 56mm Is beyond horrendous and I wouldn't recommend that one. I returned the set and bought the 23mm alone as I already had a 35mm.
That's fair!
Chinese lens companies like Viltrox and Sirui are so good now. Oems from Japan on notice as well as Sigma and Tamron.
Viltrox in particular is just killing it right now.
I don't think Chinese lenses will break through in the West.
First because people who buy lenses aren't totally clueless about what they buy.
Second because they tend to be traditionalists and loyal to a brand.
Tell that to Viltrox. Viltrox is killing it in the Western market.
@@DustinAbbottTWI 💯 ! Just right, Dustin. And i am still waiting for a 35/1.4 Viltrox Pro, and could only imagine - what a Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB can do...if these lenses would ever see the living daylights. 🙂
These lenses are not only utter crap from an optical standpoint, they have been given what is probably the dumbest name ever.
I don't hate the name - at least it is distinctive. I can say "Sniper 23mm" without going into a long, convoluted series of letters.
Yes should’ve been called “sniper mark wahlberg .50cal vxd rxd wr stm iiv”
Mr Dust-in, Do you make any profit on UA-cam, my friend?
You review so much garbage. That is incredible. God bless you and your family.
Hmmm, not sure if this is a compliment or an insult ;) Companies like Samyang and Viltrox started out much like Sirui with these lenses, but they have become very valued players in the market. I try to balance my reviews between mainstream, high end, budget, and new players because people are interested in different things and have different budgets.
@@DustinAbbottTWIAnd your efforts to balance the range and kinds of lenses you review is very successful. It’s why I keep coming back to see what I can learn from you. I enjoy lenses across from the spectrum, from inexpensive ones to high-end ones. Steady on your course! It’s working for me.
And one final thought: Why is it relevant if Dustin makes money on his UA-cam channel or not? And further it is rather presumptuous and rude to ask such a question.