Same unboxing experiencing here 😂 and yes, size is a point here, but I am a returning Fuji fan, coming back from Sony full frame, who owned the 50/1.2 GM, the 35-150/2-2.8 Tammi and several other large lenses. So this puts the 27 into a different perspective. The overall system is still smaller and lighter. The image quality is definitely on par with the better Fuji lenses. Photo AF is excellent, video I haven't tested yet.
@@CampersInternational I had someone tell me it was stupid to mention the unboxing on this video 😅 I agree with this, I think that’s why the size doesn’t bother me as well since I use a few systems and don’t seem to notice the size personally.
Well I see the metal lens hood as a con, it just makes a heavy lens much heavier. The only con I see on this lens is the lack of linear motors for video
That bokeh is kind of like those old helios 44-2s. I dig it. The sample photos are also beautiful. I also love how you're showcasing the flares for their artistic addition vs the negative hit most give on them.
It does have a bit of the Helios look. You should read the other comment about how I shouldn’t have listed the flares as a pro 😅, real nice. Thanks for watching man.
Many props to you man. Dodging some of the comments above, taking it all in stride while giving some honest thoughts and beautiful pics. Been a fan for a while! Keep doing you!
I’d say they definitely released the most exciting lens of the year. I wish they’d made GFX lenses to fill in some gaps. The 16-55 is a fantastic lens, I’d say this for a portrait lens thrown in there would be amazing or even their 75mm 1.2 if you want some reach (I personally like the wider portraits) thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 🙏🏼
We sometimes call lenses "glass". The person who complains about the size and weight wants to call lenses "plastic". They want the professional build quality of metal, but dislike the weight. At some point, people need to grow up.
It is all about context. I love this new Viltrox, one of my favorite lenses of the system. The build quality puts even many OEM manufacturers to shame. That said, it simply is a relatively big and heavy lens when compared to most other Fujifilm or APS-C primes. People who like APS-C prime because of their size and weight advantage will obviously regard these characteristics of the Viltrox as cons. That has nothing to do with growing up, it is about different priorities. A professional photographer, especially one who’s used to full frame and medium format systems, carrying any lens to fit the job, and/or studio work, won’t care, an enthusiast traveling with one or primes in a bag might. However how people argue pros and cons is another matter, that’s the growing part.
After having watched your vid about the 13mm I bought it (and I love it! ), now I know what I gotta do with this 27mm :) Thanks for the great job, and your photos are very beautiful ! Greetings from France
I like your unusual pro and con list! Very helpful. Thanks for the great review - I ordered the lens today and I know it will become my favourite lens. Keep up the good work!
Kudos for a short, experience based and concise review. If all reviews are the same chart shooting, pixel peeping and seeing the white dot on a blackboard, what's the point? Your review is refreshing and keep it up! They see you rollin' and hatin'...shake it off!
Thank you for that, I needed this today. I hope you decide to watch a few of my previous videos as well to see some other lenses that I have shot with. I am not a brick wall shooter. Thanks for watching and thanks again for your awesome comment.
Nice review Hunter, my copy arrived yesterday. It was my only lens used today on a job, and the files are sharp, so sharp. Not as much contrast as fuji native lenses but a bit of post on the tone curve and its all good. perfect for low light work, and the APSC DOF on 27mm looks to be great for getting multiple subjects in focus wide open.
I am loving the lens. I know the contrast is not controlled as well as fujifilm lenses that’s for sure but like you said, easily fixable. Thanks for watching
How about adding contrast by cranking up shadows and highlights in the camera? I use Fuji’s amazing JPEGs and never shoot raw and try to get colour and contrast right in camera and find the the highlight/shadow adjustments work swell. Let me know what you think…
@@barrymayes6712 definitely worth looking into Barry, and yes that makes complete sense. Shooting in raw does have a bit more flexibility though for complex lighting scenarios changing selective WB in the scene, denoise, enhance in Adobe. But I do have a pro mate who swears by his Fuji simulation jpgs and I'd love to try the new reala ace, as a more muted colour palette and warmer skin tones sounds epic.
Thanks Brian, I think you’d really appreciate watching this video that I did a few months ago! (Fast forward to the minute 3 if you want to get straight to the images ua-cam.com/video/Sq58HxXOQnU/v-deo.htmlsi=66UXfowenUK8ADCJ Thanks for watching and for subscribing 🙏🏼🙏🏼
That’s a great vídeo. I use the same setup for events 18mmf1.4 on a xpro3 + Viltrox 27mm1.2 on a Xt5. Sometimes I think about changing the Viltrox 27mm for a Fuji xf33mm because the weight but honestly, is a plus the usage of 27mm, 33mm sometimes is too narrow for my taste. 18mm + 27mm and I’m covered. 16mm is too wide for my taste and >27mm I mostly don’t use it because I’m more a proximity guy and like to work close, eventually I can use sometimes the sport mode of the Xt5 and make a crop of 1,25 and there it is, shooting on 33mm (40mp allows plenty of quality).
Hello, I just got the Viltrox 75mm and I love it, and I am waiting for my 27mm. These are not travel size lenses but the bokeh is worth the weight (and wait).
I just got this lens, unfortunately it was shipped from B&H PHOTO in New York city while I was with my wife at a family wedding in the Finger Lakes region of NEW YORK STATE on lake Canadaga .along with some Fujifilm prime lenses I have the Viltrox 13mm and 75mm f1.2 lens, both worked well but I was surprised by the 75mm for head shots and photographing the bride and groom at their table. The lens was on a Fujifilm XT5, for the most part I found f1.4 worked the best as it gave me a little more DOF and the photos had greater clarity. I was not the photographer at the wedding, I bought my camera with a few lenses as it was a new addition to my collection and I wanted to offer family members a chance to get some photos that the wedding photographer would not be able to take, this was also my first time at the Finger Lakes and I wanted to photograph the lake in the evening. As it turned out we had a storm that day just after the ceremony and I was able to get some interesting photos of a few boats rushing back to the marina.
Hi Hunter. Thanks for this concise yet straight review. The size does tend to put me off in seriously considering this lense not because I do prefer something smaller but because property guards may come right at me saying I should have an official permit from mall or building administrators to take images of their facilities, etc. particularly when, a semi-pro to pro appearing camera is used. Perhaps mall store- and building- owners here are so frantic that their in-store business concepts and infrastructures may be copied or they want to have all copyright to the images of their properties. Can you imagine that I was warned shooting with the compact X100v? BUT the authorities won't mind you if you're shooting with an iPhone 15 Pro Max or Samsung S23 Ultra.
I have had this conversation with about 7 different people this week. I got kicked out of two places last week due to photography and I asked both times if I could use my phone and they said “that’s fine” wtf? I’m over it, we are too damn conditioned to phones. If everyone had cameras instead of phones, the world would be on with it
@@hunterhart1 Are these administrators unaware that high end smartphone photography can now print at least decent images that could perhaps by displayed on billboards already? But they'll often blurt out unreasonable responses like... “Rules are rules.” Hoping you're enjoying the lense thoroughly.
I have it on my X-H2 as well. My first (dedicated) camera and only lens. Planning to stay with only this lens for a year. I wanted to buy XT5 but didn't like the build quality, especially the dials felt plasticky.
@@hunterhart1 The companion blog idea for gear reviews is SO helpful so we can see images that haven't gone through youtube compression. The way you described the pros of this lens (using its "flaws") really sold me on this being a new addition to the kit. I don't need perfect, I need fun to use :)
Great video. Lens flare. Love it! Try the Fuji 16-80mm if you love flare-it has amazing circular rainbow flare. Many people hate this zoom because of its quirky image quality. But it f you know how to use flare it’s fab. Good bokeh too…
I have the Fuji 23mm 1.4 , I'm happy mostly I found that very contrastie sometimes. 😐. But I love my Viltrox 13mm 1.4 very much. Should I sell my Fuji 23mm 1.4 and use the money on the 27mm 1.4 instead ? 🤔
@@dquarks I think it’s all preference, I would hate to say what you “should do”. This lens has some really cool character that I personally like but I would have preferred it to be a 23mm because I like the 35mm focal length. But it’s one of my top 3 favorite lenses of all time, it’s hard to beat how good it really is. Tough decision, sorry I’m no help.
I wan I purchased the 75mm Viltrox and that thing was huuuggeee and the 27mm is just a bit smaller. Also side note the Laowa 33mm F.095 APO lens has the best RED lens flare i have ever seen on any lens and swirely bokeh. But love the shots on the viltrox extremely sharp!
Honestly the plastic lens hood isn't too much of a con. They're lighter and if you drop the camera the plastic hood flexes and absorbs a lot of the impact, metal hoods transfer that energy to the lens.
@@hunterhart1 I worry about autofocus on video. I love them for pictures but worry it can't keep up with video. My videos now are on a Sony zv1. But I'd like better feel and colors.
@@hunterhart1 would like to know if you have used sigma 18-50 2.8 and how is it image quality as compared to viltrox 27 1.2. Not sure if this is a fair comparison!
A great review. I had considered this lens, but my lens collection is getting ridiculous. 😂 This review however with the great shots, warm colours and the swirly bokeh this lens produces, sold it to me. Now I am waiting for the mail, which takes a bit of time since I live in Iceland and have to order it from another country 😊
Great video mate. How do you find crop sensors for weddings? Im so over the user experience from my Sony cameras but they’re just great wedding day tools. However, I love the colours I’m seeing from my X100v and it really has made me consider switching my set up over to Fuji. Just not sure how they compare when it comes to low light and AF performance etc.
I use single dot AF which carried over from me using DSLRs and the AF speed is so fast for that. Continuous AF is like a 7/10 (Sony would be a 10/10) but their firmware updates release often and get better all the time. I like shooting Fuji for weddings, have done it for years and hasn’t bothered me. I think once you rely more on your ability to compose a shot the size of the sensor conundrum vanishes. I often shoot at f/8 on wedding days other than some portraits. The use of light and composition within my photos doesn’t need to rely on a large sensor, just a bit of creativity and I think that’s something that Fuji has really helped me understand by not having to blow out the background to make a pretty image. As far as low light, with the higher ISO denoise, fast lens and IBIS it does well considering (and obviously when using flash it fixed all low light worries). So overall, I don’t mind the crop sensor and love fujifilm cameras due to their ease of use, colors and form factor. I’d recommend renting an XT5 and a couple of lenses that you’d like to try and shoot one week with them and see how it feels! Thanks for watching as always!
It’s a personal preference for me. The pros that I listed such as Len’s characteristics and sharpness + the between 35mm and 50mm equinox at 40mm is a nice way to shoot portraits. As far as having the 75mm and a 33mm lens the 27 would make more sense since it is wider than 50 and you already have a telephoto lens at 75mm essentially. Idk I’m just rambling
Have you considered renting before purchase at all? I do this very often and after a week if I love it I’ll take it but if not, I move on. I suggest this to everyone because I don’t want people spending unnecessary money. Anytime man
@@hunterhart1 Man the problem is i live in Brazil. Here everything is so expensive because of absurd tazws, they don't even have the viltrox 27 to rent here. It's very bad because we need to bet on the lenses because of their prices. That's why I'm searching a lot before investing. But thanks for the advice for sure would be the best thing to do. 🙏
@WillyMouna since it’s so new, you can’t rent it here either. I’m sure it won’t be long though. I hope your research goes well! Check out @goughie on UA-cam he has some great reviews as well
Hey dude. I have an X-T4 and might get into wedding photography soon. Therefore, I'm debating between the Viltrox 27 and the Tamron 17-70 as my next lens. I'd also do landscape, travel and portraits with either one of them. For image quality, I'd obviously go with the Viltrox, but the Tamron's versatility and a constant F2.8 aperture is making it a tough decision. Would like to know your thoughts? Thanks dude and I've also just subscribed 🤘
I think shooting a 17-70 stretched out between 50mm and 70mm will create some nice separation for portraits. If you want versatility I’d go tamron. Maybe later on in your photographic journey you could scoop the 27mm if you find a need for it. Just my opinion
@@hunterhart1 yeah I think the Tamron is probably going to be the winner and it will also combine perfectly with my Fuji 70-300 with the same 67mm filter thread. But Viltrox are going to release zoom lenses soon, so I'll wait and see what they offer. If it's not a 24-70 or 24-105 equivalent, I'll go for the Tamron. Thanks for your response mate and keep going with the great images 👍
Very nice review my friend! This is def a lens that should've been created by Fujifilm haha. Happy to see Viltrox filling that "gap". Do you feel it resolves all 40MP of the XH2 sensor? Might pick one up for my X-T5!
Thanks for watching Fred, you’re the man. As far as resolving goes I wouldn’t mind sending you some RAW images that you can play with. I’d say it does exceptionally well.
For people who don’t have as much knowledge as you do, they would like to learn as well. If you didn’t compare it to other things then what would be the point of a review?
No manufacturer can produce a lens that your "con" demands. Even if one pays a million dollars. Get a good lens, keep shooting, enjoy. Dont complain about weight/size/sound/noise etc. Go to gym or if on diat get some 'crons'.
Thanks for your insight but I said it wasn't a con to me but maybe some people... I know a guy with muscle dystrophy and there are some things he cannot lift, there are people in this world that can't go to the gym or get this lens due to something as minor as a few hundred grams. So like I said, it may be a con to SOME not all.... Thanks for watching
@@hunterhart1 ... that's okay... As influencer there are many youtubers to be found who talk in similar or same tone, and this is not the first or only. Just take it easy. A good photographer loves good equipments and lenses. They hike tens of miles on mountainous regions. My response was not meant to hurt you in anyway. I appreciate your video. I am into photography for over five decades. I was an avid reader of Popular Photography magazine and such. So I know the limitations of myself and that of the manufacturers and that of Physics. Thank you. Cool.
I don't get it. Why even bother to get a Fujifilm camera, if you are not going to use their glass?... That makes absolutely no sense to me. That doesn't just take away from the experience, but from the quality of the photos you are going to create.
Well, third party lens manufacturers don’t make cameras… So, not many options for ways to attach them. Plus, if nobody ever purchased a third party lens, there would be no reviews and those small companies would fail. Do you want all small businesses to fail? That’s a bit harsh man. Plus, of all the comments on this video you’re the only one that says the quality of my images are bad, this tells us all something about you personally. I hope you get some help bud, we are worried about you. Have a blessed day, keep your chin up.
I have a friend with muscular dystrophy who is a photographer, he cares about size. Maybe think about other people than yourself when you leave insensitive comments. Afffff
You don't know if it is a con or a pro, the unboxing observation. I tell You : It is utterly stupid to mention it (and especially in the 'prome time" sequance.
9 minutes and 7 seconds and that’s all that stuck out to you to comment on? And I’d like you to answer the question, why do they give metal lens hoods to some of their lenses and not others? There must be a reason right? So what is the value other than stronger material that is less likely to scratch and break?
@@hunterhart1 "9 minutes and 7 seconds and that’s all that stuck out to you to comment on?" that's a pretty dumb reply. What, do you expect every comment to comment on every part of your whole 9 minute and 7 second video? Ridiculous. And my answer to your question is I have no clue why. Metal lens hoods are pointless. They add extra weight where it's not necessary and they cost more to replace if they do break. On top of that it's actually a benefit that the plastic is easier to break. If you drop a lens and it hits the ground lens hood first, a plastic one will flex and break, softening the impact on the lens itself. A metal one might dent or chip, but most of the impact force is going to go straight through that hood and into your lens itself potentially damaging something much more valuable than just a hood. I would prefer a plastic lens hood every single time. Now do you want to answer the question? What value does a heavier, less safe for your lens, and more expensive option bring to you?
@@danielarmstrong2144 I think it’s a valid question. You’re a negative person, you picked out something you thought was stupid to comment on someone’s video. Not followed by one positive thing at all. Now you’re obviously upset about this metal or plastic thing 😅. I use metal lens hoods on all of my Fuji lenses, I’ve dropped them ran into everything and they don’t dent, it’s METAL. Why would I want a lens hood that breaks? So to answer your question (since this is MY opinion) I choose metal over plastic because it’s better, not heavy enough to notice at all.
@@hunterhart1 You're literally the one starting the negative energy here. If someone asks you a question and you come back with some dumb argumentative shit, then we'll come back with that same energy to you. Seriously, name one thing about my original comment that was negative at all? I asked a question because you made a big deal about not having a metal lens hood. You spend legitimately 16% of your video (over half a minute) talking about how you're disappointed in not having a metal lens hood. So I ask why that matters. Then you come back being like "That's all that stuck out to you?" yeah dude you spend a 6th of your whole video talking about it. how am I "a negative person" for asking a legitimate question about why that's so important to you? "you picked out something you thought was stupid to comment on someone’s video" No, I asked a question about why something was so important to you. Then you came back with an argumentative reply so I called you out for it. Get it right.
@@danielarmstrong2144 how many times do I have to answer your question. You took your time to go back and figure out the percentage of time I talked about a lens hood? Bruh 😅 hope you had a great Thanksgiving
How do you feel about the 27mm by Viltrox?
Probably gonna pick it up 👀
I have the 13mm Viltrox and the Fuji 50mm, I just don’t have anything in-between that’s a prime lens.
Same unboxing experiencing here 😂 and yes, size is a point here, but I am a returning Fuji fan, coming back from Sony full frame, who owned the 50/1.2 GM, the 35-150/2-2.8 Tammi and several other large lenses. So this puts the 27 into a different perspective. The overall system is still smaller and lighter. The image quality is definitely on par with the better Fuji lenses. Photo AF is excellent, video I haven't tested yet.
@@NicholasLeicht oh yeah that would be perfect in my opinion
@@CampersInternational I had someone tell me it was stupid to mention the unboxing on this video 😅 I agree with this, I think that’s why the size doesn’t bother me as well since I use a few systems and don’t seem to notice the size personally.
Well I see the metal lens hood as a con, it just makes a heavy lens much heavier. The only con I see on this lens is the lack of linear motors for video
That bokeh is kind of like those old helios 44-2s. I dig it. The sample photos are also beautiful. I also love how you're showcasing the flares for their artistic addition vs the negative hit most give on them.
It does have a bit of the Helios look. You should read the other comment about how I shouldn’t have listed the flares as a pro 😅, real nice. Thanks for watching man.
Many props to you man. Dodging some of the comments above, taking it all in stride while giving some honest thoughts and beautiful pics. Been a fan for a while! Keep doing you!
Hey I appreciate it man, some folks only see the bad in videos. Glad you see the good 🙏🏼 thanks for sticking around.
This 40mm was the answer for my struggle between the 50mm vs 35mm. Got this lens on day one.
Looks like Viltrox made the lens of the year. This paired with my 16-55 may cover the majority of my work. Beautiful images and great review!
I’d say they definitely released the most exciting lens of the year. I wish they’d made GFX lenses to fill in some gaps. The 16-55 is a fantastic lens, I’d say this for a portrait lens thrown in there would be amazing or even their 75mm 1.2 if you want some reach (I personally like the wider portraits) thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 🙏🏼
We sometimes call lenses "glass". The person who complains about the size and weight wants to call lenses "plastic". They want the professional build quality of metal, but dislike the weight. At some point, people need to grow up.
Amen!
It is all about context.
I love this new Viltrox, one of my favorite lenses of the system.
The build quality puts even many OEM manufacturers to shame.
That said, it simply is a relatively big and heavy lens when compared to most other Fujifilm or APS-C primes.
People who like APS-C prime because of their size and weight advantage will obviously regard these characteristics of the Viltrox as cons. That has nothing to do with growing up, it is about different priorities. A professional photographer, especially one who’s used to full frame and medium format systems, carrying any lens to fit the job, and/or studio work, won’t care, an enthusiast traveling with one or primes in a bag might. However how people argue pros and cons is another matter, that’s the growing part.
💯
FACTS. Fuji users are so pussies they will complain if a lens looks like a proper lens and not like a toy (like the 23mm f2 from fuji)
THANK YOU! Your edits are right up my alley and I've decided to grab the lens for myself now :)) Love your work!
@@xuanfeng375 ayyy thanks so much for watching. This is one of my favorite lenses of all, hope you enjoy it!
Okay man. Between you and Goughie, I think I have to consider this lens now! The swirly bokeh is fantastic.
Right?! I love that about this thing, not easy to find that and I know a lot of people won’t like that but you already know I like the quirks
Mwahahahaha 😉
After having watched your vid about the 13mm I bought it (and I love it! ), now I know what I gotta do with this 27mm :)
Thanks for the great job, and your photos are very beautiful !
Greetings from France
Glad I could open a door for you to see the capabilities of the 13mm and glad you enjoy it. Thanks so much for subscribing and thanks for watching 🙏🏼
You literally one of my favorite photographers on UA-cam brother keep doing your thing!
Woah, that’s a huge compliment. Thank you very much 🙏🏼
Mine arrived from Amazon a couple weeks ago. Absolutely phenomenal lens. It’s glued to my XH2. 👍🏾👋🏾✌🏾✨
Dude, same here! I’ve done 7 shoots since the release of this video and it has only made me enjoy it more
same here - it's just good for pretty much anything
Finally someone with a review with nice photos and not only Tec blah blah with clinical boring photos of plants 😂 thanks for this dude 🤙🏼
That is the best compliment I could receive tbh, thanks man 🫡
Great review mate. Thankyou. Stunning images also🔥🔥
@@leemountney8847 thank you so much!
I like your unusual pro and con list! Very helpful. Thanks for the great review - I ordered the lens today and I know it will become my favourite lens. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching, hope you enjoy as much as I have
Wow your images look great !!!
Thanks man 🙏🏼🤙🏼
Great video mate! Love it! Your photos as always are sooooo good!
Thanks man, means a lot coming for you!
Kudos for a short, experience based and concise review. If all reviews are the same chart shooting, pixel peeping and seeing the white dot on a blackboard, what's the point? Your review is refreshing and keep it up! They see you rollin' and hatin'...shake it off!
Thank you for that, I needed this today. I hope you decide to watch a few of my previous videos as well to see some other lenses that I have shot with. I am not a brick wall shooter. Thanks for watching and thanks again for your awesome comment.
Finally, got time to check out your review. Nice job!
Thank you so much for coming over to see it!
Amazing shot!
Thanks so much
Nice review Hunter, my copy arrived yesterday. It was my only lens used today on a job, and the files are sharp, so sharp. Not as much contrast as fuji native lenses but a bit of post on the tone curve and its all good. perfect for low light work, and the APSC DOF on 27mm looks to be great for getting multiple subjects in focus wide open.
I am loving the lens. I know the contrast is not controlled as well as fujifilm lenses that’s for sure but like you said, easily fixable. Thanks for watching
How about adding contrast by cranking up shadows and highlights in the camera? I use Fuji’s amazing JPEGs and never shoot raw and try to get colour and contrast right in camera and find the the highlight/shadow adjustments work swell. Let me know what you think…
@@barrymayes6712 definitely worth looking into Barry, and yes that makes complete sense. Shooting in raw does have a bit more flexibility though for complex lighting scenarios changing selective WB in the scene, denoise, enhance in Adobe. But I do have a pro mate who swears by his Fuji simulation jpgs and I'd love to try the new reala ace, as a more muted colour palette and warmer skin tones sounds epic.
In your wedding photos, I noticed you like to take images from a different perspective. I really like the pics and think it is creative.
Thanks Brian, I think you’d really appreciate watching this video that I did a few months ago! (Fast forward to the minute 3 if you want to get straight to the images ua-cam.com/video/Sq58HxXOQnU/v-deo.htmlsi=66UXfowenUK8ADCJ
Thanks for watching and for subscribing 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Got mine in the mail today and can't wait to try it out :) Thanks for your review :)
Can’t wait to see what ya do with it!
I think the shallow DOF gives a full frame quality to the pics I’ve not quite seen in fujifilm lenses
That’s a great vídeo. I use the same setup for events 18mmf1.4 on a xpro3 + Viltrox 27mm1.2 on a Xt5. Sometimes I think about changing the Viltrox 27mm for a Fuji xf33mm because the weight but honestly, is a plus the usage of 27mm, 33mm sometimes is too narrow for my taste. 18mm + 27mm and I’m covered. 16mm is too wide for my taste and >27mm I mostly don’t use it because I’m more a proximity guy and like to work close, eventually I can use sometimes the sport mode of the Xt5 and make a crop of 1,25 and there it is, shooting on 33mm (40mp allows plenty of quality).
Nice review, Hunter! Great breakdown and love the shots you captured 🔥
Thank you very much for your warm compliments! Glad ya subbed and took the time to comment!
Great Video and those pictures were 🔥🔥🔥
My dude, always appreciate you watching
Hello, I just got the Viltrox 75mm and I love it, and I am waiting for my 27mm. These are not travel size lenses but the bokeh is worth the weight (and wait).
I agree, if you’re doing pro work no matter what then usually size comes with quality unless you’re using manual focus lenses.
An amazing lens, i sold my fuji 23mm 1.4 and got the viltrox and it is a beast !
Agreed!
would love to see some video shots using this lens !
I need to work on that, there are a few videos out there on UA-cam as of now though. Thanks for watching!
I just got this lens, unfortunately it was shipped from B&H PHOTO in New York city while I was with my wife at a family wedding in the Finger Lakes region of NEW YORK STATE on lake Canadaga .along with some Fujifilm prime lenses I have the Viltrox 13mm and 75mm f1.2 lens, both worked well but I was surprised by the 75mm for head shots and photographing the bride and groom at their table. The lens was on a Fujifilm XT5, for the most part I found f1.4 worked the best as it gave me a little more DOF and the photos had greater clarity. I was not the photographer at the wedding, I bought my camera with a few lenses as it was a new addition to my collection and I wanted to offer family members a chance to get some photos that the wedding photographer would not be able to take, this was also my first time at the Finger Lakes and I wanted to photograph the lake in the evening. As it turned out we had a storm that day just after the ceremony and I was able to get some interesting photos of a few boats rushing back to the marina.
I really want to try out the 75mm 1.2 for a review I know it would be a lot better than their 85mm 1.8 they released years ago!
Hope you like the 27mm
Hi Hunter. Thanks for this concise yet straight review. The size does tend to put me off in seriously considering this lense not because I do prefer something smaller but because property guards may come right at me saying I should have an official permit from mall or building administrators to take images of their facilities, etc. particularly when, a semi-pro to pro appearing camera is used. Perhaps mall store- and building- owners here are so frantic that their in-store business concepts and infrastructures may be copied or they want to have all copyright to the images of their properties. Can you imagine that I was warned shooting with the compact X100v? BUT the authorities won't mind you if you're shooting with an iPhone 15 Pro Max or Samsung S23 Ultra.
I have had this conversation with about 7 different people this week. I got kicked out of two places last week due to photography and I asked both times if I could use my phone and they said “that’s fine” wtf? I’m over it, we are too damn conditioned to phones. If everyone had cameras instead of phones, the world would be on with it
@@hunterhart1 Are these administrators unaware that high end smartphone photography can now print at least decent images that could perhaps by displayed on billboards already? But they'll often blurt out unreasonable responses like... “Rules are rules.” Hoping you're enjoying the lense thoroughly.
@@nathanielngosy it’s great thanks
I have it on my X-H2 as well. My first (dedicated) camera and only lens. Planning to stay with only this lens for a year. I wanted to buy XT5 but didn't like the build quality, especially the dials felt plasticky.
I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying your XH2
I wanna try this with an xt5 for my wedding kit
Worth a try
The images in this are incredible! Any chance you'd throw them up on your blog?
Thanks man, I haven’t done a blog in a while! Maybe it’s time
@@hunterhart1 The companion blog idea for gear reviews is SO helpful so we can see images that haven't gone through youtube compression. The way you described the pros of this lens (using its "flaws") really sold me on this being a new addition to the kit. I don't need perfect, I need fun to use :)
Interesting comment on warmness as in comparisons with the Fuji 33mm a few reasons state a preference for the warmer Fuji colour ...
Great video. Lens flare. Love it! Try the Fuji 16-80mm if you love flare-it has amazing circular rainbow flare. Many people hate this zoom because of its quirky image quality. But it f you know how to use flare it’s fab. Good bokeh too…
Would have never known, thanks for the tip and thanks for watching 🙏🏼
What's the manual focus feeling like ?
Super smooth but there a bit of focus breathing if you’re using it for video (which I’m only using for photography) thanks for watching
I have the Fuji 23mm 1.4 , I'm happy mostly I found that very contrastie sometimes. 😐. But I love my Viltrox 13mm 1.4 very much. Should I sell my Fuji 23mm 1.4 and use the money on the 27mm 1.4 instead ? 🤔
@@dquarks I think it’s all preference, I would hate to say what you “should do”. This lens has some really cool character that I personally like but I would have preferred it to be a 23mm because I like the 35mm focal length. But it’s one of my top 3 favorite lenses of all time, it’s hard to beat how good it really is. Tough decision, sorry I’m no help.
Is this better than the sigma 30mm f1.4?
I would say build quality + having an aperture ring yes. Image quality is hard to say. Depends on what you consider better, since it is subjective.
@@hunterhart1 What about the bokeh? which is better?
@@francisenaje Viltrox has more character so it has a little swirl to it. So for me, I like that and some people may not.
I wan I purchased the 75mm Viltrox and that thing was huuuggeee and the 27mm is just a bit smaller. Also side note the Laowa 33mm F.095 APO lens has the best RED lens flare i have ever seen on any lens and swirely bokeh. But love the shots on the viltrox extremely sharp!
Honestly the plastic lens hood isn't too much of a con. They're lighter and if you drop the camera the plastic hood flexes and absorbs a lot of the impact, metal hoods transfer that energy to the lens.
Yeah it’s scraping the barrel, had to have something to list
@@hunterhart1 this is a good time to be a camera nerd, there are so many good lenses available for cheaper than ever
What did you film this video on?
A7iii
@@hunterhart1 thanks. I was really hoping it was a Fuji. Hate the idea of getting a Sony just for video
@@ListenandLearnEnglish why don’t you just shoot on Fuji, they’re just as good. I used Sony because I had to showcase both Fuji cameras
@@ListenandLearnEnglish ua-cam.com/video/MpLB7O1XYb4/v-deo.htmlsi=r4uR0_OiR9CK4FL0 shot this on the XT4
@@hunterhart1 I worry about autofocus on video. I love them for pictures but worry it can't keep up with video. My videos now are on a Sony zv1. But I'd like better feel and colors.
how is the lens in comparison to the Viltrox 23mm 1.4 which is cheaper than this one?
@@ajinkyapc optically this one would be better with faster af since it’s from their pro lineup
@@hunterhart1 would like to know if you have used sigma 18-50 2.8 and how is it image quality as compared to viltrox 27 1.2. Not sure if this is a fair comparison!
@ I do not but not sure how that’s a faire comparison since one is a prime
A great review. I had considered this lens, but my lens collection is getting ridiculous. 😂 This review however with the great shots, warm colours and the swirly bokeh this lens produces, sold it to me. Now I am waiting for the mail, which takes a bit of time since I live in Iceland and have to order it from another country 😊
Sheeshhh you could build your own lens by the time this one gets to you 😅
One can never have too many lenses.😂
What about using this lens on a Fujifilm XE2???
I’d say it would be just a little front heavy 😅 but it would look cool
will sony variant come out?
I wouldn’t see why not but I can’t ever tell what they’re doing. @Viltrox doesn’t speak to me unfortunately.
Great video mate. How do you find crop sensors for weddings? Im so over the user experience from my Sony cameras but they’re just great wedding day tools. However, I love the colours I’m seeing from my X100v and it really has made me consider switching my set up over to Fuji. Just not sure how they compare when it comes to low light and AF performance etc.
I use single dot AF which carried over from me using DSLRs and the AF speed is so fast for that. Continuous AF is like a 7/10 (Sony would be a 10/10) but their firmware updates release often and get better all the time. I like shooting Fuji for weddings, have done it for years and hasn’t bothered me. I think once you rely more on your ability to compose a shot the size of the sensor conundrum vanishes. I often shoot at f/8 on wedding days other than some portraits. The use of light and composition within my photos doesn’t need to rely on a large sensor, just a bit of creativity and I think that’s something that Fuji has really helped me understand by not having to blow out the background to make a pretty image. As far as low light, with the higher ISO denoise, fast lens and IBIS it does well considering (and obviously when using flash it fixed all low light worries). So overall, I don’t mind the crop sensor and love fujifilm cameras due to their ease of use, colors and form factor. I’d recommend renting an XT5 and a couple of lenses that you’d like to try and shoot one week with them and see how it feels! Thanks for watching as always!
@@hunterhart1 thank you buddy. Appreciate the detailed reply!
Please on xt4 the af is good ?
In my opinion it’s good, I also shoot single dot AF on my XT4 so that works fine for me
@@hunterhart1 ☺️🙏🏽 thanks so much
I am waiting for the Fujifilm GF 55 1.7. it will be near the same focal length
It should be released with this new GFX camera coming out hopefully
I think i got spoiled with the Mitakon 63mm 1.4 for the gfx. I haven’t had G.A.S in a while lol.
That’s a banging lens, I can understand why you were spoiled with the 65mm
hey my friend. Do you use any zoom lenses for your work or only primes? im thinking to sell my zoom to get only good primes.
I only use primes for my work, my wife has a 24-70 for her Sony that I’ll pick up sometimes but very rarely will you catch me with a zoom.
@@hunterhart1 awesome man! Thanks for the info.
is this also good for events? or just for portraiture?
@@adrianc.jacomille8497 it could be good for events, it depends on your lens preference got events. I usually use a zoom personally
@@hunterhart1 hmm i think viltrox should have a zoom lens like f2.8 as well but “pro” version.
@@adrianc.jacomille8497 maybe one day
Would you prefer this viltrox or fuji 33 for portraits ? i already have the viltrox 75mm 1.2
It’s a personal preference for me. The pros that I listed such as Len’s characteristics and sharpness + the between 35mm and 50mm equinox at 40mm is a nice way to shoot portraits. As far as having the 75mm and a 33mm lens the 27 would make more sense since it is wider than 50 and you already have a telephoto lens at 75mm essentially. Idk I’m just rambling
thanks for the atention my friend!@@hunterhart1
Have you considered renting before purchase at all? I do this very often and after a week if I love it I’ll take it but if not, I move on. I suggest this to everyone because I don’t want people spending unnecessary money. Anytime man
@@hunterhart1 Man the problem is i live in Brazil. Here everything is so expensive because of absurd tazws, they don't even have the viltrox 27 to rent here. It's very bad because we need to bet on the lenses because of their prices. That's why I'm searching a lot before investing. But thanks for the advice for sure would be the best thing to do. 🙏
@WillyMouna since it’s so new, you can’t rent it here either. I’m sure it won’t be long though. I hope your research goes well! Check out @goughie on UA-cam he has some great reviews as well
Nice 🍻
Thank you! Cheers!
`
Yeah, this is the 5th video I watch on this 27mm.
Here's hoping the E-mount version comes soon!
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Lovely Video, The Bokeh quality Looks very nice
Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment 🙏🏼🙏🏼
At 5:33 you forgot to add the no.1 and no.2
Thanks I’ll go back and fix that 🙏🏼🫡
Hey dude. I have an X-T4 and might get into wedding photography soon. Therefore, I'm debating between the Viltrox 27 and the Tamron 17-70 as my next lens. I'd also do landscape, travel and portraits with either one of them. For image quality, I'd obviously go with the Viltrox, but the Tamron's versatility and a constant F2.8 aperture is making it a tough decision.
Would like to know your thoughts?
Thanks dude and I've also just subscribed 🤘
I think shooting a 17-70 stretched out between 50mm and 70mm will create some nice separation for portraits. If you want versatility I’d go tamron. Maybe later on in your photographic journey you could scoop the 27mm if you find a need for it. Just my opinion
@@hunterhart1 yeah I think the Tamron is probably going to be the winner and it will also combine perfectly with my Fuji 70-300 with the same 67mm filter thread. But Viltrox are going to release zoom lenses soon, so I'll wait and see what they offer. If it's not a 24-70 or 24-105 equivalent, I'll go for the Tamron.
Thanks for your response mate and keep going with the great images 👍
@@nomadictimbo9185 thanks so much man. Hope it all works for ya. You got instagram so I can follow your journeys
Hey you shoot in jpeg or raw ?
RAW
Glad it wasn't just me that struggled with the box! 😅
😅 same here
Very nice review my friend! This is def a lens that should've been created by Fujifilm haha. Happy to see Viltrox filling that "gap". Do you feel it resolves all 40MP of the XH2 sensor? Might pick one up for my X-T5!
Thanks for watching Fred, you’re the man. As far as resolving goes I wouldn’t mind sending you some RAW images that you can play with. I’d say it does exceptionally well.
weight is not a con when you understand that it's F1.2, do not compare it to F1.4 or F2
For people who don’t have as much knowledge as you do, they would like to learn as well. If you didn’t compare it to other things then what would be the point of a review?
It 's so hard to get it out, that's what she said.
Ayyyooo
How dare you have an American flag in the video 😂
Cancelled
1 fuji
Thanks so much for watching
was that yelawolf?
I think its uncomfotable focus range. composition looks flat and boring
Agreed
No manufacturer can produce a lens that your "con" demands. Even if one pays a million dollars.
Get a good lens, keep shooting, enjoy. Dont complain about weight/size/sound/noise etc. Go to gym or if on diat get some 'crons'.
Thanks for your insight but I said it wasn't a con to me but maybe some people... I know a guy with muscle dystrophy and there are some things he cannot lift, there are people in this world that can't go to the gym or get this lens due to something as minor as a few hundred grams. So like I said, it may be a con to SOME not all.... Thanks for watching
@@hunterhart1 ... that's okay... As influencer there are many youtubers to be found who talk in similar or same tone, and this is not the first or only. Just take it easy. A good photographer loves good equipments and lenses. They hike tens of miles on mountainous regions.
My response was not meant to hurt you in anyway. I appreciate your video. I am into photography for over five decades. I was an avid reader of Popular Photography magazine and such. So I know the limitations of myself and that of the manufacturers and that of Physics. Thank you. Cool.
I don't get it. Why even bother to get a Fujifilm camera, if you are not going to use their glass?... That makes absolutely no sense to me.
That doesn't just take away from the experience, but from the quality of the photos you are going to create.
Well, third party lens manufacturers don’t make cameras… So, not many options for ways to attach them. Plus, if nobody ever purchased a third party lens, there would be no reviews and those small companies would fail. Do you want all small businesses to fail? That’s a bit harsh man. Plus, of all the comments on this video you’re the only one that says the quality of my images are bad, this tells us all something about you personally. I hope you get some help bud, we are worried about you. Have a blessed day, keep your chin up.
who cares about size when you have a PRO product?.... how fussy people can be....... afff..
I have a friend with muscular dystrophy who is a photographer, he cares about size. Maybe think about other people than yourself when you leave insensitive comments. Afffff
You don't know if it is a con or a pro, the unboxing observation. I tell You : It is utterly stupid to mention it (and especially in the 'prome time" sequance.
Well, got your attention 😂 thanks for watching
@@hunterhart1 Yes but blocked any future suggestion
@@AR-vf7vg thanks man!
you've got me sold man 😭🫶
Hahaha not trying to sell anything but it’s a really nice lens
why do you need a metal lens hood? what extra value does that provide really?
9 minutes and 7 seconds and that’s all that stuck out to you to comment on? And I’d like you to answer the question, why do they give metal lens hoods to some of their lenses and not others? There must be a reason right? So what is the value other than stronger material that is less likely to scratch and break?
@@hunterhart1 "9 minutes and 7 seconds and that’s all that stuck out to you to comment on?" that's a pretty dumb reply. What, do you expect every comment to comment on every part of your whole 9 minute and 7 second video? Ridiculous.
And my answer to your question is I have no clue why. Metal lens hoods are pointless. They add extra weight where it's not necessary and they cost more to replace if they do break. On top of that it's actually a benefit that the plastic is easier to break. If you drop a lens and it hits the ground lens hood first, a plastic one will flex and break, softening the impact on the lens itself. A metal one might dent or chip, but most of the impact force is going to go straight through that hood and into your lens itself potentially damaging something much more valuable than just a hood.
I would prefer a plastic lens hood every single time.
Now do you want to answer the question? What value does a heavier, less safe for your lens, and more expensive option bring to you?
@@danielarmstrong2144 I think it’s a valid question. You’re a negative person, you picked out something you thought was stupid to comment on someone’s video. Not followed by one positive thing at all. Now you’re obviously upset about this metal or plastic thing 😅. I use metal lens hoods on all of my Fuji lenses, I’ve dropped them ran into everything and they don’t dent, it’s METAL. Why would I want a lens hood that breaks? So to answer your question (since this is MY opinion) I choose metal over plastic because it’s better, not heavy enough to notice at all.
@@hunterhart1 You're literally the one starting the negative energy here.
If someone asks you a question and you come back with some dumb argumentative shit, then we'll come back with that same energy to you.
Seriously, name one thing about my original comment that was negative at all? I asked a question because you made a big deal about not having a metal lens hood. You spend legitimately 16% of your video (over half a minute) talking about how you're disappointed in not having a metal lens hood. So I ask why that matters. Then you come back being like "That's all that stuck out to you?" yeah dude you spend a 6th of your whole video talking about it. how am I "a negative person" for asking a legitimate question about why that's so important to you?
"you picked out something you thought was stupid to comment on someone’s video" No, I asked a question about why something was so important to you. Then you came back with an argumentative reply so I called you out for it. Get it right.
@@danielarmstrong2144 how many times do I have to answer your question. You took your time to go back and figure out the percentage of time I talked about a lens hood? Bruh 😅 hope you had a great Thanksgiving