33mm f1.4 or 23mm f1.4 or Both?

Henri Cartier Bresson once said in a video interview that the one lens he didn't like was the 35mm and while did used other lenses, his most used lens was the 50mm. He is also credited with saying the only difference between 35mm and 50mm is a couple of steps forward or a couple of steps backward. Well in FujiLand the closest to full-frame 35mm and 50mm are the 23mm and 33mm.

Viltrox was first with their STM 23mm f1.4 and STM 33mm f1.4, Tokina has the ATX-M 23mm f1.4 and ATX-m 33mm f1.4, and now Fujifilm has released their FX 23mm f1.4 R LM WR to go along with the FX 33mm f1.4 R LM WR. So now Fuji x-mount users have three options for having a 23mm f1.4 or a 33mm f1.4 or both.

I have the Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4 and keep asking myself if there is any value in adding a 23mm f1.4. So what about the rest of you?

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Atsel said:

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Click to expand...

This isn't a helpful comment, and you don't speak "for the rest of us."

Oregon Dawg said:

Atsel said:

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Click to expand...

This isn't a helpful comment, and you don't speak "for the rest of us."

Click to expand...

Sorry, the rest of me I mean. The lens (23/1.4) is quite good. Its firmware is updated regularly unlike Tokina's version of same lens. The AF speed and accuracy are told to be enhanced since its release in 2020 while Tokina didn't update its lens although it is detected as flash drive same like Viltrox. I didn't notice any issues with the initial firmware though.

I tested Fujinon 23/1.4 LM and found it to be sharper wide open at sides of the frame with less CA. Viltrox is perfect for landscapes only at f/8-f/11. I'm OK with that. AF sound of Viltrox is slightly audible while recording audio in quite place using internal microphone.

Older Fujinon 35/1.4 is my favourite lens and I don't plan to buy anything for replacement.

Atsel said:

Oregon Dawg said:

Atsel said:

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Click to expand...

This isn't a helpful comment, and you don't speak "for the rest of us."

Click to expand...

Sorry, the rest of me I mean. The lens (23/1.4) is quite good. Its firmware is updated regularly unlike Tokina's version of same lens. The AF speed and accuracy are told to be enhanced since its release in 2020 while Tokina didn't update its lens although it is detected as flash drive same like Viltrox. I didn't notice any issues with the initial firmware though.

I tested Fujinon 23/1.4 LM and found it to be sharper wide open at sides of the frame with less CA. Viltrox is perfect for landscapes only at f/8-f/11. I'm OK with that. AF sound of Viltrox is slightly noticeable while recording audio in quite place using internal microphone.

Older Fujinon 35/1.4 is my favourite lens and I don't plan to buy anything for replacement.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I had the 35mm f/2 and upgraded to the 33mm f/1.4. I never owned the 35mm f/1.4, but I know from reading here and elsewhere that it is a highly regarded lens, I don't read often that someone is selling it or updating it.

I'm also curious how many others here carry both a 23mm and 33/35mm lens.

Atsel said:

Oregon Dawg said:

Atsel said:

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Click to expand...

This isn't a helpful comment, and you don't speak "for the rest of us."

Click to expand...

Sorry, the rest of me I mean. The lens (23/1.4) is quite good. Its firmware is updated regularly unlike Tokina's version of same lens. The AF speed and accuracy are told to be enhanced since its release in 2020 while Tokina didn't update its lens although it is detected as flash drive same like Viltrox. I didn't notice any issues with the initial firmware though.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what you mean as a flash drive like the Viltrox. One reason the Tokina lenses are more expensive is that they are licensed by Fujifilm and work with Fuji bodies just like native Fujinon lenses do.

Atsel said:

I tested Fujinon 23/1.4 LM and found it to be sharper wide open at sides of the frame with less CA. Viltrox is perfect for landscapes only at f/8-f/11. I'm OK with that. AF sound of Viltrox is slightly audible while recording audio in quite place using internal microphone.

Click to expand...

Glad you mentioned CA because a couple years ago I bought the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 and 33mm f1.4 to use with the X-Pro2 I had at the time. They were quickly returned because most of my images had obvious CA, vignetting or both. Now I have the Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4 and ATX-m 56mm f1.4. I shoot mostly landscapes and do not have problems from CA or vignetting with either lens. You might want to think about why Viltrox keeps having to issue updates while Tokina has not. Of course, if you're willing to deal with the CA and vignetting, Viltrox's continuous dropping prices are not to be overlooked.

bs1946 said:

Atsel said:

Oregon Dawg said:

Atsel said:

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Click to expand...

This isn't a helpful comment, and you don't speak "for the rest of us."

Click to expand...

Sorry, the rest of me I mean. The lens (23/1.4) is quite good. Its firmware is updated regularly unlike Tokina's version of same lens. The AF speed and accuracy are told to be enhanced since its release in 2020 while Tokina didn't update its lens although it is detected as flash drive same like Viltrox. I didn't notice any issues with the initial firmware though.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what you mean as a flash drive like the Viltrox. One reason the Tokina lenses are more expensive is that they are licensed by Fujifilm and work with Fuji bodies just like native Fujinon lenses do.

bs1946 said:

I tested Fujinon 23/1.4 LM and found it to be sharper wide open at sides of the frame with less CA. Viltrox is perfect for landscapes only at f/8-f/11. I'm OK with that. AF sound of Viltrox is slightly audible while recording audio in quite place using internal microphone.

Click to expand...

Glad you mentioned CA because a couple years ago I bought the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 and 33mm f1.4 to use with the X-Pro2 I had at the time. They were quickly returned because most of my images had obvious CA, vignetting or both. Now I have the Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4 and ATX-m 56mm f1.4. I shoot mostly landscapes and do not have problems from CA or vignetting with either lens. You might want to think about why Viltrox keeps having to issue updates while Tokina has not. Of course, if you're willing to deal with the CA and vignetting, Viltrox's continuous dropping prices are not to be overlooked.

Click to expand...

I don't care about Tokina really because I have Viltrox.

I haven't seen any confirmation that Tokina really has something more than Viltrox and seen opposite indeed. Tokina lens also suffers from LoCA and PF, as confirmed by opticallimits/photozone test: https://www.opticallimits.com/fuji_x/1129-tokina56f14x?start=1 Nothing really different from Viltrox lens belonging to the same family: https://www.opticallimits.com/fuji_x/1090-viltrox33f14?start=1

Viltrox also made lens profiles for correcting these problems in postprocessing: https://www.viltrox.com/NewsInfoCategory?categoryId=283419&PageInfoId=0 I didn't use it.

Tokina has same microUSB port like Viltrox for firmware updates: and even file structure on lens flash is the same.

If you shoot landscapes lens imperfections shouldn't be really noticeable because of using smaller apertures. I wonder if you shot something else in 2020 using lenses wide open.

Atsel said:

bs1946 said:

Atsel said:

Oregon Dawg said:

Atsel said:

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Click to expand...

This isn't a helpful comment, and you don't speak "for the rest of us."

Click to expand...

Sorry, the rest of me I mean. The lens (23/1.4) is quite good. Its firmware is updated regularly unlike Tokina's version of same lens. The AF speed and accuracy are told to be enhanced since its release in 2020 while Tokina didn't update its lens although it is detected as flash drive same like Viltrox. I didn't notice any issues with the initial firmware though.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what you mean as a flash drive like the Viltrox. One reason the Tokina lenses are more expensive is that they are licensed by Fujifilm and work with Fuji bodies just like native Fujinon lenses do.

Atsel said:

I tested Fujinon 23/1.4 LM and found it to be sharper wide open at sides of the frame with less CA. Viltrox is perfect for landscapes only at f/8-f/11. I'm OK with that. AF sound of Viltrox is slightly audible while recording audio in quite place using internal microphone.

Click to expand...

Glad you mentioned CA because a couple years ago I bought the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 and 33mm f1.4 to use with the X-Pro2 I had at the time. They were quickly returned because most of my images had obvious CA, vignetting or both. Now I have the Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4 and ATX-m 56mm f1.4. I shoot mostly landscapes and do not have problems from CA or vignetting with either lens. You might want to think about why Viltrox keeps having to issue updates while Tokina has not. Of course, if you're willing to deal with the CA and vignetting, Viltrox's continuous dropping prices are not to be overlooked.

Click to expand...

I don't care about Tokina really because I have Viltrox.

I haven't seen any confirmation that Tokina really has something more than Viltrox and seen opposite indeed. Tokina lens also suffers from LoCA and PF, as confirmed by opticallimits/photozone test: https://www.opticallimits.com/fuji_x/1129-tokina56f14x?start=1 Nothing really different from Viltrox lens belonging to the same family: https://www.opticallimits.com/fuji_x/1090-viltrox33f14?start=1

Click to expand...

I could give you a long list of reviews that point out the differences between Tokina and Viltrox but it's simpler to ask; how many Tokina lenses have you actually used out in the real world?

Atsel said:

Viltrox also made lens profiles for correcting these problems in postprocessing: https://www.viltrox.com/NewsInfoCategory?categoryId=283419&PageInfoId=0 I didn't use it.

Click to expand...

Tokina hasn't needed to any more than Fuji has.

Atsel said:

Tokina has same microUSB port like Viltrox for firmware updates:

and even file structure on lens flash is the same.

Click to expand...

This is a photo of the mount on my Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4. Notice the metal plate covering the empty hole where Viltrox needed to have a microUSB port for their updates. If the Tokina lenses ever need an update, it will be delivered from the camera body, just like all the Fujinon and Zeiss Touit lenses.

Atsel said:

If you shoot landscapes lens imperfections shouldn't be really noticeable because of using smaller apertures. I wonder if you shot something else in 2020 using lenses wide open.

Click to expand...

I shoot both landscape and vintage buildings, in the past, occasionally wide open, but mostly at f5.6 or f8 and rarely beyond f8. This year I have done a lot of shooting wide open just for a change of pace. The photo below was shot with the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 STM at f8. This is one of the few photos I managed to save. I had to crop off a major portion of the left side to get rid of the CA laden trees, plainly visible even at f8. I went back to shooting jpegs instead of wasting time with excessive post-processing.





--
Bill S.
www.flickr.com/photos/wrs1946
“Sharpness is a bourgeois concept”
- Henri Cartier-Bresson -

I can’t/won’t comment on the newest Fuji lenses, but I have both the original 35 1.4 (which will need to be removed from my cold, dead hands) and recently picked up Fuji’s original 23 1.4 to replace my old f2 version (both of which predate the Viltrox option as far as I know - they certainly didn’t invent the 23mm focal length for Fuji).

They’re both great lenses, and both perform well on the X-Pro3, with the 35 in particular finally overcoming its performance problems on the earlier bodies. Other than the lack of weather resistance, there’s nothing that has me wanting to replace them.

The two focal lengths complement each other well in my view. HCB is right of course, they’re only a few steps apart, but while I probably have a preference for the 35 it’s just too close for some situations. The 23 is the better all-purpose walk around lens, and the 35 better used with intention.

bs1946 said:

Atsel said:

bs1946 said:

Atsel said:

Oregon Dawg said:

Atsel said:

the rest of us keep calm and carry Viltrox.

Click to expand...

This isn't a helpful comment, and you don't speak "for the rest of us."

Click to expand...

Sorry, the rest of me I mean. The lens (23/1.4) is quite good. Its firmware is updated regularly unlike Tokina's version of same lens. The AF speed and accuracy are told to be enhanced since its release in 2020 while Tokina didn't update its lens although it is detected as flash drive same like Viltrox. I didn't notice any issues with the initial firmware though.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what you mean as a flash drive like the Viltrox. One reason the Tokina lenses are more expensive is that they are licensed by Fujifilm and work with Fuji bodies just like native Fujinon lenses do.

bs1946 said:

I tested Fujinon 23/1.4 LM and found it to be sharper wide open at sides of the frame with less CA. Viltrox is perfect for landscapes only at f/8-f/11. I'm OK with that. AF sound of Viltrox is slightly audible while recording audio in quite place using internal microphone.

Click to expand...

Glad you mentioned CA because a couple years ago I bought the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 and 33mm f1.4 to use with the X-Pro2 I had at the time. They were quickly returned because most of my images had obvious CA, vignetting or both. Now I have the Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4 and ATX-m 56mm f1.4. I shoot mostly landscapes and do not have problems from CA or vignetting with either lens. You might want to think about why Viltrox keeps having to issue updates while Tokina has not. Of course, if you're willing to deal with the CA and vignetting, Viltrox's continuous dropping prices are not to be overlooked.

Click to expand...

I don't care about Tokina really because I have Viltrox.

I haven't seen any confirmation that Tokina really has something more than Viltrox and seen opposite indeed. Tokina lens also suffers from LoCA and PF, as confirmed by opticallimits/photozone test: https://www.opticallimits.com/fuji_x/1129-tokina56f14x?start=1 Nothing really different from Viltrox lens belonging to the same family: https://www.opticallimits.com/fuji_x/1090-viltrox33f14?start=1

Click to expand...

I could give you a long list of reviews that point out the differences between Tokina and Viltrox but it's simpler to ask; how many Tokina lenses have you actually used out in the real world?

Click to expand...

Well, speaking of this trio of lenses (23/33/56) I don't need to buy their overpriced products when Viltrox exists.

bs1946 said:

bs1946 said:

Viltrox also made lens profiles for correcting these problems in postprocessing: https://www.viltrox.com/NewsInfoCategory?categoryId=283419&PageInfoId=0 I didn't use it.

Click to expand...

Tokina hasn't needed to any more than Fuji has.

Click to expand...

Looking at purple fringing and LoCA wide open I can conclude it definetely needs.

bs1946 said:

bs1946 said:

Tokina has same microUSB port like Viltrox for firmware updates:

and even file structure on lens flash is the same.

Click to expand...

This is a photo of the mount on my Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4. Notice the metal plate covering the empty hole where Viltrox needed to have a microUSB port for their updates. If the Tokina lenses ever need an update, it will be delivered from the camera body, just like all the Fujinon and Zeiss Touit lenses.

Click to expand...

If you can't take off this plate to see microUSB port on your own copy of the lens I can't help.

bs1946 said:

bs1946 said:

If you shoot landscapes lens imperfections shouldn't be really noticeable because of using smaller apertures. I wonder if you shot something else in 2020 using lenses wide open.

Click to expand...

I shoot both landscape and vintage buildings, in the past, occasionally wide open, but mostly at f5.6 or f8 and rarely beyond f8. This year I have done a lot of shooting wide open just for a change of pace. The photo below was shot with the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 STM at f8. This is one of the few photos I managed to save. I had to crop off a major portion of the left side to get rid of the CA laden trees, plainly visible even at f8. I went back to shooting jpegs instead of wasting time with excessive post-processing.

Click to expand...

This photo is so blurry that it definetely should be deleted.

Bottom line: two brands, same factory, same initial version of the lens and firmware. Brand A has long history and made an agreement with camera producer. It is a managing decision, not engineering. That's all they did. Brand B relies on itself and constantly improves firmware of the lens.

It's not what things should be but they are.

bs1946 said:

Henri Cartier Bresson once said in a video interview that the one lens he didn't like was the 35mm and while did used other lenses, his most used lens was the 50mm. He is also credited with saying the only difference between 35mm and 50mm is a couple of steps forward or a couple of steps backward. Well in FujiLand the closest to full-frame 35mm and 50mm are the 23mm and 33mm.

Viltrox was first with their STM 23mm f1.4 and STM 33mm f1.4, Tokina has the ATX-M 23mm f1.4 and ATX-m 33mm f1.4, and now Fujifilm has released their FX 23mm f1.4 R LM WR to go along with the FX 33mm f1.4 R LM WR. So now Fuji x-mount users have three options for having a 23mm f1.4 or a 33mm f1.4 or both.

I have the Tokina ATX-m 33mm f1.4 and keep asking myself if there is any value in adding a 23mm f1.4. So what about the rest of you?

Click to expand...

I haven't voted because there isn't the good option (mine ): Combine the 33mm with the 18mm. 23 + 33 is too near for me. The 18mm is so good that you can crop to 23mm equivalent (1.25x crop) without noticing the loss in IQ.

In addition to the new 33 1.4 I have both the 23f2 and OG 23 1.4. Although I like the 23 1.4, I personally feel like the 23f2 is the perfect compliment to the 33. It has a field of view that is slightly wider than its 1.4 cousin and if I want more of a blurred background I'd prefer the compression of the 33mm focal length more. If I was to just have one I'd likely just have the 23 1.4 as it's almost always easier to take a couple steps forwards than backwards but considering how cheap the 23f2 is in the used market it's kind of a no brainer for me to have it in my kit.

I have the 23mm f1.4 and sometimes when I have a GAS attack, I want the 33mm f1.4.

Threaded said:

I can’t/won’t comment on the newest Fuji lenses, but I have both the original 35 1.4 (which will need to be removed from my cold, dead hands) and recently picked up Fuji’s original 23 1.4 to replace my old f2 version (both of which predate the Viltrox option as far as I know - they certainly didn’t invent the 23mm focal length for Fuji).

They’re both great lenses, and both perform well on the X-Pro3, with the 35 in particular finally overcoming its performance problems on the earlier bodies. Other than the lack of weather resistance, there’s nothing that has me wanting to replace them.

The two focal lengths complement each other well in my view. HCB is right of course, they’re only a few steps apart, but while I probably have a preference for the 35 it’s just too close for some situations. The 23 is the better all-purpose walk around lens, and the 35 better used with intention.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your comment. I learned photography (as a hobby) on a Nikon F and then FG, film cameras. And my main lens was always a 50mm, first an F/2 Ai and later a series E f/1.8. I used a 50mm for a long time, and so it's burned into my brain, it's the way I "see." But I also had a compact 35mm in the bag, which I always called my "wide angle" and would use it for things like group shots, or a scene I could not fit with my 50. But I'd say I used the 50 about 90% of the time and only thought about the 35 when something happened where I needed it.

Anyhow, I agree with your take on the two lenses. I currently only have the 33mm f/1.4 at the moment, but I'm an old dawg that does think the 23mm f/1.4 would compliment the 33mm depending on one's usage. I've also shot 28mm-e over the years, and it also would compliment 50mm-e, but for whatever reason 35mm-e is easier for me. I guess I like the "normal range" of 35-55mm.

Fuji Maine said:

In addition to the new 33 1.4 I have both the 23f2 and OG 23 1.4. Although I like the 23 1.4, I personally feel like the 23f2 is the perfect compliment to the 33. It has a field of view that is slightly wider than its 1.4 cousin and if I want more of a blurred background I'd prefer the compression of the 33mm focal length more. If I was to just have one I'd likely just have the 23 1.4 as it's almost always easier to take a couple steps forwards than backwards but considering how cheap the 23f2 is in the used market it's kind of a no brainer for me to have it in my kit.

Click to expand...

This is a good approach! I've read some articles online where some folks like to pair the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 and the 23mm f/2. They give different experiences not just with the focal length, but also the aperture.

I had the 18mm f1.4 but had a 'GAS attack' recently and have added the 33mm f1.4 and 23mm f1.4. My intention is to sell the 18mm and use the 23mm as my 'wide-angle' for documentary, family shots etc, and use the 33mm with the 16-80 for when I travel.

I prefer 23mm to 18mm as find it more versatile, and also not a fan of the more loose aperture and focus rings on the 18mm, while on the 23/33mm it's perfect.

It may be that the 33mm is too close to the 23mm and I can use the 23mm in its place, in which case I'll get rid of the 33mm too, as I also have the 56mm.

astonehouse said:

I had the 18mm f1.4 but had a 'GAS attack' recently and have added the 33mm f1.4 and 23mm f1.4. My intention is to sell the 18mm and use the 23mm as my 'wide-angle' for documentary, family shots etc, and use the 33mm with the 16-80 for when I travel.

I prefer 23mm to 18mm as find it more versatile, and also not a fan of the more loose aperture and focus rings on the 18mm, while on the 23/33mm it's perfect.

It may be that the 33mm is too close to the 23mm and I can use the 23mm in its place, in which case I'll get rid of the 33mm too, as I also have the 56mm.

Click to expand...

That is an awesome GAS attack, I tip my hat to you!

I know what you mean about 28mm-e vs 35mm-e. 50mm-e has always been my "main lens," mostly because in my film years that's the only lens I had, and I just "see" best with a 50mm. Since I have shot digital, because of the conventional wisdom that 35 is too close to 50, I've tried pairing 28 and 24, but they're too wide for me. That's on me, I just don't see in wide very well. On paper, a 24 or 28 pairs very well with a 50, just not for me. So, I bought a 23mm f/2 and I'm glad I did. 35 is indeed similar to 50, but that's what makes it work well for me. When I use the 23 it's kind of like having a "wide 50." I also agree that it's versatile, but mostly for me it feels more natural to use, similar to the 50. I'm looking forward to getting out with it.

Others have described pairing the 16-80 with a prime, I like that notion, especially for travel. If I ever manage to travel, the 16-80 will be primed for a GAS attack.

Delayed response.

I have the 33/1.4 and the 23/2 (sorry, that option wasn't on the ballot). I'm usually using the 33mm (when I'm in a prime state of mind). However, if I know I will be indoors or at a market or somewhere that I might not be able to take a few steps back I like the 23/2, which is really more like a 21mm. It's smaller size helps me feel less noticed, regardless of whether that's true or not.

I am considering one of the 18's again at some point. Maybe the 18/2 on the XT30-II for a small street-ish setup with the 33 mounted on the XT3. Although the new 18/1.4 isn't huge, I don't really want any other larger primes as the 33 is just small enough.

I may have rambled on a little there, . . . sorry.

I once heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If that's true, when it comes to photography, I am definitely insane. I keep buying and selling the same cameras and lenses over and over again. I was sitting with the Fuji 16mm f2.8, 23mm f2, 35mm f2, and 50mm f2, plus an assortment of those cheap Chinese manual lenses in the same focal lengths, along with a set of high quality iBerit lenses, again in the same focal lengths. I had around 20 lenses between 16mm and 50mm and most of them were 23mm or 35mm. One thing I did learn was my 16mm and 23mm lenses were the least used and my 35mm and 50mm were the most used.

So I attempted to break the mode by getting the 33mm f1.4, a focal length I never had, and in my case Tokina. I also downsized to an X-T2 and that was the plan, one body with one lens. But, the power of the GAS kept getting stronger and stronger, so I added the Tokina 56mm. At least it was another focal length I never had. I know that I don't really need a 23mm and I haven't actually missed not having one, but there's that GAS again, saying get the Tokina 23mm, get the Tokina 23mm. So far I've resisted, but the GAS is growing stronger again.

Robmas4229 said:

Delayed response.

I have the 33/1.4 and the 23/2 (sorry, that option wasn't on the ballot). I'm usually using the 33mm (when I'm in a prime state of mind). However, if I know I will be indoors or at a market or somewhere that I might not be able to take a few steps back I like the 23/2, which is really more like a 21mm. It's smaller size helps me feel less noticed, regardless of whether that's true or not.

I am considering one of the 18's again at some point. Maybe the 18/2 on the XT30-II for a small street-ish setup with the 33 mounted on the XT3. Although the new 18/1.4 isn't huge, I don't really want any other larger primes as the 33 is just small enough.

I may have rambled on a little there, . . . sorry.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the delayed response. This is the approach I'm taking as well, the 33mm f/1.4 is my main, large and expensive lens. The 23mm f/2 is a secondary lens, and when I have it on my X-T4 I all its my version of an X100 camera. I think the two lenses complement each other (for me). It also helps that the lenses are different, that I"m not over-thinking which f/1.4 lens to use, lol. Having different focal lengths, but also different apertures is a nice feature (for me).

I always seem to be rambling, lol. No worries.