Sigma 56mm f1.4 vs Viltrox 56mm f1.4 IQ Comparison

GMacF

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I was waiting for an X-mount comparison for these two lenses but got fed up waiting so I did my own :-) (I also threw in a few shots from the 16-55 just for giggles)
I can't do a side by side with the XF 50 f2 as I no longer own it however below is a link to a thread where I compared it to the Viltrox, so it may provide some reference:
Viltrox 56mm vs XF 50mm f2

I only just received the Sigma this morning so I'm no position to offer any sort of review as of yet so I won't ramble on.

My gallery uploads are below:

Comparison shots

Just a good old brick (or in my case stone) wall and looking purely at sharpness and contrast. Once I have actually put the Sigma through its paces I will hopefully be able to compare AF performance, Bokeh etc etc.

The TL;DR -
  • Sigma is considerably better than the Viltrox at wider apertures
  • Viltrox closes up around f4 and from f5.6 they are fairly similar
  • Sigma is on par with the XF 16-55 throughout the frame from f2.8 right through to f8
  • One thing I did note was the MF on the Sigma was much easier to control than the Viltrox. With the Viltrox, especially at f1.4, the MF is pretty much 'blink and you miss it' whereas the Sigma has a nice slow and precise focus. I would imagine this could make for some lovely focus pulls but I'm not a video person so I've no idea!
 
I was waiting for an X-mount comparison for these two lenses but got fed up waiting so I did my own :-) (I also threw in a few shots from the 16-55 just for giggles)
I can't do a side by side with the XF 50 f2 as I no longer own it however below is a link to a thread where I compared it to the Viltrox, so it may provide some reference:
Viltrox 56mm vs XF 50mm f2

I only just received the Sigma this morning so I'm no position to offer any sort of review as of yet so I won't ramble on.

My gallery uploads are below:

Comparison shots

Just a good old brick (or in my case stone) wall and looking purely at sharpness and contrast. Once I have actually put the Sigma through its paces I will hopefully be able to compare AF performance, Bokeh etc etc.

The TL;DR -
  • Sigma is considerably better than the Viltrox at wider apertures
  • Viltrox closes up around f4 and from f5.6 they are fairly similar
  • Sigma is on par with the XF 16-55 throughout the frame from f2.8 right through to f8
  • One thing I did note was the MF on the Sigma was much easier to control than the Viltrox. With the Viltrox, especially at f1.4, the MF is pretty much 'blink and you miss it' whereas the Sigma has a nice slow and precise focus. I would imagine this could make for some lovely focus pulls but I'm not a video person so I've no idea!
Sigma trio has an excellent reputation and rightly so, I'm with 30 at the moment and extremely happy 😀
 
There is no comparison between the terrible Viltrox (not surprising considering the amazing price) and the stunning Sigma (bargain) imho. The Fuji is great, but a bit boring once you have experienced the Sigma imho.
 
  • One thing I did note was the MF on the Sigma was much easier to control than the Viltrox. With the Viltrox, especially at f1.4, the MF is pretty much 'blink and you miss it' whereas the Sigma has a nice slow and precise focus. I would imagine this could make for some lovely focus pulls but I'm not a video person so I've no idea!
-I found the MF pretty awful actually - way, way to slow gearing (and the 30mm is even worse..) The only way I found MF barely useable is to auto-focus, then fine-tune with MF if needed. In full MF I find it much too slow and almost impossible to use.. (Fortunately, I bought this lens for its IQ + AF abilities, so all good.. I have other lenses for MF..) - But loving this lens for it's IQ + size & weight + AF..
 
  • One thing I did note was the MF on the Sigma was much easier to control than the Viltrox. With the Viltrox, especially at f1.4, the MF is pretty much 'blink and you miss it' whereas the Sigma has a nice slow and precise focus. I would imagine this could make for some lovely focus pulls but I'm not a video person so I've no idea!
-I found the MF pretty awful actually - way, way to slow gearing (and the 30mm is even worse..) The only way I found MF barely useable is to auto-focus, then fine-tune with MF if needed. In full MF I find it much too slow and almost impossible to use.. (Fortunately, I bought this lens for its IQ + AF abilities, so all good.. I have other lenses for MF..) - But loving this lens for it's IQ + size & weight + AF..
Yeah fair point. I’m not a big MF user so for me the fine tuning aspect is what I use most and in this regard I find it excellent. As you say, for big pulls it may get a bit annoying after a while.
 
There is no comparison between the terrible Viltrox (not surprising considering the amazing price) and the stunning Sigma (bargain) imho. The Fuji is great, but a bit boring once you have experienced the Sigma imho.
I found the Viltrox excellent for what it costs ~£240 in the UK. Indeed, it was so good I was convinced to keep it and sell the XF 50mm f2 which is something I said I’d never do. Centre sharpness I found almost comparable but the f1.4 is great.

The Sigma is indeed a good bit better but for some a £240 Viltrox (even less if you buy used) may still be a better buy for them if budget doesn’t stretch to £379 for the Sigma.

Again, that’s why I did the comparison. People can decide for themselves if the quality differences are worth approx £130.
 
Hey, which lens do you prefer or suggest? Sigma 56 or viltrox 56. I'm really confused between the two and couldn't find a comparison of these on a fuji body.

Thanks

Jay
 
Hey, which lens do you prefer or suggest? Sigma 56 or viltrox 56. I'm really confused between the two and couldn't find a comparison of these on a fuji body.

Thanks

Jay
I'm wary of re-hashing what I've already said above Jay. Bottom line the Sigma is the better lens, of that there's no dispute (for me anyway).

As I previously mentioned, here in the UK you're looking at an approx £100-£120 premium for the Sigma over the Viltrox and only you know if that's worth it for you. For me it absolutely was worth the extra.

The Viltrox is no slouch and it's great value for money but the Sigma is better.
 
I just wished the Viltrox had WR and I wish the sigma had a aperture ring. I want to sell the 50 f2 and maybe pick up the 56 1.2
 
I just wished the Viltrox had WR and I wish the sigma had a aperture ring. I want to sell the 50 f2 and maybe pick up the 56 1.2
Unfortunately the 56 f/1.2 isn't WR either, nice aperture ring though. With all these new 56mm offerings now being available, there ought to be some good used deals on the original Fuji 56. It's a quirky lens, but I love mine. It's definitely sharper across the frame and has a much nicer rendering than my (also my very nice) 16-55.
 
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