Viltrox 13/1.4 user review. Best UWA for Fujifilm cameras :)

Hello everyone!

It's been 8 months since I got Viltrox 13/1.4 and I've used it many times during various scenarios, so I think it's about time to write my review of this lens - from user experience.
For a technical/lab review, I refer you to read test from lenstip.com, where You will find all the numbers and charts You need, plus many good quality sample images, so You will get very detailed idea of technical IQ of Viltrox 13/1.4

Currently in Fuji X lineup, Viltrox 13/1.4 has two - lets say - "direct competitors": Fujinon 14/2.8 and Fujinon 16/1.4
I don't have and never had used XF 14/2.8, but I do own and I've used a lot XF 16/1.4, so I will reffer in this review to Fujinon XF 16/1.4 when I will do some comparisons.

As you all probably already know - Viltrox 13/1.4 is just superb in almost every way.
It is rally hard to find any significant flaws in this lens.
Build quality is very good, but not as good as Viltrox 27/1.2 or newest Fuji f/1.4 18/23/33 primes.
Althought, if I would saw sign "Fujinon" on this lens, I would have the impression that it is native glass from Fuji, but with slightly less good build quality
Aperture ring turns quite smoothly with noticeable clicks, but not as smoothly and with premium feel like in Viltrox 27/1.2
Still, sagnificatly better than Fujinon Xf 16/1.4, which has almost no resistance on aperture ring, and because of that in XF 16/1.4 I do very often changed aperture value by accident.
Viltrox 13/1.4 has no weather sealing of any kind. Shame.
Aperture blades are extremely quiet, same as AF motor which is blazing fast and very, very accurate for static subjects (more on that later)

Technical image quality: 9/10
This lens is very sharp in the center even wide open (way more sharp than XF 16/1.4), but stopped down to f/f2.8 is tack sharp corner to corner.
@ f/5.6 both Viltrox 13/1.4 and XF 16/1.4 are super sharp in whole frame.
In my sample images below, all presented portraits are without any sharpening, so anyone can download these photos and sharpen them with their favorite program, up to everyone taste.
Both those lenses @ f/5.6 has very equal and very high acutance across the frame - perfect for landscapes.
Viltrox 13/1.4 has almost zero CA, LoCA, and distortion.
Vignette is quite strong at f/1.4, but stopped down to f/5.6 is basically gone.
I find that Viltrox 13/1.4 produces slightly colder color, compared to XF 16/1.4
Not a big deal, but still - some WB adjustments has to be done if You care about color consistency in Your images.

There are two real issues with Viltrox 13/1.4
First is flare resistance - it's rather medicore. In this category, XF 16/1.4 is sagnificatly better.
Second flaw is light transmission.
Seems like, Viltrox 13/1.4 gathers 2/3 EV less light, than Fujinon XF 16/1.4 (check my sample images below)
So in practice when it comes to FOV and light gathering, then Viltrox 13/1.4 is like 20/1.8 lens (in FF terms)
I'm surprised that no reviewer mentioned this before.
Bokeh/rendering.. well, it's very subjective.
I would say, that for me rendering from Viltrox 13/1.4 is boring. Nothing to write home about rally.
Rendering is clinical and smooth, lacks of any character and it does not procude that soft, vintage look like from XF 16/1.4 (which rendering I'm big fan)

Below I did direct A/B comparsion, how both Viltrox 13/1.4 and Fujinon XF 16/1.4 resolves on 40Mpix X-Trans V sensor. These are SOOC files, with default .jpg settings

Viltrox 13/1.4



Fujinon XF 16/1.4



(Please notice how darker (and colder) is image from Viltrox 13/1.4, compared to XF 16/1.4)

I did equalize both images in C1, with my usual workflow (I-XT, C1, Topaz Sharpen AI), and I've opened shadows to bring back some details in mid tones.

Viltrox 13/1.4 processed with Topaz Sharpen AI



Fujinon XF 16/1.4 processed with Topaz Sharpen AI



Here is FOV comparison between 13mm and 16mm



Below I cropped Viltrox 13/1.4 to 16mm FOV, next I did upscaling in C1 to 40Mpix, and sharpen image in Topaz Sharpen AI



Bokeh comparison:





Minimal focus distance comparison:





Now, when it comes to autofocus.. I've used Viltrox 13/1.4 mostly in AF-S, and in this mode accuracy is perfect.
I can't remember situation, when I've image out of focus when using Viltrox 13/1.4 with my X-H2
No matter if this is extremely hard lighting conditions (like in concerts), or face detection during portrait session, or focusing on infinity - autofocus in Viltrox 13/1.4 is always spot on.
I don't trust Fuji AF-C at all, so I used this lens in af-c very rarely.. I can't say objectively whether autofocus in AF-C is reliable.
What is interesting however, is that AF in the Viltrox 13/1.4 is much, much more reliable than in the XF 16/1.4 when focusing on infinity.
Everyone probably knows about this infamous AF issue with Fujifilm cameras, when autofocus in AF-S mode was inconsistant when focusing on infinity while using wide angle lenses stopped down.
Fujifilm recently released firmware update, where they supposedly fixed this bug for their newest cameras.
Well.. from my experience, there is indeed some small improvement, but problem still exist and is very prominent.
Viltrox 13/1.4 however acts, like it is immune to this issue - where autofocus in XF 16/1.4 is rather not good (to say at least)
As a consolation, I will write that in other scenarios autofocus in XF 16/1.4 is rather reliable.
I recorded a video to showcase this phenomenon (please, pay attention to AF distance indicator in the bottom of LCD's)
Video shows:
X-T30II + Viltrox 13/1.4
X-T30II + XF 16/1.4
X-H2 + Viltrox 16/1.4
X-H2 + XF 16/1.4
At the moment of recording this video X-T30II has installed firmware ver. 2.04, and X-H2 has firmware ver. 4.00



As You can see, basically zero problems with AF in Vilrox 13/1.4
Well done Viltrox!

In summary, is Viltrox 13/1.4 is a good lens? Yes, definitely.
It is truly gem in Fujifilm lineup, with very few flaws which I've mentioned.
If You like this FL, just go get this lens - You want regret it - especially considering its price.
In my opinion this is currently best UWA prime for Fujifilm X system.
I will be selling Viltrox 13/1.4 though, only because this focal length is just not my cup of tea (it is too wide for my taste)
I've never before used this FL, so it was somewhat experiment for me, and after some time it turns out that I "feel" and like 16mm focal length way more.
This is why, at the end I will keep XF 16/1.4 instead of Viltrox 13/1.4, because I like 16/1.4 FL more, and I just LOVE it's rendering
When it comes to prehistoric AF in XF 16/1.4... well, for most cases it works good enough (for me at least)
By the time I will switch systems, XF 16/1.4 has to be enough for me as UWA lens.
I don't shoot video at all, so I don't care about AF-C or AF motor noise.
And when I want to use XF 16/1.4 for landscapes, I will take advantage of its clutch MF mechanism.
I will do manual focus for infinity and be gone with that.
It's wired, I know.. but manual focusing in XF 16/1.4 with it's clutch MF mechanism is somewhat comfortable, precise and easy/fast to use.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy my sample images of Viltrox 13/1.4

















































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My gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/maciej_k/

Very good and informative - well done. I must admit I've never had any AF issues with XF16/1.4 so if Vitrox is better then nobody should worry about it. I had a lot of situations when 16mm was not wide enough, but finally decided to go with zoom (XF8-16). I'm very impressed with Viltrox PRO line - finally bought both 27 and 75 (despite I have XF90) and I'm very happy. I was expecting much worse AF on 75/1.2, but with the latest FW it's really snappy lens.

When I remember the very first Viltrox primes for Fuji they were mediocre, but cheaper than native equivalents. Now Viltrox fills the lineup gaps with very good but still cheap lenses. I wish Viltrox good luck and hope for keeping this direction.

Cheers,

Artur

Thx Artur

I forget to put link to sample images .raf files, if someone would like to develop them with preferred software:

Regards Viltrox 27/1.2.. this lens is just 10/10 in almost every way.
Best standard prime I've ever had so far (with most interesting optical characteristics)
I'm about to write its review, but I need some time to get more nice images to showcase this gem

Hi Beat, thanks for sharing your review. You put quite some effort into it! Agree that it is a really cool piece of glass. Its IQ is excellent. With the flare you're right. But overall I absolutely love it.

I made a Lensfun lens correction profile for the Viltrox 13/1.4, see here, https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67188866

I am already curious about your upcoming review of the Viltrox 27/1.2 that you already assigned 10/10 I happily own both, the Viltrox 13 as well as the 27. I confirm the outstanding IQ. A certain disadvantage of the Viltrox 27/1.2 is its size and heftiness. Flare I did not test yet.

Cheers,

Martin

Hi Martin

Thx for link to Your correction profile of Viltrox 13/1.4

Is it working for Capture One? I find, that Viltrox 13/1.4 is hardly need any optical correction apart Vignette, but still I would like to take a look how it's working in C1

BTW, can You make a correction profiles of Viltrox 27/1.2? I find, that manufacturer profile embedded in this lens, is doing rather poor job for correcting vignette, which is very pronounced wide open. And tbh I'm not happy with my own attempts of manual correcting vignette from Viltrox 27/1.2 using layers and mask tools in Capture One..

SOOC .jpg from Viltrox 27/1.2 are coming out also with poorly corrected vignette. This is one of very few small flaws i find in this lens (spoiler alert ). But more on that layer on, in my upcoming review..

That's a lot of work Maciej! Great review and pics. When comparing against the 14mm, I found about 1/3 to 1/2 stops of light loss. In terms of best UWA, I think it has similar IQ to Fuji's 8mm and 8-16mm. When you take the price (brand new) into account, it's definitely a steal.

Nice write up and nice photos. Sorry not to detract from your post but maybe you or other owners can answer a question for me. I’m not sure if I have a defective copy or if maybe the following are just characteristics of the lens. I find when mine is stopped to 5.6 or more the exposure is off by about 1 stop and I have to add +1 EC. If I have +1 EC and half press it still meters wrong and would have to add even more. It’s consistent that the metering is off about 1 stop. Also when release the half press or take a photo it opens the aperture back up in “steps”. Very audible and quite slow almost a second. Thanks in advanced for any insight you can offer.



best regards

Matt

BeatX said:

Hi Martin

Thx for link to Your correction profile of Viltrox 13/1.4

Is it working for Capture One?

Click to expand...

I don't think so. It works for any converter that uses the Lensfun database, such as darktable. As far as I know, C1 does not use Lensfun.

Btw, my profile has been added to the Lensfun database.

BeatX said:

I find, that Viltrox 13/1.4 is hardly need any optical correction apart Vignette, but still I would like to take a look how it's working in C1

BTW, can You make a correction profiles of Viltrox 27/1.2?

Click to expand...

It exists. See https://lensfun.github.io/lenslist/

BeatX said:

I find, that manufacturer profile embedded in this lens, is doing rather poor job for correcting vignette, which is very pronounced wide open. And tbh I'm not happy with my own attempts of manual correcting vignette from Viltrox 27/1.2 using layers and mask tools in Capture One..

SOOC .jpg from Viltrox 27/1.2 are coming out also with poorly corrected vignette. This is one of very few small flaws i find in this lens (spoiler alert ). But more on that layer on, in my upcoming review.

Click to expand...

I often do not correct for vignetting because it looks good with many scenes.

The most serious vignetting case I ever had was the Laowa 9/2.8. Vignetting was dramatic and did not look great at all. I sold the lens and currently use the Laowa 9/5.6 FF with an adapter.

Cheers,

Martin

McWoodley said:

Nice write up and nice photos. Sorry not to detract from your post but maybe you or other owners can answer a question for me. I’m not sure if I have a defective copy or if maybe the following are just characteristics of the lens. I find when mine is stopped to 5.6 or more the exposure is off by about 1 stop and I have to add +1 EC. If I have +1 EC and half press it still meters wrong and would have to add even more. It’s consistent that the metering is off about 1 stop. Also when release the half press or take a photo it opens the aperture back up in “steps”. Very audible and quite slow almost a second. Thanks in advanced for any insight you can offer.

best regards

Matt

Click to expand...

I would advise to double check you have the latest firmware as I didn't have mine and focusing (not metering) was off.

McWoodley said:

Nice write up and nice photos. Sorry not to detract from your post but maybe you or other owners can answer a question for me. I’m not sure if I have a defective copy or if maybe the following are just characteristics of the lens. I find when mine is stopped to 5.6 or more the exposure is off by about 1 stop and I have to add +1 EC. If I have +1 EC and half press it still meters wrong and would have to add even more. It’s consistent that the metering is off about 1 stop. Also when release the half press or take a photo it opens the aperture back up in “steps”. Very audible and quite slow almost a second. Thanks in advanced for any insight you can offer.

best regards

Matt

Click to expand...

I’ve not seen anything like that with mine, it meters and exposes as you would expect with any lens. Are we talking about SOOC jpegs or RAWs? Can you share a full-size example problem shot with intact Exif data?

McWoodley said:

Nice write up and nice photos. Sorry not to detract from your post but maybe you or other owners can answer a question for me. I’m not sure if I have a defective copy or if maybe the following are just characteristics of the lens. I find when mine is stopped to 5.6 or more the exposure is off by about 1 stop and I have to add +1 EC. If I have +1 EC and half press it still meters wrong and would have to add even more. It’s consistent that the metering is off about 1 stop. Also when release the half press or take a photo it opens the aperture back up in “steps”. Very audible and quite slow almost a second. Thanks in advanced for any insight you can offer.

best regards

Matt

Click to expand...

It never happened in my copy.. Mechanically it works just flawless.

Sorry to say that, but it seems to me that Your copy is damaged. I would send it to service for warranty repairs ASAP.

Erik Baumgartner said:

McWoodley said:

Nice write up and nice photos. Sorry not to detract from your post but maybe you or other owners can answer a question for me. I’m not sure if I have a defective copy or if maybe the following are just characteristics of the lens. I find when mine is stopped to 5.6 or more the exposure is off by about 1 stop and I have to add +1 EC. If I have +1 EC and half press it still meters wrong and would have to add even more. It’s consistent that the metering is off about 1 stop. Also when release the half press or take a photo it opens the aperture back up in “steps”. Very audible and quite slow almost a second. Thanks in advanced for any insight you can offer.

best regards

Matt

Click to expand...

I’ve not seen anything like that with mine, it meters and exposes as you would expect with any lens. Are we talking about SOOC jpegs or RAWs? Can you share a full-size example problem shot with intact Exif data?

Click to expand...

Thanks Eric, the image would show anything other than looking a bit underexposed. I’d have to take a video of the back screen to show what it is going on. I have tried this on 3 bodies so thinking it’s a kens issue. Also tried different metering settings spot, center weighted etc.. What has me thinking it’s a kens issue is when I release a half press or take a photo and the lens opens back up it does it in audible steps and looking through the view finder or back it flashes dark to bright at each step which takes about 1-2 seconds. Lens has never been dropped and really not used all that much. I’ll contact Viltrox for repair. Other than this issue. I really like the lens.

BeatX said:

Hello everyone!

Currently in Fuji X lineup, Viltrox 13/1.4 has two - lets say - "direct competitors": Fujinon 14/2.8 and Fujinon 16/1.4
I don't have and never had used XF 14/2.8, but I do own and I've used a lot XF 16/1.4, so I will reffer in this review to Fujinon XF 16/1.4 when I will do some comparison...

Click to expand...

Hi!

I'd count Samyang 12/2 AF also as "direct competitor". There may be more, but this is what I use.

A s l a

Add me to the list of people thrilled with this lens!!!!











--
https://www.instagram.com/michaelfrederickphotography/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/159695193@N02/albums
Canon R6, Canon 16-35 F4, Sigma 40mm 1.4, Sigma 105 1.4,, and Tamron G2 70-200 2.8. Fuji X-H2 - Viltrox 13mm 1.4, 33mm 1.4 & 75mm 1.2 and Sigma 18-50 2.8

My Viltrox 13/1.4 has exactly the same characteristics as you described. I guess it is a fault as other owners do not appear to have the same issue. Have you sent your in for repair?

Asla said:

BeatX said:

Hello everyone!

Currently in Fuji X lineup, Viltrox 13/1.4 has two - lets say - "direct competitors": Fujinon 14/2.8 and Fujinon 16/1.4
I don't have and never had used XF 14/2.8, but I do own and I've used a lot XF 16/1.4, so I will reffer in this review to Fujinon XF 16/1.4 when I will do some comparison...

Click to expand...

Hi!

I'd count Samyang 12/2 AF also as "direct competitor". There may be more, but this is what I use.

A s l a

Click to expand...

Oh! Right.
I completely forget about this lens.
And not only me I suppose
It's probably because Viltrox 13/1.4 optically is just so much better in any metric, than Samyang 12/2
Viltrox 13/1.4 also has aperture ring, which is very appealing to Fuji X users.