Viltrox 23mm 1.4 vs Fuji 23mm f2 - Sample Images and Thoughts

Well, I bought a used Fuji 23mm f2 after I was unhappy with the Viltrox 1.4. Results were a bit surprising. Viltrox 23mm is noticeably sharper at f2 in the center but much softer near the edges.

Ive noticed a strange issue with the Viltrox which Ive mentioned in other posts. If I take multiple shots so: Press shutter, keep composition, press shutter again. The last shots are usually MUCH sharper than the first, making me believe there is an issue with AF.

Im torn because I love the size and handling of the Fuji, Viltrox at 1.4 for me isnt super usable but its nice to have, and its sharper at f2 in the center. So a trade off of size and handling for the ability to shoot at 1.4 if needed, nut mainly I would be keeping it at f2.

Let me know your guys thoughts. These aren't scientific by any means, and I still have time to return the Viltrox so I may do more tests.

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Center Crop

Near Edge Crop

Near Edge Crop

Heres two full size images to compare, both have had the exposure "equalized" using Auto exposure in light room. quite a bit in difference of rendering of colors.
I lean to preferring Fujis rending. Focus was on the island IIRC

Heres two more that really show off the difference in rendering. To me the Fuji has more "pop" for lack of a better word. Both auto exposure in LR again.

Spazmaster wrote:

Heres two full size images to compare, both have had the exposure "equalized" using Auto exposure in light room. quite a bit in difference of rendering of colors.
I lean to preferring Fujis rending. Focus was on the island IIRC

Heres two more that really show off the difference in rendering. To me the Fuji has more "pop" for lack of a better word. Both auto exposure in LR again.

In the first shot you got some side light from the sun that makes the texture pop. The second is flatter lighting.

While that is definitely possible, the shots were taken less than a second apart.

Heres two more. Its interesting that despite using the Lightroom Auto exposure the Fuji photos are coming out much darker.

Also interesting to note is just how much and how fast the Viltrox sharpness falls off. Look at the edges of the logs compared to the Fuji.

In this case I prefer the brighter rendering of the Viltrox, though the sharpness is terrible on the edges of the log.

Wide open V 23/1.4

sample 1

sample 2

sample 3

sample 4

sample 5 (with CA)

I must say that for the price it isn't bad but it isn't perfect either. I am used to the GFX lenses now so my personal bar is a little high. YMMV

Spazmaster wrote:

Well, I bought a used Fuji 23mm f2 after I was unhappy with the Viltrox 1.4. Results were a bit surprising. Viltrox 23mm is noticeably sharper at f2 in the center but much softer near the edges.

Ive noticed a strange issue with the Viltrox which Ive mentioned in other posts. If I take multiple shots so: Press shutter, keep composition, press shutter again. The last shots are usually MUCH sharper than the first, making me believe there is an issue with AF.

Im torn because I love the size and handling of the Fuji, Viltrox at 1.4 for me isnt super usable but its nice to have, and its sharper at f2 in the center. So a trade off of size and handling for the ability to shoot at 1.4 if needed, nut mainly I would be keeping it at f2.

Let me know your guys thoughts. These aren't scientific by any means, and I still have time to return the Viltrox so I may do more tests.

Not surprising at all. Read my thread on this exact test:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4494192

CAcreeks wrote:

HatWearingFool wrote:

Spazmaster wrote:

Heres two full size images to compare, both have had the exposure "equalized" using Auto exposure in light room. quite a bit in difference of rendering of colors.
I lean to preferring Fujis rending. Focus was on the island IIRC

Something is wrong here. Despite 1/5800 shutter speed,* the camera is moving left to right during the exposure. Take a look at several water birds on the left side. That kind of destroys any sharpness in the greenery, I think.

* exiftool says 1/5800, DPreview says 1/6400

Definitely some wonky camera movement there. It looks like left to right in a couple of places but given how sharp the centre is you would think it would be rotational movement.

[two more shots of iron bar and concrete post

In the first shot you got some side light from the sun that makes the texture pop. The second is flatter lighting.

Yes, and exposure (shutter speeed) was different.

Its possible I suppose, but its not like I was spinning in circles when I took the shot. I think its just that soft. center is plenty sharp in that shot.

Its hard to keep making excuses when the Fuji just seems to hit much more often, which was sort of in line with my initial impressions of the Viltrox. Yes you can get nice results, but more often then not theres just something off.

I have many more portraits taken with the Viltrox and a lot of them the focus missed or the subject is super glowey. I would post them but they are personal and the subject would prefer not.

Very well done test that shows the weakness of the Viltrox on bordres in a real life shooting Bravo !

The only weaknes of the Xf which is well known is softness wide open at the minimal focus distance If want to do that either stop down or increase the FD Then the lens is again super sharp

Here is another shot at 1.4, I realize this isnt a scene you would normally shoot at 1.4 but it shows just how soft it is. Look at the left third of the image.
Ran through X-transformer

CAcreeks wrote:

HatWearingFool wrote:

Something is wrong here. Despite 1/5800 shutter speed,* the camera is moving left to right during the exposure. Take a look at several water birds on the left side. That kind of destroys any sharpness in the greenery, I think.

* exiftool says 1/5800, DPreview says 1/6400

Definitely some wonky camera movement there. It looks like left to right in a couple of places but given how sharp the centre is you would think it would be rotational movement.

Nah, the center is not sharp. This is only 200% zoom and it's easy to see that all the white flowers are wider than they are tall, indicating sideways camera shake.

Added: actually the XF 23/2 shows similar horizontal length, so I'm probably wrong.

Only a 200% zoom... hahahah.