X mount 23mm Sharpness Test

[Pennyfan]

I have not done any test chart shooting since becoming a Fuji guy, simply because there are much less lens sample variations in XF line (compares to Sony).
Upon arrival of my new Viltrox AF 23mm f1.2 STM, I have 3 lenses covered this focal length, I thought why not make a 23mm X mount lenses sharpness comparison before I sell the old XF23?

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For those who is interested to see a full resolution version of this test result, you can download the PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkuaXiZ9Tdg6hc3AxtNvldvmF5GSRfts/view?usp=drivesdk

Some conclusions here:

Sharpness: XF23mm f1.4 is sharp across the whole frame, but Viltrox won centre sharpness wide open, while the sides and extreme corners are very soft until f2.8 and gets a lot better past f4. XF23mm f2 is simply a slightly weaker version of its f1.4 sibling.

Build Quality: Viltrox is no way on par with Fuji, but well made considered its price, and I actually don’t mind its click less aperture ring as it turns quite tight.

AF Speed: Fuji’s 23mm f2 is the fastest among the 3, with Viltrox comes in 2nd, noticeable better than XF23 f1.4 and a lot quieter.

I also noticed the Viltrox is a little narrower than XF23 f1.4 and the f2 version is a bit wider in term of field of view.

XF23mm f1.4 is indeed a superior lens overall, but I bought the Viltrox for its center sharpness wide open and faster AF speed, hope FUJIFILM will update their old prime lenses sooner, especially the 23mm, 35mm and 56mm.

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http://www.instagram.com/pennyfan.photography

 

[Rightsaidfred]

...
Upon arrival of my new Viltrox AF 23mm f1.2 STM, I have 3 lenses covered this focal length, I thought why not make a 23mm X mount lenses sharpness comparison before I sell the old XF23

...

For those who is interested to see a full resolution version of this test result, you can download the PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkuaXiZ9Tdg6hc3AxtNvldvmF5GSRfts/view?usp=drivesdk

Wow what a great design of test chart results. Many thanks.

Some conclusions here:

Sharpness: XF23mm f1.4 is sharp across the whole frame, but Viltrox won centre sharpness wide open, while the sides and extreme corners are very soft until f2.8 and gets a lot better past f4.

Second your statement on the Viltrox. Here's my review: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64341161

I just lack the XF references so I could not make these direct comparisons. Much appreciated!

...

Build Quality: Viltrox is ... well made considered its price, and I actually don’t mind its click less aperture ring as it turns quite tight.

Agree.

...

... bought the Viltrox for its center sharpness wide open and faster AF speed, hope FUJIFILM will update their old prime lenses sooner, especially the 23mm, 35mm and 56mm.

Agree.

Many thanks!

Cheers,

Martin

 

[a_c_skinner]

What was the distance to the test chart? Apologies if I've overlooked that but the 23/2 makes that interesting.

FWIW my conclusion is there isn't a fat lot between them.

 

[alekt449]

Very good test! Thank you. Interesting also that in the side and corners the Viltrox gives pinkish colors and the fuji lenses more greenish cast. Is this due to color reproduction of the lenses or WB shift?

 

[baobob]

I am most pleased with my 23mm f 2 provided you avoid proxy photo at f 2

 

[EOS GUY]

XF23mm f2 is simply a slightly weaker version of its f1.4 sibling.

Could you expand on that please?

Cheers

--
My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/photonicstreetdreams/
The earth laughs in flowers.
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson
Above all else, peacefulness, love and harmony.
- Noel Shoestring

 

[mike_7891]

It’s less sharp wide open, and also at the corners at most apertures.

XF23mm f2 is simply a slightly weaker version of its f1.4 sibling.

Could you expand on that please?

Cheers

--
My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/photonicstreetdreams/
The earth laughs in flowers.
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson
Above all else, peacefulness, love and harmony.

 

[EOS GUY]

It’s less sharp wide open, and also at the corners at most apertures.

XF23mm f2 is simply a slightly weaker version of its f1.4 sibling.

Could you expand on that please?

Cheers

So not as good for architecture or landscapes?

 

[a_c_skinner]

No, it is really good. Only close up and wide open is poor, hence me asking the OP about target distance.

 

[EOS GUY]

No, it is really good. Only close up and wide open is poor, hence me asking the OP about target distance.

Yeah I know I own it and find it excellent (with good shot technique if you don't have IBIS of course. )

 

[Rightsaidfred]

...

FWIW my conclusion is there isn't a fat lot between them.

Well a full f-stop, if you mean the Viltrox vs the XF 23 mm f/2!

That's a lot in some situations.

 

[Pennyfan]

What was the distance to the test chart? Apologies if I've overlooked that but the 23/2 makes that interesting.

FWIW my conclusion is there isn't a fat lot between them.

About a metre or so. I am aware of close distance softness for the XF23 f2, but I think that distance should be fine.

 

[Pennyfan]

Very good test! Thank you. Interesting also that in the side and corners the Viltrox gives pinkish colors and the fuji lenses more greenish cast. Is this due to color reproduction of the lenses or WB shift?

I am not sure, it could be the vignetting or WB shift, I should’ve use a custom WB.

 

[Pennyfan]

XF23mm f2 is simply a slightly weaker version of its f1.4 sibling.

Could you expand on that please?

Cheers

According to my test result, the XF23 f1.4 is sharper than f2 version at same aperture, roughly XF23f2@f4 = XF23f1.4@f2

--
http://www.instagram.com/pennyfan.photography

 

[a_c_skinner]

Thanks. A really interesting test and much less difference than I'd feared (as a 23/2 owner!).

 

[Street_Photography]

Thanks for posting the review. My mind was already made up about this one. But I hope someone does something like this with the 3 or 4 Fuji 50/56 lenses and the Viltrox 56. So far the indication I have seen is that it will be a similar story. I am not too into sharpness though, so would love to see the CA test someone does with a ruler and a bokeh test or two.

 

[Rightsaidfred]

Thanks for posting the review.

Second this! Great!

My mind was already made up about this one. But I hope someone does something like this with the 3 or 4 Fuji 50/56 lenses and the Viltrox 56.

Me too!

So far the indication I have seen is that it will be a similar story. I am not too into sharpness though, so would love to see the CA test someone does with a ruler

What test is this? Please let me know.

and a bokeh test or two.

Cheers,

Martin

 

[Holden75]

This is a great resource, thanks for posting.

I had the Fuji f1.4 and f2. I sold the f2 after lots of testing in the real world and I did post my thoughts up on this forum. Even though the f2 was had a little faster af I didn't find it was fast enough to get shots I wouldn't have got with the f1.4. the only thing I found it was better in terms of af was being able to use af-c mode, which I don't use. I was expecting the viltrox to be better then the f2 in terms of af from some of the reviews I've read so thanks again for sharing

 

[Pennyfan]

Thanks. A really interesting test and much less difference than I'd feared (as a 23/2 owner!).

Did you take a look at the PDF?

I found the different is larger than what I expected, Viltrox is much sharper at centre almost all the time. When I looked back to my photos I never happy with the environmental portrait I took with XF23 f1.4, that's why I decided to give Viltrox a try.

 

[Pennyfan]

Thanks for posting the review. My mind was already made up about this one. But I hope someone does something like this with the 3 or 4 Fuji 50/56 lenses and the Viltrox 56. So far the indication I have seen is that it will be a similar story. I am not too into sharpness though, so would love to see the CA test someone does with a ruler and a bokeh test or two.

I agree with you, I don't really mind vignetting or flare, but CA is a pain with these third party lenses and sometime hard to correct in post process.