Viltrox vs Fuji 23mm F1.4

[OrigamiCactus]

So recently i got a Fuji X-Pro2 kit with the 23mm, with the full intent to sell the 23mm to cover the costs, as i already have the 23mm Viltrox, which has very good reviews and has produced me some great images.

But now im torn.

On the logical side, i could sell the fuji one for 2x the cash, which would come in handy.

On the emotional side, the Fuji 23mm F1.4 + xpro is a legendary combo, and it feels more "magical".

The better autofocus of the viltrox plays no part in this equation, because on the x-pro2, they both hunt slightly, so they are both as speedy, one is not faster.

While i like the aperture ring of the viltrox more, and the more streamlined design, they both block the same amount of OVF, so no clear winner here.

So in conclusion, is there any reason for me to choose the newer Viltrox over the ancient but legend fuji one? I really want to stay with fuji, after seeing the photos the previous owner made with the lens+camera combo.

Bonus question, Fuji 23mm F2?

 

[Coldpaw]

Since you actually own both lenses in question, you are in fact the best person possible who could really answer it. If you are satisfied with the Viltrox and see no point in keeping the Fuji, you can use the extra cash to either buy a completely different lens or to offset some of your expenses for the X-Pro2.

People will have different opinions about all lenses, however to my knowledge the Fujifilm 23mm f1.4 is generally well regarded, while the Viltrox counterpart is often really only seen as the more budget friendly solution, while being optically inferior. Personally I can't say anything about either lens, since I actually pretty quickly decided for the often questioned 23mm f2 from Fujifilm: Cheaper than the f1.4 counterpart, smaller and lighter than both and weather resistent on top. Sure I give up the larger aperture and the "special character", but I prefer a smaller and lighter kit in my bag.

 

[oscarvdvelde]

From what I saw online, the Viltrox sometimes has very ring-like bokeh and may not be as sharp near edges wide open. Check it for your shooting scenarios. Sell only if you will not regret it.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightningwizard
http://www.lightningwizard.com

 

[Chandrahadi Junarto]

Never try the viltrox 23, but I'll not part with my xf23 1.4 that lens just gorgeous

as for the 23 wr, I just bought a couple days ago, so still not enough time to make a conclusion about that lens, but advantage over the 1.4 is: size, fast af & wr

So maybe I'll keep both, but if i only could keep one, easy winner: xf 23mm f1.4

 

[skalsa1]

Viltrox is a very nice lens for the price.. I love it especially on 16mpx sensor - those are taken with fuji xe2. Colors were not tweaked. What I dont like on newer bodies is aperture chattering (for example on fuji xh1) - intwrestingle the lens works like a charm on fuji xe2. On xh1 it tries to set exposure (preview of the image) smoothly so it constant charetters with aperture. So I keep this lens mainly for older fuji bodies - it is so sharp in the midle pf the grame it outperforms fuji sensor. Corners are very good stopped down.

 

[Rmcp20]

On the logical side, i could sell the fuji one for 2x the cash, which would come in handy.

This is logic!

On the emotional side, the Fuji 23mm F1.4 + xpro is a legendary combo, and it feels more "magical".

What is "feels more magical"?

The better autofocus of the viltrox plays no part in this equation, because on the x-pro2, they both hunt slightly, so they are both as speedy, one is not faster.

The better AF will play a part when you exchange cameras in the future.

While i like the aperture ring of the viltrox more, and the more streamlined design, they both block the same amount of OVF, so no clear winner here.

So in conclusion, is there any reason for me to choose the newer Viltrox over the ancient but legend fuji one? I really want to stay with fuji, after seeing the photos the previous owner made with the lens+camera combo.

Bonus question, Fuji 23mm F2?

So you are deciding to stay with a lens based on someone else photos, while you also have a lens that does exactly the same (probably he edited his photos, nothing lens related apart from focal lenght...)

By selling one of the 23mm 1.4s to by the Fuji 23mm f2, thats where your photos might become more limited, in DOF and noise, depending on the type of photography.

If the reason was because you liked the looks of the images from the Fuji lens more, or it was sharper here and there, etc... but no, you are saying this combo is magical because someone else took pictures with it that you like a lot!

Just trying to bring you back to reality

--
https://www.instagram.com/rui_porfirio/

 

[OrigamiCactus]

Thanks for the reality check. I still put the Viltrox up to for sale because it produces a nervous bokeh compared to fuji, i finally went out and compared both of the lenses.

But otherwise for the price it can't be beaten, Viltrox is a really good lowlight lens for example.

I'm also thinking of maybe selling the fuji 1.4, because it weights a lot, if i got the fuji 23 F2 i would have a lighter combo that blocks less of the ovf, and i would gain weather resistance on top if that.

 

[thxbb12]

So in conclusion, is there any reason for me to choose the newer Viltrox over the ancient but legend fuji one? I really want to stay with fuji, after seeing the photos the previous owner made with the lens+camera combo.

Bonus question, Fuji 23mm F2?

After owning all 3 lenses, here is my take on it: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64344261

 

[OrigamiCactus]

So in conclusion, is there any reason for me to choose the newer Viltrox over the ancient but legend fuji one? I really want to stay with fuji, after seeing the photos the previous owner made with the lens+camera combo.

Bonus question, Fuji 23mm F2?

After owning all 3 lenses, here is my take on it: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64344261

--
Florent
http://flickr.com/photos/thxbb12/

Thank you. I'm going the same way, i was thinking of selling the Vitrox, but after 1v1 with fuji i chose the viltrox, partly because of the same issues you told. Now i was thinking of the Fuji F2, but i think I'll just skip it after reading your post, Viltrox is small enough.

 

[pseudobreccia]

So recently i got a Fuji X-Pro2 kit with the 23mm, with the full intent to sell the 23mm to cover the costs, as i already have the 23mm Viltrox, which has very good reviews and has produced me some great images.

But now im torn.

On the logical side, i could sell the fuji one for 2x the cash, which would come in handy.

On the emotional side, the Fuji 23mm F1.4 + xpro is a legendary combo, and it feels more "magical".

The better autofocus of the viltrox plays no part in this equation, because on the x-pro2, they both hunt slightly, so they are both as speedy, one is not faster.

While i like the aperture ring of the viltrox more, and the more streamlined design, they both block the same amount of OVF, so no clear winner here.

So in conclusion, is there any reason for me to choose the newer Viltrox over the ancient but legend fuji one? I really want to stay with fuji, after seeing the photos the previous owner made with the lens+camera combo.

Bonus question, Fuji 23mm F2?

The only way that the Fujifilm 23mmF1.4 is ancient...is if you are a child! Get real!

 

[OrigamiCactus]

Text

The only way that the Fujifilm 23mmF1.4 is ancient...is if you are a child! Get real!

 

[biza43]

On the emotional side, the Fuji 23mm F1.4 + xpro is a legendary combo

Says who?

, and it feels more "magical".

If you say so.

Bonus question, Fuji 23mm F2?

Go out and shoot, look at the images, and decide.

 

[Street_Photography]

If they are both approximately equal to you sell the Fuji. Otherwise, this is a good excuse for a comparison. How about a photo of each outdoors with bokeh at f1.4 (ideally sunny to expose the Viltrox CA) and a photo which is similar to what you normally shoot e.g. an environmental portrait at f5.6. Then put it to a vote and let the forum (fail to) point out "magic", "pop" etc...

Personally I would sell both as I don't need f1.4 in a wide lens. Then get a used 27mm for ~$100, unless the new one is available where you are, (it is near me for $240 split from a kit) and then get a 35mm f1.4 (or Viltrox 33mm) or 18mm f2 or whatever else you want with the savings. The 27mm is great on the X Pro 2 at ~83g and the new version has WR (might be 90g).

If you want to stick with 23mm I would still sell both and get the 23mm f2 for the WR faster focus and shape made that way to match the camera's OVF.

 

[mfoto]

I have a review of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R here if you are interested. I have lots of shots with the X-Pro2. With that said I recently sold due to the fact that I got the XF 18mm f/1.4 R. The XF 23, however, is still a strong performer, especially if you can find one second-hand.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R review - 5050 Travelog

 

[Joachim Gerstl]

Hi,

The 23/1.4 is a fantastic lens. One of Fuji's best. Here are some shots from Bangkok:

http://www.littlebigtravelingcamera.com/?p=6029

But there is no way to deny that the 23/2 is a very nice lens too especially on the X-Pro2. I like its quality but think the 23/1.4 is optically better.

http://www.littlebigtravelingcamera.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/DSCF8832.jpg

 

[GMacF]

Slight thread revival as I thought it better (perhaps incorrectly?) than starting another one.

I've happily owned the Viltrox for a couple of years now but just recently picked up a lightly used copy of the XF 23 f1.4 for £330 which seemed like a decent price - they've dropped quite a bit with the LM WR version being released.

I've only had it a couple of days but all in all very happy with it - it's definitely considerably better than the f2 version which I had (and shortly sold).

My initial findings are it is pretty much equal to the Viltrox with regards centre sharpness up to about f4 when the Fuji takes over. It's sharper in the edges throughout the aperture range than the Viltrox.

Of course it's no secret that the one major improvement with the Fuji is with light falloff/vignetting in the corners and all round contrast. Of course these things can be corrected (to some extent) in post but for JPGs it really does help. I've found the Fuji also renders specular highlights a bit better as well

With regards AF I can't say I've noticed an appreciable difference in acquisition speed and face/eye AF. I haven't tested AF-C/tracking performance as that's not my main use case for this lens. If AF performance is of utmost importance I tend to just use the 16-55mm anyway.

All in all very happy with the older Fuji lens although the Viltrox is definitely still the value for money champ for sure. But if you can pick up a used Fuji 23mm for a good price I think it can be worth the extra £80-£100 give or take.