I believe that the 90f2 is Fujifilm’s best designed lens, so this is really a big win for Viltrox. If they can pull out an 18/16, 23/35, and a 56 all at this quality with 1.8 maximum aperture, they would really drive competition without losing quality.
The Viltrox in my opinion looks better mounted on camera. I prefer a wider looking lens than a long and slender one. Plus it’s fractionally faster than the 90mm. I’ll get the Viltrox instead but I really wish it was weather sealed.
Fast forward a year and the price of the XF 90mm f/2 on B&H has gone up from $699 USD to $949 ($759 used) and the Viltrox has only gone up $20 from $379 to $399. Where the Viltrox was a good deal before it's now a great one. WR would be really nice but not for an extra $550. Thanks for the review.
Brave of them to take on the 90mm - that lens is a beast! I only bought it a few weeks ago and would normally be disappointed to hear a similar lens has come on the market for half the price, but the 90mm really is phenomenal, so absolutely no regrets. It's encouraging that there are some cheaper, third-party autofocus lenses coming on the market. I'd love to see a new 23mm lens.
@@ChimaChindaDev Non at all, lol. The XT3 put Fuji on the map for content creators so I'm certain if the XH2 has the same response, Sigma and Tamron will start making lenses. Of course we wouldn't get them until 2020-2021 but that is why I am sticking with Fuji and saving my money for the XH2. The XH1 was already good, just some minor tweaks here and there and........voila.
BREADCRUMBS True. I just moved to Fuji last week and the one area I feel needs more options is fast telephoto lenses - I’m not talking about the 200m f2 as that’s clearly out of most people’s budget even though it’s exceptional. Fuji needs an 85 f1.4 and maybe a 105 f1.4. At f2, the 90mm is really just a 137mm f3 on full frame which isn’t exciting. It would be awesome to see Tamron and maybe Sigma start making really fast glass for Fuji.
I got Viltrox 85mm, your video was behind my decision, and trust me, I AM BLOWN AWAY by viltrox, in so much less i got so much. Thanks a TON my friend and keep rockin"
I recently purchased the Viltrox 85mm f1.8 mkII and it’s a fab lens for the price. The only thing that lets it down is the lens hood, it’s very fiddly to mount, it lives in the box now. Overall I’m very pleased it and it’s lighter than I thought, works fine on my X-E3
Such a good review, I love how you bluntly explained the reality of pixel peeping and shooting conditions/requirements to consider when purchasing. I only just found out about this lens and my curiosity is now peaked!
Thanks for the comparisons. The Viltrox Sounds good 👍 but I’m so used to an aperture ring on the lens, trying to adapt using a different dial for just that lens would do my head in. One of the reasons I went with Fuji was because of all the dials. Just love the simplicity and ergonomics.
Both seem excellent. I've had my eyes on the 90mm for a while now. I'd love to support third party lens development, but I'd also love to support Fuji in making more lenses like the 90.... Decisions man, so hard.
Nice video! Good to see native AF 3rd party being made. I'm still surprised Sigma isn't interested in making lenses for Fuji, especially if Viltrox can make a good example like this.
I love my 90mm on my x-h1. It really benefits from the stabilization compared to my xt1. Viltrox seems great and good price point. I will keep an eye out for them with other fuji focal lengths as I dont need 85 right now
Great video, it's nice to see less common lenses being compared. Looks like this Viltrox lens is great for the price, though the 90mm is great as well of course. Also thanks for not comparing using MFT charts.
I can't believe I missed this comparison when you first posted it. As always, great video but viewing image like a normal person... Congrats! You've won the entire internet with that comment. Imo anyway
Without the baked-in lens correction, I wouldn't be surprised if the Fuji showed just as much (little) bokeh fringing as the Viltrox, I owned the XF90 and it's the best lens I've ever had, it is sharp corner to corner with strong contrast and still offers the best out of focus rendering with little to none fringing, must be an impossible design. Well done both Fuji and Viltrox.
Fantastic overview, Mattias. I'm shocked the viltrox was so good. I've only ever used 1 of their products and it was absolutely awful. I'm glad this one worked well.
I like your personal thoughts! Just picked up a xt3 with a 18-55 kit lens a battery grip and a flash with a godox transmitter for $1,670. Have to start selling my older gear. A little GAS NOW. But maybe in a few months the 85mm!
Picked up a Viltrox 85 1.8 for $200. The previous owner hated it. I do portraits so it's on my X-H1 90% of the time. At full retail it's amazing. For what I paid, it's without equal.
Based on my on my experience, it takes quite a lot of cash, relatively speaking of course, to get a more-or-less ideal lens. I spent about $400 on a manual-only prime, and there are some issues that don't make me happy. Overall, it's the lens that makes the image versus the camera. That being said, lens choice is more important than camera choice. I don't have access to Medium Format so it's interesting to hear from your perspective! Edit: my mistake, this isn't about medium format
That's really acceptable performance for me, and the price tag is excellent. I only have one Fuji lens, as there's so many damn good lenses out there. Mitakon 35mm F0.95, Samyang/Rokinon 12mm F2, even the old Yashica 50mm F1.7 is just beautiful. You can buy so many top quality lenses for the price of one Fuji lens.
Nice picture at 4:38 Mattias. I agree with your conclusion, price is a important factor for those who need that specific aperture. However, I am trully curious about how would an other lens prime from Vitrox perform. I've been reading here and there that it's easier to make a 85 mm prime lens than to produce a 16, 23 or 35 mm. Time will tell. Competition and choices are always great ! Thanks for your input.
No one talks about 135mm as a landscape prime. Im deciding between these tho extra zoom . I have a old XE1 with 23mm and 56mm . Now considering XH1 and adding 16mm and 90mm
Once again, looks like Viltrox has a real winner on their hands! I'm pretty impressed at how good the image quality was compared to the 90mm. I would be shocked if they don't sell TONS of these. The only issue I have is the lack of aperture ring. I know, I know, it seems like a small thing when the price, build quality and image quality is so good, but for me it would take away some of the fun I get from using the Fuji system. My personal preference aside, I'm glad to see such quality third party lenses being made for the X-mount! Thanks for making these videos and getting the word out about a great and affordable option!
I agree. But I understand why they would skip the aperture ring. To make lenses like these an economic success it needs to work across mounts. This is already made for both Fuj and Sony. And I willing to bet on Canon RF, L and Nikon Z for the future. And given the width of this Full Frame lens compared to the Fuji APS-C glass and that all Fuji lenses with a ring has to be thick at the base, it would become really big. Probably not worth it to satisfy one out of five mirrorless manufacturers. A shame for us, but I would do the same if I was making them from an economic standpoint.
@@gearreallydoesntmatter Yeah, it's totally understandable from a business standpoint like you said. I've played with the 90mm before (only in a camera store) and really loved it. I'd love to give this lens a try as well!
The Viltrox sure is a quality lens no question. I like it that you tested it out on the X-pro1 as well. I loved this camera almost the same way I loved the original X100 and I kinda miss it. I'm not sure if I should buy one again in 2019 though what do you think? Is it still relevant? Thanks for your great reviews anyway!
@@rumporridge1 thanks I appreciate it! The X-Pro 1 delivers special pictures just like the original X100 did and they both sell at a low price at the moment so it's tempting to buy it (them) again (I actually kept my X100)
Xe1 with this Viltrox worth it in 2019 ? I have an opportunity to buy an XE1 for nearly 90 dollars brand new ! So I wonder whether with the viltrox it can be a good combo !? Thank you
Tremendous, just tremendous review. You always cut out all the BS and get down to the essence of the review. Namely, there is no difference except price, and the aperture ring. I personally like the aperture ring on the lens and that might be enough to sway me. Do you still like the 16mpixel, XPRO1 and XH1? I am slightly surprised you haven't purchased the XT3 but you might have and I didn't know it. Keep up the reviews, we all love them. Regards,
Glad you liked it! I have tested the XT3 and it is very enjoyable. It's just that the X-T2/X-PRO2/X-H1 are all 97% as capable but for a fraction of the price. An XE4 or Xpro3 however will probably be to tasty to pass up :)
Viltrox 85mm give us relatively similar IQ to Fujinon 90mm at almost half price. Great! Unfortunately at least till today, no camera store here in Indonesia have opened pre-order for this lens yet. Cant wait anymore for pre-order! Next, I wish Viltrox will produce also other focal length like 56mm, 35mm, 23mm, etc so Fuji must be more competitive both in quality and pricing. Lens production monopoly never give benefit for consumer. :D
Its probably difficult to make for example a 35m at 50% of the price. This worked since Fuji doesnt have any budget option to their 90mm. Also important to notice is that this is a Sony Lens made for Fuji as well. So It needs to be competitive in E-mount as well.
@@gearreallydoesntmatter got it, thank you Matt for this awesome comparison & review :) Out of topic, what do you think about Pentax? Do they have plan to enter APSC/Fullframe mirrorless market? I wish they do since Pentax produce damn good super robust DSLR but failed because of bad marketing. I wish they make mirrorless version of Pentax KP or K1 ii with improved performance especially in AF & video.
@@gearreallydoesntmatter Do you mean a DSLR with both electronic & optical view finder? So interesting! :) You're so true since nowaday people prefer mirrorless rather than DSLR because of the benefit of EVF. The body dimension doesnt matter since nowaday mirrorless become bigger like Lumix S1 and DSLR become slimmer like Canon 200D.
Received the Viltrox 85 mm yesterday ... inspired by your review. Very impressed, tack sharp in the center, not quite as contrasty as most of my fujilenses... but suits portraits in a very pleasing way... and AF is snappy... a steal for the price... thanks
Love your videos with the X-Pro1. I have been saving up for an X-Pro2, but you got my wondering whether or not the wr, 24mp, dual card slot justify the expense. I welcome your thoughts.
At the moment I would not buy an X-Pro2. With the X-Pro3 announced there is a good chance to either get a new Pro2 on sale or to buy a used one for less than today once the Pro3 is out.
Hi Mattias, picked up a XPro 1 a few weeks ago and your videos are an excellent source of information and an excellent guide on what lenses to invest in. Towards the end of the video, starting at frame 7:26, what is the lens mounted on your XPro 1? Thanks again for your excellent videos and keep them coming.
2:34 Closets focus😂😂😂 Nice vid,i might pick one up,although i have a super yashinon 135mm f3.5 which have amazing bokeh ,but still i need a lens with af,keep up the good work!
I did include closest focus. In the earlier parts of the review I've already shown and commented on the bokeh of the Viltrox, creamy with nice round balls.
Hey man, I heard a rumor that the Hack that Viltrox uses to get autofocus is just a single setting of Maximum hold time and fastest acquisition time. Have you ever tested the two of these with the same settings such as above?
I just picked up an XT3 with the 18-55, and I’m looking for a prime now and bashing my head between this or the 52, why am I having such a hard time? Maybe I like the “85mm” look that the 52 gives, but the damn price for the viltrox is so good! Plus I used to shoot with a 135 before and I loved it but I’m just afraid that I won’t be as flexible with the 85mm from viltrox to be that versatile.... oh man decisions
@@gearreallydoesntmatter this is what i'm thinking i'm leaning in favor of the x pro1 with a lens here in australia is half price of x pro2 so definitley something to consider.
Random shot in the dark asking this question but, I recently found a used / "like new" XH1 on Amazon for $735 US. Currently own an XT30 but, do you think the XH1 at that price would be a good second body to have ?! Only doing stills on it, no video..
I almost have enough to get the xf90... I need ti save a lil more. The only thing im worried about is having my iso and shutterspeed high for this lens most of the time on my xt3
Hey, great video as always! I thought that you can only get AF with Fuji lenses. Clearly I was wrong...? Which other good (not Fuji) lenses with AF would you recommend Mattias? I'm really new in the Fuji world. Cheers from Germany!
Great review!!!! I always enjoy your videos. Thank you! Also a quick question. I normally shoot Jpegs with my Fujifilm cameras. Have you shot any jpegs with this lens? And if so, how did they turn out since they aren't corrected like a Fuji lens would be?
Thanks! No, sorry. I haven't, but you won't see any major difference. The Fuji lenses are corrected because they need to, it's a negative. This doesn't.
Thank you for being honest. In American we have a saying, "Honesty is the best policy." I always (greatly) enjoy your videos. Please do more. I hope you are earning money from them or at least have some sort of motivation to keep going, because even though I'm a perfectionist who only likes FF or medium format cameras (i.e. Sony A7R3 or the Hasselblad X1D - neither of which can I afford), I still very much enjoy watching your videos and hearing your accent. It reminds me that there are great photographers all around the world - place I can't afford to go to, so your videos give me a nice glimpse into what your city is like (your street photography is cool ! ) Someday I hope you print some nice books of your photos (you could do one of just your dog - she is so cute and pretty) and another of your street photography. Hopefully by then I will have the money to purchase a copy. :-)
Best benefit of the Fuji ? Often over looked which helps the price 2nd hand. Just purchased a MINT copy from LCE for £450 or Loan one for FREE from Fuji for a couple of days and prepare to be blown away and join the 90 mm fanboys !
Hello Mattias, how the viltrox perform in low light situations? the focus speed an accuracy is good or it tend to hunt the focus? great reviews as ever!!!
@@gearreallydoesntmatter for indoors ballet which lens do you think is te best, viltrox 85mm f1.8 or the telezoom fujinon 55-200 f3.5-4.8 OIS? thanks for your time :D
In my opinion i got this. I usually shoot a couple portraits these days and found that the Fujinon 90mm should not be undermined and compromised to the viltrox 85mm. The price you paid is what you get in a camera system. In one of the village i went while shooting tribal old customs i wish the 90mm was there.The viltrox cost $ 542.00 in India and is good "generally" but not that good specifically.
Hey there! love your videos :) I wanted to ask why you use lightroom instead of capture one pro since you have cap1 pro i think. Not criticizeing I just want to know your reasoning since i am still debaiting which of these Programs i should use since I use both but noticed downsides with both ( for example weird wormy artifacts with my RAF Fuji Raw files
I have never seen wormy artifacts from any camera, ever. I use Lightroom because its much faster for me to use. The only camera that I feel benefit from Capture One is the Ricoh GRii, but I have the GRiii now so I have uninstalled Cap1.
Great video! I only wish you had touched on the macro aspect of the 90 and also the motor sound. Having an aperture ring is big plus. Thanks for the interesting video.
@@gearreallydoesntmatter fantastic! Portrait lens sorted. Thanks! I, too, don't like the obsession with maximum contrast lenses - I find that it's easier to saturate/increase contrast through curves versus reducing contrast when you want to (which always comes out hazy for me).
