Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 on Fuji lens review 

Focal length wise, they are competitors and the Viltrox is certainly the favorite in the fuji community, despite the size. There aren’t any other 75mm lenses. But size wise, the viltrox is more in competition with fuji’s 56 and 90mm. Just as there are many in for size and weight, there are people in fuji for affordability with less concern about size, so the viltrox’s weight isn’t as much of a factor as one may think. Especially given its IQ. Even some that would prefer it smaller, go for it still because it’s just that good.

​@@Eyeofkamau I agree it's a competitor for the 90, which can often be too long, but not at all for the 56 or even 50 f1. There's quite a much more noticeable difference in focal lengths. I actually don't see the Samyang as a true competitor for either as it's not aiming at pro per se. From what I've seen I still prefer the rendering my 90mm offers me over the Viktrox. And the depth of field is practically identical to the 75 at f1.2 if taken at the same distance to the subject. So what is key is focal length. I've had a 70mm f2.4 on Pentax and it's a great focal length. I've hoped and hoped for a Fuji f2 that could offer the advantages of the current batch of Fuji primes of close focussing and lightening quick focus (even if both not always in every lens). The Viltrox offers neither, sadly. Specs don't matter to me, utility does. My Pentax 70mm was so loved because it was probably smaller than the Fuji 35 f2, and could focus pretty closely. That makes it both useable indoors and subtle in a street/candid situation. The viltrox looks great for working professionals - primarily wedding and concert - who have the working distance so don't care about close focussing and very quick AF isn't a priority. It can mean full body shots with blown out background. Screams wedding. But it will also be stopped down most of the time to f2 or slower for closer shots than that. It could have been just as razor sharp (there's such a thing as too sharp) even if it was limited to f2.8, but f1.2 will contribute only one thing to a lot of people... bulk. Already seen posts of people with buyers regret for those reasons. So one for the pro wedding and portrait crowd for sure... and the spec sheet and curiosity lens chasers. Not an advocate for the brand but I returned the viltrox 13 1.4 after testing alongside the samyang 12mm f2 AF for a couple of weeks. I already had the samyang a while after giving up waiting for the rumoured Viltrox. So glad I made that decision. The lightweight samyang comes everywhere with me. It's size and weight have a lot to do with that. Still a master for astro and you stop down for landscape anyway. The Viktrox while technically superior on paper in reality didn't offer me anything more. Still on the fence about this Samyang 75, but your use case should heavily influence your lens purchases. Dustin Abbot swears by the Samyang 75 for example. For me the Samyang would be an extra lens to the 56 and 90. More of a travel option. Whereas if I were to get the Viltrox it would replace both the Fuji's.

And the 85 is a full frame. It wouldn't surprise me if that 75 also covered the Full frame sensor. As you say I think they are different lenses for different purposes/people. I could even see a case for owning both of you are a big fan of the focal length (one for your wedding photography, the other for fun and travel).

@@brownbear100 i mention 56 because many settled for it as a portrait lens due to the fact that there is no other option under 90 which is too long for versatile portrait use in the eyes of some. People have replaced their 56 for the 75. I’d consider it a competition. 19mm difference in focal length between 56 & 75 vs 15mm between 75 & 90. Not too big of a difference; not big enough to justify having both lenses, for me at least.Some people including myself will consider the bulk worth it for an extra 1/3 stop of light. For Fullframe shooters coming from nikon and canon, that viltrox 75 is small lol. I say that to say, that bulk isn’t a problem for everyone. It fits very nicely on the XH2 bodies as well, which are larger than the Sony a7 cams. I see most people that are in fuji for size and weight are using the XT series cams and others, as some say the XH’s are too bigz The flagship models are hefty. I personally like the 75 for sports, weddings, portraits and product. I too could see people owning both lenses to have one for travel and the other for work.

I found an open box samyang 75 for about that money. It will come down in price, the Sigma is an older lens so is cheaper now. And in the US buy the Samyang from SamyangUS directly you already get it for $450. But 56 isn't in the range of the 75 anymore than 56 is in the range of 35. 56 may be all you need, but 75 has a different look and even the 1.8 will get you much shallower depth of field than the 56 1.4 at the same distance. The 75 1.2 even more of course... I currently have the original fuji 56 1.2 (cost me €250) and 90 f2 (€500). And I usually end up taking the 90 because it's the better lens but kind of wish I had the 56 as well. So a 75, whether Samyang or Viltrox can fill that niche. 70-75 is a fantastic focal length.

Where do you see x-mount 56mm for 379?

Bought a new Sigma 56mm for Fuji last year for 310€. Thats all I need for Portrait.

It's a great focal length for street and travel. If you've used one you'd know. Pair with a 23 or 33 plus a wide and you've got a great set up. It may not be the most used of the three lenses in the kit-bag but you can leave it mounted and use your imagination. That's why the weight also matters, no-one wants to carry around a lens that doesn't get used too much that weighs a tonne and takes up valuable space. But for these purposes a more subtle lens is desirable and close minimum focus distance a huge advantage. The viltrox doesn't outperform in every way for uses where speed, subtlety, closer focussing and size matter. Where it really performs is weddings and purely portrait uses - it's no swiss army knife like the 90mm. But the 90mm can indeed be too long, although it often does find it's way into my street bag. Agree the Samyang is overpriced right now, but this is exactly what it's for. Maybe Samyang should do what Viltrox does - release with an artificially low price to get universally positive reviews based on the value proposition, before increasing them significantly once the reviews are all posted. Case in point the Viltrox 13mm is now 25% more expensive than on release. But even now the viltrox is $100 more expensive ($550 from B&H Vs $450 for the Samyang direct from SamyangUS). So there are some savings. Needing the lens station does suck, but if you've got more than one Samyang (the 12mm AF is great) then it starts to make more sense. No USB port to fail either.

I see this as a travel and general option, while the viltrox is firmly in the Wedding photographer camp. I have the 12mm AF f2. I did order the viltrox 13 to test against it for a couple of weeks and for my purposes the Samyang was a better fit simply because the Viltrox was heavy and bulky and I knew wouldn't come with me as often... in fact until the 75 it was one of the heaviest primes for Fuji full stop. But the 12mm gets tossed in any kit bag without noticing and is a lot of fun to use...even if technically the Viltrox is better on the spec sheet and when shooting test charts. I have the 90mm f2 as well. Which cost me over €100 less than the Viltrox and for me still has the edge. Same depth of field as the Viltrox as well at any given distance... It's just a question of planned use and focal length preference. On the basis I'm very reluctant to give up the 90 and value a degree of subtlety when travelling, and any weight saved means space for another lens(!) I am leaning towards the Samyang. For seeing in the dark I have plenty of options. But... once the price comes down or I find a good deal and in the expectation that firmware updates will give the function button more functionality for stills. I've seen some retailers are kitting it with the lens station at a discount already, but I can get it for €40 anyway so not the end of the world. If I was shooting weddings and had well posed and lit subjects in mind that I wanted to seperate from the background in full body shots, I would absolutely go for the Viltrox. But for travel, where lightweight, subtle lean and a closer focal distance are hugely beneficial, I think these are features that also have their price, too.

@@brownbear100 Fair points, but I don't see the value proposition that really separates the Samyang 75mm that the Sigma 56mm(other than the focal length), or some telephoto zoom can't do for travel, portrait, or other things. To my eyes, Samyang's only strength is only its compactness relative to the focal length. Other than that, you could get something that's equal or better, like Sigma 56 for low price, faster aperture, and (even more) compactness, or Viltrox 75 for IQ. I don't know, I guess it's the price that tics me the most. If it's prices closer to the Sigma 56mm, I'll be kinda okay with it. Samyang 12mm is another beast tho, I understand anyone who want to get it because of its decent IQ, compactness, and low price; it's a great value lens to me. The 75mm? Not so much, at least to me anyway. I'm not in the market for a prime that long, so maybe my perspective isn't primed enough to judge it. But that's my take.

@@paceyombex I used to have a 70mm 2.4 for Pentax. Smaller than the Samyang. It's really a great final length. And f 2.4 was plenty, so the hype about the Viltrox while understandable for working pros is still just that for the rest of us. Most of the time you will need to stop down. But they aren't so common now and if you've never used one it's maybe harder to appreciate. And when it's more compact it offers great possibilities for candid street or portraits. The 90mm f2 also given the extra reach, but you still do stand out. But imagine if I said why bother with 56mm, just get a 33. It's not just a question of zooming in after the fact. The further you are from the subject the flatter the image becomes - even with wider apertures - so by being able to fill the frame with your subject the compression from a 75 is noticeably more than with a 56 - even a faster one. That's why the f1.2 depth of field goodness of the Viltrox can be achieved just as easily with an f2 lens that is just 15mm longer (of course the subjects may no longer be full body, but 3/4 body shots). The samyang at f1.8 would have 50% shallower depth of field than the 56 1.4 shot at f1.4 shooting a subject 5m away for example (the Viltrox would be twice as shallow... but when is enough, enough?). That's significant enough to makes for very different images. Or to put it another way you can be further away and get the same DoF as the 56. Actually the 75 1.8 shooting at 5m would have the same depth of field as a 56mm f1.0. Which is what makes the 75 1.2 seem so over the top, yet also appealing in its own crazy way. So really the first starting point is whether you need or would like to have a 75 in your kit. I would very much. The Samyang means not feeling bad about still keeping the 56 and 90. For travel I often can't decide, and 23 or 33 plus 75 would work fantastic with a wide option too. The 75 being the occasional use lens. If I know I want to do lots of portraiture with the kids I'd take the 56 still as you interact more with them. The Viltrox probably means selling both. If I had neither, the Viltrox would be a much more natural choice. But what I hate more than anything is carrying around a heavy lens that only gets used occasionally... the 90 is that lens for me now. You don't want a 75 glued to your camera either. So for uses other than weddings or deliberate portrait sessions etc. the bulk of the Viktrox bothers me. I sold the excellent 80mm 2.8 twice because I didn't want to take it anywhere to just be ballast in the bag 90% of the time. And I know the Viltrox has better bokeh. So too does the 90 Vs the 50-140. The 50-140 still takes wicked portraits though! I actually think there's a case to be made to own both ;)

How is it? Do you like it?

I do like it! I carry it with me almost daily.@@DroopyPenguin95

If the price is lower, which it, unfortunately, isn't. Unless of course, ones prioritize size more than IQ.

ops...viltrox 75 cost 355 euro in Vietnam

@@loitraitimmuonnoi29 lucky you! Might buy it on a vacation.

The Viltrox 75mm f1.2 is a full stop brighter though, no wonder it's much heavier and more expensive - it's just not designed to be compact, but to be optically excellent. There's also the Viltrox 85mm f1.8, which is much cheaper, but optically worse.

Get from Pergear directly for €500 if you really want it. I'll get the samyang maybe when it's €400. Viltrox lenses on the other hand start cheap to game the reviews (5* all round because the price influences greatly) before putting the prices up. The 13 1.4 is already nearly €100 more expensive now than when I bought (and returned) at launch. Same with the 56 1.4 (which I couldn't return quick enough). So I'd find it at a good price now and buy now rather than waiting that's for sure!

I picked up the Viltrox for £450 in the UK. The weight is fine tbh and extremely good optically

Yes.

He literally says it is "slightly" sharper... That's not " much superior" and while f1.2 opens up other possibilities for sure, it doesn't automatically mean it's vastly superior. Most people will find themselves stopping down that f1.2 anyway, just like with the 56 1.2. I'm already finding the stream of images with people looking like they've been pasted onto a blurred out foreground getting a bit boring. Fine for a wedding album, but a bit lacking in imagination after a while. For me short minimum focus distance > f1.2, which is also an optical feature. My 90mm f2 isn't losing much sleep, given I can get the same depth as the viltrox 75 with it at the same distance. Don't mind something a bit slower yet still offering shallower depth of field than the 56 1.2 for travel and general purpose though. If I got the Viltrox, it would be for novelty value. Whereas the Samsung fills a use case for me very nicely. And as for superiority, well that's up to the person behind the camera.

It doesnt't compare, as it doesn't fit the Fuji at all. Its a different mount.

No, but it could come to M43rds.. and it is a jab to get Chris to start testing lenses from the system

no way 🥲

A couple of reasons. A higher or lower resolution sensor can make a difference. In this case it sounds like the lens body was redesigned - so the handling, appearance, and weight are different. But perhaps most importantly, the autofocus implementation will depend on how the lens maker manages to get the lens to interface optimally with the camera's focusing systems.

thats why we lucky to have Viltrox ~~ the 23mm f1.2 is coming soon

Not need at all. Like the idea of because faster must always be better. It will make poor skills irrelevant because the latest and greatest will overcome all photographer problems! The whole reason for apsc mirrorless is compact and cheaper. These are neither. Fuji own lenses aren't cheap either, but still cheaper than full frame options. With these lenses, it would be better to buy a full frame body and get a compact f1.8 instead and enjoy the same depth of field. That's all that seems to count apparently, since no one mentions or seems to test low light capability anyway.

Yeaa...No. Fast lens was designed to be useful in low light to achieve a faster shutter speed, without using high ISO/ASA. That's its original intention. f/2 is fast enough for 90% of needs, and even f/1.4 is plenty for low light (low light, not no light, bring light or move your subject if you don't have enough light). Unless ones rellies on out-of-focus to get a "great" photo instead of compositional and communications skills, of course.

300*

And that's not even a good enough reason lol

samyang bokeh look not good even on fullframe, that where Viltrox shine !

If the lens was priced at $300-ish, then it's at least worth the money. But at a similar price as the Viltrox? Tough luck!

i dont care about size. The Viltrox is so much superior in every aspect- for the same price :-)

Don't care about size. I am a professional concert photographer and the 75 and 135mm focal lengths is where I'll only go for the best. I would pull the trigger on the Viltrox if the Tamron 35-150 F2.8 wasn't looming on the horizon. We need to get away from the stigma that APS-C is only for travel-babies. Especially in Fuji, who are the only ones making professional APS-C cameras.

Someone who want to travel light.

people who appreciate size and weight over IQ

@@paceyombex I know you're better using the mobile phone.🤣🤣🤣

@@6042833 don't think that's the case lol. Even for size and weight, i don't think samyang is the best choice either. Sigma 56 is a better buy than this lens; it's cheaper, smaller, better CA control, and absolutely sharp. The only "downside" of the Sigma is that it's not 75mm, and probably lesser WR rating.

Amateurs. Travel photography et al.

Not to mention, the Tamron 35-150mm F2.8 is around the corner. And that lens is magical.

Lol, the bokeh isn't hideous, it's just not 1.2. For my use small & light trumped the faster lens. Bonus I got it for 200 less than the Viltrox. The lens flare is not as bad in a real-life situation.

It doesnt look hideous and it definitely isnt an obvious choice. You trade the bulk, weight, aperture, and price of the viltrox for the compact and lightweight samyang.

I know it is (!) I think I mention that in this video at one point