Just picked one up to replace the manual focus Rokinon 12mm f2, and did some side by side test shots outside at various apertures... the difference in fringing and aberrations is stark, they really did a nice job on this 13mm
Appreciate the high production quality of your videos. Your experience with the 13 1.4 matches what I am seeing. No need to review the 33 1.4 it's almost the perfect lens. Just buy it.
Convinced my husband to buy me this lens after watching your review. One of the best lens!! We already bought it the other day and will use it today for an event. Thank you for this! Truly a life saver 🥰
Love, love, love this video…Been waiting for a legit review of this lens and that intro though! Fire! I would love to see you review the 33 1.4, I love that focal length, the 50 1.0 is overkill for what I do. Again great video, thank you!
@@Reggiebphoto you're doing a good job making my wallet feel at risk 🤣🤣🤣 I have no primes beyond 16mm, and between the 23mm and 33mm I'd probably get the 33mm instead 😎📸
@@Reggiebphoto The intro was epic, especially with the choice of song.👌 🙌. The images throughout the video showed the experiences with each lens which was also a good idea! Good luck on your upcoming success!
I own the Rokinon 12 manual focus. I just picked up this lens a couple weeks ago and I haven't touched the Rokinon sense. The Viltrox is just such a great lense to use. It's become my go too for real estate work. The video work I do is all either sliders or tripod panning shots so and I turn IBIS off for those anyways. The Rokinon is such an affordable wide angle option that if you really can't swing the extra money it'll serve you just fine. Manual focus is challenging at first but kind of fun once you get the feel for it. That being said this lens is a better buy and build. I wouldn't even consider the new Rokinon 12mm AF model anymore.
Did you look the new Laowa 7.5mm zero D cine lens? That for real estate work it's a beast, and it's ready to good it up to a follow focus motor. For now I use the Laowa 9mm f2.8 zero D and I love it, realistically speaking for real estate all I do it to set for us to infinity and it stays there the entire shoot. For detail shots I'll use anything else 16mm f1.4, or the 16-55mm f2.8.
The Viltrox 13 & 85mm are both legit and Fuji level lenses. No hesitation on recommending either. I'd also say both the Sigma 16 and 56 are better than the Fuji options, especially the 16 (if you don't care about macro).
How is AF on the 85 and 56? I love my 90mm F2 to death but would appreciate 1.4 and a shorter portrait lens. Apparently fuji are making a 56 1.2 mk ii this year as well but it will probably be mega exp
@@b3arodactyl The MK II version of the 85 is very competitive with the XF90mm. I did upgrade from the 85 to the 90 because I found a 90 for a very good price. That said, the aperture on the Viltrox is f/1.8, not 1.4 and it's slightly darker than the 90 at equivalent apertures so IMO it's not actually getting you any more light than the 90mm f/2 despite the third stop spec sheet gain. I'd stick with the 90 if you have it, you don't really gain anything. For someone who does not have the 90 the 85 is a very good consideration. The new 56mm f/1.2 was just announced last week and it's the exact same price as the first version ($999). A lot of people complain about the first version having slow AF, I personally never felt it was that bad, although it's nowhere near as good as the 90 & Viltrox 13 (or any of the new lenses from the past year). But for me it has been reasonably reliable, or at least predictably reliable. I'd say if you are buying new, go with the new gen 56. If you are going to save money, wait a few months until upgraders start getting the new one and buy the first gen 56 for cheaper.
In regards to ibis wobble, going wider than 18mm is usually is a given. All brands have the same issue unfortunately. Overall, lovely music in this video ❤️
Hi Reggie! concerning the tremors on the videos with the 13mm, without saying nonsense it comes from the internal stabilization of the device, on Fuji on XT5, you have to go to IQ menu, 4th page, "mount adapter setting" and manually enter the 13mm , this may solve the problem. I did it on my 8mm fisheye and on my 12mm samyang and I no longer have any tremor with the stab. Tell me if it works because I wanted to buy the 13mm viltrox ;)
I really enjoy all the movement in your event photos with the subjects still in focus. Makes it feel like you're dancing with them. Is there any chance you would make a video with tips to achieve this look?
Good video. I liked the presentation of information and it's overall flow. I was interested in the lens until I saw the part about the jelly effect when shooting video. 😬 I vote for the 33mm F 1.4.
The Viltrox 13mm f1.4 is undoubtedly an excellent performing lens, but the main drawback is the size and the weight. I'm surprised this is not talked about more, because this is not a lens you want to walk around with. I know I certainly don't, I ordered the Viltrox and a mint used copy of the Fujifilm 14mm f2.8 (same price)to compare, and the Viltrox has since been sold. The Fujifilm is quite literally half the weight, half the size and brilliantly sharp. It offers crazy peformance for it's size, while the Viltrox (also offering great performance) feels like a ff lens. In the end I tried to imagine a scenario where I would need to shoot at f1.4 or even f2 at a 20ish mm equivalent focal length to justify choosing the much bulkier and heavier Viltrox. For my needs, I couldn't come up with it.
I didn’t address the size and weight because I’m not expecting an ultra wide 1.4 lens to be small. It’s just limitations of physics. You’d be better suited at that rumored 8mm 3.5
@@wanderingambience799 I agree partly, it does offer tremendous value...if the size and weight work for you as stated above. The first part of your statement is just silly, and has zero to do with optical quality as the Fujifilm 14mm clearly illustrates. You may want to contact Leica engineers as well and let them know they're making all their lenses too light.
Yo Reggie! I’m torn between Viltrox 13 1.4 vs Fuji 18 1.4. Back when I used to shoot Nikon, I loved using wide angles to play with distortion when shooting fashion. Which would you go with between the two?
Great video, Reggie! Could you give a few more comments about the AF performance in documentary photography situations? How confident is it when locking onto subjects, particularly in lower light situations? How's the hit rate? Have you done any continuous or face tracking with it? Appreciate your thoughts, Sir! Thanks in advance!
I actually would prefer a plastic hood. Because the metal hood is so stiff, the plastic locking mechanism on my Viltrox 23mm lens hood broke when I banged against a wall and now doesn't secure properly. A plastic hood would've done a better job at absorbing the impact.
Great video. Quick question. I am thinking about buying a Fuji X-S10 (My first ever Fuji) and I am just confused about which lens to buy. My budget really only allows me to buy one lens - I take pictures/make videos at family events and do travel vlogging (for myself) and when it comes to pictures and the videos I make, I am a sucker for great background blur and good AF and do need a wider field of view as my travel vlogs are a lot of me talking to the camera. My options at the moment are: - Fuji 16mm 1.4 - Fuji 14mm 2.8 - Fuji 16mm 2.8 - Viltrox 13mm 1.4 In your opinion, if I had to pick ONE for the stuff I do, which would you say would suit me best. Thank you in advance!
If you could only have one lens and the budget is tight, on fuji... Get the 18-50 id say. If you don't want zooms and want a shallow depth of field and you want a wideangle, get the xf 16mm 1.4. It's much more versatile than the viltrox, as much as I love it
@@Reggiebphoto It gets worse the wider you go so i think it is just struggling to find an object in the scene to stablise on. Not sure if depth of field might also play a role. I don't know how these things work but that is what someone was saying in another video.
@@Reggiebphoto yes, and not really. Since most aps-c lenses are made just big enough to cover the sensor, there isn't much room for the IBIS to work with, and the corners or the lenses aren't optimized to be used. Fuji's new lenses are being made to cover the new Gen 5 40mp sensor, they should theoretically speaking work better with IBIS because they would have more room to work with. IBIS optimization is the other side of the coin, Fuji's IBIS still jerks suddenly and misbehave from time to time. Going with the new lenses will pay off for those making the investment from now on.
This lens is on my radar for quite a while and in my Amazon wishlist teasing me 🤣. My journey on the ultra wide on Fuji began with the 16mm f2.8, awesome little lens, super lightweight, but the aperture felt limiting in low light. Soon after arrived my 16-80mm f4, great do it all lens, had it been a f2.8 I'd probably stop at that one. Which lead me to the 16mm f1.4, now we're talking, but the focus motors are ok, love the photos with this lens, but on the video side I realized a problem, the X-T4 ibis makes everything wobbly pretty badly around the corners. So OIS became a big deal since the 16-80mm doesn't suffer a fraction of wobbling any of the other 16mm that I've owned so far suffer. Then I picked up a Laowa 9mm f2.8 manual lens, absolutely love it to the point I don't care it is manual, but I got this lens for a different purpose, when vlogging with it I have too many mixed feelings. Until one day I found a deal I couldn't let it pass, the 16-55mm f2.8 for 700 bucks on the dot. I immediately picked it up, and glad I did it so, it bridged the gap between photography and videography in a way that the 16-80mm couldn't, and had Fuji put OIS into this lens it would be my absolute do it all jack of all trades lens. Before I even got the Laowa, the runors about the Viltrox 13mm were already going around, but with this many wide and ultra wide lenses I've collected I felt difficult to justify another lens. However this one keeps coming back to my radar more than any one lens so far. Also Fuji has announced a 8mm f3.5 for 2023, but at f3.5 I don't know what Fuji was thinking, I have no use for such slow lens. And the Laowa 33mm f0.95 comes in and out of my radar every other moon. So my search for a ultra wide that is just wide enough to be flexible, with AF, and fast aperture leads to the Viltrox 13mm f1.4, which isn't weather resistant, doesn't have OIS, and thankfully came with Usb-c for firmware updates. Just like you I'm not ready to let go of my 16mm f1.4, yet more and more it's collecting dust and getting little to no use except for low light or astro. If anyone have read this far, thank you 😁👍 I never bothered picking up any 12mm manual, although the Samyang/Rokinon is one to go for astro, because both the Laowa 9mm and the 16mm f1.4 suffice my astro needs. Also, I really have no use for anything on the fisheye zone. Laowa has come up with a cine 7.5mm zero distortion t2.8 or t2.2 somente like that, which really gets my attention for architecture and real estate, even landscapes. But again, I'm not buying another ultra wide unless it's "the one" which will check 90%+ of my boxes, it's getting hard to keep adding lenses of same or similar focal length 😂😂😂 Photography turn us into collectors 👌😅
@@Reggiebphoto I've got a better plan for them 😂 I plan to give my wife a Fuji body and hook her up to some of the lenses I rarely use 🤣🤣🤣 once she's in the Fuji fold it will be easier to justify lenses 😉, and the tiny 16mm f2.8 will go to my daughter once she's old and responsible enough for her first real camera. For now she using a Fujifilm Finepix 90, best camera for kids, it's waterproof, dropproof, ice proof, a couple of more things proof, perfect for little kids to explore the world of photography before they can deserve a real first camera 😎📸
@@Reggiebphoto LOL 😂 yeah I'm not ready to let my daughter even breath next to my X-T4 🤣🤣🤣 but at the same time I don't want to scare her away from the hobby, so I gave her own camera, but I'll tell you, there are several new scratches on her camera that were not there when I first gave it, so I'm glad it's that than my X-T4 🤣👍 You're a brave father 👌😎 or I'm a cowered one 😂😂😂 I take my daughter to go fishing, she's even got her own fishing pole, but no hook yet 😅🎣
Hi Reggie! Thanks for your video! Am am having the 12 2.0 manual lens and the 16 1.4 but both have their strengths and I never take them both with me. In other words, I love my 16 but simply miss the wider angle of the Samyang. I have the possibility to switch my 16 1.4 with the 14 2.8 of someone else .. (but yeahh the 2.8 like you said..) but this video draw my attention The Viltrox 13 1.4 might be the solution Thanks to your video I have some faith this can work out for me I'll try ordering it. Hope so! Have a good day!
I have the samyang (rokinon) 12mm AF, and it's a huge step up from the MF version. No aperture ring but I got used to it. Then in a fit of FOMO madness I ordered the Viktrox... I was happy with the Samyang but but got swayed by promises of sharper borders and better coma control. If IQ is close enough the biggest difference is portability. The Samyang is small and light. Toss in a bag light in addition to your kit and not worry about it. If I took the Viktrox it would have to replace a lens. The Samyang is really sharp in the centre, it's just the borders that never quite get to that level. So, similar to the 16 1.4mm I sold then. Need to do some side by side testing, but even if the Viktrox is better... The portability of the Samyang is it's major asset.
Hey Reggie, have you experience the very sharp flare issue of this lens? I had to return my newly purchased 13mm 1.4 viltrox and the replacement has the same issue. Any thoughts?
i am torned between 13mm and the 18mm f1.4? i dont have the budget for the later.. can this 13mm compensate the 18mm? or should i wait for viltrox 27mm f1.2? i know is very wide different of these lenses..
Lens quality is what matters, not if the camera manufacturer produced it. I’m curious how the Zeiss Touit 12mm 2.8 compares as they’re such a similar prime length..
yes this is true. the reason the manufacturer does play into this to some degree is the af algorithm - which OEM has the proprietary info for optimal performance.
@@Reggiebphoto I'm interested to really see it's strengths. I own and used my 35f2 to the limits and I'm looking for the next good creative step to take and are dabbling which lens to invest in. I know you don't have any of the 40mp sensors yet, it would be really interesting to know if that will change anything in the character in the lens. As my goal is to always carry a camera with me, and live in Sweden, I would really really want to have WR. I love my 35f2, but I'm starting to feel that it sometimes hold me back, especially during the long dark winters here. I've got the 7artisans 35mm f0.95 as well and that give me more creativite possibilities, but sometimes my eyes have a hard time to nail focus, so a good AF lens would be wonderful. I really wish to know what makes this lens "special"? Does it really lack character or is it a matter of opinion and maybe so that it's been unfairly judged against the 35f1.4, especially as most people who have reviewed it haven't got the experience that they have with the 35f1.4 and therefore haven't had the chance to really give it all the laps in post. As the 35f2 is watched upon as a characterless lens even though I think that it can produce fantastically pleasing shots and if your willing to give it 30 seconds extra you can really get character out of that lens. Thanks for listening and for replying. Which you a fantastic day. /Robert
The Viltrox 13 looks like a great value. Note: Samyang 12mm 2.0 is available in an AF version and is a better value yet. For me (Sony user), the new Sony 11 1.8 is smaller, just as sharp, but more money.
when for video and vlogging - i dont people love that 1.4 bokeh - but I have always wondered is stepping down like when out doors allows for a wider focus zone - which I think it will help with focusing for vlogging? or that just doesnt work the way i imagine? thank you for reminding me of this lens - its really interesting to consider. ill vote for you to review the sigma prime lens or tamron zoom lens if possible
@@Reggiebphoto Plus if I'm honest I've had bad experiences with Viltrox. They are a bit shady as a company, no support, lied to me several times and all sorts of shenanigans. I finally got my 33mm lens from them but it's just been niggle after niggle. Causing my X-T3 to randomly lock up and other strange behaviour. Yes, I've updated all the firmware on the camera and lens. Made no difference. Viltrox just ignore my emails now. So I don't think I will support them in future. Especially not as they're asking a LOT more for their lenses now.
Tbh, low price comes with low resources for support. You get what you pay for. I’m assuming if they keep increasing the quality and rate the support will increase as well.
Totally. That’s why I strayed away from 3rd party so long tho. Compatibility and support, as they don’t have the backing of the larger first party manufacturer
@@Reggiebphoto 🤔 I think it’s the way that the vibe for the intro music and the video edit flows. Also the lens title felt like some 80s movie title. It felt exciting 😁
Compare it with the new AF version of the Samyang 12mm f2, please! That should be a good battle. Is it a fair trade the f.2 for a smaller and lighter lens? Almsot same price range
I was hoping you would do a review of this! I bought the lens and love it for wide angle photography! I agree on the wobbling of footage during video. such a bummer! The Rokinon also has a new autofocus version of the 12mm lens! go review it man! Great content! should Fuji be also making a 11mm 1.8 lens similar to what Sony release recently? Cheers from Singapore!
Nah, Fuji announced a 8mm f3.5 coming in 2023,i hardly believe there will be another ultra wide lens coming from Fuji anytime soon after. The the wobbles are caused by the ibis moving around the corners of the lens, since most aps-c lenses are made just big enough to cover the sensor, the corners of them aren't as "flat" as the center. As Fuji is preparing their new lenses to cover the new 40mp Gen 5 sensor, that's one hope that Fuji new lenses won't suffer jello as much or at all in the coming future.
@@motoraz I don't personally own one, mostly because it lacks an in-lens aperture ring, Fujinon spoiled me 🤣, but I hear from many Fuji users that it's AF is not good for video, so if you need a photography only lens it's decent, on the video side things go down the hill. Viltrox is your best bet. Also if you ask in regards to astro, there is another guy on RU-vid who shoots astro only who reviewed the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 too, it's pretty good, better at f2, but no moon shots as it flares pretty easily. But all in all the Viltrox is the one to go for now. 😎👍👍
I know you gave us the option of 50mm f1.0 or the 33mm f1.4 but what about the new tamron 17-70mm f2.8 constant aperture. Not many people have done reviews on this lens. And I know you might not have this lens. But reach out to tamron, maybe they will send you a copy to review. Would really like to see if that could be an all-in-one lens for weddings.
Just my two cents on the lens, owned it for two weeks now, it's fantastic, such a versatile zoom range, super sharp until you get to 70mm where it's slightly softer. Very easy to get good bokeh on it for impromptu portraits at the long end, also has a very very good close focusing ability. Good OIS, but not as good as Fuji's latest implementations in their lenses. It does struggle slightly against bright points of light. Overall super pleased with it, especially for the price, would love for it to have an aperture ring bit otherwise i see this being my go to zoom for a while
@@CianMcsweeney yeah, I’ve picked up the lens myself not to long after I left this comment. But definitely appreciate the reply and the knowledge you have on this lens. You made me love it even more. Lol.
@@Reggiebphoto I mainly shoot at birthday parties, religious ceremonies and weddings, at the moment I have Fuji's basic kit and the 50mm f2, I would like a wider lens, which of the two would you recommend?
I'm a big fan of the 56 1.4 from Viltrox and it seems the 13 1.4 is equally awesome. Just a toss up for me between the 13 and Samyang/Rokinon's autofocus 12 2, which is about half the size. In regard to the astrophotography, it seems decent, at least comparable to the Samyang/Rokinon 12 2 and certainly better than the Fuji 16 1.4 wide open.
Be careful when purchasing this lens. There are variations in the image quality it can produce. Despite the lens being brand new, I have found marks on the front of the lens straight out of the box. Very likely, Chinese lens manufacturers don't impose stringent checks like those of their Japanese counterparts.
I wouldn't necessarily call 13mm on an APS-C sensor to be ultra-wide (most people would classify UA as 16mm or wider on a FF, but 13mm on a crop sensor camera is basically 20mm or 21mm angle of view on an FF camera. It's still considered "wide" (as most people define wide-angle -- at least based on the old principles of photography from film days -- to be anything less than about 35mm in FF terms). Regardless, the 13mm Viltrox is probably the best value for the Fuji system for a lens of that FL, as most of the options Fuji has are expensive, like their 16mm primes.
