Lens ReviewMorten ByskovMay 01, 2023Lens Review, Viltrox Lenses, Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF Review, Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF sample images, Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF sample photos, Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 review, Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 sample images, viltrox 23 1.4 fuji review, Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF image qualityComment

Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF Review

Viltrox AF 23mm F1.4 XF lens for Fujifilm X-mount cameras shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3. Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 review. — Viltrox AF 23mm F1.4 XF for Fujifilm X-mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 STM ED IF Review

It has only been a couple of weeks since my last Viltrox review and as a spoiler alert, I predict that this review of the AF 23mm f/1.4 XF in many ways will echo my review of the Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 XF.

I tested the two lenses simultaneously and as a matter of fact, I often had to double-check to make sure which lens I was using. The two lenses are obviously at different focal lengths but look and feel almost identical.

Thanks again to my friend Goran for letting me borrow his lenses for these reviews.

The Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3 — Viltrox AF 23mm F1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF - Introduction

The AF Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 XF was released in August 2020 and in comparison, we had to wait till January 2021 before the Fujifilm counterpart, the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, saw the light of day.

The Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 is available for Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, and Sony E mounts and in three colors; Black, silver, and a limited edition white.

You are probably reading this review because of the potential value proposition as the Viltrox cost several hundred dollars less than the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4. Let’s see what trade-offs this value proposition may come with.

At the time this review was posted the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF was listed at $299.00.

Pedestrians wait at a crosswalk along West Hastings in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF — West Hastings, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 @ f/5.6

Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 - Handling and Specs

If you are looking for a lens for standard documentary photography the 23mm focal length on APS-C will be a good fit. It yields a 35mm full-frame equivalent field of view.

The build quality of the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF is excellent and it feels good in the hand. Viltrox should be commended on the solid feel of the metal lens hood which nicely rounds off the good looks of this lens.

With a standard filter size of 52mm, weight of 9.17 oz, 260 g, and dimensions of 2.56 x 2.83", 65 x 72 mm, it is about 30% lighter and a fair bit smaller than its Fujifilm counterpart. The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR weighs 13.2 oz, 375 g, and measures 2.6 x 3.1", 67 x 77.8 mm.

I found the smaller size of the Viltrox quite appealing compared to the Fuji lens which gets to be rather large, especially when you include the lens hoods.

The Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF seen on the Fujifilm X-Pro3 — Viltrox AF 23mm F1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

I didn’t encounter any issues with the STM, stepping autofocus motor in my limited testing and it was sufficiently fast for the type of photos you will see in this review.

The optical formula mentions two ED elements, two HR elements, HD nano, multi-layer coating, and a 9-blade diaphragm.

As mentioned in several of my Viltrox reviews I am not a fan of the clickless aperture rings. I do realize the benefit it brings to videographers but as a stills photographer, I appreciate the sound click and assurance of which aperture I am at.

The AF 13mm f/1.4 has clicked aperture and perhaps Viltrox will bring out updates to the existing lens at some point.

Hotel Kingston on Richards Street in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF. — Richards Street Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF @ f/8, Acros film simulation

Viltrox 23 mm f/1.4 vs. Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4

Other than specs and looks the most glaring difference between the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 and Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR is the price. At $299.00 the Viltrox lens is one-third of the cost of the Fujifilm counterpart which comes in at $899.00.

So what does an additional $600.00 get you? I do believe the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR currently is one of the nicest lenses in the Fujifilm X Series lineup. It offers unparalleled image quality even when shot wide open.

The Fujifilm lens is weather resistant whereas the Viltrox is not. The XF 23mm has a linear motor for silent and fast autofocus which in theory should be better than the STM implementation in the Viltrox.

Cost savings and size would be the main reasons why you would pick the Viltrox over the Fujifilm lens in this case.

You can read my review of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Review

The Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3 — The Viltrox AF 23mm F1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 - Image Quality

Browsing through my images captured with the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF I found them rather pleasing. That goes for images of English Bay as well as street photography.

There is some noticeable field curvature but I was fairly happy with the images, even with some captured wide open at f/1.4.

In hindsight, I feel that I should have captured more images with the Viltrox 23mm but as I was testing it at the same time as the 33mm it became evident that I picked the 33mm focal length more often and hence ended up with more sample images for the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 comparatively speaking.

A young man is playing basketball at the court near Second Beach in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF. — Second Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 33mm F1.4 XF @ f/1.4

Conclusion

This is where my review starts to sound more and more like an echo from my Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 review. The value proposition is certainly there for the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 as well and you can’t really go wrong when it comes to value for money spent.

You will get decent images out of the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF and besides the clickless aperture, it is a joy to work with better-than-average build quality.

Pricewise the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR is a far reach in comparison and perhaps it would be more fair to compare it to the more moderately priced XF 23mm f/2 R WR, $449.00.

If you demand more from your gear I would encourage you to consider the Fujifilm options but in the same breath they come at a considerably higher cost and if you are on a budget it is indeed nice to have options without having to make too many compromises.

Pros

An affordable option for Fujifilm X Mount
Great build quality
Metal lens hood
Internal focusing

Cons

Better image quality from Fujifilm counterparts (albeit at a higher cost)

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF - B&H Photo

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Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF - Sample Images

Please see the sample images below. Editing was done in Capture One and I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos, especially Classic Neg. and Acros.

Please click to view larger images.