Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF Review

Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 Review

Thanks to Steve Becker for lending me his Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 XF lens and to Chris Screech for helping me set up this lens exchange.

This will be my first venture into Viltrox lenses and after having reviewed a number of manual focus third-party lenses this will be the first third-party autofocus lens since reviewing the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 a couple of years ago.

Viltrox is a Chinese manufacturer of lenses, adapters, lights, and other accessories, and while I was aware of the three f/1.4 lenses released for Fujifilm X mount I will admit I had not paid closer attention. Let us find out what I have missed.

The Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3 — Viltrox AF 56mm F1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3. The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 comes with a nice metal lens hood.

Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF - Introduction

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 XF, $329.00, has been out for about a year now and is part of a trio of lenses which include the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF, $299.00, and Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 X F, $279.00.

The storyline revolves around the fact that Viltrox offers affordable alternatives to their Fujifilm counterparts. At roughly a third of the price, Viltrox has targeted the faster Fujifilm prime lenses and while this sounds enticing, surely there must be a catch.

Sunrise at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver offers a great view of Mt. Baker in Washington State. Sample image from a Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. — Mt. Baker from Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF @ f/7.1

Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 - Handling and Specs

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 is an 85mm full-frame comparable short telephoto lens. The lens has autofocus and EXIF information will be transferred to the camera and to your files which is a huge benefit compared to most third-party manual focus lenses.

With a standard filter size of 52mm, a weight of 10.2 oz, 290 g, and dimensions of 2.6 x 2.8", 65 x 72 mm, the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 should be a great fit on just about every Fujifilm X Series camera.

A couple enjoys a nice fall day from a bench on English Bay. Sample image from a Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF @ f/2.8

On my Fujifilm X-Pro3, the balance and weight ratio to the camera is near perfect. I especially like the metal lens hood. Fujifilm, take note, please.

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 has an STM stepping autofocus motor, which is near silent and adequately fast. It is not as fast as some of the newer Fujifilm lenses but autofocus locks in accurately without hunting.

The lens has 10 elements in 9 groups, one ED and one HR element, and 9 rounded diaphragm blades which should ensure decent bokeh performance.

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 has internal focusing which means the lens will not protrude as you move through different focusing distances. This is a wonderful feature.

Viltrox 56mm F1.4 XF lens for Fujifilm X-mount Cameras shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3. Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 review. — Viltrox AF 56mm F1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 has a clickless aperture ring which is unfortunate unless you mainly shoot video. It would be nice if you had both options. At least the aperture is clearly marked and the aperture ring is tight enough that it is not easily moved out of position inadvertently.

The mentioned tightness in the aperture ring is also slightly annoying as changing the aperture can feel a tad jerky, especially with the aperture being placed close to the camera.

Overall the build quality is great with a sturdy feel throughout. In the looks department, it appears Viltrox has aimed for the Sony look which you may or may not favor. It looks anonymous and modern.

If you would like to spice things up you can pick one of three colors for your Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. Black, silver, or red. Call me old-fashioned. I would pick black.

Edwin Padilla performs at English Bay Beach singing and playing his ukulele. Sample image from a Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF @ f/2

Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 in Action

Overall from a user’s standpoint, I enjoyed my time with the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. The size and weight are perfect.

I was testing the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 at the same time as the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR and the two lenses made a surprisingly nice pair as both lenses fit perfectly in a jacket pocket and it was easy to switch from one to the other.

For my style of shooting autofocus speed in single-shot mode was sufficiently fast.

The way the Viltrox focuses reminds me of the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/1 R WR. It is fast enough, and accurate, but takes a split second to acquire focus.

A Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 for Fuji X mount shown on a Fujifilm X-Pro3 — The Viltrox AF 56mm F1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 vs. Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R

At $999.00 the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R is almost triple the cost of the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. To some, this is not worth it and to others, it is worth every penny spent.

I did not have the two lenses side by side and I am going from memory when I say that autofocus in fact may be slightly better on the Viltrox lens. The XF 56mm f/1.2 R, however, has the slightly faster f/1.2 f-stop, has a clickable aperture ring, and files coming out of it are overall better in my opinion.

Personally, I think the XF 56mm f/1.2 R is worth the extra expense, especially if you can find a used copy, but consider also the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR, announced in May of 2022 and anticipated on store shelves in late 2022.

If budget, however, is important to you the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 gets you an affordable portrait lens option, perhaps lacking some of the magic from the Fujifilm counterpart but at a considerable saving.

You can read my review of the XF 56mm f/1.2 R here:

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R- Review

A park bench at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. — Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF @ f/2

Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 vs Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR

The Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR is perhaps a more evenly matched lens to the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. Size and weight are somewhat similar with the XF 50mm f/2 R WR being slightly more compact but more expensive at $449.00.

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 offers an extra stop of light at f/1.4 but lacks the important clickable aperture dial.

The XF 50mm f/2 R WR is a real value winner in the Fujifilm lens lineup and if I only had a second to decide, I would jump for the XF 50mm f/2 R WR. You can read my XF 50mm f/2 R WR review here:

Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR review

A woman is posing in front of a tree at English Bay in Vancouver with red fall colors. Sample image from the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox 56mm AF f/1.4 XF @ f/1.4

Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 - Image Quality

The image quality of the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 is quite good and I would put it in line with the quality we have come to expect from Fujifilm’s line of f/2 lenses, nicknamed the Fujicrons.

It does however come short when compared to Fujifilm’s line of f/1.4 and f/1.2 lenses, especially the f/1.4 lenses released after the spring of 2021.

You could argue that at the price point, the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 offers excellent image quality.

I found the image quality excels at closer range and the photos are quite pleasing to my eye. At longer distance ranges it becomes more challenging and things get slightly muddled for lack of a better word. Keep in mind this is based on a short period of testing.

Conclusion

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 surprised me in positive ways. Especially when compared to manual focus options such as the 7Artisans 55mm f/1.4 II.

Having autofocus at this focal length aids you in nailing your shot and I enjoy being able to see which aperture I am shooting at in the viewfinder. Having the EXIF information later on when editing is also a valuable tool.

The Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 is of a sturdy build quality and it feels good in the hand. It is only when we start comparing it to Fujifilm’s more expensive options that doubt may start to set in.

What are you giving up after the huge savings? To me, it boils down to overall color accuracy and image quality throughout the entire distance range.

People sit on the benches by English Bay Beach enjoying the fall sun. Sample image from a Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF @ f/4

My biggest quibble has to do with the aperture ring. With so many things done right, why not a clickable aperture ring? I find this to be a rather odd design decision.

The extra bits of perfection come at a cost and in the case of the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 vs. Fujifilm lenses, we are talking about a considerable difference. Only you can decide if it is worth it but I hope the sample images below will give you an idea if this lens may be for you.

Pros

Excellent build quality with a metal lens hood
Great value for the money spent
Decent image quality

Cons

Clickless aperture ring

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF - B&H Photo

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Viltrox AF 56mm 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.