Why I Love My Viltrox

I’m a sports and action guy and as such I have some big, heavy equipment; ideal for the job in hand but too big and heavy for casual use. On a typical sports event I use a trolley to carry it all.  So, a few years ago I bought a Fuji X-T1 which I used for holidays and family stuff. It meant I didn’t need to carry my heavy stuff around but I only ever had a standard 16-50mm zoom. When the X-T5 came out I decided to upgrade. I wanted to get a new lens or two and searching around I came across Viltrox, a manufacturer I’d not heard of.

Who Are Viltrox?

Viltrox are a Chinese company, much like others which have sprung up in the last 10 years, like TTArtisan, Siriu, 7Artisans, Meike etc. They make third party lenses in a number of formats much cheaper than the main brand lenses. Viltrox started out making lens adapters and monitors around 2009. It wasn’t until 2018 that they started making lenses. Their first was a manual focus 85mm f1.8. A year later they launched an autofocus version. They now make lenses for Sony, Fuji, Nikon and Canon.

Viltrox have several ranges of lens:

• LAB – their top range, full frame only – typically £850

• Pro – Professional range, metal, weather sealed - typically £550

• Air – small, plastic lightweight – typically £200

• Epic & Luna – cine lenses

When One Prime Becomes Three

I decided early on that I wanted prime lenses on my X-T5; primes are generally better quality with wider apertures. I shoot a lot in poor light where a 100–400 f/4.5–5.6 just won’t cut it. Viltrox Pro lenses are f/1.2. After a few hours on YouTube watching lens review videos, it became clear that Viltrox were getting rave reviews.

In September 2023 I splashed out on the 56mm f/1.4 at £299. I was so impressed with it that, a week later, I ordered the 75mm f/1.2 at £533, and then the 13mm f/1.4 at £440. It’s fair to say I use the 75mm far more than the other two. I also have lenses from TTArtisan, 7Artisans, and Meike, but the 75mm is on the X-T5 90% of the time.

So, why do I love my Viltrox?

Firstly, the price. Generally,  for a similar focal length and aperture, Viltrox lenses are around half the price of Fuji equivalents. I don’t think Fuji do a 75mm prime but their 56mm f1.2 is around £999, their 50mm f1.0 is £1,499 and their 90mm f2 is £950.

Secondly, build quality. This is a well-built lens: all metal, weather-sealed (which is important if you’re an outdoor sports shooter in the UK), and undeniably solid, shouting quality in every respect. At 764g, however, it’s perhaps not for the faint-hearted. The filter thread is 77mm, and it offers a Manual/Auto focus switch, plus — importantly — a dedicated aperture ring. There’s no mucking about trying to find the right switch or dial on the camera to change aperture; instead, you get a satisfying click-ring, so you always know exactly when you’re changing stops. This series also features a USB port on the lens mount for updating firmware, and in the two years I’ve owned it, I think there have been three or four updates.

This is a fast lens. At F1.2 it lets a ton of light in, meaning walking around the West End at night shooting candid portraits and street scenes is absolutely no issue, with no tripod required.

It’s sharp, crazy sharp. It’s probably one of the sharpest lenses I own in both Fuji & Canon systems. I’m using it mainly for street and portraiture. Using the eye focal point on the XT-5 and it locks onto people’s eyes. I’ve done some motorcycle and cycling shots on it and although not as solid a tracking system as my Canon 1DX MKIIs, it does a pretty reasonable job. The sharpness goes across the frame further than a lens of this price should.

I just love the bokeh shooting wide open.  F4 was my favourite aperture (on my 600mm) but F1.2 is rapidly overtaking. I love the narrow depth of field on portrait shots. If I want the mouth to be in focus as well as the eyes I can always open it up to f2.2!

The only issue shooting so wide is sunny days when shooting at 1.2 means the camera wants something faster than 1/8000 sec. No problem if you’re on electronic shutter but a pain if you mainly shoot manual shutter and have to change. I’ve bought an ND filter for this lens to cover that issue but am yet to try it out.

Viltrox are rapidly getting a very good reputation and I’m happy to be on board. If I can ever afford another new lens it will be the Viltrox 27mm Pro f1.2, or maybe the 135mm f1.8 if they ever make a Pro version (currently only available as LAB for full frame). Of course, if they ventured into “proper” telephoto – 600mm f4, I might sell a kidney.

So, that’s why I love this lens. It may make street shooters baulk. I mean, who shoots street on a 105mm equivalent?

I do, and I love it!

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Viltrox can be found at their dedicated UK site at https://viltrox.co.uk/ which offers next day delivery. Their lenses are also available on Amazon and some of the second hand places like MPB and Wex have them from time to time.