Viltrox started shipping the new Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 via their official storefront (waiting is longer via BHphoto).
Now the first reviews are coming in, and inevitably some compare it to Fujifilm’s XF56mmF1.2.
Down below you can find them all.
The Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 R WR is overall enjoying very positive reviews.
Sure, there are always those, who might not be familiar with such an extreme lens, so they go out and shoot at f/1.0 at a bright sunny day in super high contrast scenes and then complaint because it shows some fringing or because you can’t work without an ND-filter.
Or when reviewers say the bokeh is not good, and then it turns out they used electronic first curtain shutter, which distorts the look of the bokeh (as you can see from the image above). You should always use the standard electronic shutter (or mechanical shutter) if your goal is to get nice bokeh.
So, some of the “flaws” reviewers notice, are actually not issues with the lens, but faults of those, who use a radical fast lens with the wrong settings in the wrong conditions.
It’s clear: if you go for such an extreme lens, you better know about photography and how to handle specialty lenses like this one.
One of those guys, who know how to master such a lens, are Chris and Jordan from DPRTV, who now have published their hands on review of the Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 R WR.
You can see the video and read a summary down below.
John Branch has published a video, where he compares the brand new Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 with the much loved Fujinon XF56mm f/1.2.
Down below are his findings, but keep in mind: the video was filmed BEFORE the important XF50mmF1.0 firmware update.
Especially considering the current huge deal on XF56mmF1.2 lenses, the 56mmF1.2 is great value for money (a lens I own and love). But from all I could see so far, if you do not mind the extra weight and size, the Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 is the way to go.
Fujifilm really put magic into that lens, a magic best described by Jonas Rask here, when he says:
My all time favorite lens from Fujifilm is the XF35mm f/1.4R – In my eyes it’s the perfect lens. There have been many wordings about that lens, and one thing that keeps on popping up in discussions is that it has a certain something that no-one seem to able to define. It always end up being labeled as “magic” which is silly.
The reason for its look is found in the optical design, a design that Fujinon decided to continue into the XF50mm f/1R WR. And that makes the images coming from this lens extremely appealing to those who like the look of the XF35mm f/1.4.
The images coming from XF50mm f/1 R WR has those exact same undefinable traits that makes me love my XF35mm f/1.4 so much. The sharpness that is sharp, yet not overly sharp. A flattering kind of sharpness that seems more rounded, organic and less digital/clinical. A bokeh rendering that is soft, delicious and very calming to the eye, and a color reproduction that gives a very lovely depth to especially warm color tones.
In other words, the XF50mm F/1 R WR is the portrait lens version of the XF35mm f/1.4 R!
Fujifilm has crafted a massive winner, and initial sales figures seems to confirm it!
In the youtube videos below, Reggie and Ken quickly compare the autofocus performance of the Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 vs. Fujinon XF56mmF1.2.
Reggie says:
The 50mm f1.0 seems to have less autofocus pulsing when continuously tracking a subject.
Keep in mind that this is still pre-production firmware.
XF50mmF1.0 Pre-order Options
Official Fujifilm Info
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