Overview: Viltrox AF 27mm f/1.2 STM ASPH ED IF PRO

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Viltrox AF 27mm 1.2 STM ASPH ED IF PRO is the corporate’s second lens in its APS-C PRO sequence lenses, 75mm f/1.2 being the primary. 27mm focal size in APS-C format, roughly equal to 40mm full-frame. Whereas it”s not a “actual” wide-angle lens, it’s wider than a standard 50mm lens, which, in my view, will be extra helpful for on a regular basis and avenue pictures, in comparison with a 50mm lens,  because it permits to incorporate extra of the setting. Then again, it doesn’t introduce the angle distortion of a 35mm wide-angle lens. This lens was launched with X mount earlier and now it’s launched with Z and E mount, with a couple of enhancements to the unique X model. I take a look at the brand new Z mount model on a Nikon Z fc digital camera.

Pattern Pictures

Specs

Variations

The Fuji X mount model that was launched sooner than the this Nikon Z (and the Sony E) mount lens has the identical optics and lens development scheme, however there are a couple of variations between that model and these new releases. They’re largely associated to the additional options on the physique like buttons and switches which can be added to those new variations

To see the small print learn on!

Dealing with

Construct

The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 STM ASPH ED IF is an autofocus APS-C lens with digital contacts for transferring full Exif information to the digital camera and setting the aperture robotically from the digital camera, however no picture stabilization, which hardly is critical for a lens of this focal size. The construct high quality is superb, it feels that each one the supplies are of high quality and metallic construct. It reminds quite a bit the Sony G-Grasp sequence of lenses, each in construct, dimension, and type. The entrance factor has an HD Nano coating with water resistant and anti-fouling coating.

Dimension

It’s fairly heavy and massive for being an APS-C lens and evidently Viltrox has adopted in Zeiss Otus and the earlier technology of Sigma Artwork’s footsteps to place high quality above every thing else. Here’s a dimension comparability with some  different lenses with (about) the identical focal size.

From left to proper Viltrox 27/1.2, Laowa 25/0.95, Nikon Z 28/2.8, TTArtisan AF 27/2.8. Be aware that the Laowa is even sooner with its f/0.95 max relative aperture and the Nikon is definitely an FF lens, however because of its compact dimension absolutely usable on APS-C cameras, though it’s an f/2.8 lens, which 2.3 stops slower than the Viltrox. As seen within the picture above the lens comes with an enormous and deep plastic hood.

Options

There’s a weather-sealing gasket underneath the metallic lens mounting plate, which additionally incorporates a USB-C port for future updates.

There may be an aperture ring on the lens with light clicks each third of an f-stop (à la Sony GM lenses), a luxurious not provided by many lenses, and an A place for the Automated management of the aperture from the digital camera. The broad focusing ring turns easily and will be set to regulate aperture or publicity compensation as an alternative of being a focusing ring. The main focus mechanism is inside, which suggests the size of the lens doesn’t change whenever you focus and the entrance factor doesn’t rotate. The autofocus (focus-by-wire with STM stepping motor) is correct and comparatively silent and quick. I used to be a bit shocked by the AF velocity, I used the lens for avenue pictures and the AF by no means did not sustain.

I’m pleased to see that Viltrox has listened to the calls for from the customers and added each an AF-MF change and a change for de-clicking the aperture, none of which existed on the sooner launched Fuji X model.

As if the programmable focusing ring, declicking, and AF-MF switches haven’t been sufficient, there may be yet one more perform button (additionally new on this model) underneath the AF-MF change that may be set to a myriad of various features on the lens or the digital camera (default focus lock). This will make the dealing with of not solely the lens but additionally the digital camera a lot simpler and extra nice. 

All in all, aside from presumably a smaller dimension, the dealing with and construct high quality don’t depart a lot to be wished for, properly executed.

Optical Options

Completely different producers have other ways of measuring and exhibiting their lenses’ MTF charts, however I’ve to say that this chart presents among the many most spectacular and promising curves I’ve ever seen. Nicely, let’s see how the lens behaves in actual life!

Sharpness (Infinity)

For the infinity sharpness take a look at, we have a look at three areas of the picture, middle, mid-frame, and nook, see highlighted areas within the picture under!

Nicely, that is a unprecedented efficiency, the sharpness is superb proper from max relative aperture at f/1.2 each within the middle, mid-frame, and nook. The height sharpness is at f/4-f/5.6. The nook sharpness shouldn’t be as spectacular as the middle or mid-frame sharpness on the widest apertures and from f/11 the diffraction reduces the sharpness a bit, nonetheless the sharpness is superb in any respect apertures.

Sharpness (Portrait)

Let’s have a look at the factors of curiosity for portraits on the portrait distance: the very middle, the middle’s internal periphery  (1/3 rule intersection), and the middle’s outer periphery (1/4th intersection).

Glorious sharpness in any respect factors from f/1.2, the outer periphery is barely darker because of the vignetting at f/1.2. On the max aperture of 1.2, you’ve simply barely much less distinction than at 1.4 and smaller apertures. Glorious efficiency once more.

Sharpness (Shut-up)

Though close-up sharpness is superb from f/1.2, by stopping right down to f/1.4 it will get good and won’t change by any additional closing the aperture, as you possibly can’t get something higher than good.

Chances are you’ll or might not see barely extra distinction should you pixel peep take a look at pictures on the brand new Fujifilm 40 Mp sensor however on regular APS-C sensors it’s virtually unattainable to see any distinction between completely different apertures, they may look glorious at any aperture. The sharpness in any respect distances is actually spectacular and the Viltorx 27 fulfils the MTF chart promise concerning the sharpness and distinction, glorious.

Lens Distortion

Excellent news right here too, nearly no distortion in any respect.

Vignetting

Lower than 2.4 EV vignetting at f/1.2, which is improved rapidly by stopping down. Mild fall-off is at about 1 EV at f/2 and about 0.5 EV at f/4

f/1.2: 2.4 EV
f/1.4: 2.1 EV
f/2.0: 1.0 EV
f/2.8: 0.7 EV
f/4.0: 0.6 EV
f/5.6: 0.5 EV

Focus Shift & Aberrations

No focus shift in any respect might be seen within the checks, however some longitudinal chromatic aberration wide-open at f/1.2 and f/1.4. It’s at a minimal quantity at f/2 and at f/2.8, it’s gone.

The lateral chromatic aberration could be very properly managed as you’ll not see any signal of it wherever. Here’s a 100% crop of the intense nook of a picture with very excessive distinction.

Flare Resistance

On this class, you may make any lens look roughly dangerous should you attempt lengthy and onerous. That mentioned, I feel we discover this lens’s solely optical flaw that you have to watch out with. Though it isn’t an entire disaster, for such an amazing optic in any other case, the flare resistance doesn’t come as much as the identical glorious stage of high quality requirements we’ve seen with this lens in different sections.  Sadly, the deep lens hood doesn’t assist a lot should you get the solar in or on the sides of the body. In these circumstances, you have to be cautious together with your composition or throw some shade together with your hand or different means on the lens to keep away from flares.

Don’t decide the lens’s flare resistance primarily based on this part’s photos alone, the place I’ve put the lens underneath stress testing. Within the pattern photos I’ve a number of footage with the solar within the body with none ugly flares although.

Coma

Excellent news right here once more, the coma is properly managed and nothing to fret about. See the next picture, which is 100% crop of the intense nook of a picture taken with the Viltrox 27/1.2

Sunstars

Sunstars shouldn’t be anticipated from 11 rounded aperture blades, however to my surprize, this Viltrox 27/1.2 may generate 22 pointed sunstars from f/4. Though not very properly outlined at f/4, they get higher by f/5.6 and from f/8 they’re comparatively properly outlined, a weak halo will be sensed within the middle a part of the celebrities although.

Focus Respiratory

Considerably much less excellent news for video makers right here because the Viltorx 27/1.2 exhibits a fairly sturdy focus respiratory.

Bokeh

The great thing about bokeh is within the eyes of the beholder. In my eyes, that is one other characteristic of the Viltrox AF 27/1.2 PRO with glorious outcomes.

Let’s take a look on the bokeh itself first!

No onion rings within the bokeh balls and the 11 rounded aperture blades make a marvel in maintaining the bokeh balls round even should you cease right down to f/4. Bokeh balls get a light cat’s eye form in the direction of the far edges and corners at f/1.2, however they begin getting spherical by stopping down and at f/2 they roughly round even on the edges. This is superb certainly. Let’s see the out-of-focus high quality in regular on a regular basis pictures at completely different distances!

Very Shut

Buttery clean certainly. Let’s make the space bigger and see!

Shut

Nonetheless superbly mushy and good. Let’s go even additional away!

Medium Distance

It’s the conventional portrait distance and bike right here is further essential. Thankfully the bokeh nonetheless appears good, to my style. Let’s do even farther away to essentially the most demanding lengthy distance!

Lengthy Distance

This Viltrox can produce mushy and nice bokeh from any distance to the topic; from near lengthy distance with each darkish, gentle and contrasty background. In these pattern photos you possibly can see the bokeh and out-of-focus blur with the topic at completely different distances. You can too see a number of different photos among the many pattern photos sections initially and finish of the article.

Conclusion

The Viltrox AF 27/1.2 PRO is a good, very well-built, feature-rich lens that produces extraordinarily sharp photos in any respect apertures, in all places within the body. It has very good bokeh and colours too.  This lens is an astonishing lens, that really doesn’t have any competitors in both Sony’s, Canon’s or Nikon’s APS-C choices. Fuji’s closest rivals, Fujifilm’s 23mm f/1.4 or 33mm f/1.4, aren’t a 27mm lens. They aren’t as quick because the Viltrox with its f/1.2 max aperture both. They’re greater than twice as costly as properly. So, no competitors amongst Fuji lenses both.

It’s best to keep in mind although that it isn’t utterly flawless, its flare resistance shouldn’t be top-notch. Nonetheless, It makes a wonderful worth for cash, particularly contemplating that this Viltrox is quicker than it closest rivals. In order for you a typical tremendous quick lens with nice traits and may deal with its flare, and its dimension/weight, then that is the lens for you at a great worth level.

In case you are fascinated by shopping for this lens or any of the lenses within the Alternate options part, help our efforts through the use of the hyperlinks under or given underneath every lens. It received’t price you a penny and a few circumstances even provides you reductions.

Alternate options

There aren’t any actual alternate options truly, all the opposite lenses at 27-28mm focal size are slower than this Viltrox and those with f/1.2 aperture or sooner are both wider or longer in focal size. I point out a few them in any case.

Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO
A very handbook lens. About 2/third of a cease sooner than the Viltrox. Just a bit wider, which tilts the lens from commonplace focal size in the direction of a light wide-angle focal size. Accessible in Sony E, Nikon Z, Fuji X, Canon RF, and Canon EF-M mount
Purchase from Laowa retailer on venuslens.internet  $549

TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8
For Sony E, Nikon Z, and Fuji X mounts. Autofocus, about 2.5 stops slower, very small and compact, good for journey and avenue.
Purchase new from TTArtisan on-line retailer  $149 (Affiliate hyperlinks)
Purchase new from  amazon.com, amazon.de, amazon.co.uk, amazon.fr  $159 (Affiliate hyperlinks)

Voigtländer 27 mm F2.0 Ultron
Just for Fuji X mount. Handbook focus, about 1.5 stops slower. The smallest of all alternate options, should you can deal with handbook focus nice for avenue and journey.
Purchase new: amazon.com, amazon.de, amazon.co.uk, amazon.fr for €549 (Affiliate hyperlinks)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8
Just for Nikon Z cameras, autofocus, about 2.5 stops slower
Purchase from: amazon.com, amazon.de, amazon.co.uk, amazon.fr $276 (Affiliate hyperlinks)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Just for Nikon Z cameras, autofocus, about 2.5 stops slower
amazon.com, amazon.de, amazon.co.uk, amazon.fr $496 (Affiliate hyperlinks)

Extra Pattern Pictures

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Martin M.H. lives outdoors Stockholm, Sweden. He’s a M.Sc. in Laptop Know-how however he has been a passionate photographer for over 45 years. He began his photographic adventures when he was 13 with an Agfamatic pocket digital camera, which he quickly changed with a Canon rangefinder digital camera that his mother gave him in his teenages. After that he has been utilizing Canon SLR, Nikon SLR handbook focus and Autofocus, Sony mirrorless crop sensor, Nikon DSLR and Nikon Mirrorless. He has photographed any style he may all through the years and you may see all sort of photos in his portfolio. Throughout the later years although it has been largely panorama, nature, journey and a few avenue/documentary pictures.