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Marc Esquius 9/5/23 Marc Esquius 9/5/23

Viltrox 27mm 1.2

Introduction:

Photography enthusiasts and professionals are always on the lookout for lenses that strike the perfect balance between quality and affordability. Enter the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 lens, a prime lens that has been garnering attention for its promising specifications and budget-friendly price tag. In this comprehensive review, we'll break down this lens into key categories, assessing its strengths and weaknesses. From its build quality to image rendering, autofocus capabilities, color/contrast performance, video versatility, and any notable drawbacks, we'll provide you with a detailed analysis to help you make an informed decision about whether the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 is the right addition to your photography arsenal. Let's dive in and explore what this lens has to offer.

Build Quality (9/10):

The build quality of the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 lens is exceptional for its price point, earning it a solid 9 out of 10. The lens boasts a robust metal construction that feels durable, and the focus and aperture rings offer smooth and precise control. The included lens hood adds to its value, making it a well-built and reliable choice for photographers.

Image Quality (9.5/10):

Image quality is where the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 truly shines, earning an impressive 9.5 out of 10. This lens consistently delivers sharp, detailed images, even at its widest aperture. Its exceptional performance in low-light conditions, coupled with beautiful bokeh and minimal optical flaws, makes it a top choice for both portraits and landscapes.

Autofocus (8/10):

The autofocus performance of the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 lens is generally good, scoring 8 out of 10. It is responsive and accurate in well-lit conditions, suitable for most everyday photography needs. However, it may struggle in low-light situations or challenging focusing scenarios, which can be a limitation for some users.

Color/Contrast (9/10):

When it comes to color rendition and contrast, this lens scores a solid 9 out of 10. It consistently produces vibrant and true-to-life colors with well-balanced contrast, adding depth and dimension to your photos. It excels in capturing the visual punch and richness that photographers desire.

Shooting low light it’s surprisingly contrasty as well and the lens flare it is pleasing to my eyes.

Video (8/10):

For videographers, the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 lens is a versatile choice, earning an 8.out of 10. Its wide aperture allows for cinematic shallow depth of field effects, and the quiet autofocus motor ensures smooth and silent focusing during video recording. It's a valuable tool for capturing both stills and video content.

The only flaw in this category, it’s the that sometimes the autofocus tends to hunt specially when recording in low light situations.

Weaknesses:

My main issue with this lens is the Autofocus on videography, as mentioned before it tends to hunt a lot when shooting in low light. Sometimes even with still subjects.

On the other side, when shooting wide open, the vignette is pretty noticeable but you can fix it in post easly.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 lens proves to be an excellent choice, particularly for professional photographers who prioritize image quality and don't mind carrying a slightly larger lens to harness its impressive f/1.2 aperture. This lens shines in natural light settings, making it exceptionally valuable for capturing the unique atmosphere and moments of events like weddings. With its stellar image quality, solid build, and versatile performance, it caters to the demands of professionals who require that extra edge in challenging lighting conditions. While it may have some minor weaknesses, these are easily overshadowed by its ability to deliver exceptional results when it matters most. If you're a professional photographer seeking a reliable and budget-friendly option with a wide aperture, the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 lens deserves serious consideration for your toolkit.

Samples Images:

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Marc Esquius 8/27/23 Marc Esquius 8/27/23

Viltrox 23 mm

Unleashing Creativity with the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4: A Comprehensive Review

Hey there, photography enthusiasts and gear aficionados! Today, I'm thrilled to dive into a lens that has been creating quite a buzz in the photography community – the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4. As someone who's always on the lookout for versatile lenses that can take my creativity to new heights, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. After some extensive field testing, here's the lowdown on what this lens brings to the table.

Design and Build Quality: 4.5/5

Right out of the box, the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 impresses with its sleek, minimalist design. The matte black finish gives it a professional and unobtrusive look that blends well with a variety of camera bodies. The lens feels solid in the hand, thanks to its metal construction. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, providing a satisfying tactile experience while adjusting focus manually. However, a weather-sealing feature would have been a welcome addition to enhance its durability in challenging shooting conditions.

Also remember that this lens is distributed in 3 colors: Black, White, Red and Silver. I’m a big fan of Viltrox for releasing this special editions that give some personality to your gear.

Performance: 4/5

When it comes to image quality, the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 holds its ground admirably. Wide open at f/1.4, this lens delivers impressively sharp images at the center, with a pleasing bokeh that's perfect for isolating subjects. There is a slight drop in sharpness towards the edges wide open, but stopping down to f/2.8 largely mitigates this issue. Chromatic aberrations are well-controlled, and distortion is minimal, making it a great choice for landscapes and portraiture.

Autofocus performance is generally snappy and accurate, although it might occasionally hunt in low-light situations. While not the fastest lens in terms of autofocus, it's certainly adequate for most scenarios. For those who enjoy manual focusing, the focus-by-wire system might take a bit of getting used to, but it's quite responsive once you've mastered it.

Versatility: 5/5

The 23mm focal length hits a sweet spot between a wide angle and a standard field of view, making it incredibly versatile. This lens shines in street photography, capturing the essence of urban life with its natural perspective. It's equally at home in environmental portraits, allowing you to tell a more comprehensive story by incorporating the surroundings. The f/1.4 aperture not only enables excellent subject separation but also proves valuable in low-light conditions, reducing the need for flash or high ISO settings.

Value for Money: 4.8/5

Considering its competitive price point compared to similar offerings from established brands, the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 offers outstanding value for money. It provides solid optical performance and a focal length that's bound to be a favorite for many photographers. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of high-end lenses, it delivers where it matters most – in the image quality department.

Conclusion

In a world where camera gear choices are vast, the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 stands out as a commendable contender. Its combination of sleek design, excellent image quality, and versatile focal length make it a reliable companion for photographers of various genres. Whether you're a street photographer, a portrait enthusiast, or just someone looking to capture life's moments creatively, this lens deserves a spot in your camera bag. While it might not be without minor flaws, the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 delivers where it counts and opens up a world of photographic possibilities without breaking the bank.

Gear Photos

Pictures:

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Marc Esquius 8/25/23 Marc Esquius 8/25/23

Sunrise in S’Agaro

This is a nice place in the north coast of Catalunya. It is a great place for photography. I took this picture unintentionally, I mean I was going to another place but while walking I found this cool place and in that specific time a runner pass though the scene. It was not a picture that I was looking for. But that is the good thing of photography, isn’t it?

Location:

Gear Used:

Fujifilm XT5: It is my most used camera right now. I absolutely love the looks of this camera. In good light the image quality is amazing and the dynamic range it is provable the best in the Fujifilm X system.

Fujinon 8mm: This is a new comer to my gear. If I tell you the truth I do not buy it with excitement. I thought it was too expensive for a 3,5 aperture lens. Well I still think it is way too expensive, but on the other side, the lens is super convenient. I love to have it with me everywhere I go and I always find a situation to use it. Before with the 10-24mm or the 13mm I just use them when I need them for an specific photoshoot. Right now I can throw it into my bag the whole time.

Final Image:

Marc Esquius 8/22/23 Marc Esquius 8/22/23

Sunset with my girls in LLafranc

During my holidays in la Costa Brava, the north coast of Catalonia(Spain) I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my daughters, Aina and Abril.

I took this pictures one evening and as always I had to beg them to model for me. :)

Almost all of them were taken with the Viltrox 27mm 1.2.