AF Lenses on the Fuji system

M

M.R.

Active member
Hi all,

I looked through YouTube, but all the vloggers seem to focus on the photography side when it comes to direct comparisons.
I'm looking for opinions about the Viltrox AF vs the Fuji AF lenses, in terms of video performance. Mostly about the old Fuji AF Lenses since those are more of a comparison in terms of budget.
Anybody who has experienced the lenses below?
What would be your pick and why, especially in terms of AF performance for video? How good are the Viltrox ones?

Viltrox 23mm f1.4 vs Fuji 23mm f1.4 (old version) vs Fuji 23mm f2.0
Viltrox 56mm f1.4 vs Fuji 56mm f1.2 (old version) vs Fuji 50mm f2.0

Thanks
 
I don't have feedback on Viltrox lenses but maybe keep in mind that the Fujifilm video AF system is limited with its performance, so you'll likely get the best performance from Fujifilm lenses if video AF is critical (as critical as it can be with that system), including FW updates which might affect how lenses and the camera communicate with each other.
 
Thank you for your input.
Well I use Fuji, so not really looking to change.
I use manual lenses as well, but sometimes I rely on autofocus for run & gun, following someone on the shoulder, following actions in detail (hands etc.) in slow motion.
 
[Long preamble that might be of stuff you already know]
I haven't directly compared them (and only own one Viltrox lens), and my only Fujifilm body right now is an X-T3 (will probably buy a X-H2 or X-H2S next year). And note that while I do sometimes use the X-T3 for video, I mostly use it for stills and fun. (But if Fujifilm brings out a "real" video camera, I'll be really really interested). But that said.... First make sure you're camera is running the latest firmware; there have been some improvements. And spend some time trying and using the kinda-dumbly hidden autofocus features. Like, in the menus under Set Up > Power Management > Performance, switch from the default Normal mode to Boost mode. Boost mode uses the battery a little quicker (a bigger deal on the X-T3 than on the X-T4 and later). But mainly: Boost Mode makes AF better and faster. WTF Fuji? Why isn't Boost the default? Sigh (maybe it is now...I'm on Firmware from a few months ago). Also dig into the Zone Autofocus, AF sensitivity, and Wide AF settings. I'll embed a video from Chris Lee, an honest (imo) YouTuber who isn't just in it to get more gear from vendors. This one is on Fujifilm autofocus settings for video. He has other videos on AF and all things Fujifilm...including decent lens reviews that strike me as fairly honest (and again, not just positive so he gets sent more gear from vendors)... IIRC, he's reviewed and compared all the lenses you're considering and says how they compare for both stills and video.

[Indirect response to your question]
The old big Fujifilm 23mm and 56mm lenses produce lovely images. But their AF is kinda slow and the motors are loud; my guess is because they have to move so much glass and because when they were designed, video wasn't a big consideration. Sadly, I'd say the old versions of those lenses don't deliver a great video AF experience (mostly fine for stills; and again, lovely images). The Fuji f2.0 lenses are surprising nice and focus pretty well and pretty quietly. But if you're part of the shallow-depth-of-field cult, consider if a f.2.0 lens & APS-C sensor will give you the look you want (not a dealbreaker for me). My Viltrox 23mm feels a bit slower and not as nicely made as my Fujifilm lenses, but it's pretty good and it sure is inexpensive. But note that I'm fairly cool with manual focus.

And again, for all the lenses, the right AF settings on your Fujifilm camera matter a lot. This video is from a couple months ago (ie- fairly up to date) and is 36-minutes long.


Hope this all helps!
 
Jim Feeley said:
[Long preamble that might be of stuff you already know]
I haven't directly compared them (and only own one Viltrox lens), and my only Fujifilm body right now is an X-T3 (will probably buy a X-H2 or X-H2S next year). And note that while I do sometimes use the X-T3 for video, I mostly use it for stills and fun. (But if Fujifilm brings out a "real" video camera, I'll be really really interested). But that said.... First make sure you're camera is running the latest firmware; there have been some improvements. And spend some time trying and using the kinda-dumbly hidden autofocus features. Like, in the menus under Set Up > Power Management > Performance, switch from the default Normal mode to Boost mode. Boost mode uses the battery a little quicker (a bigger deal on the X-T3 than on the X-T4 and later). But mainly: Boost Mode makes AF better and faster. WTF Fuji? Why isn't Boost the default? Sigh (maybe it is now...I'm on Firmware from a few months ago). Also dig into the Zone Autofocus, AF sensitivity, and Wide AF settings. I'll embed a video from Chris Lee, an honest (imo) YouTuber who isn't just in it to get more gear from vendors. This one is on Fujifilm autofocus settings for video. He has other videos on AF and all things Fujifilm...including decent lens reviews that strike me as fairly honest (and again, not just positive so he gets sent more gear from vendors)... IIRC, he's reviewed and compared all the lenses you're considering and says how they compare for both stills and video.

[Indirect response to your question]
The old big Fujifilm 23mm and 56mm lenses produce lovely images. But their AF is kinda slow and the motors are loud; my guess is because they have to move so much glass and because when they were designed, video wasn't a big consideration. Sadly, I'd say the old versions of those lenses don't deliver a great video AF experience (mostly fine for stills; and again, lovely images). The Fuji f2.0 lenses are surprising nice and focus pretty well and pretty quietly. But if you're part of the shallow-depth-of-field cult, consider if a f.2.0 lens & APS-C sensor will give you the look you want (not a dealbreaker for me). My Viltrox 23mm feels a bit slower and not as nicely made as my Fujifilm lenses, but it's pretty good and it sure is inexpensive. But note that I'm fairly cool with manual focus.

And again, for all the lenses, the right AF settings on your Fujifilm camera matter a lot. This video is from a couple months ago (ie- fairly up to date) and is 36-minutes long.


Hope this all helps!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input!
I didn't know the boost mode affected autofocus!
I thought it was only for the screen!

I currently have the 18-55 kit lens where the AF performs pretty good. But I also bought the 60mm Macro, that one is unusable when it comes to AF for video (very loud motor as well)
Not really in shallow depth of field cult, although looking for something faster than what the kit zoom offers.

Any others that have any experience with these lenses?
 
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