Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 AF X Mount vs Samyang 85/1.8, Disassembly, 12 Hour Wedding and More

 

The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 autofocus lens is the new favorite third party lens amongst Fujifilm X shooters.

It is the 4th third party autofocus lens for Fujifilm X mount (the other three are the Zeiss 12mm f/2.8, 32mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro), but the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is the first reverse-engineered one, meaning they got no help from Fujifilm at all.

A brave move by Viltrox, that seens to pay off well for the company. At least amongst FujiRumors readers, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is a best seller.

Well done Viltrox, and we look forward to the next three Fujifilm X mount AF lenses in the pipeline.

Viltrox Review Roundup

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TESTED: Fujifilm X Mount Kamlan 21mm f/1.8 and Kamlan 50mm f/1.1, Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 AF, 7artisans 35mm f/1.2 and More

Fujifilm X Third Party Lenses

There is such a vast choice of native Fujifilm X mount lenses out there, that here on FujiRumors we have to dedicate them an apposite roundup.

In most cases we are talking of manual focus lenses, but also autofocus options are hitting the market.

The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is the first AF lens for Fujifilm (and FujiRumors delivered the worldwide first autofocus test about it). And we already reported in this article, that Viltrox is considering to launch 3 more AF lenses for Fujifilm soon. For all the details (focal length/aperture) about the upcoming Viltrox AF lenses for Fuji X, check out this article.

Since its launch, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is the best selling third party lens here on FujiRumors.

Today’s roundup includes also a review about the brand new Kamlan 21mm f/1.8, which comes with a gentle price tag, and seems to perform remarkably for what it costs.

Other lenses included in todays roundup are the 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro, Kamlan 50mm f/1.1, a couple of Mitakon X mount lenses and much more.

Kamlan

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Viltrox 23mm, 33mm and 56mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lenses Coming for Fujifilm X Mount

Viltrox AF Lenses

Viltrox recently launched the first reverse-engineered Fujifilm X autofocus lens, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 AF.

Now fellow FR-reader Michael (instagram, twitter, youtube) informed me that more lenses will come. In fact, Viltrox said:

“We will have more choices on focal length like 23mm/33mm/56mmf1.4. Maybe some of them can come out in October this year.“

It looks like competition is coming for the (currently discounted) Fujinon XF23mm f/1.4, XF 35mm f/1.4 and XF 56mm f/1.2.

As we reported here, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is on and about to become the best-selling third-party lens for Fujifilm X here on FujiRumors. So there is space for third-party glass in Fuji X shooters’ bags, and I wish Sigma, Tamron and Tokina would join the X mount, too.

The issue? Fujifilm does not open their protocols (except for Zeiss and the Zeiss Touit X mount trinity), hence companies have to laboriously reverse-engineer the lens firmware to make it work on X mount.

Sigma has flirted with X series customers, saying that they would love to provide lenses for us, if Fujifilm discloses their protocols. However, Fujifilm replied that this won’t happen.

  • fujirumors.com – Sigma CEO: “Fujifilm customers would be our ideal customer, but Fujifilm does not disclose their protocols”
  • fujirumors.com – Fuji CEO: “Fujifilm does need to share X mount protocols with third-parties, since we offer already lots of glass. But if third-parties reverse-engineer AF lenses for X mount, that’s good from a customers’ point of view“

Fujifilm makes more money with lenses, than with camera bodies, so it is understandable that they are reluctant to open their mount to third parties.

On the other hand, I believe that with an open X mount, Fujifilm would grow its customer base faster than it is currently happening.

Last but not least, some rumors we shared last year:

  • read here: SIGMA Will Make FUJIFILM X Mount lenses if X series Camera Sales Increase by 20%
  • read here: SIGMA Needs Bigger Fujifilm Market Share, TOKINA Designed X Glass Already but Stopped by Royalties, TAMRON is Vague

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