Lens ReviewMorten ByskovAugust 24, 2022Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF Review, Viltrox 13mm review, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 review, Viltrox 13mm f14 review, Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF for Fujifilm X review, Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF sample images, Viltrox 13mm sample images, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 sample images, Viltrox 13mm 1.4 review, Viltrox 13 1.4 review, Viltrox 13mm f1.4 review8 Comments

Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF Review

Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3 — Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF for Fujifilm X

If you were a manufacturer of third-party lenses wanting to make a difference in an already crowded field of competitors, what would come up with? I think perhaps this is exactly what Viltrox asked themselves before releasing the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount.

As for autofocus options, Fujifilm has the venerable XF 14mm f/2.8 R, or you could go with the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8. You also have the new Samyang AF 12mm f/2 X and several manual focus options. But none of these lenses offer the uncharted 13mm focal length of the Viltrox option with a bright maximum aperture of f/1.4.

With a few reservations, I was quite impressed when I reviewed the Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF last year. Let’s see if Viltrox has ironed out some of the things I didn’t like and perhaps has struck a winning formula with the AF 13mm XF f/1.4.

The Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 STM ASPH ED IF shown on a Fujifilm X-Pro3 — Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Disclosure: Viltrox sent me the 13mm f/1.4 for my review but they have in no way dictated a narrative. The opinions and topics in the following are fully my own and I strive to be unbiased.

Introduction

Released in January of 2022, the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 is available for Fujifilm X, Sony E, and Nikon Z mount. I am reviewing the XF version for Fujifilm X Series cameras. On APS-C sensors, the full-frame equivalent field of view is 20mm.

The last time this review was updated the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF retailed for $459.00.

A woman crosses the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF — Lynn Valley, North Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF @ f/4

Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 - Handling and Specs

On the front of the lens is a rather long lens name with several acronyms indicating what kind of lens we are dealing with. Here is the full name; Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF STM ASPH ED IF.

In point form here is a breakdown of the acronyms:

AF: Autofocus
XF: Fujifilm X mount
STM: Stepping AF motor
ASPH: Two aspherical lens elements
ED: Four extra-low dispersion elements
IF: Internal focusing (the lens will not protrude as it focuses)

The lens has 9 blade diaphragm blades creating decent-looking bokeh, and dimensions of 2.9 x 3.5" / 74 x 90 mm. The filter size is 67mm and the lens weighs a healthy 14.8 oz / 420 g. The minimum focusing distance is 8.7" / 22 cm and the aperture range is f/1.4-16.

Although slightly longer and heavier the feel of the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 is reminiscent of the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR. And it looks strikingly like Fujifilm’s latest lenses such as the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR.

The Viltrox lens has a very high-quality feel to it and is on par with what you would see in a native Fujifilm lens. In one area it actually excels and that is when we look closer at the lens hood.

You would think it to be such a trivial thing but the metal lens hood of the Viltrox instills a quality feel and the way it mounts with a soft yet resounding click is very satisfying.

The Viltrox AF 13/1.4 XF mounted on a Fujifilm X-Pro3 — Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF for Fujifilm X mount shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

The aperture ring is nice and wide and feels almost exactly like on the newer Fujifilm XF lenses. My biggest complaint about the Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF was the fact that it has a clickless aperture dial only.

This has been rectified in the 13mm f/1.4 lens and is now clickable in one-third of a stop. As a stills photographer, I appreciate this while video shooters may have wished for both options in order to have the seamless variable aperture option.

Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 in Action

The Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 is not a stealthy lens by any means and it has a hefty feel to it. The balance on my X-Pro3 is okay but I could be afraid it would dwarf an X-E4 somewhat. Any camera with a built-in grip such as the X-T4, X-H2S, or X-H2 should be fine when it comes camera to lens balance ratio.

Boats in Coal Harbour, Vancouver, on warm August evening. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF @ f/8

I felt the extra bulk and weight while out for a nature walk, doing street photography, or cycling with the lens but I would not say it became overly annoying.

I would often carry two lenses while out for this test, the other being the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR and both lenses fit in a pocket while shooting with the other lens.

With the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 having IF (internal focusing) and STM (stepping AF motor), autofocus is fast and silent. In an unscientific test comparing it to my XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM W R, I could not tell the two apart when it came to autofocus performance.

A FedEx delivery van is parked along West Georgia Street in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF — Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF @ f/5.6

Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 vs. Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R

For years, my go-to lens in this focal length range has been the XF 14mm f/2.8 R, $899.00. I have used this lens extensively for travel and professional gigs and have come to rely on it for great results.

When I got the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 I immediately wanted to compare the two. I did a couple of test scenes at f/2.8 and f/8 and in both scenarios, the XF 14mm f/2.8 R performed slightly better when it comes to the center and corner sharpness, as well as dealing with chromatic aberration.

The XF 14mm f/2.8 R also delivers slightly warmer results and I made white balance adjustments to match the images below.

The XF 14mm f/2.8 R appears to be more rectilinear where lines on the building are not as tilted. Part of this could be from the fact that we are talking about a 13mm vs. 14mm lens. I was surprised to see a significant difference in the field of view from the two lenses.

Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF vs. XF 14mm f/2.8 R at f/8
Click to view larger images

Coal Harbour on a summer day in Vancouver. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF — Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF @ f/8

Coal Harbour on an August summer day. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R — Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R @ f/8

Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF vs. XF 14mm f/2.8 R at f/2.8
Click to view larger images

Bike rentals on West Georgia. Sample image from a Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 — Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF @ f/2.8

Bicycles for rent at West Georgia Street. Sample image from a Fujifilm 14mm f/2.8 R — Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R @ f/2.8

The differences are not leaps and bounds and you would need to pixel peep at 100% to see a meaningful difference.

The strength of the Viltrox is the fact that you have two full stops over the Fujifilm lens as you can shoot in the range from f/1.4-2.8. This opens up new artistic possibilities and enables you to shoot in lower light at equivalent ISO values and with a more shallow depth of field.

With a weight of only 8.3 oz, 235 g, and smaller dimensions, the XF 14mm f/2.8 R is the more portable option. Physics unfortunately demands a heavier and bulkier lens if you want to shoot at f/1.4.

The value winner, however, is the Viltrox 13mm, which comes in at under half the cost of the XF 14mm f/2.8 R.

You can read my XF 14mm f/2.8 R review here:

Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 - Review

Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 - Image Quality

My initial approach to this review was probably not the best way to view this lens but merely part of the equation. I was mostly interested in a comparison to my XF 14mm f/2.8 R and was obsessing a bit over the fact that it was not quite as sharp.

At the same time, I was also ignoring the fact that the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 shines in other ways. That is when I decided to shoot it wide open and in the range from f/1.4 to f/2.8. The ability to do so should not be underrated and I find that the lens has nice character traits in this aperture range.

I find myself in a similar situation with my XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR which I almost always shoot wide open. When you push the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 it will create images that have a special look and feel and this is probably how I would use it going forward.

Diana Byskov at sunset on the Stanley Park Seawall in August. Sample image from a Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF — Stanley Park Seawall, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF @ f/1.4

The sample images in this review can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide, depending on your monitor size. Please click to view the larger photos below.

Conclusion

In many ways, I am reminded of the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR when using the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF. They share the same max. aperture, both are of high build quality, and although they are not the same focal length you can still view them as being in the same vicinity.

With the max. aperture opening of f/1.4 you are able to create unique images with both. The XF 16mm is more of a general-purpose wide angle where the Viltrox borders into the ultra-wide territory.

The overall sharpness and color rendition from the Fujifilm lenses is only slightly better but with a significant price jump. In the case of the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 vs. Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 we are looking at $459.00 vs. $999.00.

If Fujifilm created a similar lens the cost would no doubt be higher but I would also assume that optically it would surpass the Viltrox.

In such a hypothetical scenario there would probably still be room for both lenses in this segment. One lens for the photographer looking for the best possible quality and one for the photographer on a budget who can live with a few compromises.

Because of the 13mm focal length and the impressive set of specs and traits it comes with, Vitrox has made the 13mm f/1.4 lens hard to ignore at this price point.

Pros

Great build quality at the price point
Fast f/1.4 aperture ultra-wide-angle
Show nice character when shot wide open
Value for money spent

Cons

If you pixel peep Fujifilm lenses are better (but at a higher price point)

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF - B&H Photo

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Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF - Sample Images

Please see the sample images below. Editing was done in Capture One and I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos. Some of the photos have been cropped slightly.

Please click to view larger images.