Recently bought back into Fujifilm’s APS-C X mount ( May 2025 ) and decided today, since its Prime Day, to take advantage of the 20% price reduction on Amazon to try out the Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 Pro. I know it’s a heavy lens weighing in at 575 grams but it’s selling at less than half the price of any Fuji lens with this capability. What pushed me over the edge was the fact that its size is almost identical to the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II.
So with dimensions of
Dimensions. ø: 3.1 x L: 3.6" / ø: 78.4 x L: 92 mm for Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 Pro
To
Dimensions: ø: 3.1 x L: 3.7" / ø: 78.3 x L: 95 mm for Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II
Seems pretty identical, what do you think?
I plan to use both lenses on a kit with an X-H2 and/or X-T5.
Bought the Viltrox 56 f/1.2 for use on X-T5 and X-H2. It’s sharp. Not quite as sharp in the center and corners as the Viltrox 75 f/1.2, but still sharp enough to hurt yourself. 😎
You’d certainly have more versatility with the Zoom. In real world photography the only thing you’d lose with the zoom is the nice ability to do narrow zone of focus wide open. But the advantage of multiple fields of view is something that may offset that for your use case.
Can’t go wrong with either. Viltrox is a bargain compared to the top line Fuji lenses and the build quality is excellent, so it doesn’t feel like a compromise “in hand.”
I'm sure it's great and you will enjoy it. Myself I had the Fuji version initially, loved the look it produced but almost never carried it unless I knew I wanted it because of its weight; and hence I sold it. Missing that focal in a prime, I eventually replaced it the Viltrox 56/1.7 "air" version. I could not be happier with this little gem, it's always in my bag and a goto, everyday prime. For me and my needs, I do not miss the faster aperture and the little air is sharp from wide open down. In fact this lens is so sharp I leave a cineswirl 1 diffusion filter on it all the time.
swldstn wrote:
What pushed me over the edge was the fact that its size is almost identical to the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II.
So with dimensions of
Dimensions. ø: 3.1 x L: 3.6" / ø: 78.4 x L: 92 mm for Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 Pro
To
Dimensions: ø: 3.1 x L: 3.7" / ø: 78.3 x L: 95 mm for Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II
Seems pretty identical, what do you think?
I plan to use both lenses on a kit with an X-H2 and/or X-T5.
Size might be identical, but the Viltrox is 575 g vs 410 g for the Fuji. You will feel that when lifting the camera to your eye.
I was also tempted to buy the Viltrox 27 1.2 pro with Amazon Prime deal yesterday but realized that these third party lenses have terrible resale value. (Unless you're committed to keeping them forever, then it's not an issue) I already have a tough time selling Fuji lenses, let alone 3rd party ones. Their pro lenses perform amazing though, I'm sure I will try one someday.
To all, I agree it’s heavy and that might be a deterrent to taking it with me for a long day of shooting.
Wasn’t my biggest concern but you’re right about that . Weight was one of the reasons I want to have an APS-C kit. I originally tried a TTartisan 56/1.8 but returned it when I found no firmware support on MacOS.
I hadn’t given a thought to its resale value given the 20% discount but maybe I should. I checked the 27/1.2 and 75/1.2 resale value for the Sony versions on MPB and KEH since they have been out for a while and @Joseph. is right about their poor resale price.
Well we will see. At least it’s easy to return to Amazon Prime. Wish me luck.
Joseph. wrote:
realized that these third party lenses have terrible resale value
That's actually very true. I have a Viltrox 56mm f1.4 that has literally 0 resale value, while I still got some value out of selling some of my Fuji XF lenses on mpb (10-24mm, 27mm f2.8, both non-WR).
I also have the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 though and that lens is so good, I'll probably keep it as long as I still have a Fuji body to shoot it on.
Oct 09, 2025 at 03:29 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
The Viltrox 56 f/1.2 Pro looks great to me and I am pretty sure I will get it in time. I am not worried about the size and appreciate that the AF looks quite robust. I want a fast modern 56 and I expect this will be my choice. I will want other looks as well and will at least want my Voigtlander 50 f/1.2 Sonnar for a different less modern look.
I was excited to receive mine today, but it appears to be a dud. While I know some lenses have element/groups that move when not powered, and if not parked, whatever is moving around inside this lens is absolutely thunking around.
It does autofocus on the camera, but the movement of the lens elements when racking focus is enough to shake the camera in my hand. Further, it only achieves focus maybe 50% of the time.
Amazon has a new one on its way to me, which should arrive Monday. If there is no improvement, I guess I'll give the Sigma a try...
EDIT: I'll mention that I have the 27mm and 75mm and love them. The AF works great. Reviews for the 56mm seem positive regarding the AF, and none have mentioned loose elements or anything, so I really do believe it is a defective lens.
Oct 10, 2025 at 07:49 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Joseph Marney wrote:
I was excited to receive mine today, but it appears to be a dud. While I know some lenses have element/groups that move when not powered, and if not parked, whatever is moving around inside this lens is absolutely thunking around.
It does autofocus on the camera, but the movement of the lens elements when racking focus is enough to shake the camera in my hand. Further, it only achieves focus maybe 50% of the time.
Amazon has a new one on its way to me, which should arrive Monday. If there is no improvement, I guess I'll give the Sigma a try...
EDIT: I'll mention that I have the 27mm and 75mm and love them. The AF works great. Reviews for the 56mm seem positive regarding the AF, and none have mentioned loose elements or anything, so I really do believe it is a defective lens. ...Show more →
Keep in mind that the 56 f/1.2 has a VCM AF motor whereas the 27 and 75 have stepper motors. It is normal for the elements to clank around in lenses with VCM motors when the lens isn't powered up. All lenses with these motors do that. It isn't normal for the lens to only achieve focus 50% of the time. I think you did get a dud, but don't expect the new lens to be clunk free. Even if it is working flawlessly you should expect it to clunk around when it isn't powered up.
Right, which is what I’d expect. But the behavior of this copy is definitely abnormal!
Steve Spencer wrote:
Keep in mind that the 56 f/1.2 has a VCM AF motor whereas the 27 and 75 have stepper motors. It is normal for the elements to clank around in lenses with VCM motors when the lens isn't powered up. All lenses with these motors do that. It isn't normal for the lens to only achieve focus 50% of the time. I think you did get a dud, but don't expect the new lens to be clunk free. Even if it is working flawlessly you should expect it to clunk around when it isn't powered up.
I am not sure the resale value of Viltrox 27mm and 75mm f1.2 pro lenses is poor compared to Fuji lenses. Both Viltrox lenses are listed as around $480 (KEH) compared to the new price of $580. They retain about 80% of their original price. The Fuji 56mm f1.2 WR listed at around $800 (KEH) compared to the original price of $1200 is less than 80% resale value.
I agree that the other Viltrox lenses do not hold their value over time.
I’ve had the original 56mm f1.2 r, Sigma 56mm f1.4, and now this Viltrox. I never really connected with my Sigma and its images always felt a little muddy. Maybe I have a bad copy… I do have to say that I’m really liking the Viltrox. So far I’ve used it on 4 professional shoots, 2 family session, and 2 events. Great sharpness, great contrast, and great autofocus. I pairs perfectly with the Viltrox 27mm f1.2.
Only complaints, it’s big and heavy (but as a professional, a lot of my lenses are), you can really feel that focusing element jumping around (not nearly as annoying as the Fuji auto focusing motors), and this lens flares in a way where a loss of contrast can overwhelm the subject. I use that flare for an artistic effect, but I do wish I could tone it down.
Here are some examples of the Viltrox 56mm f1.2 in action:
The indoor shots were at 1250 and 2500 ISO in a very dark room. Autofocus in that scene absolutely held up. You can see examples of the flare in the sunset beach shots and how sharp it is at the sunrise beach shots.
I shoot weddings with a full frame Sony kit, and I got to say these Viltrox f1.2 feel like full frame in image quality, sharpness, low light performance, but also size and weight. Regarding resale value, man what a topic I don’t care about! I’m going to use this lens for years and it will pay for itself.
