Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 PRO Lens
The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 PRO is the latest addition to the company's lineup of lenses aimed squarely at pro shooters. It follows in the footsteps the first release in the PRO series, the 75mm f/1.2 lens. But, can it hold its own for advanced amateurs and demanding pros alike? In this review, we'll dive into its features, design, build quality, and performance to see if it's truly up to the task.
The Second PRO Release
The Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 has set a high bar for their PRO lineup. Its super-fast aperture, excellent autofocus, sturdy, weather-sealed, and superb image quality are impressive. And, I'm pleased to say, the 27mm f/1.2 PRO continues this trend, sporting a similar robust design, and most of all great image quality. One will also find the same attention to detail in terms of the build quality and features. A worthy successor to the original PRO lens, to be sure.
Build Quality: A Hefty, Professional Feel
From the moment you pick up Viltrox 27mm f/1.2, it is clear that this lens means business. Constructed almost entirely of metalᅳincluding the mount, barrel, and manual focusing ringᅳthe lens feels solid and reassuring in the hand. The metal build is complemented by an aperture ring that has a well-calibrated, smooth click from one stop to the next, that feels like it's from a much more expensive lens. The design also includes a built-in USB-C port for firmware updates.
Although I consider the 27mm to be compact, Fujifilm users who are accustomed to lightweight and compact lenses may find it on the bulky side. If you've been using larger lenses, like the 16-55mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/1, however, you'll find it manageable and not that large. Personally, when I paired it with the Fujifilm X-T5, it balanced nicely with the smaller body. No problem at all.
There is, however, one small miss in the design: there's no way to lock the aperture ring in the “A” setting, which means that it's easy to knock it out of the automatic position by accident. I would have loved to see a lock switch here to prevent unwanted adjustments.
Image Quality: Viltrox Raises the Bar
I tested this lens extensively with street photography, nature photography, and using it at two jazz small concertsᅳone of which turned into an impromptu house concert due to unforeseen rain. In all these scenarios, the 27mm f/1.2 delivered beautifully. Wide open at f/1.2, the lens is extremely sharp, with excellent contrast and detail. When paired with Fujifilm's 40-megapixel sensor, the lens delivers, rendering crisp, vibrant images with pleasing color reproduction.
As someone who loves shooting wide open, I was thrilled by the creamy bokeh and natural background separation the 27mm offers. The close focusing distance also impressed me, making the lens versatile enough for a wide range of shooting conditions, from portraits to close-up nature shots, and much more.
In low-light scenariosᅳlike the dimly lit house concert I photographedᅳI really appreciated the extra light-gathering ability of the fast f/1.2 opening. Compared to my 16-55mm f/2.8, I was able to shoot at much lower ISO values, keeping image noise at a minimum. For those working in poorly lit venues or doing night photography, the 27mm's wide aperture is a significant advantage, allowing much lower ISOs than even my f/2.8 lens.
Autofocus: Good, But Not Perfect
When it comes to autofocus, the 27mm performs admirably for most situations but isn't without its flaws. Using a stepping motor rather than a faster linear motor found in some Fuji lenses, the 27mm tends to lag, particularly in backlit environments. Backlit situations is where the lens had the most trouble finding faces and locking on to them. I used the lens mostly in AF-S mode, with a single focus point selected, and here it locked on consistently. When using the camera in AF-C with face and eye detection, however, the autofocus was sluggish, especially compared to my Fujifilm 16-55mm's linear motor.
If you need quick autofocus for action or fast-moving subjects, this lens will probably feel a touch slow for you. However, for portraiture, street photography, and general use, it gets the job done and does it well.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Addition to the Viltrox PRO Line?
The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 PRO is a compelling choice for photographers looking for a fast prime lens that balances image quality, build, and versatility. While I wish the autofocus was a bit snappier, overall this lens is an excellent value, and renders images that you will absolutely love. It's a solid choice for Fujifilm shooters looking to expand their kit with a super-fast, professional-grade prime, without breaking the bank.