Fujifilm – Page 3

We all know that 50mm is a very popular focal length among manufacturers, and many Chinese manufacturers are doing the same focal length with a slight difference in aperture value. To name a few that I have shared before: TTArtisan 50mm f0.95, Artralab 50mm f1.2, AstrHori 50mm f1.4 tilt, and even their released not all ago Brightin Star 50mm f1.4.

Intro

While I thought Brightin Star was focusing on producing more autofocus lenses, they decided to release this manual lens. So I guess there is still demand for manual lenses in the market.

Before I proceed further, I appreciate the kind people in Brightin Star for their continuous support for sending me this lens for a sharing session opportunity. Having said that, Brightin Star has no influence on my opinion.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the bold, bright yellow brand immediately grabs attention—a clever way to stand out in a crowd. Upon closer look, you’ll notice the lens body is made of metal with a matte finish, giving it a sleek, modern look that helps it stand apart from the rest.

Like all manual lenses, it features an aperture ring, and it’s clickable. I’ve had a great experience with this ring, as it provides a light and smooth tactile feedback when you adjust it to different aperture settings.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/11,000″ . ISO 640 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/125″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/280″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Weighing in at 443 grams, the lens feels surprisingly dense. You can definitely sense its weight, especially when paired with a smaller camera like the X-M5, where the unbalanced heft becomes more noticeable. And, by the way, it has a 62mm filter size.

Image Quality

Like the Brightin Star 35mm f0.95, the image quality is soft and lacks contrast when shot wide open but slightly usable. Some photographers may appreciate this look, but it’s not quite to my taste. I find that stopping down to f2 or higher gives me better contrast and sharper results that is within my acceptance. Additionally, for the best optical performance, it’s ideal to center your subject, as the corners tend to be much softer.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/140″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/680″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f4. 1/600″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

When it comes to background or foreground blur, I am not particularly fond of the rendering. It feels a bit busy to some (but very busy in my own opinion) and can be quite distractive from the main subject. One notable issue is barrel distortion, which becomes quite apparent when shooting wide open. If you’re particular about distortion, this could be a concern for you.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/680″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2.8. 1/80″ . ISO 500 . Nostalgic Negative*

On the plus side, I didn’t notice any chromatic aberration in the shots I took. Vignetting is present at wide open, though it’s relatively mild.

As for the sun stars, the lines are visible but not as well-defined as I would have liked.

*Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f16. 1/125″ . ISO 1600 . Nostalgic Negative*

Focusing

The focus ring is smooth, but I can feel slightly damp when I rotate. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable experience.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/240″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/220″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

As for the focus range between MFD to infinity, the focus throw is approximately 90°. The focus throw is similar to Brightin Star 35mm f0.95, giving a fair amount of “traveling” for precise focusing.

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

50cm minimum focus distance is decent, fair, and also similar to many other lenses of the same focal length. However, the softness and lack of contrast have elevated, even more obvious for wide-open shots.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/300″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/210″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/120″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Price Point

The introductory price is 199 USD, and then it will be priced at 219 USD thereafter. I have no idea how long this introductory price will last. But if you really like this lens, I think you can act quickly.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/1000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/240″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/80″ . ISO 250 . Nostalgic Negative*

However, this is a very competitive price point. Because Meike 55mm f1.4 is selling very similarly at this price point, and Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 is trading at 239 USD. Both are autofocus lenses, and they have a pretty good IQ.

Others

One standout feature of this lens is its built-in lens hood, a unique touch I haven’t encountered before. Typically, manual lens manufacturers rarely include a lens hood with the lens itself, but Brightin Star goes a step further by not only providing one, but also integrating it directly into the lens body. However, there is a small downside: the hood feels a bit flimsy. Hopefully, Brightin Star will refine this innovative design in future lenses.

Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 with lens hood extended.

Like the 35mm f0.95, this lens doesn’t have an f5.6 option. Instead, it jumps from f/4 to f/8, skipping two full stops of light. However, this may not be a significant issue if you’re looking for a brighter lens.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/10500″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/3500″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

There’s one more distinctive feature that I haven’t fully tested yet: it’s the first time a Chinese manufacturer has added luminous paint to the numbers on the scale marks of APS-C lenses, making it possible for photographers to see the numbers in low-light conditions.

Who is this for?

If you are looking to experience manual handling experience, this 75mm (equivalent to 35mm format), is a nice-looking manual portrait lens for someone who is looking for one. When it comes to genres, it is suitable for most typical ones like street, documentation, product shots, etc.

*Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/5000″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/280″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

Conclusion

I had a very positive impression of the Brightin Star 35mm f0.95, the 50mm f0.95 is no exceptional.

*Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/2000″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/2400″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f4. 1/80″ . ISO 1600 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/80″ . ISO 3200 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f2. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

The Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 is a decent lens, but given its price, I might find it hard to recommend, especially for those looking for a portrait lens. There are several solid alternatives in a similar price range that offer autofocus. Unless you’re specifically attracted to its design, the unique lens hood, or you love its sibling, it may not be the best choice. On the bright side, the handling experience is quite enjoyable.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 @ 50mm . f0.95. 1/80″ . ISO 400 . Nostalgic Negative*

I’m hopeful that Brightin Star will continue to innovate and improve, and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing more autofocus lenses from them in the future.

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer:
1. All the shots taken here are shot by me.
2. Most of the shots are straight out of the camera with some shots edited via In-Camera Raw Processing and Capture One.
3. The opinions are based on my experience. If there is any mistake, please kindly drop me a message and I will gladly make the amendment.
4. I reserve ownership of these images, if you wish to use my images, please notify me.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

https://www.instagram.com/alwin.portraits

If you have a Facebook account, feel free to join Fujifanboys FB group.

If you like my content and you want to show some support and keep this blog alive, you can buy me a coffee here.

Reviews

TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 – 1000 Photos Later

January 13, 2025January 12, 2025 Alwin Kok

After the release of the TTArtisan 56mm f1.8 and the recent TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II, I always believed that TTArtisan would eventually complete the f1.8 trinity, and that day has finally come.

TTArtisan has consistently launched new lenses without any leaks or teasers, and this release is no different. I appreciate this straightforward approach to marketing—just announce it and launch the product.

Intro

23mm, or 35mm in full-frame equivalent ,is one of my favorite focal lengths and this focal length is always with me wherever I go for a holiday.

I was so excited when TTArtisan contacted me and informed me about this lens, and they managed to send the lens to me one day before my holiday trip to Guangzhou. Just nice for me to bring it along and shoot.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Before I begin, I’d like to express my gratitude to the good people at TTArtisan for sending me this lens. I truly appreciate their ongoing support. That said, their involvement has no impact on my review—this is entirely based on my personal experience with the lens.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/120″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Design and Build Quality

The design language of this lens is consistent with its siblings, featuring the same high-quality metal build and minimalist aesthetic. That said, it lacks an aperture ring, with only the manual focus ring available.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 640 . Nostalgic Negative*

The manual focus ring rotates smoothly, without any resistance or tactile feedback. Photographers who rely on feedback for precise manual focusing may find this lens less suitable for their needs.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/13″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/15″ . ISO 800 . Nostalgic Negative*

Visually, the lens is slightly taller than the 35mm f1.8 II but a bit shorter than the 56mm f1.8. It weighs 210 grams, placing it in between its siblings in terms of weight.

The lens comes with the same distinctive squarish petal hood as the TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II, offering a refreshing departure from the typical round petal hoods. It also shares the same 52mm filter thread size with its siblings, allowing photographers to interchange filters across all three lenses.

Image Quality

For those who pixel-peep, the image quality is slightly soft in the center when shot wide open, with the corners being a bit softer. However, I find the results to be quite decent and more than acceptable for a budget lens. It retains a respectable level of sharpness and contrast.

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 250 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/120″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

The lens does exhibit noticeable vignetting when wide open, but chromatic aberration is minimal. Regarding the sun-star effect, the rays are clean and accompanied by some distinctive flares. If you’re not a fan of lens flare characteristics, you may want to avoid this. Additionally, there’s some soft blooming when a strong light source is directed towards the lens, but I actually enjoy this effect. During my holiday, I found that I preferred shooting at f2.8, as it offers a nice balance of sharpness, contrast, and depth of field.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f5.6 . 1/120″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/2900″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f4 . 1/240″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

With a maximum aperture of f1.8, it doesn’t offer the same level of subject separation as lenses with f1.2 or f1.4 apertures. However, the separation between the focused subject and the background is more than sufficient for my needs. As for background rendering, I find it quite pleasing, producing smooth, non-distracting bokeh.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/4000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/320″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/550″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Focusing

When it comes to focusing, I have close to zero focusing issues. The Stepper Motor (STM) performs quite decent and fast enough. I do encounter once or twice focusing issues at night, but it is acceptable as it recovers and focus locked onto the subject on the second attempt.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/75″ . ISO 3200 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 1250 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 1600 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 400 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative*

The lens has very pretty obvious lens breathing. It does not affect photographers but I think it will likely impact videographers.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/100″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/3000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f4 . 1/600″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

A 30cm minimum focusing distance feels somewhat distant for a 35mm (full-frame equivalent) focal length. For comparison, the XF23mm f1.4 has a 20cm focus distance, the XF23mm f2 is 22cm, and the Sigma 23mm f1.4 is 25cm. While this isn’t a direct comparison to the TTArtisan 23mm f1.8, it’s understandable given that it’s a budget lens.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative*

Regarding image quality at MFD, I believe it is acceptable, as there is minimal loss while still maintaining good contrast and sharpness.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/7500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Price Point

USD 127 is really an attractive price point and affordable for photographers of all groups. Budget-friendly for newcomers and professionals who want to go out for a holiday.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/4000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/220″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/850″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Others

Like all TTArtisan autofocus lenses, the rear cap is a dock for the lens for future firmware updates. Another to note is that this lens does not come with any form of weather and dust resistance. I think this is acceptable given the price point.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/4″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f4 . 1/1250″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/450″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Who is this for?

This is one of the two focal lengths I frequently recommend to beginners. Its versatility provides excellent adaptability, allowing newcomers to experiment with various styles of photography. Additionally, it covers a broad range of genres, making it an ideal choice for anyone just starting out.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/3000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/2000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/3800″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Oh yes, this lens matches the X-M5 well. The combination of the camera and the lens gives a well-balanced weight for handling. If you are a new X-M5 user, consider this lens your arsenal.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 250 . Nostalgic Negative*

Conclusion

I spent 10 days on this lens during my holiday, and with each passing day, I grew more fond of it. During these 10 days, I took over 1,000 shots with this lens—and only this lens. Although I brought one prime and one zoom lens, I hardly used them.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2 . 1/15″ . ISO 400 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/5000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

My only complaint is the absence of an aperture ring, but its lightweight design and good image quality make up for that. Traveling light is always my priority on holidays, and the reason is simple: I’m no longer as young as I once was, and carrying heavier lenses with my camera for extended periods can cause shoulder pain.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

TTArtisan has made a solid entry into the budget lens market. This is an excellent, affordable prime lens that offers great value without breaking the bank. The image quality is good enough for everyday use, with satisfactory autofocus performance. At this price point, there’s no direct competition for this focal length (just yet).

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/170″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f2.8 . 1/600″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f1.8 . 1/3500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

I’ve been anticipating this lens since the release of the TTArtisan 56mm f1.8, and it’s finally here. It provides newcomers with a versatile trio of prime lenses to begin their collection.

*Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 @ 23mm . f5.6 . 1/110″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

The new year has just started, and TTArtisan has already laid the foundation for this lens category. I’m curious to see what they have in store for 2025. Could they be gearing up for “Pro” prime lenses, or are they possibly eyeing the mid-range market? What are your thoughts?

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer:
1. All the shots taken here are shot by me.
2. Most of the shots are straight out of the camera with some shots edited via In-Camera Raw Processing.
3. The opinions are based on my experience. If there is any mistake, please kindly drop me a message and I will gladly make the amendment.
4. I reserve ownership of these images, if you wish to use my images, please notify me.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

https://www.instagram.com/alwin.portraits

If you have a Facebook account, feel free to join Fujifanboys FB group.

If you like my content and you want to show some support and keep this blog alive, you can buy me a coffee here.

Reviews

TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II – They Listen

January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 Alwin Kok

In the blink of an eye, a year has gone by, and the TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 has just celebrated its first anniversary. Unexpectedly shortly after its first anniversary, TTArtisan released a new autofocus lens, without any teasers or hints beforehand. They simply announced it out of the blue. The new lens is none other than the successor to the TTArtisan 35mm f1.8, marking the second iteration of this affordable lens.

Before I continue, I’d like to thank the generous people at TTArtisan for sending me this lens for review. Please note that they had no influence over the review I’ve provided here.

Design and Build Quality

If you have the first-generation lens, you will notice how incredibly short version II has become. It is now even more compact with a height of 49mm as opposed to 65mm in version I.

Similarly to the weight, it has reduced to 177 grams (according to my kitchen weighing scale), from 199 grams. The good thing is that TTArtisan maintained the same metal-built quality for this lens. Handling is good and I cannot find any complaint about this lens.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/1700″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/28000″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/1100″ . ISO 160 . *Classic Chrome*

What I like about this lens is the minimalistic, simple, clean design, and it’s cute (due to the compactness of it). This also means that this lens does not come with an aperture ring. Oh yes, it is still the same 52mm filter thread size.

Image Quality

I have a positive impression of the Mark I, and its successor maintains that same level of quality. The images captured at wide-open are impressive, showing decent sharpness (not clinically sharp though) and a good contrast.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/350″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/20000″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/125″ . ISO 400 . *Classic Chrome*

Chromatic aberration is surprisingly well-managed (at least it’s not noticeable in my photos). While some vignetting is present, it’s not overly pronounced.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f16 . 1/125″ . ISO 500 . *Classic Chrome*

For sun star lovers, I think this is only one of rare lenses that I actually like its sun star result. The lines are well defined to my liking. Do note of the flares if you want to avoid, but I like how the flare creates and introduces to my images.

Focusing

With Stepper Motor (STM), the focusing speed is fast but not instantaneously snappy in most situations. This is within my expectation since this is not in the same category as the XF33mm f1.4.

In rare situations, I do encounter some focus pulling when I focus from MFD to infinity and vice versa. This can be happens on the good light condition as well. Also, focusing on MFD can be a little challenging when shooting indoor with average lighting availability around the subject. The focus will still succeed after a few tries. Apart from these phenomenons, everything is just fine.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/125″ . ISO 3200 . *Classic Chrome*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/25000″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f8 . 1/125″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

For videographers or photographers who intended to use this lens for videography purposes, the focus breathing is seems to be significantly far between the MFD and infinity. However, this is not a deal breaker for me.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/1800″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Negative*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/125″ . ISO 160 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f8 . 1/340″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

Update: On 17 December 2024, TTArtisan released a firmware update (FUJI-X AF 35mm F1.8 Mark II V1.0.1). While they did not mention what are the changes made, the focusing speed seems to have a good improvement over what I mentioned earlier, especially on the focus pulling.

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

If you compare the MFD with other lenses with similar focal lengths, you will notice that 40cm may not be a good MFD. But I have to praise the engineers that they have reduced from 60cm to 40cm and that is a 33% decrease in MFD.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/1250″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

Nonetheless, the image quality isn’t compromised much at MFD. The sharpness and contrast are slightly reduced but not affecting the overall much.

Price Point

Another pleasant surprise from TTArtisan is that the new lens is priced at just 125 USD, slightly cheaper than its predecessor, which was already a great deal at 149 USD.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/7500″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Negative*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/12800″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/750″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

This could be the most affordable autofocus lens available for the X-mount system. For comparison, the XC 35mm f2 costs 199 USD, the Viltrox 33mm f1.4 is priced at 238 USD, the Meike 33mm f1.4 is 229 USD, and the Sirui 33mm f1.2 is 280 USD.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f5.6 . 1/340″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/12800″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f8 . 1/1900″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*

While I understand that for an additional 100 USD, I could get a brighter, higher-quality lens, the TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II is ideal for photographers who need to stretch their budget as far as possible.

Others

There is one phenomenon that switching on the camera with this lens is slower (at least when I compared it with the Mark I). TTArtisan is aware of this and they are looking into fixing it.

Left: TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II
Right: TTArtisan 35mm f1.8

Left: TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II with petal hood
Right: TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 with square hood

Left: TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II with square hood
Right: TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 with petal hood

If you are a TTArtisan user, you should be aware that TTArtisan autofocus lenses come with a rear lens cap that includes USB-C port for future firmware upgrades. This lens is no exemption.

Who is this for?

If you’re new to photography and have chosen Fujifilm as your camera, trying out a prime lens could be a great way to start, and I think this lens is definitely worth considering. At 125 USD, there’s little reason not to give it a try. The 50mm focal length (full-frame equivalent) is highly versatile and suits a wide range of photography styles.

Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 125 . *Classic Chrome*

Left: Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f5 . 1/10″ . ISO 125 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f5 . 1/3″ . ISO 125 . *Classic Chrome*

For professionals looking for a compact and budget-friendly lens for everyday use, this could be a solid choice.

Fuji X-T5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/150″ . ISO 125 . *Classic Chrome*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 320 . *Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 400 . *Classic Chrome*

For those already using the first-generation lens, there’s no immediate need to upgrade unless the improvements genuinely meet your needs and contribute to your photographic growth and vision. If you are a new X-M5 user, you may consider pairing up this lens as the combination of the camera and the lens gives a well-balanced weight in terms of camera handling.

Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II @ 35mm . f1.8 . 1/45″ . ISO 3200 . *Classic Chrome*

Conclusion

No doubt the Viltrox 35mm f1.7 is a direct competition to TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II with performance, specifications and price very close to each other especially image quality. Given that almost everything is comparable (Viltrox has the upper hand for MFD at 30cm), I prefer TTArtisan than Viltrox because of the metal-built body. The handling feels better with metal-built quality.

I was caught by surprised how fast TTArtisan update their lens. TTArtisan do listen to the photographers’ feedbacks about the first generation lens, they improved it and then giving us a better one. Although this lens is not a perfect by any means, it is still a worthy upgrade from it successor. Will there be Mark III next year? I don’t know but we will see.

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

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Reviews

ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 – The Widest Nostalgic Lens Yet

December 23, 2024December 20, 2024 Alwin Kok

It seems like 2024 has been a busy year for ArtraLab, with several lens releases, and the ArtraLab NONIKKOR 11mm f1.8 is the latest addition to their lineup. Announced in November 2024, the 11mm f1.8 is not only their newest lens but also the widest they’ve released so far. Like their previous models, this lens draws inspiration from the iconic 1980s Nikkor lens design.

Before I proceed further, I would like to thank the good guys from ArtraLab for sending me this lens for review. Having said that, ArtraLab has no influence on this review and the opinion is purely my personal view.

Design and Build Quality

Like I mentioned earlier, this lens is greatly inspired by the classic vintage aesthetic Nikkor lenses. That said, it comes with colorful aperture values and colorful markers.

Visually, the lens looks small and compact. In fact, I can feel how dense and heavy the weight of this metal build lens is when I hold it on my hand. 350 grams worth of glasses.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/240″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/25″ . ISO 3200 . Nostalgic Negative*

The aperture ring gives gentle click feedback similar to the ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 and ArtraLab 50mm f1.2. I love it. As for the manual focus ring, the rotation is smooth without any grip or feedback. Is it a bad thing? I think it is up to individual preference. For me, I do prefer some feedback as it gives me some level of sense when I do focus peaking.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/1250″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/6400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f8. 1/1800″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

The front element of the lens is protruded, so it comes with a built-in lens hood to protect it.

Image Quality

Wide-open shots result in a pleasant, soft, glowing flare from the light sources (similar to the results from obtaining a cine-blooming filter or the black-mist filter). This also results in a softer contrast. This is also consistent with the rest of the ArtraLab lenses I have tested thus far.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/750″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

In terms of image quality, it is acceptable but not the best. It has good sharpness and contrast when wide open at the center. You can observe distortion at the corners and a slight drop in image quality. Vignetting is pretty strong here. Fear not, the image quality does improve when you step down by at least 2 stops. Surprisingly, this lens has a very good chromatic aberration.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/950″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

As for the background blur, I think it is acceptable. The separation between the focused and non-focused subjects is good enough. The bokeh render is just fine but not the most beautiful one among the ArtraLab lenses. Do not forget that an ultrawide lens is capable of receiving flares, and a circular one, too.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f8. 1/450″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

For sun star lovers, this lens is just fine.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f22. 1/80″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative*

Focusing

The focus throw, from end to end, is about 170°of rotation. For reference, the Meike 12mm f2 is about 110°. In my opinion, it gives a fair amount of travel distance, which gives me a more precise focus for shooting.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/125″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative*

For focus breathing, it has a very minimum focus breathing, which is hard to notice. if you wish to use this lens for videography purposes, I think you will like it.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/15″ . ISO 3200 . Nostalgic Negative*

Also, it is just a minor detail. The lens does extend out 1mm ish at MFD.

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

At 16.5mm (in 35mm format) focal length, it is equipped with 18cm MFD. It has pretty good MFD compared to the others, like TTArtisan 10mm f2 (MFD at 25cm). If the photographers ever need such a close MFD for creative shots, you will know which one to look out for. Luckily, the image quality remains the same and not anything else off.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/80″ . ISO 250 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

Price Point

It is now selling at 386 USD on the ArtraLab website. Is it expensive as compared to the other third-party manufacturers? Yes, it is but if you are looking for a nostalgic ultrawide lens, there isn’t much choice out there just yet.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/80″ . ISO 1250 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f2.8. 1/180″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f2.8. 1/300″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Others

For photographers who want to include a filter for this lens, it is possible to do so. The metal lens cap comes with a special element. We can remove the front piece of the lens cap by unscrewing it and then we have a filter thread of 62mm. Very similar concept from TTArtisan 7.5mm f2.8.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f8. 1/2000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/1250″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/450″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Also, there is a change in white balance when you shoot at the same spot with different aperture values. Please don’t be alarmed by this, there are many manual lens manufacturers that have this behavior.

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f4. 1/2800″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f8. 1/3000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Lastly, this lens omits f5.6, resulting in a jump of two full stops from f4 to f8.

Who is this for?

This lens isn’t for everyone. To be honest, if you’re looking for a similar focal length, there are plenty of more affordable options out there compared to what ArtraLab offers. However, ArtraLab does have a clear advantage: its distinctive, nostalgic lens design.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/125″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

That being said, this lens is perfect for those who don’t mind spending a bit more for aesthetics. After all, a beautifully designed lens can motivate us to take it out and shoot more often.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f8. 1/320″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Conclusion

The ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 features solid build quality and decent image performance, though it might not be the most affordable option. Nevertheless, it will certainly appeal to those who value craftsmanship and aesthetics in their equipment.

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f1.8. 1/680″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 @ 11mm . f4. 1/3200″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

I’ve focused quite a bit on the lens design rather than its image quality. To be clear, the image quality isn’t bad—it’s definitely usable, in my opinion. It’s just that the lens design really stands out to me, and I can’t help but highlight that.

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

https://www.instagram.com/alwin.portraits

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If you like my content and you want to show some support and keep this blog alive, you can buy me a coffee here.

Reviews

Viltrox 35mm f1.7 – Spicing Up The Budget Segment

December 19, 2024 Alwin Kok

Viltrox has been very active this year. If you’ve been keeping up with their releases, they’ve introduced several lenses, such as the Viltrox 56mm f1.7, Viltrox 28mm f4.5, Viltrox 135mm f1.8 Lab, and two others. With the announcement of the Viltrox 35mm f1.7 today, the company has now released six lenses. That’s a notable number of launches in a single year, although not all of them are X-mount lenses.

Intro

Viltrox has previously released a similar focal length, but it was brighter, heavier, and more expensive. There was a gap in the entry-level segment, which Viltrox recognized, leading to the introduction of their Air series, starting with the Viltrox 56mm f1.7.

Viltrox has been quite open about their new Air series lens, sharing updates and organizing one giveaway on social media leading up to the release. On December 18, 2024, they introduced the second lens in the Air series, the 35mm f1.7. The 50mm (full-frame equivalent) is a favorite among professionals, and this new lens complements it, designed to attract a broader audience of aspiring photographers.

Design and Build Quality

The design of this lens is identical to its sibling, Viltrox 56mm f1.7. Simple, minimalistic, and clean. That said, it does not come with an aperture ring. In my opinion, the lens design is somewhat similar to the Sigma Contemporary prime lenses, i.e. Sigma 30mm f1.4.

*Fuji X-M5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/340″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

This lens has a plastic construction, but surprisingly, the build quality is quite good. It doesn’t feel cheap when held. I also found it interesting that the plastic material appears to be resistant to fingerprints.

*Fuji X-M5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

As for weight, it is just 170 grams and comes with a small 52mm filter size. It’s quite lightweight and easy to handle, and I have no problems using this lens. It does come with a petal-like lens hood, and it is made of plastic.

Image Quality

The image quality is sharp at wide-open but not as tad sharp as XF33mm f1.4, and the contrast is punchy. Vignetting is there and it may seem mild to me, but it can be obvious to some. For chromatic aberration, it isn’t obvious to my eyes. This exceeds my expectations of an entry-level. That said, I feel it is quite usable for most photographers. If you do pixel peeps, I suggest the Fujifilm prime lenses will not go wrong, especially the XF33mm f1.4.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/80″ . ISO 400 . Nostalgic Negative*

I like how the rendering of the background blur is not messy and does not disturb the main focused subject.

For sun star lovers, the result of this lens is not so usable, at least in my opinion. It lacks defined lines and is kind of a bit messy. But I think this is not important as this is not what many photographers are looking for.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f16. 1/340″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

This lens has a 33cm MFD, which is pretty decent for an entry-level lens. I did not see much degradation in the image quality as well, but a little lost in contrast.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/2500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Focusing

Like all third-party autofocus lenses, it comes with a Stepper Motor (STM) to drive the focusing system. However, the focusing speed may be a little slow if you are shooting from MFD to infinity and vice versa. It will have that split-second undecisive focusing moment before its focus is locked successfully. The good thing is that I did not experience any misfocus in my shots.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/1500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/80″ . ISO 1600 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f5.6. 1/1600″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

When it comes to lens breathing, there is a small breathing gap between the MFD and infinity. Videographers probably need to take note about it.

The eye tracking from both X-T5 and X-M5 works fine with this lens. No major abnormal behavior is observed during my testing. However, I do have some misses where the lens decides to give me a pull-focusing when the subject is in focused.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f3.6. 1/320″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/7000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/2700″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Price Point

At 180 USD, it is priced the same as its sibling and very competitive. For reference, XF 35mm f2 is priced at 399 USD, XC 35mm f2 is priced at 199 USD, Sirui 33mm f1.2 is priced at 280 USD, and Meike 33mm f1.4 is priced at 230 USD.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f2.8. 1/30″ . ISO 800 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/105″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/200″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Others

At this price range, it comes with a waterproof coating. Mind you, it is not weatherproof resistant. So I assume that this lens is fine when facing drizzling.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/80″ . ISO 1250 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f2.8. 1/320″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/2900″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Also, the official stated it comes with an Anti-Fouling layer. While it does not give more information about this other than “Keeps your lens clean and clear,” so my another assumption is it could have some coating in the front lens element that helps to prevent some level of smudge.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/3200″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Lastly, similar to all Viltrox lenses, it comes with a USB-C port solely for one purpose; firmware upgrades.

Who is this for?

At this price point, this lens is perfect for budget-conscious photographers who don’t want to compromise on image quality. It’s versatile enough for various genres, including portraits, street photography, documentary, landscapes, and everything in between. Additionally, it can serve as a backup lens for full-time photographers who are just starting out or for professionals seeking a lightweight gear setup during their days off or vacations.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/6000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/5800″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/6000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Conclusion

Viltrox has made impressive strides, excelling not only in their Pro series, like the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 and Viltrox 27mm f1.2 but also in this segment. It seems they aim to capture a broad market and become the top third-party manufacturer.

*Fuji X-T5 . Viltrox 35mm f1.7 @ 35mm . f1.7. 1/5000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

This is a highly capable budget lens that raises the bar for competition in this category. For those seeking a solid prime lens without a hefty investment, this is definitely worth considering. While we have seen 2 of the 3 focal lengths released, I am not surprised that Viltrox will release the 23mm focal length to fill up the Trinity lens set-up.

On a separate note, I look forward to seeing the white version of this lens, along with its sibling for the X-mount.

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

https://www.instagram.com/alwin.portraits

If you have a Facebook account, feel free to join Fujifanboys FB group.

If you like my content and you want to show some support and keep this blog alive, you can buy me a coffee here.

Reviews

Fujifilm X-M5 – The Smallest X-series yet

December 12, 2024December 11, 2024 Alwin Kok

It’s been 11 years since the X-M1 was unveiled. Although many fans of the X-M series have little hope for its future and may believe that this series has come to an end, suddenly, the rumor mills start to share bits and pieces that the X-M series is being reignited. Today, Fujifilm skips the numbers 2 to 4 and decides to name this X-M1 successor as X-M5. It makes sense as we are into the 5th generation of the X-Trans sensor, hence, the “5” in the X-M5.

Intro

The Fujifilm X-M5 was announced together with XF16-55mm f2.8 MK II and XF500mm f5.6 in the X Summit Clay Studio 2024. From the announcement, it is stated that X-M5 is the smallest X-series, even smaller than X-E4. What are the pros and cons of being the smallest? Is there anything been compromised? I’m sure it has but can we accept them?

The X-M5 is clearly aimed at vloggers, especially the new young generation of vloggers with limited budgets. But it is also a great tool for young photographers. In this blog, I will share my experience with this camera from a photographer’s point of view.

Before I proceed further, I would like to mention all the lenses that I have tested with it.

Design, Build Quality, Handling & The Shutter…

The camera features a rangefinder-style design and is incredibly compact—smaller than its predecessor, the X-M1. According to the official specs, the X-M5 is 5mm shorter in length, 1mm thinner in depth, and maintains the same 67mm height. However, it is slightly heavier, weighing 355 grams compared to the X-M1’s 330 grams.

*Fuji X-M5 . XF27mm f2.8 @ 27mm . f2.8 . 1/50″ . ISO 3200 . Classic Negative*

The build quality is decent for an entry-level camera, with a plastic body that feels solid, though you can tell it’s made of plastic when you hold it. As for handling, it’s not the most comfortable for larger hands like mine. The camera is so small it fits in my palm, so for a more secure grip, I prefer using an additional grip or holding the lens instead of the body.

The shutter sound is loud for a small and compact camera. Not an issue to me but I do prefer the shutter sound from the X-T5 (or maybe I have gotten used to it).

*Fuji X-M5 . XF35mm f1.4 @ 35mm . f2 . 1/420″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . XF35mm f1.4 @ 35mm . f2 . 1/170″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: *Fuji X-M5 . XF35mm f1.4 @ 35mm . f2 . 1/80″ . ISO 800 . Classic Chrome*

It comes with 3 command dials (film simulation dial, mode dial, and rear command dial) and 1 front command dial. Quite a number of dials for an entry-level camera.

The film simulation dial is first introduced in X-T50. I know there has been a lot of feedback about this dial since its introduction, and I agree it to a certain point. But this is actually beneficial to photographers who are not similar to Fujifilm and it’s film simulations. Changing the film simulations via the dial and witnessing the change of colors can allow new photographers to get hold of the film simulations, find one that they love the most, and enjoy the Straight-Out-Of-Camera end results.

*Fuji X-M5 . Meike 55mm f1.4 @ 55mm . f1.4 . 1/8500″ . ISO 160 . Classic Chrome*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . Meike 55mm f1.4 @ 55mm . f1.4 . 1/100″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: *Fuji X-M5 . Meike 55mm f1.4 @ 55mm . f1.4 . 1/850″ . ISO 640 . Classic Chrome*

If you have noticed, out of the 4 dials, 2 dials are fixed. That said, we have left with 2 dials that are available to customize (such as exposure compensation control, ISO control, and aperture control for those lenses that do not come with an aperture ring) to suit our shooting behavior.

*Fuji X-M5 . XF 70-300mm f4-5.6 @ 300mm . f6.4 . 1/550″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

*Fuji X-M5 . XF 70-300mm f4-5.6 @ 300mm . f5 . 1/2000″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Oh yes, I like the less stiff, tactile feedback from the rear command dial. Personally, I prefer this to the one on the X-T5.

Sensor and Processor

Like the X-S20, it comes with an X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor and X-Processor 5 combination. Is this a bad combination? No. In fact, it is probably my preferred combination. I explained in the X-S20 post that I preferred 26 megapixels over 40 megapixels. The resolution is a sweet spot for my memory space and storage space since I hardly do photo cropping.

*Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 56mm f1.8 @ 56mm . f1.8 . 1/3500″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . Rokinon 35mm f1.2 @ 35mm . f1.2 . 1/1900″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: *Fuji X-M5 . Rokinon 35mm f1.2 @ 35mm . f1.2 . 1/6400″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Having X-Processor 5 actually does help battery efficiency and focusing performance. More on these later. But do note that the base ISO is 160 and not 125 as that can only be found in the X-Trans 5 HR sensor.

Image Quality

I have no complaints about the image quality here. If the image quality from this sensor is poor, I guess it won’t be the flagship sensor for X-T3 and X-T4. I am glad that Fujifilm decided to keep this sensor and extend its longevity further.

*Fuji X-M5 . TTArtisan 56mm f1.8 @ 56mm . f1.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 800 . Classic Chrome*

Performance

The autofocus algorithm seems to improve quite a lot. The eye-AF tracking is more sticky and picking up the subject is faster than my X-T5 with the firmware 2.03 (I’m lazy, don’t judge me).

I can feel that my hit rates has gone higher than before and more reliable.

Fuji X-M5 . *Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 @ 17.3mm . f2.8 . 1/1700″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 @ 10mm . f2.8 . 1/3800″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . *Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 @ 18mm . f2.8 . 1/4700″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Battery Life

The camera uses the NP-W126S battery. Will it offer poor battery life? From my experience with the X-T50, I was able to get around 550 shots before the battery drained. With this camera, I managed to capture about 530 shots, which meets my expectations and is better than the CIPA rating of 330 shots. If you find the battery life insufficient for a full day of shooting, it’s a good idea to carry one or two spare batteries.

Left: Fuji X-M5 . *XF 30mm f2.8 @ 30mm . f2.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . *XF 30mm f2.8 @ 30mm . f2.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 640 . Classic Chrome*

Feedback

Every camera isn’t perfect, and there is always room for improvement. X-M5 is not exceptional.

I name a few of them as I deem them more important to me.

The screen resolution is low by today’s standard (at 1,040,000 dots). It has the same screen resolution as the X-T3 which was first announced in 2018 and even worse than the X-E4 (at 1,620,000 dots). I’m not saying low screen resolution is terrible but sometimes it gives me a little bit of wrong judgment.

Fuji X-M5 . *ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 @ 24mm . f1.7 . 1/6400″ . ISO 320 . Classic Negative*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . *ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 @ 24mm . f1.7 . 1/2700″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . Sigma *ArtraLab 24mm f1.7* @ 24mm . f1.7 . 1/4700″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome

I was surprised that Fujifilm did not release an optional hand grip like they did for X-E4. But this is not an issue, as many third-party accessory makers are making one for X-M5.

The “Q” Quick Menu button is positioned between both the mode dial and the rear command dial and it is a pretty small button. This gives me a problem to press the “Q” button as I have a pretty big finger. I wonder why they do not include the “Q” button beside the AEL/AFL button. Oh yes. the playback and AEL/AFL button can be bigger.

Fuji X-M5 . *ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 @ 24mm . f1.7 . 1/420″ . ISO 160 . Classic Chrome*

Left: *Fuji X-M5 . XF35mm f1.4 @ 35mm . f2 . 1/640″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: *Fuji X-M5 . XF35mm f1.4 @ 35mm . f2 . 1/800″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Finally, the absence of an EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) is likely the most common complaint from Fujifilm users. I can relate, as I missed having the EVF when reviewing my shots or shooting in bright sunlight. It would be great if Fujifilm could offer an external EVF as an optional accessory, as I believe most X-M5 owners would gladly purchase one.

Price Point

At 800 USD, this is the most affordable interchangeable X camera released, and it took the crown from X-E4, which was once the cheapest X camera ( priced at 850 USD).

Fuji X-M5 . *Viltrox 13mm f1.4 @ 13mm . f5.6 . 1/400″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Others

While the X-M1 features a built-in pop-up flash, the X-M5 replaces it with a film simulation dial. Is this change worthwhile? Personally, I think it’s a great trade-off. The film simulation dial not only benefits newcomers but also makes it easier for me to switch between my favorite film simulations. While the “Q” button also lets me change film simulations, having a dedicated dial provides a more tactile, hands-on experience.

Fuji X-M5 . *Viltrox 75mm f1.2 @ 75mm . f1.2 . 1/6000″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

Oh yes, this is probably the best affordable camera to experience 20 film simulations with 8 film simulations allocated on the dial with 3 presets available. I remember my X-T3 had only 16 film simulations and that’s it.

Fuji X-M5 . *Viltrox 27mm f1.2 @ 27mm . f1.2 . 1/280″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

The last one is the mechanical shutter, where X-M5 can only go as fast as 1/4000s, whereas 1/8000s on X-T5.

Who is this for?

Like I mentioned earlier, this camera is aiming at vloggers with limited budget. But that does not mean this is not a capable camera by any means. It is a very decent entry level camera which using very capable sensor and processor.

Fuji X-M5 . *Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4 . 1/750″ . ISO 320 . Classic Negative*

Left: Fuji X-M5 . *Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4 . 1/480″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*
Right: Fuji X-M5 . *SBrightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.6 . 1/1600″ . ISO 320 . Classic Chrome*

If you are new to photography and attempt to step one step up from mobile photography, I think this is a good camera to buy and take photos with. You will not be disappointed with the results and get to explore the magic of the Fujifilm film simulations.

Conclusion

I do not share the other benefits of the X-M5, and that is the videography portion. I have very minimal videography knowledge, and I do not think I am the right person to share. Nonetheless, this camera comes with a 6.2k open gate recording in 10-bit. This is a huge move for an entry-level camera, or at least I have not encountered one yet from any brand. It also comes with a good-positioned microphone/remote release connector.

Fuji X-M5 . *Viltrox 27mm f1.2 @ 27mm . f1.2 . 1/180″ . ISO 160 . Classic Chrome*

The camera’s compact design does come with a few compromises. The handling is not ideal, but this can be improved with an additional grip. The absence of an EVF can be addressed with an optical viewfinder, though it works best with 27mm focal length lenses. The lack of IBIS can be compensated by using lenses with OIS, and Fujifilm offers a solid selection of OIS lenses beyond the kit lens, such as the XF16-80mm, XF80mm macro, and XF70-300mm. That said, I’m personally fine without IBIS, as my shooting style hasn’t changed significantly, and I shot with the X-T2 and X-T3 for a long time without major issues.

Fuji X-M5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4 . 1/250″ . ISO 320 . *Nostalgic Negative*

What I miss the most are the dials found on my X-T5, like the ISO dial and shutter speed dial. I really appreciate those dials because they provide quick access and setup for certain unique shooting situations. As a result, I don’t miss many important moments. That said, I usually preset my camera settings and stick to them most of the time, so I rarely need to adjust the dials during a shoot. As for X-M5, there are options to reconfigure or remap the command settings using the available buttons, so I recommend assigning your most frequently used functions to the buttons you use less often.

Fuji X-M5 . *ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 @ 24mm . f1.7 . 1/8500″ . ISO 320 . Classic Negative*

Despite these compromises, the X-M5 is still a great camera, offering excellent value for those looking to try Fujifilm. It provides a fantastic introduction to the beautiful film simulations Fujifilm is known for. With the new X-Processor 5 and the improved autofocus algorithm, the autofocus performance and the subject tracking are impressive. Additionally, the X-Trans 4 sensor continues to deliver excellent image quality.

*Fuji X-M5 . Meike 55mm f1.4 @ 55mm . f1.4 . 1/80″ . ISO 400 . Classic Chrome*

I hope to see good sales with this X-M5, after all, it has been 11 years since the series was born.

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follows me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

https://www.instagram.com/alwin.portraits

Disclaimer:
1. All the shots taken here are shot by me.
2. All of the shots are straight out of the camera with some edited via In-Camera Raw Processing.
3. The photos are resized to 30% of the original size except for cropped ones. If you wish to see the original file, contact me and I will be happy to share it with you.
4. I reserve ownership of these images, if you wish to use my images, please notify me.
5. The opinions are based on my experience. If there is any mistake, please kindly drop me a message and I will gladly make the amendment.

Reviews

ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 – Notty Nocty

November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 Alwin Kok

ArtraLab Nocty-Nonikkor 50mm f1.2 is a pretty new lens to the market. It was announced in early October 2024. While some may view it as a bold imitation for photographers looking for a Nikon Noct-like experience at a more affordable price, I see it as an opportunity for photographers a chance to experience a taste of that legendary optical character using other systems to mount a beautifully designed lens on their cameras.

Besides the Fuji X-mount, it is available in Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount.

Design and Build Quality

Like the ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 and 35mm f1.4, the first look at this vintage aesthetic lens shows that the design is strongly inspired by classic Nikkor lenses. Similar design elements include colorful aperture values (for your information, they are painted by hand) and the manual focus ring design, which remains with the “blocky rectangular and stripe-like pattern.”

Left: ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 with lens hood
Right: ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 without lens hood

Speaking of the aperture ring, it is still clicky and it is an enjoyable experience.

At 560 grams, this lens is heavy by all means and it is probably the heaviest manual lens I have tested thus far. As for lens handling, it might not be the most comfortable for small hands. However, it comes with a pretty small filter size, only 52mm. And, it shares the same filter size as the 23mm and 35mm as well. This is a surprise for me.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f2. 1/400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative* . 6-Point stars filter
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/120″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Image Quality

When it comes to image quality, I have mixed feelings about this lens. During the day, wide-open shots tend to be soft, lacking in contrast and sharpness. The sharpest part of the image is at the center. I’m not saying this is inherently good or bad, as some photographers actually prefer these characteristics. However, I don’t personally fall into that camp.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/950″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f2.8 1/80″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/90″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

If you prefer sharp images, the image quality improves as you increase the aperture value. In my opinion, the results from f2.8 are more usable.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 500 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 400 . Nostalgic Negative* . Black Mist 1/2 filter
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 500 . Nostalgic Negative* . 6-Point Stars filter

However, this lens performs quite well at night. The image quality at f1.2 is more usable than that in the day. To my surprise, vignetting is pretty mild and isn’t that obvious in most situations. Chromatic aberration is also controlled quite well. One good surprise is how well the background blur renders. Somehow I feel that it gives a good moody rendering and not those hard and harsh background blur.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f5.6. 1/4400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

As for the sun star, it is okay. Nothing impressive or to shout about. The lines are fine, but not well-defined.

Focusing

The focus throw is likely longer than what I’ve experienced, with about 200° of rotation from end to end. While it feels a bit “extended or far,” the benefit is a more precise and controlled focus. This is something I appreciate, though I also find it a bit “tiring” after prolonged use.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f2. 1/80″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 640 . Nostalgic Negative*

Nevertheless, I love the dampness of the manual focus ring. It just weighs nice to rotate.

As for lens breathing, it is pretty significant between MFD and infinity. For videographers who wish to use this lens for videography purposes, please take note.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f4. 1/250″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f2. 1/600″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

The 35cm MFD was a pleasant surprise for me—much shorter than I expected for lenses of this focal length. It allows the photographer to get closer to the subject for more intimate shots. However, it’s worth noting that the image softness is even more pronounced when shooting wide-open.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/2200″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/340″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Oh yes, the lens protrudes at its maximum length when it is at MFD.

ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 at infinity (left) and at MFD (right)

Price Point

At 545 USD, it is priced cheaper than the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.2 (629 USD). (And even cheaper if you buy from B&H – 398 USD). But it is more expensive than most third-party autofocus lenses like Sirui Sniper 56mm f1.2 (279 USD) and Meike 55mm f1.4 (200 USD).

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative* . Black Mist 1/2 filter

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative* . Black Mist 1/2 filter
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

Others

This lens comes with an unusual metal lens hood. There is a small silver screw-like knob that requires loosening and tightening after you have positioned it to your desired position. The rear lens cap is a nice gesture to the Fuji X logo.

ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 lens hood with silver screw-like knob

ArtraLab also sent me two filters to try out: a Black Mist 1/2 and a 6-Point Stars filter. Both are magnetic, which eliminates the need for the usual screwing and unscrewing method—just attach or remove them easily with a simple snap. Another great feature is that, since the lenses share a common 52mm filter thread, I can use these filters across multiple lenses.

Left: ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 with Black Mist 1/2 filter
Right: ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 with 6-Point Stars filter

Who is this for?

This lens is designed for those who appreciate vintage and nostalgic aesthetics. Plain and simple.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative* . Black Mist 1/2 filter

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/500″ . ISO 2500 . Nostalgic Negative* . 6-Point Stars filter
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative* . Black Mist 1/2 filter

The 75mm focal length (in 35mm equivalent) is versatile, making it suitable for a range of genres, including portrait, street, product photography, and more.

Conclusion

This lens has a nostalgic charm, and I really appreciate its look, design, and build quality. it gives a very distinctive look, unlike others in this modern generation of lenses.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/500″ . ISO 2500 . Nostalgic Negative . 6-Point Stars filter*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f2. 1/1250″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

However, it doesn’t quite perform as well as I had hoped. When it comes to image quality, I have mixed feelings. While I’m not fond of the softness in wide-open shots during the day, this lens truly excels in low light and indoor settings.

*Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f2. 1/140″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 @ 50mm . f1.2. 1/5400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

If you’re after a lens with personality and aren’t solely focused on technical perfection, the NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 is definitely worth considering.

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

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Reviews

Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 (Silver Edition) – New Color, New Charm

November 21, 2024November 20, 2024 Alwin Kok

Every now and then, some manufacturers want to extend the longevity of their product line-up to maintain its popularity. The usual way is to release a new color. For example, TTArtisan 27mm f2.8. They released the black version in 2022, then the yellow edition in 2023, and now the silver version in 2024. Another good example is Ricoh GR3. It has a few editions, and the recently announced HDF edition gives a little hardware change to boost the photographers’ choices.

Intro

Brightin Star has just launched a new silver version of its popular 35mm f0.95. If you hesitated to buy it before due to the black color, this silver option adds a fresh appeal, making it a great choice for you now.

Image Quality, Build Quality & Design

The image quality remains the same and if you are curious about it, you can click on link from the previous paragraph to understand more about this lens. As for built quality, it is no difference from the black color variant.

The silver color gives a totally different vibe to the original black color. The striking yellow bold brand logo has become subtle. This may be a good thing for someone wants to lay low yet wants a different color to differentiate this lens with the other he/she owns. Apart from that, the aperture numberings and markings are now in black with focusing distance numberings in red.

Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 Black & Silver Edition

Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 Black & Silver Edition (rear)

Price Point

It is now 169.99 USD, slightly cheaper than when I reviewed it. Do you think it is a good time to get it?

Others

What’s fascinating about this lens is the lens cap. Both front and rear.

The front lens cap now comes with a minimalistic font indicating it’s a “35mm f0.95” lens and followed by the brand itself. Again, all wordings are in black.

The rear lens cap comes with a frosted plastic material. I think this is the first time I am seeing something that is so interesting. Of course, the name “Brightin Star” can be seen on the rear lens cap.

Conclusion

This lens is an ingenious design from Brightin Star’s design team. They did not simply “color change” the lens and then sell it to potential photographers. I can see that they put effort and thought into this edition of the lens.

This lens is a cleverly crafted creation by Brightin Star’s design team. They put in more than just a “color change” and clearly invested time and effort into this particular version of the lens.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/320″ . ISO 800 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/320″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/320″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/320″ . ISO 640 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/320″ . ISO 400. Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/320″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f2. 1/320″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/950″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f0.95. 1/320″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 @ 35mm . f8. 1/1000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

https://www.instagram.com/alwin.portraits

If you have a Facebook account, feel free to join Fujifanboys FB group.

If you like my content and you want to show some support and keep this blog alive, you can buy me a coffee here.

Reviews

Meike 33mm f1.4 – Checking All The Boxes, Again?

November 11, 2024November 9, 2024 Alwin Kok

When it comes to the 33mm focal length (or 50mm in full-frame equivalent), there aren’t many options available. Unlike the 50mm to 56mm range, which is well-represented by nearly every brand, the 33mm/35mm focal length seems to lack strong competition in the market.

Meike likely recognized this gap in the market and released their 33mm f1.4 to attract more attention from photographers like us.

Intro

There are some teases for this lens from the company and rumors before it’s official announcement in August 2024.

Prior to this lens, Meike released the quite impressive 55mm f1.4, which I tested and really liked. I often recommend it to anyone looking for a compact and lightweight portrait lens. Because of my positive experience with that lens, I have high expectations for the Meike 33mm f/1.4.

Before I move on, I want to express my gratitude to the wonderful team at Meike for providing this lens for my review. I sincerely appreciate their ongoing support.

Design and Build Quality

If you have the Meike 55mm f1.4, then you will be treated with many familiarities with this lens. It shares the same design language, same build quality, and same handling experience.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f5.6 . 1/1100″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/105″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f2.8 . 1/750″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

This 55mm filter-size lens comes with an aperture ring. It still has the same stiffness and same clickiness level applied to the aperture ring. The stiff level is strong enough to prevent accidental change in aperture value. This can be a beneficial thing for me, but definitely not so much for the videographer.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/1100″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/160″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f2 . 1/90″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

The lens still uses a plastic build, but it doesn’t feel cheap. Holding it feels quite solid, and it doesn’t attract fingerprints easily. While I’m not sure how much weight was shaved off to bring the total weight down to 314 grams, I believe Meike must have carefully considered this balance during the design process.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/3200″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/900″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/8000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Image Quality

The Meike 55mm f1.4 gives me a very satisfying result. A result that has decent image quality, good level of contrast, and good chromatic aberration control. The Meike 33mm f1.4 follows the same. After knowing that it does not produce any soft unusable result, I am very happy to use this lens wide-open.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/2200″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/3500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
RightL *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/2500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Vignetting, however, is still present at wide-open. In my opinion, it is acceptable as I am totally fine with a small level of vignetting but not too heavy too disturbing to the overall viewing experience.

When comes to sun stars, it is just fine. The lines are not well-defined or detailed. Just fine soft lines. Of course, it does introduce some flares too.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f16 . 1/320″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Focusing

Focusing is snappy in most scenarios but sometimes I do encounter the lens is not able to focus on any object at wide-open in bright outdoor and well-lit indoor environment.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f8 . 1/680″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/250″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/110″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

This could be a bug or just the copy I have and it only happens if I shoot at f1.4 and did not encounter similar behaviour in any other aperture values. I hope there will have a firmware update to address the focusing issue at wide-open.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/5400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/80″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/2700″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

If you are concerning about lens breathing, this lens has actually one of the good minimal lens breathing among the third-party manufacturers.

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

40cm minimum focus distance is not the shortest. Using XF33mm f1.4 as a benchmark, it’s 30cm and Sirui 33mm f1.2 shared the same MFD as the Meike 33mm f1.4.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/80″ . ISO 800 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/1600″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

In most scenarios, short MFD does not really impact to my day-to-day shoots. Just that occasionally I wish it can close up more when I wish to do close-up shots. Nevertheless, I am glad that the image quality does not reduce significantly when taken at MFD.

Price Point

229.99 USD is what it is selling at this time of posting. It is about 3.5 times cheaper than the XF33mm f1.4 (799 USD) but comparable with the other third-party lenses like Viltrox 33mm f1.4 (279 USD) and Sirui 33mm f1.2 (279 USD).

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/1400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/80″ . ISO 2500 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/6400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Others

It has the USB-C port located at the rear lens to allow easy firmwares upgrades in the future. And similar to the Meike 55mm f1.4, this lens does not come with any weather sealing or weather resistance.

Who is this for?

With this price point, it is easy to recommend new photographers who plan to buy their first prime lens. For the professional, this can be a good getaway lens to enjoy the love of photography.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f8 . 1/480″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Left: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/210″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
Right: *Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/80″ . ISO 1000 . Nostalgic Negative*

Conclusion

This lens may not be perfect in every aspect, but it offers solid performance for its price. In my view, Meike made a smart move by introducing this focal length to expand their lineup. I love how compact the lens is and how usable the image results are. Most importantly, I enjoy using it a lot. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a budget-friendly option without breaking the bank.

*Fuji X-T5 . Meike 33mm f1.4 @ 33mm . f1.4 . 1/340″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Alongside the Meike 55mm f1.4, the Meike 33mm f1.4 is one of the best lenses to complement it. What’s still missing, though, is a 23mm focal length (or perhaps even 22mm, given the 55mm and 33mm in the lineup) to complete a “Trinity” of lenses from Meike. While there’s no official word from the manufacturer yet, we can only hope they’ll eventually release this focal length to round out the set.

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

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Reviews

Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 – The First AF Lens

October 29, 2024October 28, 2024 Alwin Kok

The 50mm focal length (equivalent to 75mm in full frame) or similar focal length is a favorite among both manufacturers and photographers, showcasing its popularity. Most brands offer one or two standout lenses in this category. However, the real question is: Can this lens differentiate itself from the competition?

Intro

Before I proceed, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Brightin Star for sending this lens over for my review. Having said that, the review is based on personal experience and zero influence from the manufacturer.

This is Brightin Star first first-ever autofocus lens. It’s a great deal for the manufacturer and I am always happy to see more and more third-party lenses joining the Fuji family. This gives us one more option to choose from.

Design and Build Quality

At a glance, the striking yellow brand label is prominently marked on the lens body, and it resembles somewhat similar to a red badge brand. Nonetheless, it easily gives everyone a good impression of the brand. Oh yes, it comes with metal-built quality, which adds a touch of premium quality.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/1500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/2500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f2 . 1/400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Despite the presence of a textured half ring where the aperture ring would typically be located, this lens does not actually have one. I found myself attempting to rotate the “ring” only to discover that it was not present.

It’s a pity to see them missing out on the aperture ring. I was informed that by implementing the aperture ring, the height of the lens will be increased by at least 2cm. I guess the engineers behind this lens have some consideration and come out with this decision. Probably we might see one with the aperture ring someday?

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/150″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

With the weight of 445 grams, I can feel the weight when I hold the lens in my hand but it feels well-balanced when I mount it on my X-T5.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/80″ . ISO 320 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/2500″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4 . 1/400″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

It comes with a 58mm filter. I am glad that it comes with a small filter size, which does not require photographers to cough out a huge amount of money for a larger filter size.

Image Quality

My experience with Brightin Star 35mn f0.95 was positive and so I have a high expectation for this lens. I am glad that this lens did meet my expectations. The image quality is great at wide-open.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/250″ . ISO 1250 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/125″ . ISO 640 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4 . 1/80″ . ISO 3200 . Nostalgic Negative*

The sharpness at wide-open is great but still falls behind the XF56mm f1.2. When comes to contrast, it seems to be slightly lacking too. I do not worry much about it since it can be done via post-edit. Nonetheless, vignetting and chromatic aberration are well-controlled.

When it comes to the background/foreground blur rendering, it is not the best rendering. But at least it is not something dramatic, nor is it messy.

One observation I’ve made is that, despite having the lens hood attached to the front, some flares are still able to penetrate and reach the glass. It’s uncertain whether this is due to the way I shoot, but it’s worth being aware of. However, the flare does not significantly diminish the quality of the captured image. It retains a good level of contrast on the subject while adding a unique character to the shot.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f16. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

When it comes to the sun star result, the line is not the sharpest nor the lines are well-defined. The result is pretty dull in my opinion.

Focusing

This lens is equipped with a Stepper Motor (STM), and the focusing is considerably snappy for so many glass elements inside the lens. I have no issue with focusing on both bright days and well-lit environments. For low-light situations, I do experience occasionally a little slower autofocus performance. But it’s not a deal breaker for me.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f5.6. 1/350″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/80″ . ISO 250 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4 . 1/170″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

In terms of eye-AF for portrait photography, the combination with the X-T5 performs well. It achieves a high success rate, with only a minimal number of out-of-focus results.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/125″ . ISO 3200 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/125″ . ISO 800 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f2 . 1/100″ . ISO 2500 . Nostalgic Negative*

I also encounter a few times when the focus is off when the focus box is already in green. I think this can be fixed by future firmware updates.

The focus breathing is a surprising minimum and I think this helps for videography.

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

It has a 50cm MFD, which is a little fall-short as compared with XF50mm f2 (39cm), Yongnuo 50mm f1.8 (45cm), but slightly better than Meike 55mm f1.4 (61cm), and Sirui 56mm f1.2 (60cm).

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

The MFD is just nice, and it is nothing to shout about. At least, the focus distance since any further than the competitions. In my observation, the image quality still preserved well with a minimal amount of softness is observed at wide-open. No sign of losing in contrast.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/80″ . ISO 200 . Nostalgic Negative*

Price Point

It is priced at 299 USD. This is an attractive yet competitive price point for getting this amazing glass. Taking references from other similar focal length lenses like Sirui 56mm (279 USD), Yongnuo 50mm f1.8 (299 USD), Meike 55mm f1.4 (200 USD), Sigma 56mm f1.4 (529 USD), TTArtisan 56mm f1.8 (158 USD) and lastly XF50mm f2 (449 USD), this newly launched lens is actually quite reasonable.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f2. 1/4000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/240″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4 . 1/200″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

Others

It comes with a USB-C port right at the rear of the lens mount, like many other third-party manufacturers do. This is mainly for future firmware updates.

USB-C port at the rear lens. (Love the black chrome color)

According to Brightin Star, this lens does come with waterproofing, drip proofing, and dust proofing. Also, it comes with an anti-fouling fluorine coating that allows the stains that fall onto the lens to be easily removed. This surprised me, and I consider it to be a bonus point.

You might have noticed that there is something on the lens hood. It comes with a different lock release mechanism. When the lens hood is in the forward position, you need to press the button to detach it. However, this design only works one way, the lens hood is not able to lock when placed in the reverse position.

Who is this for?

We all know this focal length is suitable for the portrait genre, but this focal length is also suitable for the street genre, product genre, and journalism/documentary genre as well.

*Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f2. 1/80″ . ISO 160 . Nostalgic Negative*

*Left: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f1.4. 1/160″ . ISO 400 . Nostalgic Negative*
*Right: Fuji X-T5 . Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 @ 50mm . f2 . 1/6000″ . ISO 125 . Nostalgic Negative*

If you are new to Fujifilm and looking to start building a collection of prime lenses, this lens is both affordable and reliable for long-term use.

For seasoned photographers looking to experiment with third-party lenses, this could be the next lens to consider, as long as you are willing to accept that it lacks an aperture ring.

Conclusion

I have to emphasize again that this is Brightin Star’s first autofocus lens. Although it is not the perfect lens everyone is looking for (such as missing aperture ring and weight), the decent image quality and price tag is something worth considering.

In my opinion, image quality should be the higher priority among all functionalities, and I think the engineering effort for this lens deserves good praise. Nevertheless, this is a worthy lens, and I am already looking forward to their next autofocus lens.

Thank you for reading.

If you like my works, please follow me on either one of the 2 Instagram accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/alwinkok_

https://www.instagram.com/alwin.portraits

If you have a Facebook account, feel free to join Fujifanboys FB group.

If you like my content and you want to show some support and keep this blog alive, you can buy me a coffee here.

Tag: Fujifilm

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Viltrox 35mm f1.7 – Spicing Up The Budget Segment

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ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 – Notty Nocty

Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 (Silver Edition) – New Color, New Charm

Meike 33mm f1.4 – Checking All The Boxes, Again?

Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 – The First AF Lens