Fujifilm Fujinon XF Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF Lens (FUJIFILM X, Black) Review
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 offers fantastic bokeh and solid build for Fuji shooters on a budget, but its autofocus is just okay. Find it cheap and it's a steal.
Overview
Alright, let's talk about this Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. It's a simple, fast prime lens for Fujifilm X-mount cameras. It gives you a classic 'normal' field of view, which is perfect for everyday shooting, street photography, and portraits. Don't expect any fancy features here. It's a lightweight, basic lens that gets the job done with a nice, bright aperture.
Performance
The f/1.7 aperture is the star of the show. It lets in a ton of light and creates smooth, pleasing bokeh that scores in the 84th percentile. Build quality is surprisingly solid, landing in the top 5%. But, the autofocus is just okay, sitting in the 47th percentile. It's not slow, but it's not the snappiest either. And yeah, the lack of image stabilization means you'll need steady hands or good light.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That f/1.7 aperture is fantastic for low light and background blur. 95th
- Build quality feels way better than the price suggests. 84th
- It's super light and compact at just 170 grams. 81th
- The 'normal' 35mm focal length is incredibly versatile for daily use. 72th
Cons
- Autofocus performance is merely average.
- No image stabilization at all.
- It's not weather-sealed, so keep it dry.
- Landscape performance is its weakest area, scoring pretty low.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 9 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.7 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | FUJIFILM X |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 52 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 330 |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.7 |
Value & Pricing
Here's the kicker: the price is all over the place, from $179 to $486. At the low end, around $180, this lens is an absolute steal for the image quality and build you get. If you're seeing it for over $300, you need to look at other options. The value completely depends on which vendor you buy from. Shop around.
vs Competition
Compared to the Fujifilm 35mm f/2, this Viltrox is faster (f/1.7 vs f/2) and often cheaper, but you lose weather sealing and Fuji's legendary autofocus. Against the Meike 35mm f/1.8, it's a similar story on specs, but the Viltrox generally has better build quality. The real competition is Viltrox's own 35mm f/1.7 for Z-mount, which is essentially the same lens. For Fuji shooters, this is the budget-friendly fast prime option.
Verdict
Buy this lens if you want a fast, simple prime for your Fuji camera and you find it for under $200. It's perfect for street shooters, portrait beginners, or anyone who wants to play with shallow depth of field without breaking the bank. Just don't buy it if you need blazing-fast autofocus or plan to shoot in the rain.