Fujifilm users get a superfast 27mm f/1.2 prime lens
Viltrox launches the second of its Pro XF series of f/1.2 lenses, which becomes its eighth prime for the Fujifilm X-mount
Viltrox has just launched the second of its autofocus prime lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. The Viltrox AF 27mm F1.2 Pro XF offers an effective 40mm focal length, when the crop factor is taken into account, making this a fast standard prime that is suitable for big-bokeh portraits, or for shooting in lowlight. It will provide a faster alternative to Fujifilm's own Fujinon XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR lens at a slightly lower price.
The new lens is faster than practically anything in the Fujinon range except for the XF 50mm f/1 and the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR. The rest of the fast primes from Fujifilm are f/1.4 lenses or compact f/2 optics.
Viltrox already make an AF 75mm F1.2 Pro XF in the Fujifilm mount - which has now recently been released for Nikon Z and Sony E APS-C camera mounts too.
The company says the AF 27mm F1.2 Pro XF delivers soft and "charming" out of focus areas, sharp in-focus areas and a smooth transition between them. It's designed for high performance wide-open with edge-to-edge sharpness. It has a minimum focus distance of 0.28m and Viltrox says focus breathing is 'insignificant'. This could make this a popular lens for filmakers looking for a shallow cinematic effect – the best Fujifim cameras such as the Fujifilm X-H2S and Fujifilm X-S20 are very effective filmmaking tools.
Lens mount: Fujifilm X-mount
Effective focal length: 40mm
Viewing angle: 55.3°
Maximum aperture: f/1.2
Minimum aperture: f/16
Aperture blades: 11
Autofocus: internal, STM
Minimum focus distance: 0.28m
Maximum magnification: 0.15x
Filter size: 67mm
Dimensions: 82 x 92mm
Weight: 560g
The 27mm f/1.2 is constructed from 15 elements in 11 groups, including two extra-low dispersion lens elements, and one aspherical element, and five high-refractive elements.
The lens features an 11-blade aperture diaphragm, and offers a 67mm front filter ring, as well as a USB-C connector to allow firmware updates. The all-metal housing features all-weather sealing to keep out moisture and dust, and weighs in at a meaty 560g (19.75oz).
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The Viltrox AF 27mm F1.2 Pro is available to order from today for $549 / £579, and comes supplied with a petal-shaped lens hood, and a pouch bag.
Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography.
His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 15 Pro Max.
He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.