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There is a famous saying, “you get what you pay for.” It may apply to everything generally, but it doesn’t really apply to the best third-party lenses for Fuji that we are reviewing today.
So, what are third-party lenses? In layman’s terms, they are the lenses that aren’t manufactured by the brand that designed your camera.
Comparatively, the quality of the lenses will be a bit less than the brand’s camera, but it’s a great option if you are looking to save some cash or if you are on a tight budget.
Contents
Review of the Best 3rd Party Lenses For Fuji
Never settle for less when you can get high-quality lenses for your Fuji x mount mirrorless camera. Third-party Fujifilm lenses have a lot of competition on the market. There are many known brands that have released a vast product line. Here’s a detailed review of our best third-party lenses for your Fujifilm cameras.
Best Overall: Rokinon 85M-FX 85mm F/1.4
PROS
- Unlike the XC lenses, this lens comes with a very economical price tag
- Compatible with almost all Fujifilm x mount cameras
- The f/1.4 aperture makes it ideal for shooting portraits during nighttime
- Like Neewer lenses, the UMC multi-layer coating for sharp images and reduced flare and ghosting
- Even illumination from corner to corner at f/2 and even narrower apertures
CONS
- Manual focus only
- The lens is heavy at 1.1 pounds
- Utilizes large 72mm front filters
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have been very pleased with the results of the Rokinon 85M-FX 85mm f/1.4 lens when used with the Fuji x mount camera. The only drawback is the focus, but that can easily be rectified if you are a keen photographer. The build quality at such an economical price is very pleasing to recent buyers.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Like the SLR magic lenses, the price is great when compared to the quality. This is a sharp lens that does take a bit of understanding and practice to set, but when you get used to its focusing, it will give you great shots. The f/1.4 wide aperture of this lens allows you to take beautiful shots of the night sky with.
Who Will Use This Most
From street photography to nightlife and wildlife photography, this can become the most preferred lens of all lenses. It is especially great for weddings and event photographers as they can take brilliant portraits with it. Its compatibility with all Fuji x mount lenses is also an added bonus.
Bottom Line
Rokinon 85M-FX 85mm is a very creative Fujifilm x lens that is not only very affordable but also very versatile. It gives exemplary shots when it’s stopped down. All in all, it’s a good investment if you are looking to add modern lenses to your old lenses for Fujifilm bodies.
- Aperture range: F1.4-22
- 9 elements in 7 groups
- Angle of view 28.3 degrees. Maximum Diameter: 3.1 inch (78mm)
Runner-up: ZHONG YI OPTICS Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 Mark II Lens
PROS
- Has a faultless and pleasant bokeh
- Perfect combination of fast aperture and standard focal lengths
- The barrel of the lens is metal, but despite that, it is very lightweight
- With maximum aperture, it’s the perfect Fujifilm x lens for minimum light conditions
- The focus ring allows for precise control with a minimum focusing distance of 1.25′
CONS
- Without auto-focus mechanism, focusing is no better than that of the Fujifilm vintage lenses
- It also lacks electronic communication with the camera
- Unlike a zoom lens, you can only get a closer or further away subject by physically moving
What Recent Buyers Report
Well, it’s no surprise that there are no adverse comments on reviews about Mitakon Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 lens. With a bright f/0.95 maximum aperture, this lens is among the best Fujifilm lenses that performs exceptionally well in low-light conditions. Also, the fact that this lens has sharp image control sits well with the consumers.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Let’s start with the fact that this is better known as Speedmaster as it has an ultrafast F0.95 aperture, and this is its most powerful feature. Other noteworthy features include the barrel design, material as well as the low weight of the lens. You will have a hard time finding a better lens in the same price range.
Who Will Use This Most
The creamy bokeh is great for all kinds of photography, but it’s exceptionally brilliant for weddings and street photography. The fixed aperture makes it perfect for wildlife photography. The sharp images you get are perfect for product photography as well as real estate photography.
Bottom Line
Mitakon Zhongyi’s Speedmaster is black, bold, and exceptionally beautiful. Like the SLR magic lenses, the lens is a perfect fit for your Fujifilm x mirrorless camera, and adds maturity and weight to your camera. If you are looking to start your wedding photography career, this is the best third party Fuji lenses to have in your photography arsenal.
- noiseless focus when filming
- Focal Range: 35mm
- Aperture Range: f/0.95 - f16
Best for the Money: Meike 35mm f/1.7
PROS
- The focus design enhances precise focus
- Less flare and suppressed ghosting due to smart nano-coating
- Like all the prime lenses on our list, the lens has all-metal construction enhancing durability
- Its performance in low-light is more appealing than that of a zoom lens.
- Brilliant lightweight design makes it ideal for carrying around for all kinds of shoots
CONS
- It also has soft corners when wide open
- The lens does have some vignetting at wide open
- At f/2.8, there is even some coma as well as active field curvature
What Recent Buyers Report
Even though the Meike 35mm f/1.7 lens has a bit of vignetting as well as softness at the corner, buyers have loved the result it has to offer. Unlike zoom lenses, the fixed focal length makes it unsuitable for capturing distant subjects. This unit also promises high image quality
Why It Stands Out to Us
Like the SLR magic lenses, this camera gear is extremely economical if you are on an extremely tight budget. It will give you sharp images with high color and contrast. Like most Fujifim x mount lenses on our list, it allows you to take great shots even in low light conditions.
Who Will Use This Most
Like a zoom lens, this lens is perfect for photographers who are into a product that is ideal for street photography, landscape, as well as portrait photography. The maximum aperture of f/1.7 is perfect for nocturnal photography. Apart from Fujifilm lenses, this lens is also compatible with Sinar, Nikon, and Canon.
Bottom Line
This lens is not compatible with sigma lenses, but it’s also a great lens for models by other brands, making it great for versatile photography. For hobbyist photographers, this is the best fix. The price is pretty economical despite the fact that it’s a reliable lens. The high image quality, as well as the soft corners, can be a huge advantage.
- Lens Structure:5 Groups 6 Elements
- Aperture Range: f/1.7-f/22
- Filter diameter:49mm
Neewer 35mm F/1.2
PROS
- The lens is small as well as finely corrected
- Lens provides accelerated control over the depth of field
- Micro-contrast, as well as bokeh of the lens, are exceptional
- With less flaring and ghosting, you get the maximum color and sharp contrast
- Unlike the autofocus lenses, the manual focus using the smooth focus ring provides accurate focus control
CONS
- There is slight vignetting
- Blurry corners at f/2 as well as f11
- The lens is very soft at f/1.2 aperture
What Recent Buyers Report
Many recent buyers are in love with the bokeh effect that Neewer 35mm f/1.2 lens gives. The best part of this Fujifilm x mount lens is the economical price tag that comes with it. The fact that it gives sharp images with maximum color and contrast is also commendable. Buyers also loved the minimum flare and ghosting in this lens.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Let’s start with the fact that you can achieve a pleasant and beautiful bokeh effect with this Fujifilm x lens. This is what stands out the most to us. Secondly, the contrast, as well as the sharpness, is pretty impressive. Like most Fujifilm lenses on our list, the body of this lens is sturdy and durable.
Who Will Use This Most
From everyday photography to wedding and product photography, this Fujifilm x lens is a huge steal. Being on a tight budget, this is the perfect lens for you. It’s highly compatible with many Fujifilm x mount lenses. Also, if you are looking for a pleasant bokeh effect for your wedding photography, this is your best bet.
Bottom Line
All in all, the overall image quality of this full frame lens is exceptional at the price that it’s being quoted at. It feels great when in hand and gives quality shots. It is small and sturdily built that both looks and works well. It’s sharp and offers quality Bokeh, making it perfect for wedding photography.
- Lens construction: 7 elements in 5 groups, aperture range of f1.2-f16
- The APS-C lens minimum focusing distance of 0.3meters/ 11.8inches, focal length of 35mm, filter size...
- Compatible with Fujifilm APS-C frame mirrorless camera such as X-T1 X-T2 X-Pro1 X-Pro2 X-M1 X-T10...
7artisans 25mm F/1.8 APS-C
PROS
- Like many lenses for the fujifilm, the lens offers high contrast
- Offers exceptional sharpness in the center
- Build, as well as, the compact design is praiseworthy
- Not a macro lens, but the close-focusing ability is brilliant and precise
- It also has beautiful contrast when wide open, f2.8, and at f4-8 as well
CONS
- The lens lack decent bokeh shots
- Corners are soft even stopped down
- The flare can be extreme, almost like that of the Fujifilm X vintage lenses
What Recent Buyers Report
At the price it is being offered, buyers are very happy with the quality as well as the design of the 7artisans 25mm f/1.8 lens. The metal body, as well as the solid feel, makes it a good lens. Although a few have complained about the flare and bad bokeh, it is compatible with most Fujifilm x mount lenses.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The design of the lens is what stands out the most. Considering that most zoom lenses are heavy, this prime lens is compact and lightweight in nature making it ideal for shooting for prolonged periods. Like most Fuji lenses, it produces sharp images with high contrast and color accuracy.
Who Will Use This Most
The lens is ideal for budding photographers who are low on their budgets after buying a high-quality as well as costly camera. This prime lens isn’t a macro but does great when shooting close-up images. If you can live with the fact that the focus element goes out of focus, it’s a must have lens for you.
Bottom Line
This is a manual lens with zero electronic communication with the camera, and you need to get used to it if you love the auto-focus of your other prime lenses. It is a bit blurry, and it also struggles with flare, but both of these drawbacks can be controlled. It offers extremely high contrast and sharp pictures.
- 7 Elements in 5 Groups
- Aperture Range: F/1.8 - F16. Ideal Aperture with 12 Diaphragm Blades
- Aluminum Body and Copper Core. Compact and Lightweight 0.31oz/143g
Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8 Macro Camera Lens
Pros
- The floating elements ensure consistent image quality throughout the focusing range
- The f/2.8 aperture allows the lens to capture bright photos even in poor lighting
- Like all standard lenses, the focusing system ensures a robust and smooth autofocusing performance
- The lens hood helps prevent unwanted lens flare in your photos
Cons
- It does not feature any depth of field and distance scales on the barrel
- It lacks the focus limiter switch
- Lens carrying case not included in the kit
What Recent Buyers Report
Many photographers are happy with its metal design and the less crucial parts made of plastic, reducing weight. However, most photographers complain about the lack of distance and depth of field scales on the barrel, making it unsuitable where accurate focusing is required. Although some complain about the lack of optical image stabilization functionality, the f/2.8 wide aperture is ideal for shooting in low light.
Why It Stands Out to Us
With a magnification ratio of 1:1, minimum focusing distance of 5.9 inches, and f/2.8 aperture, the Zeiss Touit 2.8/50M Macro Camera Lens is ideal for shooting close-ups of tiny subjects. The ZEISS anti-reflective coating helps reduce ghosting and flare for improved image quality and color accuracy.
The nine-blade aperture diaphragm of this Fujifilm x mount lens ensures the production of an appealing bokeh quality. When it comes to video and photo use, this Fujifilm x lens employs a DC autofocus motor ensuring a fast, near-silent and accurate focusing performance
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for greater contrast and clarity in your images, this lens might be the right option for you. It is among the best Fujifilm lenses that offer exceptional correction of coma, astigmatism, chromatic aberrations, and distortions. This makes it suitable for any photographer looking for third-party lenses that allow true-to-life reproduction of subjects
Bottom Line
Like the Fujifilm X Cine lenses, the lens is fully compatible with APS-C cameras of Fujifilm X mount. The planar optical design ensures consistent performance throughout the focusing range and the production of crisp images.
- EXCELLENT RESOLUTION AND HIGH CONTRAST: Richly saturated and vivid colours are a must in the...
- ASPHERICAL DESIGN: The asperical lens design ensures consistent imaging performance throughout he...
- SMOOTH AND RELIABLE AUTOFOCUS: The design of the autofocus system requires an extremely accurate...
Viltrox 85mm f/1.8
Pros
- The wide aperture ensures decent image quality
- The solid build quality ensures durability
- Like the Meike lenses, the minimal flare and ghosting ensure greater contrast and color neutrality
- Its affordability makes it suitable for beginners
Cons
- With a weight of 2.19 pounds, this lens is quite heavy for carrying
- Lacks aperture rings, buttons or dials on it
- The bokeh quality produced by the nine-blade aperture diaphragm can’t match that of Tokina prime lenses
What Recent Buyers Report
Many photographers love the compatibility of this lens with Fuji X mount and Sony E-mount cameras. With a weight of 2.9 pounds, this lens cannot be considered to be lightweight, which limits its portability. The manual focus override allows you to fine-tune the focus, giving you better control over the focusing performance.
Why It Stands Out to Us
When shooting wide open at f/1.8, this Fujifilm x lens produces an appealing and smooth bokeh quality. In its optical design, this lens employs one aspherical element and one extra-low dispersion element that help suppress chromatic aberrations and distortions for enhanced contrast and clarity. This makes this lens fall under the XF lenses category. With an HD Nano multi-layer coating, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 helps reduce surface reflections and ghosting even when working in brightly-lit conditions.
Who Will Use This Most
Beginners who are looking for the best budget lens. With an STM motor, this Fujifilm x lens is suitable for photographers in need of fast, silent, and precise autofocus. Unlike the other lenses, the water-resistant coating makes it an ideal option for photographers shooting in snowy conditions.
Bottom Line
The bright f/1.8 aperture makes it ideal for use even in low-lighting conditions when applying shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques. Like the Zeiss touit lenses, the lens hood included in the package protects the front elements from flare-causing stray light.
- Well Crafted:The lens is very well crafted. Its all metal ,feels better in the hand than the native...
- STM: Faster and quieter stepping motor, provide more precise autofocus than old models .The auto...
- 85mm F1.8 Aperture: The image quality on this lens is surprisingly good and it’s an all around...
Pergear 25mm f/1.8
Pros
- The wide aperture makes the lens suitable for shooting in low light
- The short focal length allows you to shoot in tight places
Cons
- Since it’s a wide-angle lens, the images are prone to vignetting
- The color rendering can’t match that of the Fujinon prime lenses
What Recent Buyers Report
The click-less aperture ring is excellent when shooting videos as you can visually confirm the aperture settings you are using instead of trying to feel the adjustments through clicks. Although it’s a prime lens, the 25mm focal length is highly flexible as it changes to the equivalent of 38mm when using the lens with an APS-c camera and changes to the equivalent of a standard lens when you pair it with a micro-four-third camera.
Why It Stands Out to Us
If you are looking for a walk-around prime lens that is sturdy enough to withstand accidental falls, the Pergear 25mm f/1.8 is an outstanding lens that meets these qualifications, thanks to the all-metal construction. Even with this high-quality and durable construction, this lens weighs 1.54 pounds only, making it ideal for carrying around and shooting handheld for a prolonged time.
With external dimensions of 5.2 x 3.98 x 3.5 inches, this lens is compact enough to fit in a camera bag or backpack when traveling. The focus is smooth, allowing you to achieve accurate focus without camera tremors when turning the focusing ring.
Who Will Use This Most
The f/1.8 aperture and 25mm focal length make this lens a versatile ultra-wide-angle lens, ideal for use by interior photographers who might be shooting in tight spaces and in low light conditions. Although this aperture is fast enough to blur the background and produce a pleasing bokeh quality when shooting portraits, the 5 elements included in the optical construction might not effectively reduce the chromatic aberrations and distortions.
With a minimum focusing distance of 0.66 inches, this lens is ideal for shooting close-ups of tiny subjects such as flowers and food, especially when applying selective focus techniques.
Bottom Line
The Pergear 25mm f/1.8 is one of the amazing lenses, thanks to the fast aperture that can allow you to shoot bright images even in poorly-lit conditions or when using faster shutter speeds.
- 🍂 5 Elements in 3 Groups
- 🍂 Aperture Range: F/1.8 - F16
- 🍂 Ideal Aperture with 10 Diaphragm Blades
Tokina 33mm f/1.4
Pros
- The f/1.4 wide aperture makes it suitable for capturing portraits even in low light
- The internal focusing design maintains the length of the lens barrel for enhanced handling.
- Its longer aperture range versatility makes it suitable for shooting landscapes with a deep depth of field.
- It produces an appealing background blur when shooting portraits and closeups
Cons
- It lacks a weather resistance sealing, making it unsuitable for use in harsh weather
- Its focal length makes it unsuitable for shooting distant subjects
What Recent Buyers Report
Photographers are pleased by the presence of a lens hood as it counters glares, allowing them to capture exteriors quickly even when the sun is shining towards the edges of the camera frame. The autofocus system allows you to fine-tune your focus giving you better control over the focusing performance. You might also love the quick, precise, and silent autofocusing, thanks to the STM focusing motor.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Tokina 33mm f/1.4 is a 50mm equivalent prime lens designed for Fujifilm x-mount cameras. Like Pergear lenses, it employs a click-less aperture ring allowing you to smoothly regulate the aperture manually. With a minimum focusing distance of 15.75 inches, this lens is ideal for capturing close-ups.
Like Rokinon lenses, the multi-layer coating reduces external and internal reflections, ensuring sharp and clear photos without the fears of flare and ghosting even with scattered light. Setting the aperture around the range of f/16 to f/1.4 ensures the production of high-quality images, whether working in low-light conditions or shooting in broad daylight. Its camera body is also sturdy enough to withstand accidental falls.
Who Will Use This Most
Unlike the other Fujifilm third-party lenses on our list, it is equipped with a 5-axis optical image stabilization functionality which significantly reduces the camera shake effect even when shooting handheld. This lens is also the right option if you want a gorgeous bokeh effect on your photos, thanks to the 10-blade aperture diaphragm.
Bottom Line
The ATX-m series is designed with one low-dispersion glass element which helps regulate chromatic aberrations and color fringing.
- Fast F1.4 aperture in a lightweight and compact body
- Beautiful Bokeh & light intake
- Full communication with camera
Comparison of the Best 3rd Party Lenses For Fuji
When Would I Use a 3rd Party Lens?
With third party lenses, you will not be compromising the quality of your shots. In fact, the ones featured in this review are the absolute best and will give you exemplary results.
When You Are Looking at a Tight Budget
As a photographer, where and when will you need a third-party lens? That’s easy to answer: to broaden your horizon, you need extra gear. With third party lenses, you can get quality as well as save money.
Rokinon 85M-FX 85mm F1.4
When You Are Looking For Creativity
Benchmark camera brands do release a number of lenses, but these are designed to accommodate their own cameras but not other brands. Hence, you need a third party lens if you are looking to get creative. These lenses have a lot of competition on the market, so makers release only premium quality to stand the competition and win.
When You Are Looking to Fill Gaps
As a passionate photographer, you will never be satisfied with one lens. However, with famous camera brands, there are gaps. For instance, Canon hasn’t marketed a wide-angle zoom with a constant aperture of f/2.8 for their APS-C cameras. So, if you need that, you will have to seek third party lenses.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Fuji’s mirrorless cameras have become pretty popular in recent years. Photographers of all kinds and types are falling in love with the likes of X-T2 and X-Pro2. With Fuji cameras getting this much hype, there is a lot of pressure on third party lens manufacturers.
Keeping in mind that different lenses have different specs, here are a few aspects to consider before buying one.
Quality
Since you bought a high-quality camera, you must have paid a lot for it. With a tight budget, you can get third-party autofocus lenses for your Fuji body at almost half the price. However, don’t let the half the price mindset make you compromise the quality of your camera. Always go for a third party lens that can accommodate and even enhance the quality.
Weather Resistant Lenses
Typically, Fuji cameras come with weather-resistant shields. This means that these have a rubber seal to prevent dust and moisture penetrating the buttons and joints. However, the usability of the camera will be limited if you don’t pair it with a lens that can withstand harsh conditions just like the camera.
For instance, pairing your weather-resistant Fujifilm camera with a weatherproof lens such as the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 will allow you to use it in snowy, moist, and dusty conditions without worries of breakdown or failure.
Weight
Fuji is famous for its lightweight product line, and it’s a huge reason why these cameras are so popular among photographers. For a lightweight camera, the lens should be lightweight as well. Balance matters in photography. For the third party lens, make sure the weight is compatible.
Focal Length
The lens’s focal length is the distance between the camera’s sensor and the lens’s optical center, usually measured in millimeters. The focal length determines the lens’s field of view. Usually, there are three lenses in terms of focal length, namely: wide-angle, standard, and telephoto lenses.
Typically, shorter focal length lenses allow you to capture a wider field of view than their longer focal length counterparts. Longer focal length lenses magnify a distant subject and make it look closer. If you want to capture landscapes, you should consider buying shorter focal length lenses such as the Pergear 25mm f/1.8.
On the other hand, if you are shooting distant subjects, you can consider using a long focal length lens such as the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8. Typically, this will help crop out unwanted elements and fill the frame with the main subject.
Aperture
The aperture is the opening that allows light to go through the lens and reach the camera sensor. Usually, a lens with a wide maximum aperture will let in more light to enter, allowing you to capture brighter images even in low light conditions.
The wide aperture also allows you to blur the background and produce a beautiful bokeh quality when using selective focus techniques. That means you should go for a fast lens such as the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 if you want to shoot portraits with a shallow depth of field.
The lens is also ideal for shooting a moving subject with faster shutter speeds as it can allow sufficient light to enter within a short time. However, the widest aperture might not be the best for shooting landscapes where you need a deep depth of field.
Conclusion
Third-party lenses are great for a lot of reasons; they are perfect for tight budgets, versatility, and creativity. You can really test the potential of your photography with third party modern lenses without spending a truckload of money. These top third party lenses for Fuji are the best on the market. You will have a great time shooting with these.
