Fujifilm’s X-Mount Gets a New Portrait Powerhouse: the Viltrox AF75mm F1.8 EVO

Making portraits with my Fujifilm cameras was always something I enjoyed, but I never felt I had the right lens for it. While I loved using the XF56mm F1.2, I could never justify its price – even used. Likewise, I’m not a fan of zooms for portrait work, a personal preference, and many of the good ones are also out of my financial reach. Viltrox’s new AF 75mm F1.8 EVO changes everything.

The Viltrox AF75mm F1.8 EVO Key Features

The following list of features are taken from Viltrox’s AF 75mm F1.8 EVO product page.

• APS-C 75mm Prime for Classic Portraits.
• Bright F1.8 Aperture for Soft Bokeh and Low-Light Clarity.
• Precision Optics: 11/9 Elements (2ED, 2HR).
• Fast, Accurate STM Autofocus for Still and Video.
• 0.74m Minimum Focusing Distance for Close-Up Detail.
• Compact 325g Design with Comfortable Handling.
• Durable Build with a Rubber-Sealed Mount.
• 58mm Filter Thread and USB-C Firmware Upgrade Port.

Real-World Use

I’ve been testing the Viltrox AF 75mm F1.8 EVO for about three week using both my Fujifilm X-Pro and X-Pro 3. As you might have guessed, I’m a fan of the X-Pro series of cameras and have used them both for a combined decade. In that time, I’ve used the X-Pro 3 for events and some portrait work, largely with the Tamron 18-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (that’s a mouthful). I often considered a longer focal length lens for this kind of work, but I largely couldn’t justify the price of Fujifilm’s XF80 or the XF60 – neither of which match the Viltrox’s maximum aperture of F1.8 or high affordability at and MSRP of $329 USD. The 75mm works like a 112mm-ish full-frame lens can be used to create a high compression effect that I simply had not been able to achieve on my Tamron.

When using the lens, I was very pleased to see that the Viltrox AF 75mm EVO is extremely compact, saving me a ton of space in my WANDRD Rogue Sling. I’m able to comfortably carry either of my X-Pro bodies, the AF75mm, and two primes (or my Tamron). The 75mm EVO weighs less than my XF23mm F1.4 as well, making it a no-brainer when it comes to deciding if I should carry it with me or not – the answer is almost always yes. The truth is, I don’t always need a portrait lens, but when you have an option that weighs close to nothing comparatively, then you carry it.

In terms of physical features, the lens is straight forward in its design. There’s a manual focus ring and to my joy, a clicky aperture ring. For the videography crowd, the clicky aperture might feel like more of a compromise than a feature, but as a photographer it’s my preferred way of working with my lenses. You could always set your aperture ring to Auto (A) and control your aperture settings using your camera’s assignable jog dials, but there’s something about the tactile feel and sound of that click.

Another standout feature is the uniform 58mm filter thread that Viltrox uses for its EVO line. As you begin to flex your creative muscle, the use of filters becomes increasingly common; not having to buy several lens filters for your lens helps keep things neat and affordable.

There are some compromises with the AF75 EVO. For one, the EVO line of lenses uses an STM (Stepping Motor) system. While the lens was largely quick to focus in bright scenes, it did tend to “hunt” in more difficult lighting scenarios, or as subjects crossed the focal plane. Some of these issues could be attributed to my older camera’s focusing deficiencies, but that just means that the camera was more reliant on the “slower” STM technology.

Lastly, one of the reasons I love pairing my Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 lens with my X-Pro 3 is the combinations superb weather-sealing. While the Viltrox does have some moisture and dust protection at the mount, the truth is that I would think three or four times before taking it out in anything worse than a light drizzle. That’s unfortunate, because some of the best shots I’ve made throughout my career have been done in some weather.

Viltrox AF 75mm F1.8 EVO Image Samples

The Final Verdict

As I think about how I would “rate” a lens like the Viltrox AF 75mm F1.8 EVO, I keep coming back to two primary variables – what is the photographer’s need, and what is their budget? In terms of who the EVO line of lenses is made for, they sit somewhere between a high-level enthusiast – that is someone who is willing to invest in more than a kit lens – a what I would classify as the part-time pro. With that perspective, the 75mm F1.8 EVO makes a great short-telephoto prime that gives you lots of reach for documentary-style images at an event or environmental portraits with creamy bokeh, all without breaking the bank. The bigger question for photographers ends up being, pick up the 75mm F1.8 EVO or get more reach and more compression with its sibling, the Viltrox AF 90mm F2.2 EVO. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong.

You pick up the Viltrox AF 75mm F1.8 EVO from B&H Photo Video for $329 US.

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