It’s time to compare three interesting third-party portrait lenses for the Fujifilm X system — the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7, Sigma 56mm f/1.4, and TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8. These lenses all aim to deliver that classic 85mm full-frame look on APS-C cameras, which makes them ideal for portraits, street shots, and detail work.
Each of them has its own personality, strengths, and compromises. My goal is not to simply name a “winner,” but to help you choose the best 56mm lens depending on your needs — whether that’s weight, autofocus performance, sharpness, or price.
I’ve used all three lenses in real-world conditions: daylight, low light, street scenes, and portrait sessions. So what follows is not a spec-sheet comparison — it’s a photographer’s honest take after real use.
The 56mm Focal Length
Before diving into build quality and performance, let’s talk about the 56mm focal length itself. On Fujifilm’s APS-C cameras, 56mm translates roughly to an 85mm full-frame equivalent, which is a sweet spot for portraits. It gives flattering compression for faces, smooth subject separation, and still feels natural enough for candid street photography or close-up details.
I love using this focal length not only for portraits, but also for still-life, street, and travel photography. It’s tight enough to isolate subjects beautifully, yet not so long that you have to stand across the street to frame your shot. In other words, it’s one of those “always works” lenses for creative shooters.
Build Quality and Design
All three lenses are well made, but they approach construction in different ways — each with its own priorities.
TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8
The TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8 feels wonderful in hand. It’s fully metal, compact, and has a beautiful square lens hood — a small but stylish detail that Fujifilm users tend to love. It gives off a premium, retro look that matches Fujifilm bodies perfectly.
The manual focus ring is smooth, the aperture ring has satisfying clicks, and the overall impression is one of solid craftsmanship. Despite being a budget-friendly lens, it doesn’t feel cheap. It’s also tough enough to handle bumps and long-term use.
Viltrox 56mm f/1.7
The Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 mixes metal, plastic, and rubber in its construction. It’s not as premium as the Sigma or as fully metallic as the TTArtisan, but it’s a good compromise between durability and light weight. The finish feels refined and modern, with clean markings and a smooth design.
For the price, it’s honestly impressive — Viltrox clearly knows how to make lenses that feel better than their price tag suggests.
Sigma 56mm f/1.4
The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm sits on the premium side. It’s the most solidly built of the three and the only one that includes weather sealing at the mount — a small but important detail if you shoot outdoors or travel often.
That extra quality comes with extra weight. At 285 grams, it’s the heaviest lens here. But the finish is excellent, the focus ring is smooth, and the overall feel is professional. This lens looks and behaves like a small piece of serious optical engineering.
Weight and Handling
Here’s how they compare on the scale:
- Sigma 56mm f/1.4: 285g
- TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8: 245g
- Viltrox 56mm f/1.7: 171g
The Viltrox is clearly the lightest. You really feel the difference when shooting long days or carrying your gear while traveling. The TTArtisan hits a nice middle ground — solid but not too heavy — while the Sigma is the most substantial.
Weight alone isn’t a deal-breaker, but if you’re the kind of photographer who values a lightweight setup — maybe for family photography, travel, or street work — the Viltrox will feel like a relief compared to the Sigma.
Firmware Updates and USB Ports
This might sound minor, but firmware updates matter. A lens that can be updated easily will often improve autofocus or compatibility with new cameras.
- The TTArtisan uses a clever system: its lens cap doubles as a USB-C dock. You attach the cap, plug it in, and update the firmware. Simple and functional.
- The Viltrox integrates a USB-C port directly into the lens mount, which is even more convenient — just plug it in and update the firmware straight from your computer.
- The Sigma, surprisingly, has no visible USB port. Firmware updates depend on camera compatibility. On Sony versions, you can update the lens through the camera body, and I hope Fujifilm versions work the same way. But still, having a physical port is reassuring.
I personally appreciate having a USB-C option. It shows that the manufacturer plans for longevity and user control.
Autofocus Performance
Now, autofocus — one of the most critical aspects for portrait and street photographers.
- Viltrox 56mm f/1.7: Surprisingly fast and accurate. It locks onto subjects quickly and confidently, but in low light the AF it’s slower than in good light.
- TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8: Also snappy, keeping up well for stills and light action.
- Sigma 56mm f/1.4: Despite its reputation for quality, the Sigma’s AF feels a little slower, especially in low light. It’s not bad — just slightly behind the other two in responsiveness.
I tested all three on Fujifilm bodies including the Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujifilm X-T50. The newer X-T50, with its faster AF system, helps the Sigma somewhat, but even then, the Viltrox and TTArtisan feel more agile overall.
It’s also worth noting that the Sigma’s larger glass elements and heavier construction may contribute to that small lag. In good light, the difference is minimal, but in dim conditions, the Sigma can hesitate.
Image Quality and Sharpness
Here’s where things get interesting — and a bit subjective. All three lenses produce great results, but they each have their own look and trade-offs.
Sigma 56mm f/1.4
The Sigma’s main advantage is its wider f/1.4 aperture, which gives you stronger subject separation and creamier background blur. It’s not the sharpest wide open, but it delivers a beautifully soft, cinematic rendering — great for portraits. Stop it down to f/2 or f/2.8 and it becomes tack sharp.
Color-wise, Sigma has a distinct signature: rich contrast, deep tones, and slightly warmer hues. It’s a look many photographers love for portraits because it adds mood and character.
TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8
The TTArtisan is actually the sharpest wide open. At f/1.8, it captures crisp details without losing the gentle falloff that makes portraits flattering. The color rendering is neutral but pleasing, and the contrast is natural.
Its bokeh is smooth and rounded, though not as “melted” as the Sigma’s at f/1.4. Still, for sharpness and micro-contrast, it really punches above its price.
Viltrox 56mm f/1.7
The Viltrox balances the two. It’s sharp at f/1.7, with a touch less contrast than the Sigma but clean, natural rendering. It doesn’t have strong color character — it’s more neutral — but that can be an advantage if you like to grade or color-correct in post.
At the same time, it produces a gentle, pleasing bokeh that works great for family, travel, and everyday portrait photography.
Chromatic Aberrations, Flares, and Other Optical Traits
All three lenses show some chromatic aberration and flare in certain situations — but nothing major.
- The Sigma exhibits minor purple fringing at high-contrast edges, especially wide open.
- The TTArtisan shows similar traits, though slightly better controlled.
- The Viltrox performs quite well here, at least in my usage — perhaps because I haven’t stressed it as much in harsh backlight yet.
Using a lens hood (which all three include) reduces these issues dramatically. For real-world shooting — weddings, events, street scenes — these minor flaws won’t stop you from getting great images.
Minimum Focus Distance and Bokeh
A small but useful spec: both the Sigma and TTArtisan can focus as close as 50cm, while the Viltrox needs 55cm. It’s not a dramatic difference, but if you like to shoot tight details — jewelry, eyes, food — those extra five centimeters can matter.
The Sigma’s rounded aperture blades help maintain smooth bokeh even when stopped down a bit. All three produce nice background blur, though Sigma’s wide aperture gives it a slight edge in subject separation.
Price and Value
Here’s where things diverge sharply:
- TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8: around $129 USD
- Viltrox 56mm f/1.7: around $180 USD
- Sigma 56mm f/1.4: around $529 USD
That’s a big range. The Sigma costs more than four times the TTArtisan, and nearly three times the Viltrox. So it’s crucial to think about what kind of photographer you are — and what you actually need.
Choosing the Right 56mm Lens
Let’s break it down by use case.
For Family, Travel, and Everyday Photography
I’d go with the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7. It’s lightweight, compact, and effortless to carry. When you’re shooting kids, family moments, or traveling light, you don’t want to lug around heavy glass. The Viltrox delivers good image quality, solid AF, and a great price-to-performance ratio.
I would personally pay a little extra for it over the TTArtisan just for the weight savings.
For Mixed Use and Occasional Paid Work
The TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8 hits the sweet spot. It’s still affordable, but offers superb sharpness, excellent build, and a distinct aesthetic. It feels reliable in hand, and that metal body can take a few knocks without worry.
If you like a tougher lens and value detail and precision, this one’s a very strong choice.
For Professional Portraits and Creative Control
The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 shines here. It’s the most refined, best-built, and offers the widest aperture, giving you that cinematic bokeh and Sigma color rendering. It’s heavier and pricier, yes — but for portrait professionals or enthusiasts who want a distinctive look, it’s worth it.
Real-World Reflections
In practice, all three lenses deliver excellent results. None of them are “bad choices.” The differences lie in character and priorities, not in quality.
If you prioritize weight, Viltrox wins.
If you prioritize sharpness and build for the price, TTArtisan wins.
If you prioritize creamy bokeh and pro-level rendering, Sigma wins.
Personally, I’ll keep all three in my rotation for different reasons. The Sigma stays because I love how it renders at f/1.4 — even if it’s slower to focus and heavier. The TTArtisan stays because it’s sharp, beautifully built, and reliable in low light. The Viltrox stays because it’s simply the easiest to carry everywhere.
Bonus: What About the Viltrox 56mm f/1.2?
I can’t finish this comparison without mentioning the Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 — because honestly, it changes everything.
If you’re okay with a bit of extra weight and size, the Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 is, in my opinion, the best pro-level portrait lens in this group and one of the strongest lenses in the Fujifilm ecosystem right now.
Why?
Because it costs about the same as the Sigma 56mm f/1.4, yet it’s better in almost every way:
- Sharper wide open, with richer micro-contrast
- Better autofocus performance, especially on newer Fuji bodies
- Smoother, creamier bokeh thanks to that true f/1.2 aperture
- Superior overall rendering, with beautiful separation and color
In practical terms, it delivers the kind of depth, richness, and subject isolation that gives your portraits a professional edge. The autofocus feels faster and more confident, the image quality is exceptional, and the results are simply gorgeous.
Yes, it’s larger and heavier than the other lenses on this list. But if you’re serious about portrait photography and don’t mind carrying a slightly bulkier setup, the Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 is absolutely worth it. It’s the one lens here that can rival Fujifilm’s own XF 56mm f/1.2 while being more affordable and still very capable.
For me, this is the ultimate professional option — the one I’d pick when I want that cinematic look, razor-sharp detail, and the kind of rendering that separates pro images from the rest.
Final Thoughts Regarding 56mm Options
Whichever you pick, you really can’t go wrong. These three lenses prove how far third-party Fujifilm options have come — offering amazing performance at all price points.
If I had to summarize:
- Best all-rounder for travel and daily use: Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 (review here)
- Best value for image quality and durability: TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8
- Best compact for professional portraits and shallow depth of field: Sigma 56mm f/1.4 (review here)
- Best for pro work with faster AF and better image quality: Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 (review here)
They all deliver clean, sharp images, lovely color, and reliable results. Whether you shoot portraits, weddings, or street scenes, any of these will serve you well.
And honestly — that’s the best kind of comparison to make. Because when every choice is good, you get to pick not by compromise, but by what fits your own creative style.
Where To Buy 56mm Fujifilm Lenses?
Get the using my affiliate links:
- Get Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 Amazon | BHPHOTO | Viltrox Official Shop
- Get Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 Amazon | BHPHOTO | Viltrox Official Shop
- Get TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8 Amazon | BHPHOTO | TTArtisan Official Shop
- Get Sigma 56mm f/1.4 Amazon | BHPHOTO
Fujifilm Cameras To Pair This Lenses
- Fujifilm X-T5 – Best all-rounder with top color science, IBIS, and EVF
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO - Fujifilm X-T30 II – Affordable, compact, and fast
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO - Fujifilm X-T50 – My number one Fujifilm camera
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO - Fujifilm X-E5 – Great stylish and powerfull small camera.
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO