Viltrox just released two conversion lenses for Fujifilm X100-series cameras: WCL-X100VI and TCL-X100VI. These lenses are very similar to Fujifilm’s own conversion lenses for the X100-series, the WCL-X100 II and TCL-X100 II, and if you don’t look closely, you might not notice the differences, as they seem nearly identical. How does the Viltrox version stack up? Should you even consider these for your Fujifilm X100VI? If so, which should you get, Viltrox or Fujinon?
I need to tell you upfront that Viltrox sent me the two lenses to try out. They didn’t give any expectations other than, “We look forward to your impression of the lenses.” This review serves as that. It’s my honest feedback to Viltrox, while also hopefully being helpful to those considering these lenses for their X100VI or other X100-series camera.
There are two conversion lenses—Viltrox WCL-X100VI and TCL-X100VI—and I want to talk about them individually, but also as a set. We’ll begin with the wide-converter, then the teleconverter, and finish up by discussing the two together. Let’s dive right in!
Viltrox WCL-X100VI
The Viltrox WCL-X100VI is a wide conversion lens that’s nearly identical to the Fujinon WCL-X100 II. It has an 0.8x magnification, which, when screwed onto the end of the X100VI’s lens, changes the focal-length from 35mm to 28mm (full-frame equivalents; 23mm to 19mm in APS-C terms). It makes the camera a little more wide-angle, which can be useful when the native focal-length is just a little too tight for the circumstance.
On X100-series cameras, there is a hidden thread for a filter/hood adapter, which reveals itself when a ring on the end of the lens is unscrewed. Both of the conversion lenses attach to this thread, simply by screwing onto it. The WCL-X100VI is threaded to accept 49mm filters. Oh, and the camera automatically recognizes that you attached the lens, just like the Fujinon WCL-X100 II.
From my measurements, the Viltrox version is just a hair smaller than the Fujinon, and weighs just slightly less (very minimally on both accounts). Using the TCL adds some size and weight to the camera, but, for the WCL-X100VI, this isn’t a major deal, because the lens is pretty small. The added bulk and heft is a small price for the extra versatility.
As for both the build and image quality, the lens seems to be on par with the Fujinon option. There’s a little difference in how the lens flares, but otherwise it seems to render images pretty much identically. A lot of times when you buy a third-party version of a lens, it’s less expensive, but it’s pretty obvious why, as it feels cheaper and/or has image quality flaws. With the Viltrox conversion lenses, there does not seem to be any reduction in quality. You’re not giving up anything to save a little money. In the case of the WCL-X100VI, it’s not a little money, but a significant chunk of change! The Viltrox WCL-X100VI has an MSRP of $159; the Fujinon WCL-X100 II is a lot more expensive at $399. For a lot less than half the cost, you basically get the same exact thing.
Viltox TCL-X100VI
The Viltrox TCL-X100VI is a tele conversion lens that’s nearly identical to the Fujinon TCL-X100 II. It has a 1.4x magnification, which, when screwed onto the end of the X100VI’s lens, changes the focal-length from 35mm to 50mm (full-frame equivalents; 23mm to 33mm in APS-C terms). It makes the camera a “standard” focal-length, which can be useful when the native focal-length is just a little too wide for the circumstance.
Like the WCL, the TCL-X100VI attaches to the camera by screwing onto the hidden filter/hood adapter thread. It accepts 67mm filters. Also like the WCL, the camera recognizes when you attach the lens, just like it does for the Fujinon TCL-X100 II.
From my measurements, the Viltrox version is just barely a hair smaller than the Fujinon; however, the weight difference is notable, with the Viltrox coming in at about 25% heavier, or 0.1 pounds more, than the Fujinon. For both brands, the TCL is larger and heavier than the WCL, which makes it a little less practical for carrying around. Even so, I really like 50mm (full-frame equivalent), so I tend to use the TCL more than the WCL, personally.
Just like the WCL-X100VI, for both the build and image quality, the TCL-X100VI seems to be right on par with the Fujinon option. There’s a little difference in how the lens flares, but otherwise it seems to render images pretty much identically. You’re not giving up anything to save a little money. The Viltrox TCL-X100VI has an MSRP of $189; the Fujinon TCL-X100 II is a lot more expensive at $399. For less than half the cost, you basically get the same exact thing.
Both Lenses
Last year, I travelled to Austin, Texas, and the only camera I took was a Fujifilm X100VI with the Fujinon WCL-X100 II and TCL-X100 II conversion lenses. It allowed me to travel light but still have some focal-length versatility. An X100-series camera with the two conversion lenses is a compact and powerful three-lens kit. But, for the Fujinon, those two additional lenses will run you $798, which is a lot of money; however, with Viltrox, you can do it for only $348, which is a bargain. If you own an X100-series camera, you should buy these two lenses. Despite having “X100VI” in the name, the conversion lenses will work on any X100-series model, not just the latest iteration.
When you combine the conversion lenses with the built-in digital teleconverter, you get even more focal-length versatility: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, and 100mm (full-frame equivalents). On the X100VI, to get 70mm requires both the TCL and the digital teleconverter, and you go from 40mp to 20mp (which is still plenty of resolution); to get to 100mm, you’ll get a 10mp file, which is fine for social media use, but it’s not ideal for photos you intend to print much larger than 8″x12″. You can also skip the digital teleconverter and simply crop after-the-fact and accomplish the same thing.
A three lens kit for your X100VI, which requires only two additional lenses, is nice to have, but it does kind of defeat the purpose of the camera, which is a compact one-camera-one-lens philosophy. I wish that Fujifilm made a wide-angle and nifty-fifty alternative versions of the X100VI (like Sigma did with the DP camera series), so that you could choose the focal length that fits you best. Since they don’t, if you want to adjust the focal length yourself, it does require adding some extra bulk.
What works for me is to keep the conversion lenses in my pockets, and simply screw one onto the camera whenever I need it. With two front pockets in my jeans or shorts, I can have the WCL in one pocket and the TCL in the other. Viltrox includes a little bag in the box that helps to protect the lens when doing this. I’m able to use the X100VI as a fixed-lens 35mm (full-frame equivalent) camera most of the time, but go wider or more telephoto whenever I need to. When you want to travel light, this is quite ideal.
To save a little weight, choose the Fujinon TCL over the Viltrox TCL. The Fujinon TCL-X100 II is large and already heavy enough; the Viltrox TCL-X100VI adds a noticeable amount of additional weight. Unfortunately, a second-hand Fujinon TCL-X100 II costs more than the Viltrox version brand-new. If you don’t mind spending an extra $50 or so and getting a used model, the most ideal scenario is to purchase the Viltrox WCL-X100VI and the Fujinon TCL-X100 II. Or, just save a few bucks and don’t worry about 0.1 pounds, and get both Viltrox options.
Both lenses come in silver and black. If you have a silver X100-series camera, you’ll probably want the silver lenses; if you have a black X100-series camera, you’ll probably want the black lenses. I definitely do recommend the Viltrox conversion lenses. I was quite surprised at both the build and image quality, especially considering the price. You won’t break the bank, so get one. Or get both.
Above, clockwise from top-left: Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox WCL-X100VI + Kodachrome 64; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox TCL-X100VI + Classic Amber; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox TCL-X100VI + Summer of ’59; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox WCL-X100VI + FRGMT B&W; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox WCL-X100VI + FRGMT B&W; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox WCL-X100VI + Superia Negative; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox TCL-X100VI + Summer of ’59; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox TCL-X100VI + Summer of ’59; Fujifilm X100VI + Viltrox TCL-X100VI + Superia Negative.
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Fujifilm X100VI in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Nuzira
Fujifilm X100VI in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Nuzira
Viltrox WCL-X100VI in black:
Amazon, B&H
Viltrox WCL-X100VI in silver:
Amazon, B&H
Viltrox TCL-X100VI in black:
Amazon, B&H
Viltrox TCL-X100VI in silver:
Amazon, B&H
Sameone know if TCL also works on X70?
The Viltrox TCL does indeed work on the X70 (although it is almost comically large on it). The WCL also works, but there is pronounced vignetting in the corners.
in term of how it holds its value,which one better between ricoh gr iii and xe4? (sorry for give the question here,because i cant reply the comment from previous question at gfx)
That’s a really tough one to guess. Once the GR IV is more widely available, it would seem like the GR III might lose value, just because the two models are so similar but the GR IV is objectively slightly better across the board. However, since the GR IV is so much more expensive than the GR III, the GR III could hold it’s value quite well just because the cheaper price for such a similar camera could drive more demand to the GR III.
The X-E4 is so unique in the lineup, much different than the X-E3 and especially the X-E5. It’s the smallest, lightest, most minimalistic of Fujifilm’s interchangeable-lens EVF cameras, so if that’s what you desire, the X-E4 is the best option. That makes it desirable, so I suspect that the X-E5 won’t have a massive impact on its value (although certainly some impact).
Between the GR III and X-E4, I personally recommend the X-E4—not on how well one holds its value over the other, but just (as an owner of both) how much I used the one (and appreciated the one) over the other. They are much different cameras, though, with much different use cases.
You might want to check out this article:
https://fujixweekly.com/2023/06/03/ricoh-gr-iii-vs-fujifilm-x-e4-fujinon-18mm-f-2/
so xe4 and ricoh gr iii are equal in term of how they hold their value?
You are asking (over and over) impossible to answer questions. Nobody can know or predict the future. I can’t tell you what the value will be in six months, next year, or in five years. Literally nobody on Earth knows. I believe that I have gone above and beyond what any reasonable person would offer for advice. Read into it what you will. Take it or leave it if you will. But I do want to be very, very, very clear: I have no idea what the value of any camera will be in the future, nor does anyone else, nor should anyone be concerned about it in the first place. You should be much more concerned about what you’ll create with the camera than what price it might sell for on eBay. My best advice is, with whatever camera you get, scratch it up. Get some damage on it from constant use. Then you won’t be worried in the slightest what monetary value it might hold; instead, you’ll only be concerned about the one value that actually matters, and that’s the use you get out of it and the adventures you have while using it. Nothing else matters even in the slightest. Future resale value on eBay is not something that I recommend anyone be concerned about, because that’s not important in the long run. If you pay $1,200 bucks for a camera, get your $1,200 worth out of it in use. If at the time you are ready to sell the camera you find out it is only worth $50, then use it more and get your $50 worth out of it. I hope all of that makes sense.
sorry i mean how they hold their value for current market price so far not in the future,are they equal in term of that?
If you go to MPB.com, and search Ricoh GR III, you’ll find that they are selling them for between $1,140 and $1,320, just depending on the condition and version. The camera had an MSRP of $900, but as high as $1,200, just depending on the specific version (HDF, IIIx, Diary Edition). I think values have remained the same or increased slightly (depending on the specifics), based on this information.
The Fujifilm X-E4 is listed between $1,000 and $1,110, depending on the condition. The camera had an MSRP of $850, so it’s a little higher in value than it was when it was sold new. It used to be that $1,200-$1,400 was a common price before the X-E5 was released, so it’s easy to see how the value has dropped a little in response to that. I expect that the GR IV will have a similar affect on the GR III, and maybe it already has a little, but it’s hard to know by just how much—it might not actually be much, because the GR IV costs so much more than—yet is very similar to—the GR III.
ok which your top 3 ricoh recipe?
Probably Vibrant Nostalgia, Americana Color, and maybe Classic Emulsion.