My First Week With the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 Pancake Lens on My Fujifilm X-T5

I recently picked up the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 pancake lens for my Fujifilm X-T5, and let me tell you, it's been a surprisingly fun little combo to shoot with. I didn’t think I’d fall for a pancake lens this hard, but here we are. This tiny thing has basically lived on my camera all week.

Why I Got It

Honestly? I wanted something small, light, and street-photo-friendly. I love my Fuji primes, but once you add a lens hood and filters, even the compact ones start to bulk up. I was heading into a week where I wanted to shoot more candid moments, go on some photo walks, and not have to think too hard about gear. Enter: the Viltrox 28mm pancake.

First Impressions

This lens is so flat. Like, comically thin. It almost makes my X-T5 look like a compact point-and-shoot. I love that. It barely sticks out, which makes it perfect for street photography or low-key everyday shooting. And even though it's all metal, it doesn’t add any noticeable weight.

Sharpness and Image Quality

Alright, let’s talk about the glass. The sharpness is surprisingly good for a lens this small and affordable. Is it Fuji XF prime sharp? Not quite. But is it more than enough for everyday use, web content, and casual prints? Absolutely. Colors are punchy (thanks to Fuji’s magic) and contrast is solid. It does get a little soft in the corners wide open at f/4.5, but I rarely noticed it unless I was pixel peeping.

Autofocus

Autofocus is snappy and silent. It pairs super well with the X-T5's eye detection and subject tracking. I took it out for some candid street portraits and it didn’t miss a beat. Definitely usable for video, too, if you don’t mind the fixed aperture.

The 28mm Focal Length

On Fuji's APS-C sensor, 28mm turns into about 42mm equivalent. At first, I thought it might feel too close to the nifty fifty look, but it ended up being kind of a sweet spot. It feels natural and versatile—wide enough for street, tight enough for casual portraits, and just easy to frame with.

Downsides?

If you're looking for shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh, this ain’t your lens. At f/4.5, you're not getting that dreamy background blur unless you're really close to your subject. Also, it doesn’t have weather sealing, which is a bit of a bummer if you’re planning to travel or shoot in rough conditions.

Final Thoughts

The Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 pancake lens is a perfect match for anyone who wants a super portable, "always on" lens that keeps things simple. It's not flashy, but it punches way above its weight. Combined with the Fujifilm X-T5, it becomes a no-fuss setup that makes photography feel effortless and fun.

If you're into street photography, travel shots, or just want a tiny lens to throw on for daily use, I totally recommend checking it out.

Stay tuned for some sample shots and a follow-up after a month of use!