Yay or nay?
Discover what the internet is saying about SIRUI.
Upgraded Reviews scanned the web to find out what real users are saying about SIRUI.
See the highlights below and decide for yourself!
Table of contents
- ✅ Pros
- ❌ Cons
- ⚖️ Summaries
- 💸 Top Discount
✅ Pros
“There is 7-day return window.”
“The overall quality of the lenses is impressive, boasting solid build quality.”
“All three Sniper lenses have a very similar size, aesthetic, and build quality.”
“It offers an ultra-wide angle of 16mm and a large f/1.2 aperture, perfect for low-light and creative video and still photography.”
“They have a uniform size.”
“They have bright F1.2 apertures.”
“The Sirui Sniper lenses are a true set, meaning everything is consistent.”
“Comparing the Nightwalker 24mm to the Viltrox 24mm, we can see that the Nightwalker is warmer and softer than the Viltrox.”
“It ships internationally.”
“Integrated video bowl is one less item to buy.”
“The metal construction of the Sirui 24mm gives it a robust and professional feel, making it a durable option for both fieldwork and studio use.”
“The Sirui 35mm lens is all metal – from the focus and aperture ring to the rear lens element.”
“The ceramic white finish, while not my personal preference, has garnered positive reactions from others, making it a surprising hit.”
“There is zero focus breathing.”
“They have unique designs with premium materials.”
“It’s worth noting that the lenses also work with cameras that offer Eye AF too.”
“The 75mm F1.2 is an impressive prime lens with excellent image quality.”
“The metal gray looks cool.”
“We like that it has very affordable price for this size tripod.”
“While it’s designed for video, the lens’s unique characteristics lend themselves well to still photography, allowing for creative experimentation.”
“Image quality in the 56mm is surprisingly good, although images are not as edge-to-edge sharp and detailed as those from the fast Fuji equivalent lenses.”
“It has a unique design that uses premium materials.”
“While the lens is well made, it is relatively lightweight, which makes it easy to handle and a great partner for typically small APS-C bodies like the A6000 range.”
“These lenses excel in subject-focused photography or videography, where the foreground is crisp and the background is softly blurred.”
“There is Aluminum leg option for even lower price.”
“The build quality seems to be very decent.”
“F1.2 is incredibly fast.”
“The flairs with this particular lens have a nice blue/teal tone.”
“In terms of actual physical specs for this lens, it has an all-metal body but even so, it’s not overly heavy at 1kg / 2.3 ibs.”
“It has a worldwide sales & support network.”
“When it comes to color coating, the new lenses will be available in black, white, and metallic aluminum.”
“All three lenses have an f/1.2 fast aperture, a similar weight of around 380g, and a 58mm inner diameter leans thread.”
“I love the fact that these lenses were vacuum-sealed on arrival.”
“Overall, the build quality and finish is very good for a lens at this price point.”
“At around $500, the build quality is excellent.”
“The 1.33x squeeze factor translates perfectly to a 2.4:1 aspect ratio on APS-C sensors, providing a true widescreen look without cropping.”
“A unique part of these lenses is the T1.2 aperture.”
“It has geared iris and focusing rings, which makes it incredibly easy if you want to attach a follow focus.”
“You can get them for around $50 off per lens.”
“It has the bility to upgrade firmware through USB-C port.”
“For an f1.2 autofocus lens at this price point the Sniper offers amazing value for money.”
“Thanks to the fast f1.8 Aperture, low-light performance is solid.”
“It has an affordable price.”
“It is smaller and lighter than Viltrox 75mm F1.2.”
“Focus motor is reasonably quiet.”
“The image that comes out of these lenses reminds me almost “one-to-one” of what I saw and felt when working with the SIRUI Nightwalker.”
“The Focus ring feels fluid under the fingers, and the aperture ring is smooth and well-controlled.”
“It offers high-performance camera equipment at an affordable price.”
“It offers good focus accuracy for stills.”
“It offers F1.2 aperture.”
“After shooting with the GH5II and GH6, this lens feels better balanced with the larger GH6 thanks to the extended grip and fatter body.”
“The 16mm F1.2 is fantastic for follow-up shots, gimbal shots, vlogging, or any situation requiring a wide-angle lens.”
“Spare parts & repairs are easy to obtain.”
“The lenses are made of aluminum alloy, making them durable but not heavy.”
“There is an option to buy as a set.”
“The lens provides classic anamorphic features such as horizontal flares and oval bokeh, instantly adding cinematic elements to video and photography.”
“There is no distortion.”
“When it comes to use, this lens is suitable for both photography and videography, making it a great solution for hybrid shooters who need a versatile lens.”
“It has got positive reviews from the customers.”
“What makes the Sniper range different from most other budget lenses is the design, with all lenses in the range having been built to the same dimensions.”
“As with the other lenses I’ve tested in the range, there is some sharpness fall-off towards the edge of the frame.”
“The f/1.2 aperture is technically challenging to execute, and Sirui has admirably succeeded in delivering its intended effect.”
“It offers reliable autofocus.”
“They offer good focus accuracy for stills.”
💸 Top Current Discount
❌ Cons
“The trade-off here is that at f1.2 the Sniper displays a little more softness, a tad less contrast, and some mild fringing and chromatic abortion.”
“There is some fringing.”
“If you expect these lenses to be versatile for both portraiture and landscape photography, you may be disappointed.”
“Color fringing and unwanted color shifting on the edge of objects are very noticeable in some lighting conditions.”
“Focus isn’t fast enough for action.”
“Unfortunately, there is no dedicated aperture ring, which many users of fuji’s native glass will miss.”
“There is no aperture ring or weather sealing.”
“Video focus isn’t great.”
“The autofocus on the Sirui 56mm f/1.2 is not the fastest around.”
“It has fiddly leg angle locks.”
“Weighing in at 580 grams, it’s not light.”
“There is no autofocus/manual focus switch, which might not be a significant issue for most content creators.”
“I would have liked to see these lenses available in PL mount so I can adapt them to E mount and use them with other cinema cameras, but due to the size of these lenses, they could not make an L or PL mount.”
“As a 16mm lens, there are some signs of distortion at the edges.”
“There is poor sharpness.”
“Currently, it doesn’t offer free shipping.”
“At f/2.8, the edges can show slight softness, though this can be an artistic choice in certain compositions. Stopping down improves edge-to-edge sharpness.”
“There is a lack of larger or longer options.”
“Video focus is not very reactive.”
“The minimum focus is not impressive on either lens.”
“The lenses are metal, and the caps are plastic, so the plastic is peeling away on the threading.”
“You do not get the weather sealing.”
“The f/2.8 aperture may be limiting in low-light settings, particularly when compared to lenses with wider maximum apertures.”
“There is chromatic aberration.”
“It requires practice and a steady hand, especially for dynamic subjects.”
⚖️ Final Say
Read the summaries of what reviewers think about SIRUI below.
“This is a solid lens. If you’re looking to try out shooting anamorphic for yourself without breaking the bank, I would definitely recommend considering this. I think the 50mm focal length is a great choice because once it’s de-squeezed and you get roughly 35mm. This gives you enough room for wide angle shots, at the same time you can get some great close ups as well. I would say it’s a very versatile choice if you are just working with one prime lens.”
“Given that the Sirui Sniper lenses are between 300-400 dollars cheaper than first party Sony lenses, they represent excellent value for money. Hopefully, I have an opportunity to test the 33mm F1.2 lens down the track, and except for the Autofocus bugs on the 16mm, it’s still a solid lens when you’re not pushing it too hard; it’ll do a fine job until a future firmware update is hopefully available. It is great to see some autofocus lenses from Sirui for folks who don’t enjoy the manual focus-only experience.”
“Sirui is a brand that offers durable, high-performance products that filmmakers and professionals can purchase at affordable prices. In this brand, you can find a wide selection of camera lenses, support, and light that are made with high material and well-built.”
“In all honesty, I’m a bit torn. The Sniper lenses from SIRUI are far from being optically perfect, yet, there is something in their images that is very engaging! (Call me a “romantic guy”, but that “creamy/dreamy” look when filming wide open is rather appealing). If communication between the camera and lenses can be improved, they can become a truly valid option in the creator’s arsenal as their price is hard to beat.”
“The Sirui nightwalkers are an affordable set of Super 35 lenses. They have a lot of low contrast character at T/1.2, but quickly sharpen up and regain contrast by T/1.8 and even more by T/2.8. I typically use a mist filter to achieve low-contrast looks since I can control the strength, especially between different focal lengths. I rarely use manual focus at T/1.2 on moving subjects since focusing is very difficult. I’ve found I use these lenses around T/2 and can get an image with some character, while still getting the subject in focus.”
“For anyone looking to expand their creative possibilities with anamorphic visuals, the Sirui 24mm is a valuable addition that will elevate both video projects and still photography with its unmistakable look.”
“While the lens does exhibit some edge distortion and focus breathing, these issues are minor compared to its overall performance and value. For photographers and videographers looking for a versatile, high-quality wide-angle lens, the Sirui Sniper 16mm is an excellent choice for APS-C systems.”
“The SR-3204 may not be the best of the tripods in this class, but it is the largest available from Sirui in most markets, and the most affordable choice (at almost half the cost) compared to similar modular apex tripods of this size. What it offers is all that the smaller Sirui tripods are known for; solid construction, excellent legs and locks, and a good place to mount one of their own heads.”
“I’m impressed with the build quality, large aperture, stunning bokeh, and background blur. The lenses integrate seamlessly into video rigs, and the AF, particularly in continuous mode, is effective thanks to the STM motor. For a first foray into AF lenses, these are remarkable. However, it’s essential to understand that they are specialized for creative, not general-purpose, use.”
“Sirui’s Sniper series of lenses are exceptionally fast and good value primes that punch above their weight. For most users – including professionals who may only use or need such fast lenses on occasion, these are plenty good enough.”
“Overall, the Sniper series proves to be a well-rounded, valuable toolset despite its minor imperfections.”
“This anamorphic Lens is an affordable way to get into cinematic filmmaking. The results can look fantastic when you nail focus. There’s plenty of background blur and subject separation. The compression of this lens on Micro Four Thirds looks great. This Sirui lens will appeal to filmmakers who don’t want to spend thousands on an alternative option.”
“The Sirui Sniper 75mm F1.2 AF lens is a welcome addition to the Sniper series. While the focal length is less conventional, the Sniper 75mm more than makes up for it through its beautiful rendering. Autofocus isn’t great for action or big video pulls, but it worked fine for the majority of my photography subjects. The optical performance, however, makes this lens a great “bang-for-the buck” value, capable of producing gorgeous images with good color, contrast, detail, and lovely bokeh. So if you’re sweet spot for a telephoto falls somewhere between Fuji’s 56mm F1.2 and 90mm F2, the Sirui Sniper 75mm F1.2 might just be the lens for you.”
“Sirui has not been a household name for many photographers, but the Sirui Sniper Series will certainly help that cause. They have delivered lenses that are genuinely unique in their design. The combination of a reasonable price point, an F1.2 aperture, and decent autofocus should help there to be a market for these lenses.”