SIRUI Sniper 56mm F1.2 review: dreamy f/1.2 portraits on a budget

What is it?

The Sniper series was SIRUI’s first autofocus line: 23mm, 33mm and 56mm lenses, all f/1.2, all the same size, for APS-C cameras. The 56mm is the portrait lens of the set, equivalent to about 85mm on full frame. Each lens costs $279 on the official store at the time of writing (list $349).

Technical overview

• f/1.2 to f/16, 11 aperture blades, 58 mm filters.
• 12 elements including ED glass.
• Stepping-motor AF with eye-AF support.
• A USB-C port on the mount for firmware updates.
• No weather sealing and no aperture ring.

Image quality: two lenses in one

Every review lands in the same place:

• At f/1.2: soft, lower contrast, strong halation. Expert Photography found the 56mm the softest of the three Sniper lenses, specifically blurry at f/1.2. CineD described the glow as like a built-in 1/8 Pro-Mist filter.
• From f/2.8: sharp. Australian Photography found image quality pretty good from f/5.6 to f/11.
• Chromatic aberration: reddish-purple fringing at f/1.2–f/1.4, blue-green at f/1.8, almost gone by f/4–f/5.6.
• Distortion: very slight pincushion.
• Bokeh: slightly oval highlights, depending on the light source.

If you like a dreamy, cinematic portrait look, f/1.2 is a feature. If you want clinical sharpness wide open, it is a flaw.

Autofocus and video

• Expert Photography (Sony FX30): smooth and reliable in daylight with the latest firmware. Focus breathing almost non-existent. Hunting in darker scenes was put down to the camera.
• Australian Photography (Fujifilm X-T2): not the fastest, about on par with older Fujinon lenses; usable in good light, may hunt in low light and struggle with action.
• CineD: a mixed bag. Mostly fine on the X-H2, but constantly searching on an X-S20 that was not on SIRUI’s supported list at the time.

Update the firmware before you start. The test unit at Expert Photography shipped on 1.0.7, with 1.1.2 available.

Sniper 56mm vs the rivals

• vs Fujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 R WR: better edges and image quality, weather sealed, but several times the price.
• vs Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN: exceptionally sharp, though with its own CA and distortion. The better choice for detail.
• vs Viltrox 56mm F1.4: cheaper still, but f/1.4 instead of f/1.2.
• vs SIRUI Aurora 85mm F1.4: the full-frame option, sharper wide open. Read the Aurora review.

Price and value

Australian Photography scored it 4/5 for build, 3.5/5 for image quality and 5/5 for value. At $279, we agree with that balance.

Final thoughts

Buy the Sniper 56mm for its look, its price and its video-friendly lack of breathing. Stop down to f/2.8 when you need sharpness, and keep the firmware current.

Sources

• Expert Photography: SIRUI Sniper AF 3-lens set review
• Australian Photography: Sirui Sniper 56mm f1.2 review
• CineD: SIRUI Sniper review
• SIRUI official store: Sniper series (price and mounts)