Viltrox Presents Its First L-Mount Autofocus Lens
After joining the L-Mount Alliance in September, Viltrox has released its first autofocus lens for the system, the AF 16mm f/1.8 in L mount: the lens was previously introduced for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts and retains the same optical and mechanical design in this version. Its arrival expands the range of third-party autofocus options available to users of L-mount cameras produced by Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma.
The AF 16mm f/1.8 is a full-frame ultra-wide prime built around a construction of 15 elements arranged in 12 groups, including three aspherical elements and four extra-low dispersion elements. This configuration is intended to control distortion, chromatic aberration, and coma, issues commonly associated with lenses of this focal length and aperture. The lens offers a diagonal angle of view of 105.6 degrees and thanks to a nine-blade diaphragm reaches a maximum aperture of f/1.8, stopping down to f/22. Manual focus is available via an internal focusing system, and minimum focusing distance is 0.27 meters, with a maximum magnification ratio of 0.1×. There is no optical stabilization.
Autofocus is driven by a stepping motor with a lead screw mechanism, that the Chinese company states is designed to operate quietly and with limited focus breathing, characteristics relevant for video use as well as still photography. The lens supports face and eye detection when used with compatible L-mount camera bodies.
The barrel is constructed from metal and includes basic weather sealing at key points to reduce the risk of dust and moisture ingress. Unlike many ultra-wide lenses with bulbous front elements, this design uses a relatively flat front element and incorporates a 77mm filter thread, allowing the use of conventional screw-in filters. On the exterior, the lens includes two function buttons, an AF/MF switch, and an aperture ring that can be set to clicked or de-clicked operation. A 0.96-inch color display on the barrel provides information such as focus distance, depth of field, and aperture value.
Here are few sample pictures, courtesy of Viltrox:
The lens measures approximately 85mm in diameter and 103mm in length, and weighs about 550 grams. The retail price is set at $580 in the United States, aligning it with the previously released E- and Z-mount versions.
