Anyone using a full-frame camera from manufacturers such as Panasonic or Leica knows the situation: optical performance is a joy, but over time it can really add weight to the camera bag. This is exactly where Viltrox comes in.
With the launch of the Air series for the L-Mount bayonet, the company is introducing four new prime lenses with autofocus, which are characterized above all by a handy design and noticeably low carrying weight. The focal lengths range from a wide angle for landscape and architecture to the classic standard focal length for everyday use.
The entry into the wide-angle range is marked by the Viltrox AF 14mm F4.0 Air L. With a weight of just 172 grams, the lens covers an image field of 112.6 degrees. The optical construction consists of twelve elements in nine groups, including four lenses with particularly low dispersion, two high-refractive elements, and two aspherical glasses for correcting optical aberrations. A minimum focusing distance of 13 centimeters and a reproduction ratio of 0.23x also offer room for interesting angles from short distances.
Slightly faster and, at 159 grams, a touch lighter, the AF 20mm F2.8 Air L presents itself. Here, ten elements in eight groups are used, including two ED, one HR, and two aspherical lenses. With a minimum focusing distance of 19 centimeters and a scale of 0.17x, the optic is aimed at anyone looking for a compact solution for travel, nature, or spontaneous city tours without the shoulder giving out after a few kilometers.
The two longer focal lengths are available for balanced image compositions. The AF 40mm F2.5 Air L weighs 169 grams and uses an optical system of ten lenses in six groups, supplemented by one ED, three HR, and one aspherical glass. The minimum focusing distance is 34 centimeters with a scale of 0.14x, making the lens a practical companion for street and documentary photography.
As a classic standard, the AF 50mm F2.0 Air L rounds off the series at the top. At 205 grams, it is the heaviest model in the group but remains very manageable compared to many traditional standard lenses. The f/2.0 aperture provides additional reserves in more challenging lighting conditions and enables attractive subject separation in portraits. Inside, 13 elements in nine groups bundle the light, crafted with three ED, four HR, and one aspherical lens. Focusing is possible from a distance of 51 centimeters at 0.11x magnification.
Viltrox also orients its pricing towards an accessible framework. The AF 20mm F2.8 and the AF 40mm F2.5 start at a suggested retail price of 189 euros each. For the 14mm F4.0 ultra-wide-angle and the 50mm F2.0 standard focal length, 229 euros are due respectively. Internationally, prices range between 168 and 199 US dollars or 165 and 190 British pounds, depending on the version. With this, Viltrox proves that a versatile set of prime lenses for the L-system neither needs to overload the camera bag nor strain the budget.
Further information about the lenses is available directly from the manufacturer as well as in the official offers in the Amazon Store Europe and the Amazon Store US.
