Manufacturer Viltrox expands its range of prime lenses with a compact option. The AF 26mm F2.8 EVO is a new lens for mirrorless systems that stands out for its flat design. This design, also known as a pancake lens in technical jargon, is intended to appeal to photographers who value easily portable equipment. The lens is available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts and is suitable for applications such as street photography, travel shots, and everyday documentation.
Despite its flat dimensions, the housing offers physical controls. It features a separate focus ring for manual focusing and an aperture ring for controlling the light intensity. This is a special feature in this size class, as many very flat lenses omit such rings to save space.
The barrel is made of metal to ensure adequate stability. Additionally, the mount is sealed against dust and moisture ingress. The weight is approximately 130 grams for the Sony version and around 170 grams for the Nikon system, depending on the mount.
Inside the optical system, eight lenses work in six groups. Among them are two aspherical elements and one lens with a high refractive index. This construction is intended to minimize aberrations and deliver solid sharpness across the entire image field even at an aperture of f/2.8.
The aperture consists of seven blades and can be closed down to f/16. Focusing is handled by an STM stepping motor with a gearbox, designed for reliable focusing. The minimum focusing distance is twenty centimeters, which also allows close-ups with a reproduction ratio of 1:5.
Additional features include a filter thread with a diameter of 43 millimeters. The package includes a matching lens hood and a magnetic lens cap for quick handling in everyday use. For future firmware updates, the manufacturer has integrated a USB-C interface directly into the housing. This allows the lens to be updated via a computer or the manufacturer's app.
The Viltrox AF 26mm F2.8 EVO is available at a suggested retail price of 319 euros. Thus, the lens represents an option for photographers looking for a lightweight wide-angle lens for daily use. It can be purchased at the official store and on Amazon.
