Reports out of China suggest that Viltrox is preparing to launch four new prime lenses, including its first LAB series prime lens, a new product line that promises pro-level image quality.
Last year, Viltrox signaled its commitment to pro-quality glass, and this week, a reliable source in China shared the focal length, aperture, and lens mount for four of its upcoming lenses.
As spotted by Fuji Rumors, X (formerly Twitter) user @MajunMajuns shared an image showing Viltrox’s plans for 2024.
Viltrox Lens Product Planning Route of 2024. @FukuiAsobiWeb @SonyAlphaRumors @nikonrumors #viltrox pic.twitter.com/L8n888rvM3
— 独立摄影师联合会 (@MajunMajuns) February 12, 2024
While this user does not represent Viltrox, they have previously shared reliable information, including a lens roadmap last year.
There are four prime lenses on the list, including a 16mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z-mount cameras, a 40mm f/2.5 prime for E, Z, and X-mount, a fast 56mm f/1.7 prime for E, Z, and X-mount, and a 135mm f/1.8 LAB-series lens for undisclosed camera systems.
The 135mm f/1.8 LAB lens was first teased last year and will mark the first lens in the new LAB series.
“The LAB series will be something like the Otus line at Zeiss,” Sony Alpha Rumors claimed last August, while adding that 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm f/1.4 LAB lenses would follow the 135mm prime. Further, these four lenses are said to be autofocus lenses, like many but not all of the company’s lenses.
Based on some photos floating around the web, the new upcoming 40mm and 56mm prime lenses will be autofocus lenses and there’s little reason to suspect the 16mm f/1.8 for Z cameras won’t be, too. The company’s 16mm f/1.8 lens for E-mount has autofocus, and will likely form the basis for the new 16mm f/1.8 lens for Z-mount.
The E-mount version proved to be very good. In PetaPixel‘s review, the image quality is described as “great” and vastly outperformed the expectations that came with its low $549 price.
Viltrox hasn’t shared any official information about its four upcoming lenses, but the company’s offerings typically offer a lot of performance for the price. When complete details are available, PetaPixel will be sure to share them. In the meantime, photographers have a lot to look forward to from Viltrox in 2024.
For those not keen on waiting, Viltrox just released its 20mm f/2.8 lens for Nikon Z mount last month. It is a compact and affordable lens that costs under $160.