News Viltrox 26mm f/2.8 pancake possibly on the way

[Jonathan-Mac]

I have just read that Viltrox are developing a pancake 26mm f/2.8 which will first be released for Sony (of course) and later for L-mount. No word on price or time.

Being nice and small and a focal length not covered by any AF prime (and three stops faster than the Lumix 26mm) this would be a very welcome addition and might even satisfy those who have been crying out for a 28mm prime. Personally I think I'd be willing to accept 26mm instead of 28mm.

 

[sergun80]

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

Some update son this lens. It should be appearing towards the end of this month in E and Z mounts with the L-mount version coming "some months" later, so L-mount remains minimum priority for Viltrox. Apparently sharpness will be a priority in the optical design and it will use a new VCM motor instead of the standard STM though I don't know if this necessarily means it will be better for AF.

Price will be 299 USD.

 

[sergun80]

so L-mount remains minimum priority for Viltrox

Strange statements from Viltrox. That's why the L-Mount lacks small lenses like this one. They just want to promote their 28/4.5 from the beginning..

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

Strange statements from Viltrox. That's why the L-Mount lacks small lenses like this one. They just want to promote their 28/4.5 from the beginning..

I don't think it's that they want to sell more 28/4.5s, after all, that's a cheaper lens that they get less money from. It's just that they're prioritising Sony and Nikon over L.

One other thing mentioned was a bayonet hood that takes filters, which makes sense given that in the image above the lens apparently takes 43mm filters (I would have preferred 49mm) but there's clearly no filter thread on the lens itself.