Chinese manufacturer of lenses and camera accessories, known for affordable cine optics and lens adapters compatible with various camera systems.
Technical Details
The lens lineup includes focal lengths from 13mm to 85mm with maximum apertures between f/1.2 and f/2.8. The Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 STM weighs 485g and is 90mm long, offering a focus range starting at 80cm. Electronic mount adapters like the EF-E II transmit aperture and autofocus signals between Canon EF lenses and Sony E-mount cameras at a transmission speed of 480 Mbps. STM (Stepping Motor) motors enable near-silent autofocus for video recording. The lenses utilize multi-layer nano coatings to reduce lens flares and ghosting effects.
History & Development
Founded in 2009 as an accessory manufacturer for flash units, Viltrox expanded its portfolio in 2015 to include mount adapters for mirrorless camera systems. In 2018, the company entered lens manufacturing with manual prime lenses, followed by autofocus lenses from 2019 onwards. Their breakthrough came in 2020 with the AF 85mm f/1.8 for Sony E-mount, which became popular among videographers due to its quiet autofocus and affordable price point. In 2022, the company expanded into other mount systems such as Canon RF and Nikon Z.
Practical Use in Film
Independent filmmakers use Viltrox lenses as a cost-effective alternative to manufacturer-branded lenses for budgets under 50,000 Euros. The AF 85mm f/1.8 is suitable for portrait shots and interviews due to its shallow depth of field at wide apertures. Mount adapters allow the use of existing Canon EF lenses on Sony FX cameras without loss of functionality. The quiet STM autofocus prevents motor noise in dialogue scenes with close-up microphones. YouTube creators and corporate video producers appreciate the price-performance ratio combined with professional image quality.
Comparison & Alternatives
Viltrox positions itself between affordable manual-focus lenses from Chinese manufacturers like 7artisans and premium lenses from Sony G Master or Canon L-series. The build quality does not reach the level of Sigma Art lenses, but it offers significantly better electronic integration than purely manual-focus alternatives. Metabones continues to dominate the high-end adapter market, while Viltrox adapters cost between 200-400 Euros compared to 600-800 Euros for Metabones. Tamron and Sigma offer comparable third-party lenses with a longer market presence but higher prices.