Viltrox 15mm F/1.7 Wide-Angle Lens Introduced to Air Series – Very Small and Very Fast

Viltrox has launched a 15mm F/1.7 lens to their Air lineup for APS-C cameras, the primary wide-angle within the collection. It’s compact sufficient to slot in your pocket and priced at $239, which places it firmly within the funds class. That may be sufficient motive to take discover, however it additionally raises a number of questions, reminiscent of whether or not a lens this small and this quick can ship the sort of high quality most shooters anticipate, even from an entry-level lens. Let’s take a look.Viltrox continues to increase their lineup throughout a number of fronts. Final month, they introduced their first aerial lens, and finally yr’s IBC 2024, they confirmed us the LUNA, a 42-420mm T5.6 cine zoom lens for big format cameras. The Viltrox Air collection focuses on compact, inexpensive lenses for APS-C creators. That vary, from entry-level autofocus primes to specialty cinema glass, exhibits how Viltrox is positioning itself as a model with shocking breadth.Small however mightyWhat stands out most to me concerning the Viltrox 15mm F/1.7 Air lens is its mixture of velocity, measurement, and worth. Most different wide-angle lenses which are this small both cease at f/2 or f/2.8, or they get larger and pricier in the event that they’re sooner. The Viltrox weighs solely 180g/6.34 oz to 195g/6.9 oz (varies barely by mount), and is about 56mm (2.2in) in size, really sufficiently small to slot in your pocket. Like different lenses within the Air collection, this one can be minimal in weight and measurement with out sacrificing an excessive amount of by way of aperture or on a regular basis usability. As well as, the lens helps Exif information transmission and firmware updates through USB-C.Sufficiently small to hold in your pocket. Picture credit score: ViltroxNow for picture qualityFor a lens this small, the Viltrox 15mm F/1.7 Air has a shocking quantity of optical design. There are 12 parts in 10 teams, together with three extra-low dispersion parts to cut back chromatic aberration and three high-refractive parts that assist keep sharpness towards the sides. Two aspherical parts ought to maintain distortion underneath management, plus the lens has a water and dust-resistant coating. It’s the sort of design you would possibly anticipate from a costlier lens, and it means that Viltrox isn’t reducing corners in terms of picture high quality.Compact and lightweight. Picture credit score: ViltroxAuto-focus and shut focusViltrox has fitted the lens with a stepping motor (STM) that handles each autofocus and guide focus. In keeping with the corporate, it’s designed to be quick and quiet, so well-suited for video. Whereas it could not sustain with premium programs by way of monitoring or velocity, it ought to maintain its personal for many on a regular basis taking pictures. The lens focuses as shut as 0.23 m (9.1 in), with a most magnification of 0.1x, so it’s not meant for macro work, however remains to be helpful for capturing particulars inside a large subject of view.Picture credit score: ViltroxWhat to not expectAt this worth level, a number of trade-offs are to be anticipated. The lens has minimal controls, doesn’t embody climate sealing, and whereas the physique isn’t steel (though the bayonet is hardened aluminum-alloy), its light-weight development is a part of what makes it so moveable. And as talked about above, the autofocus is pushed by a stepping motor, which can not supply the identical monitoring efficiency as higher-end programs. Nonetheless, for on a regular basis taking pictures with a shiny F/1.7 aperture in such a compact type, the compromises appear well-balanced.Viltrox 15mm F/1.7. Picture credit score: ViltroxSpecificationsLens Mount: E, Z, XFLens Components: 12/10Focal Size: 15mmViewing Angle: 84.9°Aperture: F1.7-F16Number of Aperture Blades: 9Shooting Distance: 0.23m-∞Focus Mechanism: Inner focusFocus Motor: STMFocus Mode: MF, AFMax. magnification: 0.1xLens Measurement: ø: 2.6 x L: 2.2″ / ø: 65 x L: 56.4 mmWeight: ≈180g (naked lens)Filter Measurement: Φ58mmIn the field. Picture credit score: ViltroxPrice and availabilityThe 15mm F/1.7 joins Viltrox’s Air collection, an increasing line of small, light-weight autofocus primes designed for APS-C mirrorless programs. The lens is offered now from Amazon and different retailers, with a listed worth of round $239. For extra data, head over to the Viltrox web site.Do you personal certainly one of Viltrox’s Air lenses? How does the price-to-performance stack up for you? Share your ideas within the feedback.