Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E Adapter Announced – An Autofocus Adapter for PL Lenses

At IBC 2025 in Amsterdam, CineD visited Jianbo Zhang on the Viltrox sales space and noticed some of the stunning prototypes on the ground. Viltrox revealed the Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter, a tool that provides historically guide PL cinema lenses full autofocus functionality on Sony E-mount cameras. The idea was daring sufficient to earn a CineD Better of Present award.Our Finest-of-Present Awards are reserved for merchandise that genuinely push the craft ahead. Whereas IBC is all the time filled with eye-catching expertise, solely a handful of instruments rise above the noise. This yr, Viltrox’s autofocus adapter was certainly one of them. (Our Finest-of-Present article that includes all of the winners will comply with shortly!)And simply two weeks in the past, Viltrox additionally introduced they had been becoming a member of the L-Mount Alliance, which you’ll be able to learn extra about right here.Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter on Sony Digital camera Physique. Picture credit score: CineDViltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter provides autofocus to guide lensesThe Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter to Sony E-mount our bodies such because the FX3 and FX6 and permits PL-mount lenses – anamorphic, classic, or trendy cinema primes – to behave like native autofocus glass. Eye AF, face recognition, topic monitoring, and even tap-to-focus on the display screen all work.And it isn’t restricted to focus alone. The prototype additionally controls iris and, probably, zoom as soon as extra motors are finalized. In accordance with Viltrox, a single small battery can maintain the system operating for days. For anybody used to rigging LiDAR items or wi-fi follow-focus programs, the thought of merely tapping into the autofocus that’s already within the digital camera is a compelling one.“It is rather thrilling… we don’t want LiDAR as a result of every part comes from the digital camera focus system,” Jianbo Zhang from Viltrox.Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter with Viltrox Observe Focus Motor. Picture credit score: CineDViltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter designThe adapter communicates immediately with Sony’s autofocus protocols, driving exterior motors mounted on the lens. There aren’t any extra sensors required. It’s a easy thought, however one which filmmakers have been dreaming about as autofocus expertise in cameras has grown extra refined.Compatibility and future plansFor now, the adapter is designed for Sony E-mount cameras with built-in autofocus. Viltrox has additionally examined restricted performance with L-mount, Nikon Z and Fuji GFX mounts, suggesting broader help could possibly be on the roadmap. The model proven at IBC was a real prototype, assembled solely days earlier than the present. Viltrox plans refinements to the housing, cable administration, and motor power earlier than launch.Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter with PL Mount Lens. Picture credit score: CineDViltrox NexusFocus PL-E advantages and lens profilesAdding autofocus to guide PL lenses may reshape manufacturing workflows. Solo operators and small crews would achieve new flexibility, whereas bigger productions may mix autofocus and guide pulling relying on the shot. For anybody who owns classic or specialty lenses, it may breathe new life into current gear.Lens profiles for varied lenses will probably be included and pre-installed when the adapter ships, and extra configurations will be saved and accessed at any time when a lens is swapped, so not a lot time must be spent calibrating with each lens change. Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter with PL Mount Lens. Picture credit score: CineDWhat will get me Sometimes, an adjunct comes alongside that makes you cease and take into consideration what may change. Viltrox’s autofocus adapter is a type of. Personally, I instantly thought of my very own shelf of previous guide primes. I’ve been utilizing DJI’s Focus Professional to make these lenses extra sensible, however the thought of skipping further gear and letting the digital camera deal with autofocus immediately is difficult to disregard.It additionally makes me surprise how the massive lens makers will really feel about it. If autofocus abruptly works on nearly any PL lens, that might step on some toes. In any case, many producers are solely now beginning to launch cine lenses with native AF. Viltrox’s strategy may give filmmakers a method to sidestep that solely, which is precisely what makes this prototype so intriguing.The Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter lets you change lens profiles shortly when swapping lenses. Picture credit score: CineDPrice and availabilityPricing has not but been introduced, however the firm emphasised that it is going to be inexpensive in comparison with different focus options. For extra info, go to Viltrox’s official website, and keep looking out for official postings.IBC all the time brings a wave of recent gear, and Viltrox was only one spotlight on the ground. You may discover all of CineD’s IBC 2025 protection right here to compensate for the opposite bulletins and interviews we introduced again from Amsterdam.What do you consider the thought of bringing autofocus to basic PL glass? Would you belief it on a shoot or persist with guide pulling? Drop your ideas within the feedback; we’d love to listen to the way you’d use one thing like this.