Viltrox just announced a new pancake lens for Sony FE and Nikon Z-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. The Viltrox 26mm F2.8 EVO is part of the company’s EVO lens line, specifically designed for hybrid stills and video use. It joins the recently announced 35mm and 55mm F1.8 lenses in the EVO lineup alongside the 85mm F2.0 portrait shooter.
The Viltrox AF 26mm F2.8 EVO at a glance
- Price: $299 / €319 / £279
- Aperture: f/2.8-f/16
- Filter thread: 43mm
- Construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
- Min. focusing distance: 20cm
- Dimensions: 66mm x 23.8mm
- Weight: 130g
It has a tactile design with two control rings, a ribbed focusing ring and a dedicated aperture ring. Constructed of 8 elements in 6 groups, it includes a high-reflective element that not only helps to make the lens very slim but also helps control colour fringing. There are also 2 aspherical elements that improve sharpness and reduce distortion.
With its wide focal length and ultra-compact size, it is ideal for street photography, architecture, and capturing sweeping landscapes or environmental portraits. Those who want to use it for video will find the STM autofocus motor delivers smooth and silent focusing. The lens hood is magnetic, making it easy to snap on and to add and replace filters quickly, an unexpected but useful touch.
Buying the Viltrox AF 26mm F2.8 EVO would likely give you one of, if not the smallest, lens in your kit, weighing only 130g despite its all-metal body. It measures only 66mm across and protrudes 23.8mm. The rubber mount sealing houses a USB-C mount to deploy software updates, and makes this tiny lens also dust- and splash-resistant.
The Viltrox AF 26mm F2.8 EVO is available now from Viltrox’s official store as well as from Amazon for $299 / €319 / £279.
Related reading:
- New Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 for Nikon Z-Mount just $549
- Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE review: tiny, cheap, and a little bit weird
- Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 XF review – cheap and very cheerful
- Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air review – go wide and bright for less
- Viltrox AF 20mm F2.8 FE review – super-cheap full-frame wideangle
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