Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 (L-mount) lens

Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 (L-mount) lens

This lens is a long-awaited novelty for users of the L-Mount system (Panasonic, Leica, Sigma)! It is Viltrox's first lens for this system. The Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 is a fast wide-angle lens that is perfect for dark-time photographers. It offers professional-level features and optical performance at a price point that challenges the most expensive options on the market.

A star and landscape photographer's dream

The lens's greatest strength is its large f/1.8 aperture combined with a wide 16mm focal length. This combination makes it the perfect tool for capturing the Milky Way, the Northern Lights, and the night sky. The high aperture allows for faster shutter speeds and lower ISO values, ensuring cleaner, higher-quality images in low light.

The optical construction consists of 15 elements in 12 groups, and includes both aspherical and ED elements. These are specifically designed to reduce chromatic aberration and coma – a feature critical for star photography, so that stars appear as dots rather than stretched lines. Unlike many ultra-wide-angle lenses, the front lens is not convex, but has a standard 77mm filter thread. This is a huge advantage for landscape photographers who want to easily use ND or polarizing filters.

Smart features and LCD display

Viltrox has introduced an innovative 0.96-inch color display into the lens. When working in the dark, the display is a handy aid: you can see the exact focus distance and depth of field at a glance without having to look through the camera's viewfinder.

Programmable buttons enhance usability. The Fn1 button can be assigned camera-specific functions, while the Fn2 button acts as a "Focus Preset" switch that lets you save a specific focus distance and return to it with a single press.

Also suitable for videographers

The lens is also designed for video production. The STM stepping motor is responsible for focusing, which is fast and supports eye and face detection in cameras, but works smoothly and silently when shooting video. "Focus breathing" is minimized, so the angle of view does not change disturbingly when focusing. In addition, the aperture ring has a switch that turns off the clicks (De-click), enabling stepless and silent exposure adjustment during shooting.

Experiences from around the world: The new king of price-quality ratio?

Although this L-Mount version is new, the same lens has previously been released for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts and has garnered praise from around the world. Reviews have particularly praised the lens for its exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness even at full f/1.8, which is rare in this price range.

Many testers have stated that the Viltrox 16mm F1.8 offers structurally and optically almost equivalent performance to the top models from the original manufacturers, but in a different price range.

The metal construction feels very high quality in the hand and the dust protection provides safety in the field.

Specifications:

• Compatibility: L-Mount
• Autofocus
• Focal length: 16mm
• Aperture: f/1.8 (min. f/22)
• Closest focusing distance: 27cm (max magnification 0.1x)
• Construction: 15 elements in 12 groups, 9 rounded diaphragm blades
• 4 x ED (extra-low dispersion) and 3 x aspherically corrected lens elements
• Filter thread: 77mm
• Size: 85 x 103mm
• Weight: 550g

• The package includes:
  Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 (L Mount)
• Lens protectors
• Backlight protection
• Storage bag