BREAKING: The highly anticipated Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 Air FX Lens has officially launched, offering photography enthusiasts an affordable ultra-wide lens option for just $175. This lens promises to deliver stunning results for those using Fujifilm, Sony, and Nikon camera systems, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious creatives.
The lens, designed for APS-C format cameras, provides a remarkable 9mm focal length, equivalent to 13.5mm in full-frame terms. This allows users to capture expansive landscapes and tight indoor settings without compromising image quality. New reports confirm that the lens focuses as close as 13 cm from the sensor, enabling unique wide-angle macro shots that maintain clarity and detail.
Photography expert Fransson showcased the lens in real-world scenarios, filming on an empty beach at sunset. He demonstrated the lens’s ability to capture extensive scenes while maintaining sharpness at the edges, an essential feature for landscape and architectural photography. The video displays sweeping low-angle shots transitioning to closer framings, highlighting the lens’s versatility.
Fransson emphasized the lens’s autofocus capabilities, especially on newer Fujifilm bodies. This enhancement promises even better performance for users looking to shoot dynamic scenes with rapid focus adjustments. With its compact size of 2.6 x 2.2 inches and a lightweight build of just 175 grams, the lens is easy to handle, making it an attractive option for vlogging and travel photography.
For creators who often work in challenging lighting conditions, the lens’s control over flare and ghosting is noteworthy. While some ghosting occurs when shooting into the sun, the overall performance remains acceptable, making it a viable choice for outdoor shoots. Additionally, the autofocus noise was tested near a microphone, ensuring that audio quality is not compromised during video recording.
The Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 lens features a 58mm front filter thread, facilitating the use of affordable variable ND filters, which are crucial for videographers. Despite lacking built-in image stabilization, the lightweight design ensures that users can achieve stable shots when paired with appropriate camera rigs.
Photographer and meteorologist Alex Cooke from Cleveland highlights the lens’s potential for various applications, from real estate to creative projects. He points out that the low distortion of this lens makes it particularly effective for capturing structured architecture, where other ultra-wides often fall short.
With its launch, the Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 Air FX Lens is set to disrupt the market for ultra-wide lenses, providing an economical yet high-performing option for photographers and videographers alike. For a full breakdown, watch the detailed video review featuring Fransson above.
Stay tuned for more updates as the photography community begins to explore the capabilities of this innovative lens!
