Recently, reports revealed that Sony is keen on making a 28mm f2.8 pancake lens after the company heard that its users are keen on pancake lenses. This comes at a time when many people want to invest in such lenses, and the only manufacturers who are really helping them are third-party lens creators. It now turns out that Viltrox is one company that has created some good lenses for users from various mounts. According to new reports, they are now making a new lens for Fujifilm mounts, the 35mm f1.7.
The images within the article are screenshots from Photo Rumors.
What Does Viltrox 35mm F1.7 Pancake Lens Have?
The report was first released by Fujifilm Rumors and Photo Rumors. The specifications reveal the Viltrox 35mm f1.7 is an autofocus pancake lens for the APS-C camera. It has been designed using 11 elements in 9 groups, including one ED low-dispersion lens, two lenses with high refractive index, and one aspherical lens. The Viltrox also has 9 aperture blades, a 0.33m shooting distance, and an internal focusing mechanism. Some of the other features include 0.13x maximum magnification, an STM motor, and a 52mm filter thread. The lens will also weigh 170g and measure 64mm x 54.7mm.
In addition, Viltrox has announced a new AF 28mm f/4.5 pancake lens, which will be available in white. The reason for this has not been revealed, but a white lens could be an odd choice. It stands out despite being so tiny, and that could be an issue for some people who wish to be discreet.
Who Could This Be For?
We have tested a variety of lenses from Viltrox, and we have been, in most cases, quite happy with the ones we have reviewed. For instance, the 20mm f2.8 is quite an incredible lens, which is at par with the quality of Tamron. “Granted, it’s not as sharp as Tamron’s lens and lacks weather resistance. But it’s a lens that a photographer would easily want to carry with them everywhere,” we wrote in the review. There is also the fact it is so affordable, which one can’t refuse.
Similarly, the 28mm f4.5 is another lens that we absolutely adored. “The Viltrox 28mm f4.5 adds softness, lens flares, blows out highlights, etc. And when you combine it with a nice, warm, white balance, you find that the images deliver the feeling of a cool glass off water you didn’t know you needed,” we said in the test. We also enjoyed the autofocus and felt one would often shoot good pictures with it.
The 35mm f1.7 looks like a great lens for a variety of reasons. Not only can you make great landscapes, street, and wedding images, but you can also try to create great astrophotographs. The company has already released a 35mm f1.8 lens for full-frame cameras, and we liked how it performed. It is not only affordable but also offers great image quality. “Bokeh lovers have nothing to complain about, and the lens gives you considerably sharp results, too,” we wrote.
Our hope is that the APS-C counterpart, a 53mm equivalent, will work well with Fujifilm. With its film filters, one can get an image that looks quite cinematic. Considering Fujifilm’s 35mm offering will be slightly more costly than Viltrox, it will also feature weather sealing. So, it boils down to what you prefer more: affordability vs longevity.