An unbelievably small lens is coming for Sony E and Nikon Z cameras

Viltrox will shortly launch an Indiegogo crowdfunding marketing campaign for a tiny new pancake lens for full-frame Sony E– and Nikon Z-mount cameras. Referred to as the AF 28mm F4.5, the lens may effectively change into the smallest lens out there for each digicam manufacturers, and is nicknamed ‘chip’ on account of its potato chip-/crisp-like slimness.

Measuring a mere 15mm lengthy and 60mm in diameter, the lens is barely thicker than a digicam physique cap and weighs simply 60g. It carefully resembles the design of Olympus‘s Fisheye Physique Cap 9mm f/8 lens, though the 2 lenses have a really completely different focal size.

Naturally, Viltrox needed to make some compromises to create such a slim lens. The first sacrifice being there isn’t any diaphragm, so the aperture is mounted at f/4.5. One other uncommon omission is that the lens lacks a guide focus ring, largely as a result of it is so slim there is not actually room for one. Fortunately Viltrox has managed to search out house contained in the barrel for a VCM coil autofocus motor, so regardless of the tiny dimensions, focussing is a breeze. One other good contact is the built-in lens shutter ‘cap’, which could be flicked open or shut utilizing a small lever on the entrance of the lens.

You’d anticipate {that a} lens this small and easy can be cheap to purchase, and you would be proper. The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE is priced at $99, with early marketing campaign backers stated to obtain a 30% low cost.