The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE is a standout lens for Sony E-mount cameras, notable for its extreme compactness and lightness. Measuring just 15mm thick and weighing a mere 60 grams, this pancake lens is among the smallest and lightest full-frame compatible lenses on the market.

Design & Handling

The primary focus of the Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE’s design is on compactness and lightweight construction. This lens is tailored to be as inconspicuous as possible, making it the ideal choice for street photography and travel. Despite its small size, it boasts substantial functionality.

The lens features six optical elements arranged in six groups, including two aspherical elements and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements. It also boasts a quick and virtually silent autofocus system based on a voice coil motor.

One of the design compromises made to achieve this level of compactness is the lack of an adjustable aperture diaphragm. Instead, the lens has a fixed aperture of f/4.5. The aperture is not circular but has an eight-sided shape, enhancing its overall compactness and reducing weight.

Physical Characteristics

Weighing only 60 grams and with a thickness of 15mm, the Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE is perfect for photographers who prioritize stealth and portability. Its minimalist design ensures that it doesn’t attract attention, making it an excellent choice for candid photography.

Performance

The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE excels in genres like street photography, where being unobtrusive is crucial. Its lightweight and compact design makes it perfect for walking around and travel photography. While a focal length of 35mm is often preferred, the 28mm lens offers a wider viewing angle, providing a more general shooting perspective with a prime lens.

This lens was tested with a Sony A7C II camera body, another compact device. When mounted on the camera, the front edge of the lens only extends as far as the camera’s hand grip, making it a great combination for discreet photography.

Autofocus System

The autofocus system of the Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE is both quick and virtually silent, thanks to its voice coil motor. This feature is particularly beneficial for capturing candid moments without drawing attention to the camera. The focus motor’s quiet operation ensures that subjects are unaware they’re being photographed, making it perfect for street and travel photography.

Specifications

• Focal Length: 28mm
• Aperture: Fixed f/4.5
• Lens Construction: Six optical elements in six groups
• Elements: Two aspherical elements, two ED elements
• Autofocus System: Quick and virtually silent voice coil motor
• Weight: 60 grams (2.1 oz)
• Thickness: 15mm (0.59 inches)
• Compatibility: Full-frame compatible, also viable on Sony APS-C format mirrorless cameras (effective focal length of 42mm)

Price

The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE is set to be one of the most affordable lenses for Sony E-mount cameras. The launch price was heavily rumored to be just $99, making it an incredibly inexpensive option for a full-frame compatible lens with autofocus capabilities.

Conclusion

The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE is an outstanding choice for photographers looking for a compact and lightweight lens without sacrificing performance. Its unique design and features make it excellent for various genres of photography, particularly those that require discretion.

While it lacks an adjustable aperture diaphragm, the fixed f/4.5 aperture ensures consistent performance and contributes to its overall compactness. Given its affordability and impressive specifications, this lens is set to become a favorite among Sony E-mount camera users.

Source: Yahoo Tech, Image Credit: Richard Wong/YouTube

What Others Say About the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 FE

Build Quality and Design

The lens is remarkably compact and lightweight, with a metal mount and a plastic body, but lacks some features like a manual focus ring and filter thread.

“The build quality is fine although you can feel that it was made to a budget. It does, however, feature a metal mount, whereas the tiny lens body is made of plastic.”

– OpticalLimits

Autofocus and Image Quality

The lens features fast and silent autofocus using a Voice Coil Motor, but image quality drops off significantly towards the edges, with noticeable vignetting and soft corners.

“The lens exhibits its sharpest quality in the center, achieving a near-maximum score, although image quality diminishes toward the edges.”

– PCMag

Practical Use and Limitations

The lens is suitable for specific use cases like street photography and video due to its compact size, but it lacks the ability to adjust aperture and has significant vignetting and flare issues.

“The fixed f/4.5 aperture in fact proved to be less of an issue than I initially expected and I ended up enjoying my time with this lens.”

phillipreeve.net

Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE Tech Specs

Specification	Value
Product Name	Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 FE
Manufacturer	Viltrox
Focal Length	28mm
Aperture	Fixed f/4.5
Lens Construction	Six optical elements in six groups
Elements	Two aspherical elements, two ED elements
Autofocus System	Quick and virtually silent voice coil motor
Weight	60 grams (2.1 oz)
Thickness	15mm (0.59 inches)
Compatibility	Full-frame compatible, also viable on Sony APS-C format mirrorless cameras (effective focal length of 42mm)
Price	$99