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Viltrox recently announced that four of its lightweight Air series prime lenses (14mm F4.0, 20mm F2.8, 40mm F2.5 and 50mm F2.0) are now available for L-mount. Although Viltrox joined the L-Mount Alliance just over a year ago, it had released only two lenses for the system before this announcement, making this a substantial expansion of its L-mount lineup.

While the lenses themselves aren’t new beyond an updated mount option, we took the opportunity to test the Viltrox AF 50mm F2.0 Air on the Panasonic S1RII.

Abby Ferguson

First, let’s put the lens in context with Viltrox’s other offerings. The Air series is the company’s compact, budget-oriented lens line, designed around portability. Compared with the company’s larger, faster-aperture Pro and Lab lenses, Air models prioritize low weight, smaller dimensions and affordability over professional-grade construction, on-lens controls and top-end optical performance.

As a result, the lens is remarkably simple, with its only feature being a manual focus ring. I found the texture on the ring to be quite nice; enough to give me grip, but not too aggressive. The focus throw strikes a good balance, allowing quick shifts between near and far focus without contorting my wrist. It also has just enough resistance to make it easy to get precise adjustments when manually focusing.

Abby Ferguson

In terms of autofocus, I found the lens performed well. I didn’t have any substantial issues or exceedingly slow-to-focus moments. I didn’t test the lens on many fast-moving subjects beyond my black dog, which occasionally resulted in focus falling just behind her face as she moved. It’s hard to say whether that’s an issue with the camera not quite nailing where to drive the lens, or with the lens not keeping up with what the camera’s telling it to do.

Size is the main selling point of this lens, and indeed, it is remarkably compact and lightweight. On the bulky S1RII, the 50mm F2.0 Air was hardly noticeable. It barely sticks out from the camera and only adds 205 g (7.2 oz). It was an ideal lens for keeping in a small sling while walking about.

Abby Ferguson

My biggest complaint about the lens is how it handles lens flare. I’m someone who, at times, is like a little flare in an image. But I am not a fan of the flare that this lens produces. It can be really overpowering, and, to me at least, doesn’t have a very pleasing look to it. It isn’t very susceptible to flare unless pointed very directly at the sun, so it’s easy to avoid, but I didn’t like the look very much. You can judge for yourself in the samples below.

Sample gallery

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