Viltrox has announced the release of its latest lens, once again expanding the range of options available to L-Mount shooters. The Viltrox Chip 28mm f/4.5 is tiny for a full-frame, autofocus lens. This diminutive and inexpensive pancake lens is likely to be of interest to Lumix, and perhaps even Leica, photographers looking to minimize the weight of their every-day, walk-around kit.
Hard on the heels of the impressive 16mm f/1.8 ultra-wide autofocus lens for L-Mount, Viltrox has released another intriguing lens, yet again expanding the L-Mount ecosystem. In this case, the Viltrox Chip 28mm f/4.5 lens breaks the record for diminutive weight and size for a full-frame autofocus L-Mount lens.
It weighs just 60g and projects less than two centimetres. To achieve this feat, Viltrox has omitted several significant features. Thus, the lens has no variable aperture, no manual focus ring, and no filter thread. It also has no external lens cap, but does possess an integrated lens cover, closed using a small lever on the front of the lens.
Fixed aperture
The fixed f/4.5 aperture is probably the fastest Viltrox could achieve while keeping the lens tiny. Coupled with the 28mm field of view, Viltrox is aiming the lens at street, travel, daily snapshot, and documentary photography. The lens comprises six elements in six groups, of which, two are extended-dispersion and two are aspherical.
Since the lens cannot be stopped down to generate sun stars when shooting at bright light sources, Viltrox has incorporated an octagonal lens aperture, to mimic this effect. The lens also has an integrated USB-C port, for future firmware upgrades.
We plan to provide a more detailed review of the lens in due course, as well as sample photographs taken with a lens Viltrox has loaned us. The company has made a bold design choice with the Chip 28mm f/4.5 fixed-aperture lens. It will be fascinating to see how it performs in practice.
Retail price and discount offer
The Viltrox Chip 28mm f/4.5 fixed-aperture lens will retail for $99 | £90 | €109.
Viltrox has kindly offered Macfilos readers a discount on the lens until Sunday June 21st 2026, which you can access via this link. We will also receive a small donation to help offset out ever-mounting running costs.
| Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 ultra-wide angle lens | Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm pancake lens |
| Lumix fixed-aperture L-Mount pancake lens | Review of Sony version of the Viltrox Chip lens |
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It has now appeard
Sorry about that, Jonathan. Please let us know if you have any further problems. Keith won’t have seen your comment yet, since he is in California.
Furthermore, thank you for your continuing and consistent support for Macfilos. It is much appreciated.
Mike
I just tried an order. The discount code appears when you click on basket or buy now. The delivery charge to the UK seems to be a reasonable £8. Customs duty is excluded, of course, so not sure how much this will be.
Discount does not appear when clicking on link thus you will not Geta bonus
Hi Keith
Thank you for the hint. I have ordered the lens. It’s so cheap so you can’t go any wrong with it.
As the other gentleman remarks, it will be a nice lens for Leica CL/TL. It will be a package not much bigger than a Ricoh GR3.
Best
Paul
Now this would be interesting on a Leica TL2 and a CL to create a really small package. Nice review, thanks!
Thanks Andrew. I have begun to try the lens on an S5. It really is tiny. Photos are excellent so far. Will definitely try it on the TL2. That will produce a 42mm effective focal length – Q3 43-like – and ultra-compact. Cheers, Keith
Hi Keith
I don’t think it would work on TL 2 I have read somewhere that the auto focus cannot communicate, between new third-party lenses and the older Leica cameras. The lens I received doesn’t work on my TL2.
Best Paul
I have got an answer from Viltrox
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting us.
We are sorry to inform you that the Leica T and Leica TL2 are currently not compatible with this lens.
Therefore, there is likely nothing you are doing wrong—the issue is due to compatibility limitations with these camera models.
If compatibility with these cameras is added in the future, we will announce it through our official updates and compatibility lists.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Best regards
Viltrox Team