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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