Viltrox AF 50mm F2

Focal length: 50 mm
Aperture: f/2
Weight: 205 g
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Min. focus distance: 51 cm
Length: 54.4 mm

Overview

The Viltrox AF 50mm F2.0 Air is a compact autofocus standard prime for full-frame mirrorless cameras with Sony E, Nikon Z or Leica L mount. As part of the Air series it is built around low weight and a small body. Viltrox positions it for portraits, street photography and everyday use.

Optical design

Viltrox specifies 13 elements in 9 groups with 3 ED, 4 high refractive index and 1 aspherical element, plus an HD nano multi-layer coating. The aperture runs from F2.0 to F16 with 9 blades. The minimum focus distance is 0.51 m at a maximum magnification of 0.11x, so it is not a close-up lens. The viewing angle is 47.4 degrees. The lens covers the full-frame format.

Autofocus and handling

An STM stepping motor with a lead screw handles focusing, and the lens uses internal focusing. Viltrox states minimal focus breathing and support for the camera's in-body stabilization in video, but the lens has no stabilizer of its own. A USB-C port allows firmware updates. On the L-mount version Viltrox lists native support for in-camera lens corrections.

Build and size

The weight is 205 g on Sony E and Leica L and 220 g on Nikon Z. The diameter is 65 mm (68 mm on Z) and the length is 56.5 mm on E, 58.6 mm on Z and 54.4 mm on L. The filter thread measures 58 mm. Viltrox does not list weather sealing for this lens.

Where it fits

Viltrox sells a more ambitious 50mm in the AF 50mm F1.4 Pro, which is much larger and heavier. In the Sony E system the Sony FE 50mm F1.8, the Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary and the Sony FE 50mm F2.5 G are the direct comparisons in this class. For Nikon Z, the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S and the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4 are the native options. L-mount users can look at the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm F1.8.

Pros and cons

Pros

Light at 205 to 220 g with a small body
13 elements with 3 ED and 1 aspherical element
STM autofocus and USB-C firmware updates
58 mm filter thread
Available for Sony E, Nikon Z and Leica L

Cons

Maximum aperture of F2.0 is not as bright as F1.4 or F1.8 standard lenses
Minimum focus distance of 0.51 m
No in-lens stabilization
No weather sealing listed

Verdict

The AF 50mm F2.0 Air suits full-frame shooters who want a small and light standard prime and do not need the largest possible aperture. It is a sensible lightweight option next to the heavier F1.4 designs.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 50 mm
max focal length: 50 mm
max f (min zoom): f/2
max f (max zoom): f/2
min. aperture: f/16
Elements: 13
Groups: 9
Weight: 205 g (0.45 lb)
Filter diameter: 58 mm
min focus distance: 51 cm (20.08 in)
Length: 54.4 mm (2.14 in)
Diameter: 65.1 mm (2.56 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Viltrox AF 50mm F2 fit?

The Viltrox AF 50mm F2 is a full-frame lens for L-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C L-Mount cameras its field of view equals 75 mm in full-frame terms.

L-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Leica SL3-P, Leica SL3-S, Sigma BF, Panasonic Lumix S1II, Panasonic Lumix S1IIE, Panasonic Lumix S1RII, Leica SL3, Panasonic Lumix S9, Blackmagic PYXIS 6K, Panasonic Lumix S5II, Panasonic Lumix S5IIX, Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K, Panasonic Lumix BS1H, Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S5, Sigma fp L, Leica SL2, Panasonic Lumix S1, Panasonic Lumix S1R, Panasonic Lumix S1H, Sigma fp, Leica SL (Typ 601)
APS-C:: Leica CL, Leica TL2, Leica TL, Leica T (Typ 701)