Viltrox has recently announced a significant expansion to its Evo Series, introducing new full-frame prime lenses with advanced apochromatic optical designs. This unveiling occurred at The Photography and Video Show in Birmingham, England, generating considerable excitement among photography enthusiasts and professionals. The company emphasizes its dedication to delivering genuine apochromatic performance, a claim often loosely used by competitors, ensuring superior image clarity and color accuracy.
The highlight of Viltrox's presentation in Birmingham was the AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo lens, observed firsthand by PetaPixel's Matt Growcoot. This introduction follows a series of busy industry events for camera equipment manufacturers, including the record-breaking CP+ 2026 in Japan and WPPI in Las Vegas. Viltrox had a presence at these earlier shows, subtly hinting at its upcoming products and building anticipation for its latest innovations.
Reports from CP+ 2026, including discussions with a Viltrox engineer, confirmed the development of the AF 35mm f/1.8 and AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo lenses. A core aspect of these new lenses is their apochromatic, or APO, design. Viltrox distinguishes its approach by adhering to a strict definition of APO, where red, green, and blue light converge precisely on a single focal plane. This meticulous engineering effectively eliminates chromatic aberration, commonly known as color fringing, which can degrade image quality, especially in telephoto lenses.
Viltrox's commitment to authentic apochromatic correction is noteworthy. The company states that while many lenses on the market bear the APO designation, not all genuinely achieve the stringent optical standards required for true apochromatic performance. Viltrox even noted that some of its existing lenses, like the 85mm f/2 Evo, outperform certain so-called APO lenses, yet they reserve the APO designation only for those that meet their internal, higher standard, which they refer to as 'Hyper APO'. This strict criterion underscores their focus on optical integrity.
The forthcoming AF 35mm f/1.8 and AF 55mm f/1.8 primes will proudly carry the APO designation, signifying their adherence to these elevated optical standards. An apochromatic lens, as explained by industry leaders like Leica, is engineered to correct chromatic aberrations more effectively than standard achromatic lenses. By bringing all three primary colors of light to a common focal point, these lenses produce sharper images with remarkable color fidelity, free from unwanted color shifts.
While specific release dates and pricing for the new Evo series lenses remain under wraps, Viltrox has confirmed that these full-frame primes will be compatible with Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-Mount camera systems. Considering the competitive pricing of their previous Evo offerings, such as the AF 85mm f/2 Evo, which was introduced at a highly accessible price point, there is an expectation that these new apochromatic lenses will also be affordably positioned, making high-quality optics more accessible to a broader range of photographers.
The introduction of these advanced apochromatic full-frame prime lenses by Viltrox marks a significant step forward in offering photographers high-performance optical tools. By emphasizing true apochromatic design and rigorous quality control, Viltrox aims to provide lenses that deliver exceptional clarity, color accuracy, and overall image quality, catering to the evolving needs of the photographic community. This strategic move reinforces Viltrox’s position as an innovator in the camera lens market, blending cutting-edge technology with affordability for a diverse user base.