Viltrox's Tiny 20mm f/2.8 Air Lens Comes to L-Mount
Viltrox has brought its AF 20mm f/2.8 Air to L-mount at $168, making it one of the least expensive full-frame autofocus 20mm lenses available for the system. The under-200-gram lens has a metal mount, USB-C firmware port and fast, nearly silent autofocus, but no weather sealing and a plastic focus ring. Testing on a 44-megapixel Panasonic Lumix S1R Mark II found excellent center sharpness at f/2.8, while corners remained weak and vignetting stayed heavy. Raw files also reveal mustache distortion normally hidden by corrections. Close focusing reaches 19 cm, and sunstars are strong from f/8. For video, the wide view leaves room for stabilization crops. Photographers should use very thin 52mm filters, as even a slim polarizer caused corner shading.
SmallRig’s New Cage Aims to Take Advantage of the Nikon Z5 IIC’s Video Chops
SmallRig has announced the HawkLock Quick Release Cage for Nikon’s newly announced Z5 IIC, with preorders open at $59.99. The 157-gram aluminum-alloy cage includes a NATO rail, 1/4-inch-20 threaded holes, Arri locating holes, a cold shoe, QD socket, wrist-strap slot and integrated Arca-Swiss base. Protective pads and a three-point locking system add security, while cutouts preserve access to the controls, flip screen and battery compartment. The design is aimed at the Z5 IIC’s video capabilities, including full-width oversampled 4K up to 30p, cropped 4K at 60p, N-Log, internal 12-bit N-RAW, stabilization and video autofocus. Its mounting points also support handles, monitors, SSDs and microphones, giving filmmakers a lightweight foundation for a compact rig.