Viltrox Concludes Air Series with Two New $199 Ultra-Wide Lenses

Kate Garibaldi

Two black camera lenses are positioned diagonally on a light blue background with the word "Air" written in large, cursive blue letters behind them.

Viltrox has wrapped up its popular Air Series with the release of two new lenses, one designed for APS-C systems and the other for full-frame cameras.

The Chinese-based company today unveiled the finale of its lightweight Air Series lineup with the release of two new autofocus lenses: the AF 9mm f/2.8 Air and the AF 14mm f/4.0 Air. The launch marks the company’s latest effort to provide affordable, travel-friendly optics for both APS-C and full-frame users, alongside an interactive quiz challenge designed to engage its growing community of photographers.

Buy the Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 Air new on B&H

AF 9mm f/2.8 Air: Ultra-Wide for APS-C Systems

The Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 Air becomes the first ultra-wide lens in the Air Series. With a 113.8° field of view (equivalent to 13.5mm full-frame), it offers expansive coverage suited for landscapes, interiors, and dramatic perspectives. Compact and lightweight, it comes in at 6.2 oz (175 g) for the Sony E-mount version and 6.7 oz (190 g) for Nikon Z, making it easy to carry in a jacket pocket or small camera bag.

“With its compact footprint that slips easily into a jacket pocket or camera bag and stays true to the Air series’s signature lightweight and minimal design, this lens becomes an ideal choice for travel and street photography, allowing creators to capture stunning wide-angle shots,” Viltrox says.

A Nikon Z series digital camera with a zoom lens is positioned at an angle, showing its controls and grip. The background features light blue script text and a white backdrop.

A futuristic library with curved bookshelves, spiral staircases, warm lighting, and mirrored floors, creating an illusion of infinite space filled with books and glowing architectural details.

A young woman in a light jacket smiles at the camera while standing among large boulders outdoors. Sunlight shines behind her, highlighting her hair, with blue sky and scattered clouds above.

A black and white dog on a blue leash sits on green grass in a sunny park, looking up at the camera with its tongue out. Trees and shadows are visible in the background.

The optical design includes 13 elements in 11 groups, featuring three extra-low dispersion (ED), three high refractive index (HRI), and two aspherical elements, to reduce chromatic aberrations and maintain sharpness across the frame. With a bright f/2.8 aperture, the lens supports low-light photography and offers creative control over depth of field.

Additional features include accurate autofocus with eye and face detection, minimal focus breathing for smooth video shooting, and a minimum focusing distance of 5.1 in (0.13 m) for close-up compositions. The lens body is sealed for added durability, supports standard 58mm filters, and incorporates a USB-C port for firmware updates.

Buy the Viltrox AF 14mm f/4.0 Air new on B&H

AF 14mm f/4.0 Air: Full-Frame Perspective

The AF 14mm f/4.0 Air is the first full-frame ultra-wide option in the Air lineup. It provides a 112.6° angle of view, delivering broad coverage ideal for landscapes, architectural photography, and group shots. Despite its wide perspective, the lens remains compact at 6.0 oz (170 g) for Sony FE and 6.5 oz (185 g) for Nikon Z.

“The dramatic 112.6° ultra-wide angle of the Viltrox 14mm F4.0 Air opens up expansive new possibilities — the widest ever in the compact Viltrox Air series. From sweeping landscapes and architectural exteriors to narrow interiors and tight shooting spaces, this lightweight full-frame lens captures every scene with ease,” Viltrox says.

A black Sony Alpha 7C mirrorless digital camera with a lens mounted, shown angled to display controls and branding, against a white background with a light blue design behind it.

Its optical construction features 12 elements in 9 groups, including four ED, two HRI, and two aspherical lenses, with multi-layer coatings to suppress flare and ghosting. The autofocus system is powered by an STM motor with eye and face detection, while focus breathing has been minimized to appeal to hybrid shooters working across stills and video.

The lens is also designed for practicality. A 5.1 in (0.13 m) minimum focusing distance encourages experimentation with dramatic foregrounds, while its 58mm filter thread and USB-C firmware port add everyday usability. Built with an aluminum mount and dust-resistant construction, it balances durability with the Air Series’s commitment to lightweight portability.

A woman in a gray jacket takes a selfie while hiking on a grassy, rocky hillside under a partly cloudy sky. Trees and low shrubs are in the background.

Rocky foreground overlooks rolling green hills and forested mountains under a dramatic, colorful sunset sky with vibrant orange and purple clouds.

A clear night sky filled with stars and the faint band of the Milky Way, with trees silhouetted along the bottom of the image and a shooting star visible to the right.

A Lightweight Conclusion to the Air Series

Both lenses reflect Viltrox’s ongoing focus on delivering compact, travel-ready gear without compromising on core optical performance. Weights ranging from just over 6 oz (170 g) to 6.7 oz (190 g) make them significantly lighter than most competitors in the same focal range, offering creators more flexibility when shooting on the go.

With these releases, Viltrox brings the Air Series to a close on an ambitious note, providing APS-C and full-frame photographers with fresh ultra-wide options at a price point well below many established brands. By combining affordability with practical usability, the company continues to appeal to beginners and seasoned photographers alike.

Pricing & Availability

The Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 Air is available now at $199 (€229 / £190) for Sony E and Nikon Z APS-C mounts, similarly the AF 14mm f/4.0 Air can be purchased for $199 (€229 / £190) for Sony FE and Nikon Z full-frame systems. Both lenses are expected to roll out globally through Viltrox’s online store and authorized retailers in the coming weeks.

Image credits: Viltrox

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