From Travel to Pro: Viltrox Unveils Ultra Light Lenses and a Bold New Flash at IBC 2025

At IBC 2025 in Amsterdam, Viltrox unveiled an ambitious lineup of new lenses and a fresh entry into the lighting space, underscoring its commitment to building a complete optical ecosystem for creators.

For those who’ve watched the brand’s rapid growth over the past few years from budget-friendly glass to high-end cinema optics, this year’s lineup feels like a big statement: Viltrox is building a complete optical ecosystem. John stopped by to take a closer look.

The Air Series: Lightweight Glass for Travel and Vlogging

The first thing that caught John’s eye was the new AF 9mm F2.8 Air for APS-C and the AF 14mm F4.0 Air for full-frame shooters. Mandy from Viltrox explained that these are the widest lenses yet in the Air lineup, and they’re featherlight. John immediately thought about the times he’s been out shooting travel content, wishing his bag felt just a little lighter. These lenses look like they’ve been designed with exactly that in mind, like vloggers, travel shooters, and anyone who’s tired of lugging heavy gear.

What impressed John was how Viltrox managed to balance weight with optical performance. By carefully selecting ED elements to reduce distortion and maintain sharpness, they’ve ensured that these lenses don’t feel like compromises. At around $199-$229, they’re also accessible, which is perfect for creators just starting out.

John’s tip: Pair a 9mm lens on APS-C with a compact gimbal, and you’ve got yourself a travel vlogging setup that’s both ultra-wide and lightweight. He suggests keeping shutter speeds fast (1/100s or more) when walking to avoid motion blur while maintaining that cinematic sweep.

The EVO Series: Bridging Air and Pro

Another highlight was the AF 85mm F2.0 EVO, the first model in the brand-new EVO series. Positioned between the Air and Pro lines, EVO combines lightweight design with more refined optics and build quality.

This makes it particularly attractive to portrait shooters who want creamy bokeh and optical sharpness without the heft of pro-level glass. The series aims to redefine the “fundamental lens” by delivering performance that appeals to enthusiasts moving beyond entry-level gear.

Practical tip: For portraits with the 85mm, shooting wide open at F2 creates beautiful subject separation, but stopping down slightly to F2.8 or F4 provides greater depth of field for group shots.

The Pro Series: Going the Extra Mile

Expected later this year, the AF 50mm F1.4 Pro joins the Pro lineup, bringing professional-grade sharpness, robust construction, and advanced elements to a versatile focal length. Designed for both stills and video, this lens is aimed at hybrid creators who demand consistency across formats.

The 50mm F1.4 remains a favourite for its adaptability, from street photography to interviews, and the Pro version looks set to become a reliable workhorse.

Practical tip: For video work, using the lens around F2.8 with controlled indoor lighting offers sharp focus while maintaining cinematic background separation.

The Z3 TTL Flash: Cyberpunk Meets Practical Lighting

Of course, it’s not just about lenses. Viltrox also introduced the Z3 TTL flash, launching officially September 25th. The design stood out immediately. Mandy called it “cyber mech-inspired,” and John couldn’t help but grin. It’s not just a box on top of your camera; it looks like something out of a sci-fi film.

More importantly, it’s affordable (around $259.99) and supports the big four camera systems: Sony, Nikon, Fuji, and Canon, with Olympus and Panasonic potentially down the road. For now, the Fuji and Nikon versions roll out first.

John pointed out that flash often gets overlooked by beginners, but mastering it can completely change your photography. With the Z3 TTL, he sees a budget-friendly way for creators to start playing with lighting.

John’s lighting tip: Bounce the flash off a ceiling or nearby wall instead of firing directly at your subject. It softens the light dramatically and instantly makes portraits look more professional.

A Growing Ecosystem

Viltrox also showed off its broader lineup, from DL-mount lenses for DJI Ronin 4D and Inspire 3, to Epic 1.33X anamorphic cine glass. Together, this ecosystem reflects a company that’s not just chasing trends but building tools to support everyone, no matter if you’re a vlogger or a full-on cinematographer.

Walking away from the booth, it’s clear that Viltrox has truly embraced its theme of “Powering Every Vision.” For John, the takeaway was clear: Viltrox is giving photographers and filmmakers the right tools at the right stage of their journey. Watch the whole interview below:

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