At IBC 2025 in Amsterdam, CineD visited Jianbo Zhang on the Viltrox sales space and noticed one of the shocking prototypes on the ground. Viltrox revealed the Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter, a tool that provides historically handbook PL cinema lenses full autofocus functionality on Sony E-mount cameras. The idea was daring sufficient to earn a CineD Better of Present award.
Our Finest-of-Present Awards are reserved for merchandise that genuinely push the craft ahead. Whereas IBC is at all times filled with eye-catching know-how, solely a handful of instruments rise above the noise. This 12 months, Viltrox’s autofocus adapter was one in every of them. (Our Finest-of-Present article that includes all of the winners will comply with shortly!)
And simply two weeks in the past, Viltrox additionally introduced they had been becoming a member of the L-Mount Alliance, which you’ll learn extra about right here.
Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter on Sony Digital camera Physique. Picture credit score: CineD
Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter provides autofocus to handbook lenses
The Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter to Sony E-mount our bodies such because the FX3 and FX6 and permits PL-mount lenses – anamorphic, classic, or fashionable cinema primes – to behave like native autofocus glass. Eye AF, face recognition, topic monitoring, and even tap-to-focus on the display all work.
And it’s not restricted to focus alone. The prototype additionally controls iris and, doubtlessly, zoom as soon as further motors are finalized. In accordance with Viltrox, a single small battery can preserve the system operating for days. For anybody used to rigging LiDAR models or wi-fi follow-focus methods, the thought of merely tapping into the autofocus that’s already within the digital camera is a compelling one.
“It is extremely thrilling… we don’t want LiDAR as a result of every little thing comes from the digital camera focus system,” Jianbo Zhang from Viltrox.
Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter with Viltrox Comply with Focus Motor. Picture credit score: CineD
Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter design
The adapter communicates instantly with Sony’s autofocus protocols, driving exterior motors mounted on the lens. There aren’t any further sensors required. It’s a easy concept, however one which filmmakers have been dreaming about as autofocus know-how in cameras has grown extra refined.
Compatibility and future plans
For now, the adapter is designed for Sony E-mount cameras with built-in autofocus. Viltrox has additionally examined restricted performance with L-mount, Nikon Z and Fuji GFX mounts, suggesting broader help might be on the roadmap. The model proven at IBC was a real prototype, assembled solely days earlier than the present. Viltrox plans refinements to the housing, cable administration, and motor power earlier than launch.
Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter with PL Mount Lens. Picture credit score: CineD
Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E advantages and lens profiles
Including autofocus to handbook PL lenses may reshape manufacturing workflows. Solo operators and small crews would acquire new flexibility, whereas bigger productions may mix autofocus and handbook pulling relying on the shot. For anybody who owns classic or specialty lenses, it may breathe new life into present gear.
Lens profiles for varied lenses might be included and pre-installed when the adapter ships, and extra configurations may be saved and accessed each time a lens is swapped, so not a lot time must be spent calibrating with each lens change.
Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter with PL Mount Lens. Picture credit score: CineD
What will get me
Sometimes, an adjunct comes alongside that makes you cease and take into consideration what would possibly change. Viltrox’s autofocus adapter is a type of. Personally, I instantly considered my very own shelf of outdated handbook primes. I’ve been utilizing DJI’s Focus Professional to make these lenses extra sensible, however the concept of skipping further gear and letting the digital camera deal with autofocus instantly is tough to disregard.
It additionally makes me marvel how the massive lens makers will really feel about it. If autofocus all of a sudden works on virtually any PL lens, that might step on some toes. In any case, many producers are solely now beginning to launch cine lenses with native AF. Viltrox’s method would possibly give filmmakers a strategy to sidestep that fully, which is precisely what makes this prototype so intriguing.
The Viltrox NexusFocus PL-E adapter permits you to change lens profiles shortly when swapping lenses. Picture credit score: CineD
Worth and availability
Pricing has not but been introduced, however the firm emphasised that it is going to be inexpensive in comparison with different focus options. For extra info, go to Viltrox’s official website, and keep looking out for official postings.
IBC at all times brings a wave of latest gear, and Viltrox was only one spotlight on the ground. You possibly can discover all of CineD’s IBC 2025 protection right here to atone for the opposite bulletins and interviews we introduced again from Amsterdam.
What do you concentrate on the thought of bringing autofocus to traditional PL glass? Would you belief it on a shoot or persist with handbook pulling? Drop your ideas within the feedback; we’d love to listen to the way you’d use one thing like this.
