Sony Japan has now made it official: they are announcing the launch of new “Alpha” products. And notice how they used the same background image of the Sony A9III launch in November 2023. But we all know what’s coming by now:
Sony A1II with 50MP, A9III body, AI chip, improved speed in all aspects
Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM lens with 86mm filter size, 900g weight and size of the Sony 135mm GM.
This has been a crazy week for me. I am here in Antwerp meeting Family and Friends and in the meantime continually chatting with sources on my phone :) But thanks to those sources I was finally able to get 100% solid images of the new Sony A1II that I can post at 2pm London time as soon as I am back from a short city trip with my kids in the ZOO of Antwerp.
The new Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 lens is part of Viltrox’s LAB series, designed to provide high-end performance at a more accessible price point than many other premium lenses. This 135mm f/1.8, compatible with Sony E-mount, is intended as a budget-friendly competitor to the Sony 135mm GM lens, retailing at $899—significantly less than Sony’s version. With an 82mm filter thread, a close focus distance of 70cm, and weighing about 1.2kg, this lens aims to offer strong optical quality and build.
The LAB series, newly launched by Viltrox, promises “pro-level” performance, similar to Zeiss’s Otus line, but with a focus on balancing quality with affordability. Although specific reviews are still emerging, expectations are high for sharpness and accurate autofocus in portrait and event photography settings. This lens rounds out an expanding line from Viltrox, who has recently been adding more high-performing autofocus options at competitive prices, hoping to appeal to both amateur and professional photographers looking for value without sacrificing quality.