Viltrox has just introduced a new kit of four diopter filters designed for use with cinema lenses. These optical accessories are part of Viltrox’s Zmove line of cinema products, offer different levels of magnification, and promise to improve your lens’ minimum focus distance without degrading image quality. Let’s take a look!
Viltrox’s name has long been associated with affordable photographic lenses and lens adapters. However, over the last few years, the company has been hard at work to strengthen their presence in the cinema world.
After releasing a set of compact cine lenses for E-mount and Micro Four Thirds cameras at the beginning of 2023, the Chinese brand launched their first series of truly professional-oriented glass, the EPIC T2.0 1.33x full-frame anamorphic set (our review here). More recently, Viltrox teased the development of LUNA, a massive 30-300mm full-frame cine zoom, and also released a line of PL lens adapters for mirrorless cameras. Now it’s time for their first set of cinema-grade filters!
Viltrox Zmove Diopters Set – features
The new Viltrox Zmove Series Cine Lens Diopters Set consists of 4 filters offering different levels of magnification (+0.5/+1/+2/+3). These will allow you to reduce the minimum focus distance of your lens so you can get closer to your subject when shooting macro close-ups. However, keep in mind that this infinity focus will also be affected, meaning that your lens will no longer be able to focus on distant subjects.
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The filters have a clamp-on design – similar to that of the existing Vaxis 114mm diopters – and can be attached directly to any cinema lens with a front outer diameter of 114mm. On top of that, three adapters are included in the kit to ensure compatibility with lenses featuring a front outer diameter of 80, 95, or 110mm.
Moreover, the filters can be stacked one in front of the other to achieve even greater magnification. However, stacking multiple filters together will likely cause some vignetting, especially when shooting on wider lenses.
Each filter is made out of two glass elements glued together and surrounded by an aluminum alloy. The optical design makes use of nano multi-layer coatings that, according to Viltrox, should not impact image quality. Front and rear caps are included to protect the filters during transport and storage, and both exposed glass surfaces on each filter are treated with waterproof and anti-fouling coatings.
Price and availability
The new Viltrox Zmove Series Cine Lens Diopters Set is now available to purchase from the manufacturer’s website. The 4-filter kit retails for $2,599 and includes a convenient protective carrying case.
For more information, please visit Viltrox’s website here.
Do you often use diopters to achieve macro close-ups? What do you think of this new set from Viltrox? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
