Chinese Lens Makers Flood 2026 Trade Shows with New Autofocus Optics
At the 2026 trade shows, Chinese lens manufacturers are set to unveil an extraordinary array of new autofocus lenses, encompassing compact primes, high-end zooms, and unique options tailored for cinema, street photography, and medium format systems. Leading this surge, Viltrox introduces more than a dozen models, such as the AF 35mm f/1.4 Pro, AF 18mm f/1.2 Pro, AF 40mm f/1.2 Pro (APS-C), AF 75mm f/1.8 EVO, AF 90mm f/2.2 EVO, AF 25mm f/1.7 Air, AF 28mm f/4.5 L, AF 26mm f/2.8, and the tilt-shift T/S 35mm f/2.8. Laowa (Venus Optics) is also transitioning to autofocus with lenses like the CF 4.5-10mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom and AF 35mm f/2.8. Other brands, including TTArtisan, SG-image, Meike, Yongnuo, and Thypoch, are contributing to this shift with various autofocus offerings, indicating a move towards premium and specialized markets.
Key facts
- Viltrox announced the T/S 35mm f/2.8 tilt-shift lens.
- Laowa is introducing four new autofocus lenses: CF 4.5-10mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom, AF 8-15mm f/2.8, AF 7.5mm f/2.8, and AF 35mm f/2.8.
- TTArtisan's Neo series now includes the AF 85mm f/1.8 Neo, which lacks traditional focus and aperture rings.
- SG-image is releasing four compact autofocus primes for APS-C and MFT systems.
- Meike's AF 85mm f/1.8 GFX brings autofocus to Fujifilm's medium format GFX platform.
- Yongnuo introduced VCM-series primes: AF 35mm f/1.4 VCM and AF 85mm f/1.4 VCM.
- Thypoch's Voyager AF 24-50mm f/2.8 is its first autofocus lens and a constant-aperture full-frame zoom.
- Thypoch plans to release six autofocus lenses throughout 2026.
Entities
Institutions
- Viltrox
- Thypoch
- TTArtisan
- SG-image
- Laowa
- Venus Optics
- Meike
- Yongnuo
- Fujifilm