p.1 #1 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
This is a lens I’ve wanted for years. Why is nobody producing this lens? Not Sony, not Sigma, not Tamron, not even any of the Chinese manufacturers! Surely it is an opportunity for Viltrox or Typoch.
Make one of these with a manual focus clutch and linear focusing with a distance scale and it will sell like hot cakes. It could also set apart the Chinese manufacturer that makes it, if they do it well, from other independent manufacturers.
p.1 #2 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
Try Leica!
Apr 03, 2026 at 06:30 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #3 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
wolfloid wrote:
This is a lens I’ve wanted for years. Why is nobody producing this lens? Not Sony, not Sigma, not Tamron, not even any of the Chinese manufacturers! Surely it is an opportunity for Viltrox or Typoch.
Make one of these with a manual focus clutch and linear focusing with a distance scale and it will sell like hot cakes. It could also set apart the Chinese manufacturer that makes it, if they do it well, from other independent manufacturers.
How small do you want it to be? It seems to me there are a number of contenders.
There is of course the Sony 28 f/2. Perhaps not small enough? Perhaps not good enough IQ?
There is of course the Voigtlander 28 f/2 APO. Perhaps not small enough? Perhaps you only want AF? Surely the IQ is good enough.
In general, all manufacturer (except Leica and people designing for Leica M mount) have not developed 28mm lenses as much as 24mm lenses. There are lots of 24mm f/1.8 or f/2 lenses but less 28mm lenses, but that is generally the pattern.
I think you might get what you want from Viltrox. They make lots of all kinds of lenses. I doubt it would add too much to their growing reputation. They make all kinds of things for all kind of mounts. About the only thing they don't make yet is zooms, so this sort of lens is the sort of thing they do.
I think it is likely that Thypoch will make a Ksana lens at 28mm. It will be slower than their Simera, but I suspect it would be f/2.8 not f/2 and it would almost certainly be manual focus. Thypoch might start making AF lenses, but I would expect that if they do they will either make zooms (as has been rumoured) or they would start with the typical 35, 50, and 85 mm primes.
I think your best chance of getting what you want is for Sony to make it. A mark II of their 28 f/2 is long since due, and it might be a lot more to your liking. The 28 f/2 was a very early lens for them on E mount, and they didn't really have their sea legs yet in developing lenses. I expect a revision would be much better and a lot more what you would be looking for.
p.1 #4 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
@ Steve Spencer. All that makes good sense. It is the AF and compactness that I prioritise. The Sony 40mm f2.5 is such a good lens, and the series has the right ergonomics philosophy for me. It is interesting that a number of manufacturers are offering alternatives for that - TT Artisans 40mm f2, 7 Artisans 40mm f2.5, Viltrox 40mm f2.5, all competing for the same fairly niche space, yet none of them have jumped in to what is both an empty space and a very commonly preferred street focal length - qua Ricoh GR and Leica Q fixed lens cameras.
p.1 #5 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
Try Leica!
Well, yes, the Q3 or Q3m are very tempting, but they are also a large investment. I would prefer to have the option on the Sony with its faster, better continuous focusing, its real back button focusing, interchangeable lenses, and its joystick.
p.1 #8 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
I suggest you consider looking for the lens that best suits your photographic needs, and elevating this issue above your desire for compactness, as a matter of balancing priorities. There are more and better 28s now than ever before in our lifetimes - something for everyone.
28mm is at the edge of most acceptably sharp lenses needing more complexity, that is very different to even 35s and 40s. An Ultron 28mm is fast enough at f2, 190 grams, 52mm x 36mm, a very good all-rounder - just an example. CV list five 28s, from pure character to APO. I would not want to see you settle for an inadequate lens just because you find something that is tiny enough.
Just a friendly suggestion. I've read of people getting seriously upset to the point of not using a lens simply because it tips the camera body forward when it is placed on a flat surface. Self-sabotage is an ever-present threat.
p.1 #9 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
Phillip Some people who dont like the camera tipping is because the weight for them is too much some ergonimic thing. For me when i tried the sony ultra thin glass for leica lenses it bothered me ergonomically.
p.1 #11 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
wolfloid wrote:
It is the AF and compactness that I prioritise. ... yet none of them have jumped in to what is both an empty space and a very commonly preferred street focal length ...
Since you mention them, perhaps you should become acquainted with the Viltrox AF 28/4.5 which is available in every mount, weighs 60g, and costs $99. As a len caps with 6 elements, it has certain handicaps and doesn't try to compete with the C/V Apo-Lanthar 28/2 Aspherical. If the Viltrox doesn't meet your optical standards then buy them both!
I don't think the lens you seek is coming soon, or is even possible to produce. My personal needs at this FL are met with a combination of three primes: CZ Distagon 28/2.8 C/Y, the Elmarit 28 ASPH, and the mighty Nikkor AF-S 28/1.4E.
p.1 #12 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
Batis 25mm F2? It's what I've been using while the mythical 28mm compact AF lens materializes. Beautiful Zeiss rendering, F2, flat plane of focus, close focusing, weather sealed, linear AF motors, just a bit on the large side, but not excessive.
p.1 #13 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
I have and use the CV Ultron II 28mm f2, which for me is perfect on my M246. (I also have the Leica Elmarit 28 f2.8). I have used the Ultron on my Sony, and the quality on the Sony is good, even wide open, if one does not get obsessed with corners. The size is perfect. Unfortunately, there is not also an AF version based on something like this formula (The AF would probably take it to the size of the Sony G series 40mm f2.5). I don’t understand why no one does this. This seems like an obvious opportunity for Sigma, Tamron, Viltrox etc. or even Sony. I don’t need the bulk of the APO Lanthar, for the tiniest slice of extra sharpness, or the CV 28mm f1.5, great though both lenses are. For me, and my purposes, they are unnecessarily large and heavy.
As I have said elsewhere, the excellent Sony 40mm f2.5 has been emulated with Viltrox, TT Artisan and 7 Artisan look alikes, all closing in on a tiny niche. Yet, none of them have innovated on a similar sized, high quality 28mm f 2/2.5. It seems like an open goal. There are so many small 24mm lenses, why not one 28mm?
Given the ubiquitousness of the 28mm in street photography - the Ricoh GRs and the Leica Qs are clear evidence of proof of concept, as are all the great photographers who have produced great work at this focal length - providing a small, relatively fast high IQ AF 28mm for interchangeable cameras seems, at least to me, to be a no brainer. I am sure plenty of people would buy it.
Indeed, Nikon has made a 28 mm f2.8 almost pancake lens. I have no idea how good it is. But make one the size of the 40mm f2.5 Sony - more design breathing room - and I’m sure the slightly larger (but still manageable) size, could make a 2.5, 2.2 or holy of holies even f2 possible.
p.1 #14 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
There are more and better 28s now than ever before in our lifetimes - something for everyone.
Unfortunately not everyone. I have and use the excellent Sony 24-50 f2.8 zoom, a versatile and relatively compact marvel, for when over-size does not matter.
p.1 #15 · Small, compact, relatively fast, high IQ (f2/2.5) 28mm lens in the same line as the 40mm f2.5 G.
Not to be unkind, but the lens designers and marketers of these many lenses know their business models very well, and all but a handful of users absolutely love the choice available in 2026. You could write to your favourite lens producer, providing your specifications.
The response would be interesting. You see, 'oversize' is purely a product of your mindset here. I do wish you luck, it appears you are going to be in need of it.
