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The Latest News:
Viltrox’s Upcoming L-Mount Lens
credits: Viltrox
Since Viltrox joined the L-Mount Alliance back in September 2025, L-mount users have been left waiting. The company became an official member, but months passed without a single native lens to show for it. That finally looks like it is about to change. A new teaser image has surfaced online pointing to a February 5, 2026 announcement, with the phrase “Wide Beyond Side” front and centre. It is a pretty strong hint that a wide-angle lens is coming, and it lines up nicely with what has been rumoured over the past few months.
Last fall, Viltrox confirmed that its first L-mount lenses would be the AF 16mm f/1.8 and the AF 28mm f/4.5, both of which already exist for other mounts. The teaser image seems to show the silhouette of the 16mm f/1.8, and even the minimum focusing distance shown (0.27 meters) matches that lens exactly. That makes it pretty safe to assume the 16mm f/1.8 will be the first to land. Whether the 28mm f/4.5 will be announced at the same time is still unclear.
For L-mount shooters, this is genuinely good news. Viltrox is entering the system the “right” way, as an official alliance partner, so there is no legal grey area or compatibility drama to worry about (Nikon-Viltrox lawsuit). February 5 should finally give us a clearer picture of what Viltrox has planned ;)
SmallRig’s New Freeze-Proof Battery
credits: SmallRig
SmallRig has announced a new NP-F970-style battery designed specifically for extreme cold environments, meant for photographers who need reliable power in very low temperatures. It is a niche problem yes, but a very real one for anyone working outdoors in winter conditions or at high altitudes. Lithium-ion batteries generally perform well, but cold weather has always been a weak point. As temperatures drop, capacity falls off quickly, and in severe cold, batteries can stop delivering usable power altogether unless they are actively heated. SmallRig says this new battery variant is engineered to keep discharging reliably at temperatures as low as -40°C, without needing any external warming system.
Inside, it is still built around the familiar NP-F form factor, which makes it easy to integrate into existing rigs. That is important, since NP-F batteries are widely used on monitors, lights, wireless transmitters, and cinema accessories. On top of the standard battery contacts, SmallRig has added both USB-C and USB-A ports, effectively letting the battery double as a power bank. There is also support for SmallRig’s NP-F adapter plates, including versions with DC output, which makes it possible to power cameras directly regardless of brand. Capacity is rated at 7,500mAh, and the battery supports USB-C PD fast charging at up to 36W, with a claimed full recharge time of about two hours.
Power management is a big part of the design. The USB-C and USB-A outputs run on independent circuits, allowing two devices to be powered at the same time, as long as the combined draw stays under 54W. An OLED screen with touch controls shows remaining capacity and status, and the company also points to internal protection circuits and an intelligent management system meant to improve safety and long-term durability. The battery is priced at $100, with shipping expected to start on February 25.
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Photographer Spotlight
Discover amazing photographers
This time in the Spotlight: Md. Arif
You can find him on Instagram as: @arif_zaman_eyes
A few photos of his:
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Missed The Sunday Issue?
In case you missed yesterday’s Sunday Issue (Snapshot Issue 101) including the amazing interview with photographer Da Frames and many more incredible articles, you can read it here.
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