Viltrox NexusFocus F1 Brings AI Autofocus to Manual Lenses 

Viltrox has announced the NexusFocus F1, a new autofocus system designed to bring modern AF capabilities to manual cinema lenses.

Live now on Kickstarter, NexusFocus F1 is a compact PL-to-E adapter that sits between lens and camera, enabling autofocus, iris, and zoom control on PL-mount Cine and CineMod lenses when used with Sony E-mount cameras.

The system uses Sony’s on-sensor phase-detection autofocus and AI subject recognition, translating those native camera features into motor-driven focus, iris, and zoom control. This means that manual and vintage cinema lenses can be used with autofocus in various scenarios that would otherwise require manual focus pulling.

Autofocus for Manual Cinema Lenses

NexusFocus was first shown at IBC, and looked interesting there. It has been designed for solo operators, small crews, and users working with vintage or fully manual lenses. By relying on the camera’s own autofocus system rather than LiDAR, Viltrox says the adapter avoids parallax limitations and allows continuous autofocus while maintaining the optical characteristics of cinema glass.

There's a balance here. LiDAR focus systems do have their issues, but will work with whatever equipment you have, while the NexusFocus demands a compatible Sony camera (think FX3 / FX6 / FX9 and recent Alpha bodies) as a prerequisite.

If you have one of those, though, the adapter supports synchronized focus, iris, and zoom (FIZ) control via up to three integrated motors, enabling autofocus operation alongside manual or remote control of lens parameters.

App-Based Setup and Wireless Control

Setup and calibration are handled through the accompanying Viltrox NexusFocus mobile app, which includes preset calibration profiles for supported lenses. On startup, the system checks calibration status automatically (though this is currently available only through the iOS version of the app).

The app also provides Bluetooth wireless control via smartphones and iPads, allowing remote operation and more flexible camera placement. A small backlit status display on the adapter shows operating mode and lens information at a glance.

Compact Design

The NexusFocus F1 uses an aluminum alloy and stainless steel construction, with a dust-resistant seal at the camera mount. Power is supplied via a USB-C port from an external source, rather than an internal battery, to support extended use. A detachable tripod foot is included for additional support when mounting heavier lenses.

Physical data:

Adapter ring

95 × 49.4 × 104.3 mm (3.74 × 1.94 × 4.11 in)
Weight: 262 g (9.24 oz)

Motor

Dimensions: 103.7 × 36.4 × 60.5 mm (4.08 × 1.43 × 2.38 in)
Weight: 146.5 g (5.17 oz)

Power box

Dimensions: 78.1 × 14.8 × 43.5 mm (3.07 × 0.58 × 1.71 in)
Weight: 62 g (2.19 oz)

Despite its compact size, Viltrox says the motor system is designed for fast and precise response during autofocus and FIZ operation, though as yet we don't have any figures for this or for lens weights.

Pricing and Availability 

The NexusFocus F1 is being launched via Kickstarter, with the campaign running up to February 13, 2026. Evolving compatibility details for cameras and lenses are listed on the campaign page, with some features dependent on specific equipment combinations. The 10 $699 Super Early Bird kits are already gone.

• Early Bird Kit: approx. $799 (limited to 200 kits)

• Early Access Kit A (dual motor): approx. $899 (limited to 2000 kits)

• Early Access Kit B (triple motor): approx. $1049

The planned MSRP is approximately $1099 (dual motor kit) or $1299 (triple motor kit).