Viltrox NexusFocus F1 Crowdfunding Campaign Launching Today – AI Autofocus for PL-Mount Lenses

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by Jeff LochJanuary 15^th, 2026

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Viltrox’s Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the NexusFocus F1 is launching today. This PL-Mount lens adapter for Sony E-mount cameras enables you to turn any manual cinema lens into an autofocus lens. Indeed, via focus/aperture/zoom motors that connect to the adapter via USB-C, the NexusFocus F1 can “convert” Sony AF data into FIZ information so your lens can autofocus without the need for any LiDAR-style telemeter. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

The concept of giving autofocus capabilities to manual lenses is far from being something new. Indeed, in the film industry, FocusBug Cine RT systems have been mounted on cameras for decades to assist 1st ACs. However, the FocusBug is just a focus aid and does not autofocus. More recently, we have seen multiple companies develop LiDAR-based systems that provide true autofocus for any manual lens, such as DJI’s Focus Pro.

During IBC 2025, we stopped by the Viltrox booth and saw an early prototype of the NexusFocus F1. This one-of-a-kind product surprised us so much that we even gave it a CineD Best-Of-Show Award. Indeed, the NexusFocus F1 doesn’t use a LiDAR sensor to provide depth information to the lens focus motor; instead, it uses Sony cameras’ native phase-detection AF data to communicate with the lens focus motor. A couple of months later, and after some refinement, the NexusFocus F1 is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter.

Viltrox NexusFocus F1 – features

As previously mentioned, the Viltrox NexusFocus F1 consists of two main components: a Sony E-mount to PL-mount lens adapter and two or three Focus, Iris, or Zoom motors.

The lens mount adapter is made out of aluminum alloy and stainless steel and features a removable tripod mount.

The lens mount adapter features a status screen, two up/down navigation buttons, and a single USB-C port for connecting to a single FIZ motor. The other FIZ motors will be daisy-chained to the first motor via USB-C cables. The back of the lens mount adapter has a dust-resistant seal to protect your camera sensor.

At the back of the lens mount adapter, you’ll notice communication pins. Indeed, the system integrates with Sony cameras’ built-in phase-detection AF and AI subject-recognition technology. In a nutshell, autofocus, zoom, and aperture information will pass through the lens mount adapter and be sent directly to the FIZ motors via the lens mount adapter’s USB-C port.

FIZ motors

The Viltrox FIZ motors included with the NexusFocus F1 are nothing groundbreaking. The motors mount to standard 15mm rods. There is a button to assign them to Focus/Iris/Zoom based on their position on your rig, and a Left/Right switch on the back of the motors. The motors feature USB-C input and output ports.

App compatibility

The Viltrox NexusFocus mobile app allows you to store and restore lens calibration profiles. At launch, automatic calibration will only be available on the iOS version of the app. Your phone or tablet connects to the NexusFocus F1 over Bluetooth.

Pricing and availability

The regular price of the Nexus Focus F1 dual-motor kit will be $1099, while the triple-motor kit will retail for $1299.

The company is launching the NexusFocus F1 via a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which will be live until February 13th. You can secure one of the first 10 Super Early Bird dual-motor kits for $699, while the following 200 kits will retail for $799.

The kits will ship in a carrying case with all the necessary USB-C cables, a D-Tap-to-USB-C power cable, additional 0.8 mm gears, and Allen keys.

Competition-wise, if you are willing to wait, Tilta is developing a Tilta Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter that looks similar, priced at around $300 for the adapter alone if you’re already in the Nucleus-M II ecosystem.

For more information, please visit the Viltrox NexusFocus F1 Kickstarter campaign page here.

At the end of every crowdfunding-related article, we remind you to please be aware of the risks when backing a project on a crowdfunding platform. Also, please read the platform’s terms of use and remember that there can be significant delays when delivering the product. Some products don’t get delivered at all.

What do you think about this PL-mount autofocus lens mount adapter? Do you think it could be a valuable addition to your kit? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!