2026 is going to be an interesting year for Nikon when it comes to support for Viltrox lenses. Viltrox are a huge player with lenses for Nikon users, offering great value and very good quality lenses for all pockets. As of late January 2026, there is no official confirmation that Nikon has “locked out” Viltrox lenses yet. However, a significant legal battle is brewing that has created uncertainty for Nikon Z-mount users.
The current situation regarding Nikon and Viltrox.
The Legal Situation
Nikon has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Shenzhen Juegyin Technology (the parent company of Viltrox) in the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court.
- The Hearing: A court hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026.
- The Core Dispute: The case appears to focus on “royalties during the provisional protection period” of an invention patent. In simpler terms, Nikon claims Viltrox used patented technology (likely related to autofocus or lens-to-body communication protocols) while Nikon’s patents were still pending. Now that the patents have been granted, Nikon is seeking back-pay for lenses already sold.
- The Difference from Canon: Unlike Canon, which famously issued “cease and desist” orders to wipe third-party AF lenses off the market, Nikon’s current legal move appears to be a royalty dispute. This suggests Nikon is looking for a “piece of the pie” rather than an outright ban.
Possibility of a lens “Lockout”
While a total lockout hasn’t happened yet, there are two primary ways it could manifest:
1. Firmware Incompatibility
The biggest fear among users is that Nikon could release a camera firmware update that changes the communication protocol between the body and the lens.
- Risk: If Viltrox is using “cracked” or reverse-engineered protocols that infringe on these new patents, a firmware update could render current Viltrox lenses unable to autofocus or even be recognized by the camera.
- Current Status: No such “poison pill” update has been identified yet, but many community members are advising against updating camera firmware until the March court date passes.
2. Sales Injunction (The “Canon Treatment”)
If the court finds that Viltrox cannot or will not pay the required licensing fees, Nikon could seek an injunction.
- Impact: This would force retailers to stop selling Z-mount Viltrox lenses and could prevent Viltrox from providing future firmware updates for existing lenses to keep them compatible with newer Nikon bodies (like a hypothetical Z6 III or Z9 II).
Nikon Market Context
Nikon has been more open than Canon but stricter than Sony. They have “officially licensed” partners like Tamron, who pay for the privilege of using the Z-mount data. Viltrox has long been the grey area champion, offering high-quality lenses without an official license.
The bottom line is that the most likely outcome is a settlement where Viltrox becomes an official licensee, which would likely result in a slight price increase for their lenses but guaranteed long-term compatibility for users.
Conclusion
Many of us own Viltrox lenses, myself included (I own the Viltrox Z 20mm F/2.8 and the Viltrox Z 85mm F/1.4). If you own an older Z mount camera (such as the original Z6 or Z6ii etc), they are not having any firmware updates that are considered important anymore. The only way they can force these lenses to stop working is through a firmware update, so for these people, Viltrox is still a safe bet.
For owners of more modern Z models (such as my ZF, and cameras like the Z5ii, Z6iii, Z7ii, Z8 and Z9), updates are still a thing. I would be wary of any future updates, as it will be a simple fix for Nikon to completely disable those lenses.
There is no answer as to what is going to happen yet, so being safe, rather than sorry is my only advice if you own Viltrox lenses and intend doing firmware updates while the court case is waiting to happen. I would suggest, wait until there is a conclusion.
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