Anhui, China—Venus Optics released a new lens in its ultrafast-aperture Argus series. The Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 FF is a modern take on the classic, versatile 28mm focal length. Moreover, Venus engineered the manual-focus lens to render sharpness and optical performance even when wide open.
The video-friendly lens is billed as an everyday lens for daytime shooting as well as for low-light situations. In addition, its slightly wider angle of view (compare to 35mm and 50mm lenses) is handy when shooting street, landscape, documentary and even environmental portraits or astrophotography.
Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 FF Features
The 28mm lens has a 75.4° angle of view, enabling it to capture slightly more details than its 35mm and 50mm counterparts, thus adding more interest to visual stories. Paired with an f/1.2 aperture, it allows photographers to have more control over how much background information is included and how isolated the subject is from its surrounding. The fast aperture permits the lens to create a shallow depth of field and subject separation. This also gives more flexibility when framing a scene.
Furthermore, the large aperture creates beautiful bokeh that gives an image a touch of artistry. When it’s wide open, the lens creates a dreamy look with the subject in sharp focus. The rendering of creamy, round bokeh in the photo’s out-of-focus backgrounds is also due to a 13-blade aperture.
Additionally, for working in low-light conditions, photographers can shoot with a faster shutter speed without bumping up the ISO. Consequently, the lens is also an option for night photography. It also features a 20-inch minimum focus distance.
The internal-focusing lens is not only suited for photography, but it’s also optimized for videographers. An aperture ring click switch mechanism allows users to choose whether to have a clicked or silent aperture ring. It is a useful function to support both discreet photography and video needs.
Optical Construction
The lens’s 13-element, 7-group optical construction consists of two ultrahigh-refractive and two extra-low dispersion glass elements. They help deliver sharpness with details and contrast even wide open at f/1.2.
It also has a 62mm filter thread. As a result, photographers can use screw-in ND, CPL or other filters without having to carry a filter holder. The filters give photographers the option to create shallow depth-of-field images even when the sun is up.
What’s more, because the lens weighs 19.8 ounces and measures 2.7×4.2 inches, it’s also a suitable travel companion for anyone who wants to record precious moments with a camera.
Venus Optic’s Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF lens is available in Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF and L mounts. It has a suggested retail price of $599 for all mounts.
