Anhui, China—Venus Optics debuted the Laowa 7.5mm F2 MFT auto-aperture lens. The addition of a control chip provides metadata in EXIF and also allows aperture control over the camera. The flexible lens is a solution for photos and vlogging, landscape photography or daily use.
Laowa 7.5mm F2 MFT
The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is currently the widest prime lens for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras; it has a 35mm-equivalent focal length of around 15mm. Moreover, with the same optical structure as the standard version 7.5mm f/2 lens, this new model reduces the number of aperture blades to five. Subsequently, it renders 10-points sunstars.
In addition, it features a 110° ultrawide angle of view and compactness to pair with MFT mirrorless ILCs. The standard version of the lens weighs approximately 6 ounces; however, the new auto-aperture version is even lighter at 5.29 ounces.
The lens consists of 13 elements in 9 groups as well as employs a 46mm filter thread. The latter allows photographers to screw in a circular filter directly on the lens. What’s more, the extra-large aperture of f/2 adds more flexibility to the lens, especially under dim-lit conditions. Photographers can maintain a faster shutter speed and lower ISO to prevent generating too much unwanted noise.
Moreover, it brings a shallower depth of field to separate the subject from the background. A less-than-5-inch minimum focusing distance facilitates close-up photographs and also generates smoother bokeh with the f/2 aperture.
Notably, joining the Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D MFT and 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO lenses, the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is the third MFT lens assembled with a CPU chip and motor. The focus magnifier is triggered for easier focusing when rotating the focus ring. It also enables adjustment of the aperture via the camera body and a no-aperture ring design.
Creative Alternative
In addition, the standard version of this lens has 7 aperture blades that generate 14-point sunstars. The number of blades of the new automatic aperture version was changed to 5, providing an alternative to photographers.
The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT automatic aperture version is available for preorder. It has a suggested retail price of $549 and ships immediately.