Anhui, China—Venus Optics debuted two Laowa prime L-mount wide-angle lenses as well as two macro lenses for that mount. The new variants—the Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye, 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D, 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe and 25mm f/2.8 2.5–5x Ultra Macro—are currently available for order and will ship in early March.
Quartet of Laowa Prime L-Mount Lenses
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fishey
The 4mm f/2.8 fisheye lens features a 210° angle of view as well as a circular fisheye perspective on Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras. Moreover, unlike Laowa Zero-D wide-angle lenses, the 4mm fisheye creates an extremely distorted circular fisheye perspective. The lens has a suggested retail price of $199.
Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D
Providing an extreme 113° angle of view, it also features an ultrafast f/2.8 aperture to enable photographers to create astrophotography images as well as shoot in low light.
Its construction employs two aspherical elements plus three extra-low dispersion elements to correct chromatic aberration; realize close-to-zero distortion; and also deliver corner to corner sharpness.
This lens comes in versions for Fujifilm X, Sony E, Canon EF-M, DL, MFT and now L mounts. SRP: $499.
Laowa 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe
Venus Optics says this unique macro probe lens is the first consumer-grade probe lens that focuses from 2:1 macro to infinity. It also creates a wide-angle “bug-eye” perspective. Its wide-angle design means it captures a much greater depth of field at close distances than possible with conventional telephoto macro lens; as a result, more background details are visible.
In addition, the front barrel of the lens is waterproof and an LED ring light is mounted at the tip of the lens. The lightweight macro prob can cover both standard 35mm full-frame and Super 35 image sensors. SRP: $1,499.
Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5–5x Ultra Macro
As its name implies, this lens is optimized for macro shooting between 2.5x and 5x life-size. Furthermore, the lens is capable of working at extended distances (45mm at 2.5x and 40mm at 5x). In addition, its small lens barrel allows sufficient lighting on the object for shooting in the field.
What’s more, this lens is an option for both professional and leisure macro photography and can be used in the field or in the studio. An optional LED ring light as well as a tripod collar are available for added control and more precision operation. SRP: $399.
