Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D Lens – Close-to-Zero Optical Distortion

Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f:2.8 LensProduct Summary

  • Model Name: Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens
  • Release Date: Jul 30, 2016
  • Focus Type: Manual
  • Format : Full Frame
  • Mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Sony Alpha and Pentax K
  • Color: Black
  • Availability:
    • Lens: Sept 2016 (July 30 via Kickstarter)
    • The Laowa Filter Holder & Laowa Magic Shift Converter from October onwards

  • Price:
    • Lens: $949.00
    • Laowa Filter Holder- $50.00
    • Laowa Magic Shift Converter – $300.00
  • Purchase options: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Key features

  • An ultra-wide 122° Angle of View
  • weighing only 1.34 pounds
  • world’s *fastest 12mm lens for full frame cameras
  • Near Zero Distortion

Preview

Features

The new Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens features a close-to-zero optical distortion, allowing photographers to take landscape/architecture shots with straight lines retained. Featuring a widest angle of view (122°) ever built with a f/2.8 lens, the Laowa Lens is an ideal lens for a variety types of photography. From landscape, architecture, interior, travel to the most important one, astro photography. The combination of ultra wide-angle and fast aperture makes this lens a perfect tool for creating impressive milky way shots.

The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens is designed for photographers for everyday use and hence the weight and size has been controlled to the minimal. The lens weighs only 1.34 pounds (0.6kg) and has a front diameter of 77mm. Venus Optics also offers a filter holder which is designed to fit 2 pieces of 100mm filters and 1 piece of Circular Polariser.

The lens incorporates with 16 elements in 10 groups optical design, including 3 pieces of Extra-Low Dispersion elements and 2pc of Aspherical Elements. This design not only delivers an outstanding image sharpness and controls the distortion to the minmal, but also controls the chromatic aberration at its lowest level. A floating design is also adopted to ensure a good performance even in the closest focusing distance (0.18cm). The enclosure of the lens is fully made of metal to strengthen its durability. Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Sony Alpha and Pentax K mounts are available.

Laowa Magic Shift Converter

Along with the new Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens, Venus Optics also announces the Laowa Magic Shift Converter which is able to enlarge the full frame image circle through the 4pcs of elements inside the converter. The enlarged image circle provides sufficient image field for lenses shifting by a maximum of 10mm without vignetting. It will transform the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens (DSLR mount) into a 17mm f/4 Professional Shift Lens with +/- 10mm shift capability for Full-Frame E-mount cameras. It is a perfect tool for professional architectural photography. The principle is explained in below diagram.

Laowa-Magic-Shift-ConverterProduct PhotosVenus Optics Laowa 12mm f:2.8 Lens -2

Sample Images

laowa12mm sample (9)

2

Beachhuts

DSC_3006-2

BB4I2167

_MG_0327_050716

BB4I2899

8

Pier

KEF_6321

LAOWA 12mm f/2.8 ZERO-D Wide Angle Lens

Specifications

Technical Specifications

Focal Length

12mm

Aperture

f/2.8 – f/22

Format

Full Frame

Elements/Groups

16/10

Aperture Blades

7

Min. Focusing Distance

18cm / 7.09″

Max. Magnification

0.2x

Focus Mode

Manual

Dimensions

⌀74.8mm x 82.8mm

Weight

609g / 1.34lb

Available Mounts

Canon EF / Nikon Ai / Sony A / Sony E / Pentax K

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