Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 For Canon RF Mount Announced (it’s for APS-C sensor!)

33mm F/0.95
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Venus Optics announced a super fast lens for a series of camera mounts, RF mount included: the Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95. But the lens is for an APS-C sensor.

Not sure what to think about the fact that there is an RF mount lens for APS-C sensors. Is it a sign that the rumored EOS R model with APS-C sensor is coming?

The Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO is currently available to purchase via Venus Optics official website and authorized resellers. The US price (ex-VAT) for Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO is $499. Pricing varies in different countries. Shipping starts from Early May for Fuji X and Sony E mount. The Nikon Z and Canon RF will be shipped from Mid May.

Venus Optics press release:

Venus Optics announce the first lens of the f/0.95 ‘Argus’ line, Laowa ‘Argus’ 33mm f/0.95 CF APO

Starts capturing chromatic aberration-free image at f/0.95

Anhui China, May 03 , 2021 – Venus Optics, the manufacturer specialized in making unique camera lenses, is proud to introduce the Laowa ‘Argus’ 33mm f/0.95 CF APO, a magnificent f/0.95 prime lens for APS-C cameras.

The ‘Argus’ name was originally from the Greek mythology and was the name of a vigilant guardian with a hundred eyes and an “all-seeing” sight. The name represents the ultra-bright f/0.95 aperture of the lenses and the exceptional image quality they deliver.

The 35mm f/0.95 is the first released lens of the much anticipated Argus line. Featuring the ultra fast f/0.95 aperture with APO design, the lens offers photographers and videographers a classic focal length for everyday shooting and a versatility to shoot at difficult lighting condition. The lens delivers exception image quality at wide-open and suppresses the chromatic aberration to the minimal. Couple with the 35mm (1.15 feet) minimum focus distance, a buttery smooth and exquisite bokeh rendering can easily be created. It also equips with multiple touches of videographer friendly features for narrative filmmaking.

Key Features of Laowa ‘Argus’ 33mm f/0.95 CF APO

• f/0.95 Ultra-fast aperture
• APO (Apochromatic Optical Design)
• 35cm closest focusing distance
• Exquisite bokeh
• Long focus throw
• Internal focus
• Low focus breathing
• Stepless aperture ring

APO (Apochromatic Optical Design)

The new Argus 33mm f/0.95 was designed to deliver impressive performance at wide-open aperture. It incorporates one Extra-low Dispersion Glass, one Aspherical Lens and three Ultra High Refraction Glass to suppress both lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberration (CA) to the minimal at all apertures in its class. It also delivers an exceptional image sharpness across
the frame.

Ultra-fast f/0.95 Aperture

The ultra-fast f/0.95 aperture adds a dreamy atmosphere to your image that no other lenses can compare. The shallow depth of field offers great versatility for selective focus and isolate the subject for a better story telling. The fast aperture also makes handheld shooting at low light situations much easier. You can now tell your story in any condition without compromising your image with higher ISO. It is perfect for everything from prestigious portraits, low light photography & videography to everyday & astrophotography.

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Laowa Announced New Manual Lenses For Canon RF and EF-M Mounts

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New manual Laowa lenses coming from Venus Optics. Canon RF and EF-M mount versions among others.

Venus Optics announced five new Laowa lenses. Three for full frame cameras, one for APS-C and one fopr MFT.

  • Laowa CF 33mm F0.95 APO (Canon EF-M, Fuji X, Nikon Z and Sony E mounts)
  • Laowa FF II Argus 35mm F0.95 (Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E mounts)
  • Laowa FF II 45mm F0.95 (Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E mounts)
  • Laowa FF II 12–24mm F5.6 C-Dreamer Ultra-Wide Zoom (Canon RF, Leica M, Nikon Z and Sony E mounts)
  • Laowa 25mm F0.95 MFT (m4/3 mounts)

More information can be found at DPReview. Here is a list of Laowa lenses for Canon mounts, with some rather exotic designs.

Venus Optics Releases Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL For Canon EOS R

Laowa RF 11mm
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Another third party lens joins the Canon EOS R party. Venus Optics released the Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL lens for the RF mount.

The Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL sells at $699 and is available at Venus Optics. Along with the 11mm, they also released the Nikon Z mount version of the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO. There are a lot of interesting Laowa lenses for Canon cameras.

Specifications Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

Focal Length11mm
Max. Aperturef/4.5
Min. Aperturef/22
Angle of View126°
Format CompatibilityFull Frame
Lens Structure14 elements in 10 groups
Aperture Blades5
Min. Focusing Distance7.4” (19cm)
Max. Magnification0.1x
Filter Thread62mm
Dimensions⌀ 63.5mm x 58mm
Weight254g (8.9 oz.)
MountsLeica M, L mount, Sony FE, Nikon Z, Canon RF

Press release:

Venus Optics announces the add of Canon RF mount for Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL lens
and Nikon Z mount for Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO

(FF = Full Frame, RL = Rectilinear)

Anhui China, 19 Feb, 2021 – Venus Optics, the manufacturer specialized in making unique camera lenses, now offers more variants to 2 popular Laowa lenses. Added Canon RF mount for the Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL lens (Full Frame) and Nikon Z mount for Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO (APS-C). Offering Canon Full-frame (R, RP, R5 & R6) users an exceptional ultra-wide experience and the high magnification power on Nikon APS-C body (Z50).

Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

Laowa 11mm F4.5 FF RL is an extremely compact rectilinear(RL) wide-angle lens for full-frame (FF) mirrorless cameras. The remarkable 126° angle of view with 19cm minimum focus distance can be found in this 6.3cm(2.5 inches) long and 254g(8.9oz) lens. It allows you to capture the stunning landscape, precious travel moments and beautiful cityscape without any burden. The lens also includes 2 aspherical elements and 3 extra-low dispersion elements to guarantee the sharpness, suppress chromatic aberrations and distortion to the minimum.

Conveniently a 62mm filter can be screwed onto the lens directly, or a 100mm-wide filters can be used. The 5-bladed aperture able to create a clean and appealing stunning 10-point sunstars.

Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL is now available in Leica M, Sony FE, Nikon Z, Canon RF and L mount. MSRP in US is US$799(Leica M) and US$699(other mounts).

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35mm f/0.95 Lenses Coming For Canon RF and EF-M Mounts (and others)

35mm F/0.95
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You’ll soon be able to use a 35mm f/0.95 lens on your Canon EOS R or Canon EOS M.

Laowa is set to soon announce new lenses in the Argus lineup. Among these lenses is a 35mm f/0.95 lens for the EOS RF mount and one for the EOS EF-M mount. Here are the specs for the Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95, courtesy of the Chinese Weibo at Camerabeta.

  • Argus 33mm F0.95
  • low breathing effect
  • low dispersion
  • infinite aperture design
  • minimum focusing distance 35cm
  • filter size 62mm
  • size 71.5 x 83mm
  • weighing 590g
  • Sony E, Fuji X, Nikon Z and Canon RF and EF-M mount versions will be launched

More about Laowa lenses is listed here.

  • 35mm f/0.95

[via Fuji Rumors]

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Now Available For the Canon EOS R

Laowa 100mm F/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
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Venus Optics has released the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens for the Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts.

At a glance:

  • 2:1 Magnification at same physical size – All of the 100mm macro lenses in the market can only reproduce 1:1 magnificati on (life-size) image only. The extended 2x magnification means more details ca n be seen through the lens. Photographers can now take advantage of the wider magnification range to capture bugs at different sizes.
  • Apochromat APO design (invisible CA)- The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 has a Apochromat (APO) design where the chromatic aberration (CA) at BOTH in-focus & out-of-focus area is controlled to the minimal. CA has long been one of the most annoying aberrations for macro photography and now you can forget about this and focus more on taking a great shot.
  • Similar size as 1:1 macro lens – Despite the extended magnification range, the size of our Laowa 100mm is actually comparable to other macro lenses in the market.
  • Outstanding Sharpness
  • Smooth Bokeh rendering
  • Outstanding Portrait lens with crystal sharpness – Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro APO is not only a exceptionally macro lens. It can also focus to infinity and is a very decent telephoto portrait lens.

The new Laowa 100mm Macro is now available at major retailers at $449: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

More Laowa lenses coverage is listed here.

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

Venus Optics press release:

Venus Optics announce the availability of Canon RF & Nikon Z
options for the awards-winning Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens

Anhui China, Apr 20, 2020 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer
specializes in making unique camera lenses, is proud to announce that the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens was awarded with the ‘Best DSLR Macro Lens’ TIPA World Awards 2020 by Technical Image Press Association. Venus Optics is the first Chinese lens manufacturer getting this prestigious award in TIPA history. This is also the second international award received by this macro lens. (Previously been awarded with Lucie Technical Award ‘Best Special Purpose Lens” by Lucie Foundation) Venus Optics is also pleased to announce the new Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts are now ready to ship.

Launched in June 2019, the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens is the 2nd 2:1 Macro lens with infinity focus in Laowa Macro Lens lineup. It can achieve double life-sized magnification where most telephoto macro lens in the market can only focus up to 1:1. Unlike other ultra-macro lenses in the market, the Laowa 100mm can also focus to infinity, making it one of the most versatile lens in macro photography, product and portrait photography.

The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens has adopted an apochromatic (APO) design. Both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration has been controlled to the minimal through a carefully designed optics system with 2pcs of extra-low dispersion elements in use.

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens can cover full frame sensor and is available in 5 different mounts (Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Canon RF & Nikon Z).
Pricing & Availability: The suggested retail selling price in US of the new Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens is USD 449/pc (ex-VAT). Pricing varies in different countries.

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO Lens For Canon EOS M (and other mounts) Announced

Laowa 65mm F/2.8 2X Macro APO
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Venus Optics released another interesting lens at an affordable price, the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO.

The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO will be available for Canon EOS M, Fujj X and Sony E camera systems. The price of this manual lens is $399. Laowa lenses are listed at B&H Photo and Adorama.

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO MFT and specifications:

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO
Format CompatibilityAPS-C
Focal Length65mm
Angle of view24.4°
Aperturef/2.8 – 22
Lens Structure14 elements in 10 groups 
Aperture Blades9
Min. Focusing Distance17cm
Max. Magnification2:1
Filter Thread52mm 
DimensionsΦ57mm×100mm
Weight335g
MountFuji-X/ Canon EOS-M / Sony E

Press release:

Venus Optics announce pricing and availability of Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X macro lens, a compact macro lens with 2:1 magnification and invisible CA

Anhui China, Jan 24, 2020 – Venus Optics, the Chinese camera lenses manufacturer endeavoring in crafting unique manual lenses that no two alike, unveil the pricing and availability of the highlighted product in 2020: Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X macro APO. It is the first macro lens that Venus Optics specially design for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors. Looking at market offerings which can focus up to 1:1 at most, the Laowa macro lens is the only APS-C mirrorless lens in the market that is capable of achieving a 2:1 magnification. Despite its unique specifications and features, Venus Optics has decided to keep the lens reasonably affordable at US $399 (ex-VAT) only. Pricing varies in different countries. It comes with Fuji X, Sony E & EOS-M mounts.

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