Venus Optics Announced Two Laowa Cinema Lenses (100mm Macro & 65mm Macro)

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Venus Optics announced two new Laowa lenses for Cinema applications, Laowa 65mm T2.9 2X Macro APO Cine (Super 35)
Laowa 100mm T2.9 2X Ultra Macro APO Cine (Full Frame).

Learn more with the video below.

Venus Optics press release:

Anhui China, 6 October, 2022 – Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer that has been endeavouring to invent unique lenses, is now releasing 2 new cine macro lenses: 

1) Laowa 65mm T2.9 2X Macro APO Cine (Super 35) – Fujifilm X / Sony E/ / Nikon Z / Canon EF-M

2) Laowa 100mm T2.9 2X Ultra Macro APO Cine (Full Frame) – PL / Sony E / Canon EF / Canon RF / L mount

The 2 lenses offer up to an exceptional 2X magnification which can barely be found on the market. Providing cinematographers higher flexibility in shooting subjects of different sizes. With an APO design, the lenses render quality images without chromatic aberration. Greatly reduce the effort for post-editing, especially for macro shots. Both the 65mm and the 100mm have a T2.9 large aperture for not just creating a shallower depth of field, but also good for low light situations. Make ready for professional use, the focusing ring and the step-less aperture ring are all equipped with industrial standard 0.8 mod gear. A 77mm filter thread is on both lenses so the cinematographers can choose between screw-in filters or using matte boxes. The weight of the two lenses is respectively 550g and 957g for 65mm and 100mm. With the competitive price of USD599 for 65mm and USD999 for 100mm, these lenses would be perfect for all sorts of commercials or cine productions.

The 2:1 magnification is rarely found in the market. It allows cinematographers to capture rich macro details of the subject. From capturing wildlife, product closeup or anything that needs an immersive perspective, both lenses would offer stunning image quality. Being able to focus to infinity, the 65mm and 100mm can also use for portrait shots. Minimum focusing distance of 17cm (6.69″) and 24.7cm (9.7″) respectively for 65mm and 100mm when shooting 2X macro.

The 65mm and 100mm also inherited the excellent APO design as most of the Laowa macro lenses do, effectively eliminate both lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations in the frame. Greatly reduce the amount of effort in post-editing.

Both lenses deliver stunning details and contrast from centre to corner even when using a wide-open aperture. These two professional prime lenses are built to deliver exceptional resolution and sharpness.

Specification

Laowa 65mm T2.9 2X Macro APO CineLaowa 100mm T2.9 2X Macro APO Cine
Focal Length65mm100mm
Angle of View24.4°26.1°
T Stop RangeT2.9-22T2.9-22
Format CompatibilityS35Full Frame
Lens Structure14 elements in 10 groups12 elements in 10 groups
Aperture Blades   913
Min. Focusing Distance17 cm24.7cm
Min. Working Distance8 cm7.1cm
Max. Magnification2X2X
Focus Throw249°220°
Filter Thread77mm77mm
Dimensions84.8 x 103mm85.6 x 139mm
Weight550g957g
MountsCanon EF-M / Fujifilm X/ Sony E/ Nikon ZArri PL / Sony E / Canon EF / Canon R /L mount

Laowa 58mm f/2.8 APO 2x Macro Review (great value, D. Abbott)

Laowa 58mm f/2.8
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Here is a Laowa 58mm f/2.8 APO 2x Macro review by one of the most serious and professional gear reviewers you may find. The The Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO has been just announced, and sells at $499 at Venus Optics.

Dustin Abbott posted his exhaustive and complete Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO review. From Mr. Abbott’s conclusion:

[…] I’m delighted with the Laowa 58mm F2.8 APO 2x Macro. While it is very similar in many ways to the 90mm F2.8 APO 2x Macro, the wider focal length opens up a lot of different and unique opportunities. Very close macro is a little more difficult due to the closer working distance, but I do think that is compensated for by the versatility of the focal length for other subjects.

It is that versatility that makes this such an appealing option, much like my Voigtländer 65mm but with more macro capabilities […]

When you look at the price tag (about $500 USD) relative to the competing lenses, the Laowa really starts to feel like a great value, particularly if you tend to do your macro work utilizing manual focus anyway. Modern mirrorless bodies eliminate a lot of the sting of doing macro work, and you can’t argue with the kinds of results you can get from this lens. This is a top-notch value lens, and should be near the top of your macro list if you own a Canon, Sony, Nikon, or Leica mirrorless body and would prefer a slightly wider angle of view in your macro lens.

Read the full review on Dustin Abbott’s website…

The review comes with test charts, sample pics, and much more. As usual, D. Abbott also posts a video-review that someone might prefer to the written review. It’s here for your viewing pleasure.

More reviews by Dustin Abbott are listed here.

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Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO Lens Announced

Laowa 58mm f/2.8
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Venus Optics announced a new lens, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO, RF mount version available among other mount types.

The Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO sells at $499 and is available at Venus Optics.

Press release:

Anhui China, 22 September, 2022 – Venus Optics, the lens manufacturer that has been always endeavouring to invent unique lenses, is stoked to release the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO. This mirrorless-designed macro lens offers a 40.9° angle of view on full frame sensors. And like many other Laowa macro lenses, it can focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity which makes it suitable for professional macro, portrait or a walk-around lens. It features an apochromatic (APO) design that chromatic aberration is compressed to the minimum. With 3 ED elements and 3 Ultra-High Refractive Index elements, the lens delivers an outstanding sharpness. Despite its metal housing, the lens only weighs 595g which is extremely portable. It comes with 4 mount options: Sony E / Canon R / Nikon Z / L mount and a price of USD499.

Up to 2x magnification 

This new 58mm lens has the capability to focus from 2X magnification to infinity. The minimum focusing distance is 7.29” (18.5cm). Giving you more flexibility in subject selection. From tiny ant to larger dragonfly, you can capture it with one single lens.

More than a macro lens

Being able to focus infinity, the 58mm focal length (40.9° AoV) pair with the f/2.8 aperture give the lens more usage than just a macro lens. You can also use it for portrait, product photography or use as walk-around lens.

Apochromat (APO) design

The lens is engineered to suppress both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration across in-focus & out-of-focus areas. Purple fringing and ghosting are controlled to the minimum throughout the aperture range. The APO design greatly reduces your post-editing time substantially especially in macro photography.

Outstanding sharpness and image quality

Specially designed for mirrorless system, the lens packed 3 ED elements and 3 Ultra-High Refractive Index elements. With a shorter flange distance, it is not only improving the image sharpness but also makes the lens more compact. It brings you a whole new macro shooting experience.

Deeper depth of field 

The shorter focal length relative to 100mm would give greater depth of field. You can get more in-focus details from your subject under the same aperture. This gives you more control when creating unique visual narratives.

Smooth and Pleasant Bokeh

The 13 aperture blades would create smooth and pleasing bokeh. A stunning background can easily achieve.

Compact size

This lens weighs only 595g with the dimensions of Ø74 x 117mm, making it much smaller than other main-stream option in the market. You can carry it around without burden.

Internal Focusing

The internal focusing design avoids collision of the lens and your subject. It also reduces the chance for dust particles getting into the lens.

Today Only: Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro (Canon EF) – $149 (reg. $239)

Zhongyi 20mm
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Only for today (8/31/2022) B&H Photo has a $90 discount on the Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro for Canon EF mount.

At a glance:

  • Canon EF Mount/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to f/16
  • Magnification Range: 4.5x to 4x
  • Minimum Working Distance: 0.8″
  • Manual Focus Operation
  • Metal Lens Barrel
  • 3-Blade Diaphragm

Get the Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro for Canon EF mount on sale at $149. Compare at $239.

More selected deals:

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Venus Optics Announces Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO For MILCs

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A new Laowa lens has been announced, and it is for mirrorless cameras.

Venus Optics announced the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens. The video below introduces the new Laowa lens.

Click here to learn more about the new Laowa lens.

Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO is specifically designed for mirrorless cameras with full-frame sensors size. With its fascinating 2:1 magnification capability and focus to infinity, the lens can capture subjects in any size, making it very versatile for different applications including macro, commercial and portrait photography. It is super compact and lightweight, the size of the lens is significantly smaller than other equivalents on the market. An apochromatic (APO) characteristic is equipped even in high magnification to provide outstanding image quality.

The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Review (great lens with some added weirdness)

RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS review
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Here is a new Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Review. The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro is a lens getting many positive reviews. A rather interesting lens for any EOS R owner.

At a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • 1.4x Magnification with Autofocus
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 10.2″
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus
  • Optical Image Stabilization; Hybrid IS
  • Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes
  • 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

The experts at Optical Limits posted their Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro review. From their conclusion:

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L USM macro IS is a great lens with some added weirdness. Optically, it is capable of delivering very sharp images straight from f/2.8 – just as you would expect from a moderately fast macro lens. Image distortions are basically negligible even without correction. Lateral CAs are on the low side as well and can be easily corrected anyway. This can’t be said of the raw vignetting which is comparatively high at f/2.8 so auto-correction should remain activated. The quality of the bokeh is generally pleasing with a smooth background blur and nicely rendered highlights. The foreground blur isn’t ideally rendered but that’s usually of lesser concern. Bokeh lovers may also like the SA feature on the lens but, to be honest, for most of us, it’ll remain an oddity that you have to pay for without using it. Maybe video makers can appreciate it more than photographers. That being said – the massive focus-breathing doesn’t help with videos. A bit concerning are the RSAs when stopping down – focus shifts aren’t helpful at very close focus distances. It’s something to keep in mind when shooting at least.

More coverage of this outstanding lens is listed here.

Preorders in USA are open at $1,399: B&H Photo | Adorama. If you are based in UK we recommend Park Cameras. More worldwide preorders: [shoplist 65917]

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