You may recall that Venus Optics Laowa 7.5mm f/2.0 ultra-wide rectilinear lens we reported on last year, and the good news is that very lens is now available for pre-order for the not too shabby $499 USD. The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is billed as the world’s widest f/2 Lens for MFT cameras by its manufacturer. For anyone flying a DJI Inspire 1 or Inspire 2 drone with the X5S this new super-wide angle might be just perfect.
As well all know, for all of its benefits such as lower cost, better portability and smaller form factor, the Micro Four thirds universe becomes a black hole when it comes for lightweight, affordable and fast primes. Out of those three options, users usually end up forced to pick only two – either compact and fast, but not cheap, or cheap and fast, but not very compact.
The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 from Venus Optics is bound to change all that, as for $499 you get a compact, fast native lens and whether you are shooting on the Olympus E-M1 Mark II or Panasonic GH5 this lens will give you that ultra-wide perspective that is suitable for a variety of shooting scenarios including events, timelapse, astro-photogarphy, real estate/architecture where the fast f/2.0 aperture will be a huge bonus.
Laowa 7.5mm f/2.0 Specs and Highlights
- Micro Four Thirds mount
- Focal length: 7.5mm
- Maximum aperture: f/2
- Angle of view: 110°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 4.72” (12cm)
- Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 0.11x
- Manual Focus
- Filter thread: 49mm
- Dimensions (DxL): Φ50x55mm
- Weight: 0.37 pounds (170g)
- Comes in Silver or Black
- Price: $499 (standard version)
- Lightweight version – 150 grams available for $519
The two versions (standard vs lightweight) share the same optical design but the lightweight shaves off about 20 grams off the weight of the standard for a total weight of just 150 grams and is specially designed to work with drones.
The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 is a fully manual lens featuring a super-wide 110° angle of view and solid build quality. The body is constructed out of lightweight aluminium with the lens mount manufactured from Hard Chromium metal providing superb abrasion resistance and mount accuracy.
The presence of a mechanical aperture ring is a huge bonus for filmmakers, however it appears to be a standard “clicky” and it is not yet clear whether the manufacturer would release a fluid aperture version.
The lens also features a small detachable metal petal shaped lens hood enabling a 46mm filter thread and comes complete with the metal petal shaped detachable hood. Shipping is estimated to commence in May. To pre-order head over to Venus Optics.
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Is this thing focus by wire or manual?
Can’t you read: “MANUAL FOCUS LENS”?
Where did you saw a focus by wire in a mechanical lens?
This is a fully manual lens, so no focus by wire
A nice ultra wide lens, but I wouldn’t spent more than 300+ for a manual focus lens. It will be an interesting option after a year or two when the prices gets lower!
Sure, but considering the Oly 7-14mm f2.8 Pro is over $1000 and weights a ton, the Laowa seems cheap in comparison. Unless you go fisheye in this focal lengths there are not many options, at least none that are that fast. Still, it does cost 500 dollars, but in comparison to the alternatives, it makes sense.
I don’t think there is anything cheaper at this focal length and f/2.0 aperture, so you could be waiting a really long time.
You may be right but I’m not spending this amount of money on a manual focus lens!