For me, 15mm prime has always been one of my most used focal lengths. I thought Zeiss would revive their ZM version, but this Laowa is optically better than the ZM in almost all aspects. Laowa rep is very responsive as well and they said they can arrange for a replacement soon if I can show them the problematic area.
Schlotkins wrote:
Yea I think unless you wanna shoot astro the 16-35 GM is the way to go. I know this lens has some coma wide open, but speed kills for astro
Chris
I saw some coma at f/2 but it's only visible towards the very edges on big stars and therefore easily fixed in post using the clone tool. (Just in case the image is presented as a big print)
There isn't any other 15mm f2 in the market and the Laowa is so light at 500g. The Sigma 14/1.8 comes to mind but needs to be adapted and it's huge and heavy. From the samples I've seen, it looks like it has even more coma at f/1.8.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I saw some coma at f/2 but it's only visible towards the very edges on big stars and therefore easily fixed in post using the clone tool. (Just in case the image is presented as a big print)
There isn't any other 15mm f2 in the market and the Laowa is so light at 500g. The Sigma 14/1.8 comes to mind but needs to be adapted and it's huge and heavy. From the samples I've seen, it looks like it has even more coma at f/1.8.
I'm just about convinced of replacing my Batis 18 for this Laowa 15. If only it had the sun stars from the CV15. How does the Laowa render? My Laowa 12mm needed some extra editing in post.
digital_AM wrote:
I'm just about convinced of replacing my Batis 18 for this Laowa 15. If only it had the sun stars from the CV15. How does the Laowa render? My Laowa 12mm needed some extra editing in post.
Basically, it's more defined compared to lenses with 9 'curved' aperture blades like the 12-24/4G, 16-35ZA, etc.
The Laowa 15/2 has "7" aperture blades but they are straight like the CV 15/4.5 III which gives more definition to sunstars.
So, the CV 15/4.5 III renders 10-point sunstars and the Laowa 14-point.
Basically, it's more defined compared to lenses with 9 'curved' aperture blades like the 12-24/4G, 16-35ZA, etc.
The Laowa 15/2 has "7" aperture blades but they are straight like the CV 15/4.5 III which gives more definition to sunstars.
So, the CV 15/4.5 III renders 10-point sunstars and the Laowa 14-point.
I am still trying to convince Laowa to introduce a 10 straight blade special edition.
Quick update on Laowa's CS: showed them my test shots, they agreed that it's a decentered copy. They asked me to send the lens back to HK for the replacement.
hiepphotog wrote:
Quick update on Laowa's CS: showed them my test shots, they agreed that it's a decentered copy. They asked me to send the lens back to HK for the replacement.
Remember to ship it DHL or FedEX with tracking. (USPS has no tracking outside the US)
Fully agree, I got the chance to take some more pictures with it yesterday, and this is a very nice lens, truly excellent given the focal length, aperture and size parameters. It eats the adapted Zeiss ZE 15/2.8 for lunch.
The main optical weakness is some lca in the corners, but I suspect adobe raw correction will fix that right up.
I shot the Disney music hall this morning and the Broad museum and they look amazing on the LCD. I have a full day of shooting the city of LA tomorrow and looking forward to using this lens. I have my 12-24 with me also and fun shooting them together. I shot from my hotel last night some long exposure stuff through my window and they are sharp as s tack.
GMPhotography wrote:
I shot the Disney music hall this morning and the Broad museum and they look amazing on the LCD. I have a full day of shooting the city of LA tomorrow and looking forward to using this lens. I have my 12-24 with me also and fun shooting them together. I shot from my hotel last night some long exposure stuff through my window and they are sharp as s tack.
