Fred Miranda
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| p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Laowa 15mm f/2 FE: Rolling Review and Comparisons | |
In an effort to provide our readers with the latest and most up to date info, I will continue to update this review with additional tests and details as they become available.
Update:
The new Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D lens is now available for preorder at B&H Photo with availability in 2 weeks!
B&H Photo | Adorama ($849)
Help support FM by using our links for your purchase! - Thank you!
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Introduction:
Venus Optics prides themselves on providing “unique, practical and affordable lenses.” In fact over the last four years they have launched some appealing lenses into the marketplace.Main features:- E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22
- Three Extra-Low Dispersion Elements
- Two Aspherical Elements
- Rectilinear Design, Low Distortion
- Frog Eye Dust & Water-Repellent Coating
- Manual Focus Design
- Manual Aperture Ring Can Be De-Clicked
- 7-Blade Diaphragm (straight)
- Weight: 516g (measured)
- Filter thread: 72mm
- Elements/Groups: 12/9
- Angle of view: 110 degres
- Minimum Focus Distance: 15cm!!
The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D is their first ultra wide lens designed for the Sony E-mount. We were offered a production model to test for a few weeks and here’s a glimpse into what we found.
First - I was curious about many aspects of this lens including resolution, contrast and aberration control. Since I own great number of native lenses that cover the 15mm focal lens, I thought it would be interesting to compare them side-by-side at infinity distance and find out how they differ...
Build quality and Mechanical Manual focus:
Next -- build quality. This lens has an all-metal construction and an attractive classic look. The mechanical focusing ring glides smoothly with perfect resistance and a long throw. The focus guide is engraved and the metric distances start at 0.15m with markings for 0.2m, 0.5m, 1m and infinity. Yes, you read that right! This lens focuses all the way to 0.15m! You will feel as if you are almost touching your subject at this distance.
The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE focuses pass infinity and on my copy, true infinity focus is located very slightly to the right of the middle of the infinity mark. At this setting, I can get optimal center, mid and edges which indicates low field curvature at infinity distance. The manual focus sensitivity is ideal in the field and it reminds me of how the Loxia line focuses. Every tiny rotation adjustment makes a big difference in the magnified viewfinder. That’s a big difference to the Voigtlander ultra wides where not much changes by slightly rotating the focusing ring.
The included reversible hood is strong with an all-metal build and it’s also removable. The lens features a 72mm filter thread which is very uncommon for a fast ultra wide. Supporting filters (including square filters) is a great feature and incredibly important for landscape, architecture and astrophotography. The aperture ring is also metal, with subtle clicks every 1-stop. Intermediate apertures can only be estimated. I find it to work well in the field, but would prefer if the clicks were a bit more precise. A metal switch de-clicks the aperture and allows it to rotate smoothly for video work.
I find this lens to be incredibly compact for a 15mm f/2 and takes up very little space in my bag. It’s not much taller than my Loxia 21/2.8 and only weighs about 100 grams more. The Sony mirrorless shorter flange distance, allows this lens to be thinner, shorter and lighter when compared to SLR versions and even with the robust all-metal construction, the lens weighs only 516 grams without hood and caps. With hood and caps, it weighs around 575 grams.
Size comparison: FE 12-24/4, Laowa 15/2, FE 55/1.8 ZA, Loxia 21/2.8, CV 15/4.5 III
Front elements: Size comparison: FE 12-24/4, Laowa 15/2, FE 55/1.8 ZA, Loxia 21/2.8, CV 15/4.5 III
Laowa 15/2 vs FE 12-24/4 with hoods attached
Laowa 15/2 vs CV 15/4.5 III E-mount with hoods attached
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. Now how about a Sigma 150-600 for E mount? 
