p.1 #1 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Venus Optics officially announced two new lenses today: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO (SLR lens that can be adapted for the E-mount)
Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom
This lens is currently the widest zoom lens available for Sony full frame E-mount cameras. Designed primarily for travel photography, Venus optics have managed to compress the size to smallest in its class, less than 10 inch (<10cm) and only 1.1 pounds (<500g). The 102° (18mm) to 130° (10mm) angle of view provides flexibility for photographers to compose landscape or architecture photos with ease. The lens houses with 14 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements & 1 extra-low dispersion element to deliver exceptional performance. It can focus as close as 15cm for some mini-macro shooting. A rear filter slot is included to fit with 37mm filter. Click/clickless aperture can be toggled by the switch on the lens barrel.
Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
Followed by the success of the Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro, the 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro is the 2nd member of Laowa 2:1 macro line-up. This new 100mm lens can cover full frame sensor size and focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity. The wide magnification range allows macro photographers to capture subject at any sizes. This 100mm portrait lens also features an apochromatic (APO) characteristic that no chromatic aberration can be found. The 12 elements in 10 groups optics design delivers a crystal sharpness image in both macro and tele distances. Canon EF / Nikon AI / Pentax K / Sony FE mounts are available.
All lenses will be available for trial at Photokina 2018.
p.1 #8 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Going to put a dent in CV 10,12,15 as little difference spec wise all 4.5/5.6. Get a filter slot which might be helpful. ND would certainly work. CPL not so sure.
p.1 #11 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Jannik Peters wrote:
Not if there is a default glass filter.
Yes, good point. If the lens comes with a 37mm default filter, it should work as long as the replacement filter is the same thickness. Curious to see how that would work.
p.1 #12 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Like to see this size wise compared to the Laowa 15mm f2. Just to get a sense of it. Be nice to have the 10,12 alone and keep my 15 f2 . If it’s anything like the 15 it should be sharp
p.1 #13 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
GMPhotography wrote:
Like to see this size wise compared to the Laowa 15mm f2. Just to get a sense of it. Be nice to have the 10,12 alone and keep my 15 f2 . If it’s anything like the 15 it should be sharp
Dang wheels are already spinning.
It could perform similarly to the Laowa 15 @15mm since it may be the zoom's optimal focal length. That goes for aberration control and distortion as well.
Stop pretending Guy, we all know you are getting this one.
p.1 #16 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
It's always a shame if no CPU is included - is this true?
The wide zoom is interesting, but I don't have a good macro for work purposes and the 100mm is a good working distance for me. APO eh . . .
For me the true test of these wide zooms are what happens when you point them into the sun - flare/ghosts/sun-stars. Also wonder how sharp those corners are going to be.
p.1 #18 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
jhinkey wrote:
It's always a shame if no CPU is included - is this true?
The wide zoom is interesting, but I don't have a good macro for work purposes and the 100mm is a good working distance for me. APO eh . . .
For me the true test of these wide zooms are what happens when you point them into the sun - flare/ghosts/sun-stars. Also wonder how sharp those corners are going to be.
It would be great if they figure out a way to include EXIF transmission but It's a way for Laowa to remain competitive price-wise. If they start adding electronics, 10-blade aperture with tight tolerance, etc...their prices go up! What they offer is high IQ with some feature compromises.
p.1 #20 · Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Fred Miranda wrote:
It would be great if they figure out a way to include EXIF transmission but It's a way for Laowa to remain competitive price-wise. If they start adding electronics, 10-blade aperture with tight tolerance, etc...their prices go up! What they offer is high IQ with some feature compromises.
I know everything is a choice, but for some of us their are too many compromises . . . plus since these have aperture de-clicking these may be targeted more for video makers instead of still photogs and things like EXIF are not important to video guys (in general).
