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Archive 2018Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
p.13 #1Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
MikeEvangelist wrote:
Doesn't look particularly sharp (at least to me). I guess if you like sunstars, it might be the ticket.
To be fair, long exposures aren't ideal for testing sharpness. Clearly it's got a lot of vignetting, but that's to be expected with this extreme of a design. If it's good at f/8 (think, not quite as good as the 16-35/4 but decently close) I think they will sell a lot.
Fred Miranda wrote
Here are some new samples supplied by Laowa:To be fair, long exposures aren't ideal for testing sharpness. Clearly it's got a lot of vignetting, but that's to be expected with this extreme of a design. If it's good at f/8 (think, not quite as good as the 16-35/4 but decently close) I think they will sell a lot.
Sep 17, 2018 at 07:51 PM
p.13 #2Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
rvh23 wrote:
I may try to test against the FE 12-24 as well.Fred, I'm very much looking forward to your review in a few days. It would be very helpful to me (and I suspect many others) if you can do a comparison with the Laowa 15/2. If at F8 it is not at least as good as that lens, it will be of little interest to me
I don't have high hopes it will performs similarly to the Laowa 15, FE 12-24 @15mm or the CV 15/4.5 III lenses. If it gets very close, I would be very surprised. However, I'm expecting it will do well against the CV 10mm and CV 12mm lenses.
Fred Miranda wrote
That's a zoom that could replace 3 primes for some shooters (10mm, 15mm and 18mm). I don't own the 10mm or 18mm but will test it against my CV 12 and Lox 21 lenses. It could be comparable to the former but I doubt it will touch the IQ of the latter.I may try to test against the FE 12-24 as well.
I don't have high hopes it will performs similarly to the Laowa 15, FE 12-24 @15mm or the CV 15/4.5 III lenses. If it gets very close, I would be very surprised. However, I'm expecting it will do well against the CV 10mm and CV 12mm lenses.
Sep 17, 2018 at 08:05 PM
p.13 #3Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
If by f8 it can match the corners of the 12-24, I am in.
Sep 17, 2018 at 08:33 PM
p.13 #4Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
I should get my copy on Monday. Sept 24th!
Sep 20, 2018 at 09:14 PM
p.13 #5Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
For anyone who is coming to Photokina 
Sep 20, 2018 at 10:16 PM
p.13 #6Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
It's here! 
...and it's vacuum packed.
...and it's vacuum packed.
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Sep 22, 2018 at 01:17 PM
p.13 #7Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
It weighs 497g with the included "UV" rear filter attached. Very nicely built with a metal cap.
It has aperture clicks every stop or can be de-clicked as well. Smooth zoom and MF rings.
it only came with the 37mm UV filter from T&Y FOTO (XS-Pro1 Digital MC)
I will order 37mm NDs to test it out.
It has aperture clicks every stop or can be de-clicked as well. Smooth zoom and MF rings.
it only came with the 37mm UV filter from T&Y FOTO (XS-Pro1 Digital MC)
I will order 37mm NDs to test it out.
Sep 22, 2018 at 01:25 PM
p.13 #8Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Looking forward to seeing the results from this one
Sep 22, 2018 at 01:42 PM
p.13 #9Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Eagerly waiting
Thanks so much
johnahill wrote:
Looking forward to seeing the results from this one
Thanks so much
johnahill wrote:
Looking forward to seeing the results from this one
Sep 22, 2018 at 01:44 PM
p.13 #10Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Oh, WOW...
Dare I ask:
When are you going to test it and post some of your results?
That is so awesome
Dare I ask:
When are you going to test it and post some of your results?
That is so awesome
Sep 22, 2018 at 01:53 PM
p.13 #11Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
As suspected, without the included UV filter (rear) infinity focus is not possible.
That tells me that I need to find a ND filter that matches the same 'included' UV glass thickness in order to avoid induced field curvature. I've asked Laowa for suggestions.
That tells me that I need to find a ND filter that matches the same 'included' UV glass thickness in order to avoid induced field curvature. I've asked Laowa for suggestions.
Sep 22, 2018 at 02:21 PM
p.13 #12Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
They should also offer IR filters.
Fred Miranda wrote:
As suspected, without the included UV filter (rear) infinity focus is not possible.
That tells me that I need to find a ND filter that matches the same 'included' UV glass thickness in order to avoid induced field curvature. I've asked Laowa for suggestions.
Fred Miranda wrote:
As suspected, without the included UV filter (rear) infinity focus is not possible.
That tells me that I need to find a ND filter that matches the same 'included' UV glass thickness in order to avoid induced field curvature. I've asked Laowa for suggestions.
Sep 22, 2018 at 02:28 PM
p.13 #13Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
(I will start a Rolling review thread)
Initial impressions:
Low axial CA but noticeable Lateral CA at all focal lengths. Goes away in post with a click of a button though
Stronger resolution at the wider range and f/8 seems to be the optimal aperture for great resolution across the field. (all FLs)
The 5-straight-blade aperture yields nice and well defined 10-point sunstars only a stop down from wide open!
There is some ghosting flare which I think is expected for such ultra wide zoom lens.
The rear UV filter must be attached at all times to achieve infinity focus
Strong and attractive metal build but no exif transmission
I will compare it to the CV 12, CV 15 and my Loxia 21. I believe it could do well against to the CV 10 and CV 12 lenses. Not sure about the CV 15.
Initial impressions:
Low axial CA but noticeable Lateral CA at all focal lengths. Goes away in post with a click of a button though
Stronger resolution at the wider range and f/8 seems to be the optimal aperture for great resolution across the field. (all FLs)
The 5-straight-blade aperture yields nice and well defined 10-point sunstars only a stop down from wide open!
There is some ghosting flare which I think is expected for such ultra wide zoom lens.
The rear UV filter must be attached at all times to achieve infinity focus
Strong and attractive metal build but no exif transmission
I will compare it to the CV 12, CV 15 and my Loxia 21. I believe it could do well against to the CV 10 and CV 12 lenses. Not sure about the CV 15.
Sep 22, 2018 at 02:39 PM
p.13 #14Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Fred Miranda wrote:
(I will start a Rolling review thread)
Initial impressions:
Low axial CA but noticeable Lateral CA at all focal lengths. Goes away in post with a click of a button though
Stronger resolution at the wider range and f/8 seems to be the optimal aperture for great resolution across the field. (all FLs)
The 5-straight-blade aperture yields nice and well defined 10-point sunstars only a stop down from wide open!
There is some ghosting flare which I think is expected for such ultra wide zoom lens.
The rear UV filter must be attached at all times to achieve infinity focus
Strong and attractive metal build...Show more →
Awesome! The big question is can it do better than the unsatisfactory mid to outer field of cv10 and the marginally satisfactory mid to outer field of cv12? If yes I’m in, if no I’d rather have a smaller cv if it’s no worse, and do without zooming. Not expecting it to match primes at 18 or 15, though if it did that’d be icing...
The other thing it’d be great to know is if distortion can be corrected straightforwardly with the LR slider. Obviously it can’t be auto with no EXIF, but if it’s simple to do, but if it’s moustache shaped and can’t easily be done (we would need to make custom profiles for each FL and take notes when shooting) that would count against it for architecture...
(I will start a Rolling review thread)
Initial impressions:
Low axial CA but noticeable Lateral CA at all focal lengths. Goes away in post with a click of a button though
Stronger resolution at the wider range and f/8 seems to be the optimal aperture for great resolution across the field. (all FLs)
The 5-straight-blade aperture yields nice and well defined 10-point sunstars only a stop down from wide open!
There is some ghosting flare which I think is expected for such ultra wide zoom lens.
The rear UV filter must be attached at all times to achieve infinity focus
Strong and attractive metal build...Show more →
Awesome! The big question is can it do better than the unsatisfactory mid to outer field of cv10 and the marginally satisfactory mid to outer field of cv12? If yes I’m in, if no I’d rather have a smaller cv if it’s no worse, and do without zooming. Not expecting it to match primes at 18 or 15, though if it did that’d be icing...
The other thing it’d be great to know is if distortion can be corrected straightforwardly with the LR slider. Obviously it can’t be auto with no EXIF, but if it’s simple to do, but if it’s moustache shaped and can’t easily be done (we would need to make custom profiles for each FL and take notes when shooting) that would count against it for architecture...
Sep 22, 2018 at 04:12 PM
p.13 #15Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
This lens is so important as far as this storm chaser is concerned. Im crossing my fingers on Fred's results...
Sep 22, 2018 at 04:53 PM
p.13 #16Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Thanks Fred. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the mid-range focal lengths. If it can't get close to Laowa's 15/2 (or your CV15) it will lose its appeal, as it would be an additional lens to carry, rather than a replacement.
Btw after a fair bit of field use of the 15/2 now, I do regularly encounter CA in the far corners with that lens too, but as you say it goes away with the click of a button.
Btw after a fair bit of field use of the 15/2 now, I do regularly encounter CA in the far corners with that lens too, but as you say it goes away with the click of a button.
Sep 22, 2018 at 05:20 PM
p.13 #17Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Fred, vs 12-24 would be great thanks!
thanks!Sep 22, 2018 at 06:23 PM
p.13 #18Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
Vs 16-35/4 pls
Sep 23, 2018 at 06:30 AM
p.13 #19Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
If the 10-18 does well against the CV 10/12, It's a sure buy.
Sep 23, 2018 at 08:29 AM
p.13 #20Official: Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom at 496 grams
I'm certainly curious how the 5-blade straight aperture performs. The Laowa test shots look pretty good with 10-point stars.
Contrast, vignetting, and flare are my big concerns, after resolution across the frame.
Contrast, vignetting, and flare are my big concerns, after resolution across the frame.
Sep 23, 2018 at 08:44 AM