Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
p.1 #1Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Looking for an ultra wide in the 10 to 12mm range. Since I want to use it for event photography f2.8 or f4 is nice. If it starts at f5.6 this might be ok as well, but it must be tak sharp at f5.6. AF or MF is not important, either is fine.
Wide angles capture a lot of bright lights and contrasty edges. Excellent LOCA correction would be rather important.
From Sony only the rather heavy zooms come to mind. But I do do not need a zoom range to 20 or even 24mm, since I have other options there. Any other offerings out there from Japanese, Korean or even Chinese manufacturers? (I don‘t believe there is anything German). Who has the best corrected lens in this range?
Wide angles capture a lot of bright lights and contrasty edges. Excellent LOCA correction would be rather important.
From Sony only the rather heavy zooms come to mind. But I do do not need a zoom range to 20 or even 24mm, since I have other options there. Any other offerings out there from Japanese, Korean or even Chinese manufacturers? (I don‘t believe there is anything German). Who has the best corrected lens in this range?
Aug 09, 2026 at 03:25 AM
p.1 #2Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Laowa 10 and 12 f/2.8
New Tamron 12-20, haven't looked at it, but since you didn't mention it I assume you've ruled it out.
The Sony zooms you mentioned.
CVs, but I believe the Laowa are stronger from what I remember.
No first hand experience with any of them.
But this is probably the one I would look at, if I didn't want to spend the money on the 12-24mm GM.
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1131&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=1131&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
And then the 10mm if I wanted wider.
New Tamron 12-20, haven't looked at it, but since you didn't mention it I assume you've ruled it out.
The Sony zooms you mentioned.
CVs, but I believe the Laowa are stronger from what I remember.
No first hand experience with any of them.
But this is probably the one I would look at, if I didn't want to spend the money on the 12-24mm GM.
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1131&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=1131&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
And then the 10mm if I wanted wider.
Aug 09, 2026 at 06:21 AM
p.1 #3Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
I have not personally used it, but the recent 12mm autofocus from Laowa has been well received. Here is a link to Bastian's review over at Phillip Reeves' site.
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af/
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af/
Aug 09, 2026 at 07:33 AM
p.1 #4Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
For a time the Voigtlander 10mm and 12mm were the best options available then Laowa came out strong and I recall several reviews indicating the Laowa's were better overall.
Aug 09, 2026 at 12:22 PM
p.1 #5Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
I used to own the Sony 12-24/4. I had no complaints optically. I liked to use ultrawide in churches so f/4 is a bit slow. I also learned I’m not real skilled in ultrawide.
I really enjoy the Sony 20/1.8, but that doesn’t sound wide enough. Sony alpha blog has a list of about all Sony lenses with ratings, I would look there.
I really enjoy the Sony 20/1.8, but that doesn’t sound wide enough. Sony alpha blog has a list of about all Sony lenses with ratings, I would look there.
Aug 09, 2026 at 04:18 PM
p.1 #6Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Thanks for pointing to the Laowa 12mm.
As I understand, there is also a cine version of this lens which is manual focus. Since it is twice as expensive I wonder if it has better performance? (coatings, more stringent control of centering etc.?)
BTW: This is a bit offf topic for this thread, but I have noticed that several lenses from different manufacturers are available as standard and as cine lens. Why is it that the cine version is regularly more expensive? Can I expect a better lens or better quality control?
As I understand, there is also a cine version of this lens which is manual focus. Since it is twice as expensive I wonder if it has better performance? (coatings, more stringent control of centering etc.?)
BTW: This is a bit offf topic for this thread, but I have noticed that several lenses from different manufacturers are available as standard and as cine lens. Why is it that the cine version is regularly more expensive? Can I expect a better lens or better quality control?
Aug 10, 2026 at 12:37 AM
p.1 #7Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Here is a helpful guide to ultrawides: https://phillipreeve.net/blog/user-guide-ultra-wideangle-lenses-sony-alpha-7-series/ (that includes the link posted earlier for the Laowa, but in the context of a larger discussion about ultrawide lenses).
Aug 10, 2026 at 05:01 AM
p.1 #8Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Best is tough to say. I will say I am quite pleased with my Tamron 12-20/2.8 zoom at 12mm even wide open at f2.8. It’s a new lens, so there me be copy variations, but I am very pleased with mine so far.
Aug 10, 2026 at 08:16 AM
p.1 #9Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
I've used the Laowa 10mm. The autofocus on my copy bounced all over the place sometimes but that may have been due to a natural consequence of such a wide angle. Also the vignetting was strong and the ghosting was off-putting. I kept comparing it to the 14mm GM and it just couldn't measure up. That being said, 14mm isn't 10mm and that alone was worth it. There's a manual focus 9mm Laowa but it's a 5.6 I believe.
Aug 10, 2026 at 09:12 AM
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p.1 #10Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Knut. wrote:
Looking for an ultra wide in the 10 to 12mm range. Since I want to use it for event photography f2.8 or f4 is nice. If it starts at f5.6 this might be ok as well, but it must be tak sharp at f5.6. AF or MF is not important, either is fine.
Wide angles capture a lot of bright lights and contrasty edges. Excellent LOCA correction would be rather important.
From Sony only the rather heavy zooms come to mind. But I do do not need a zoom range to 20 or even 24mm, since I have other options there. Any...Show more →
The Sony and Sigma lenses are likely the best from a resolution and IQ standpoint and they will have AF, but the flagship models are huge and expensive. I would love to have the Sigma 15 1.4 for Astro, but that would really be its only use-case in my workflow.
I have been investing in Laowa lenses for quite a while now and they are usually a good choice. I believe Laowa makes AF, MF & Cine versions of their mirrorless ultrawides. They also make an M mount 12-24 F/5.6, which optically is the best of the bunch, but is obviously limited to 5.6. It seems to perform well across all systems, including the 44x33. You can shoot it wide open with no issues, even in IR - which is very demanding - and it's sharp across the frame. It also covers the 44x33 frame from about 16mm and up, with sharp corners even on the larger sensor.
I have the Manual Focus E mount version of the 10mm 2.8 and the Cine L mount model of the 12mm 2.8. The Cine version is definitely built better, but that is expected with Cine specific lenses. The performance of the Cine 12 is better than my copy of the 10, but since they are for different systems, it's hard to tell where the difference lies. The 10 is fine, but can get soft in the corners wide open. The 12 is newer, so I suspect it's a more refined optical formula, since it's a redesign of an older lens.
Like you, I have never found a need for AF in an ultra wide, so that isn't usually a consideration. Faster lenses are mandatory for astro, but generally slower lenses are fine for daylight use.
Looking for an ultra wide in the 10 to 12mm range. Since I want to use it for event photography f2.8 or f4 is nice. If it starts at f5.6 this might be ok as well, but it must be tak sharp at f5.6. AF or MF is not important, either is fine.
Wide angles capture a lot of bright lights and contrasty edges. Excellent LOCA correction would be rather important.
From Sony only the rather heavy zooms come to mind. But I do do not need a zoom range to 20 or even 24mm, since I have other options there. Any...Show more →
The Sony and Sigma lenses are likely the best from a resolution and IQ standpoint and they will have AF, but the flagship models are huge and expensive. I would love to have the Sigma 15 1.4 for Astro, but that would really be its only use-case in my workflow.
I have been investing in Laowa lenses for quite a while now and they are usually a good choice. I believe Laowa makes AF, MF & Cine versions of their mirrorless ultrawides. They also make an M mount 12-24 F/5.6, which optically is the best of the bunch, but is obviously limited to 5.6. It seems to perform well across all systems, including the 44x33. You can shoot it wide open with no issues, even in IR - which is very demanding - and it's sharp across the frame. It also covers the 44x33 frame from about 16mm and up, with sharp corners even on the larger sensor.
I have the Manual Focus E mount version of the 10mm 2.8 and the Cine L mount model of the 12mm 2.8. The Cine version is definitely built better, but that is expected with Cine specific lenses. The performance of the Cine 12 is better than my copy of the 10, but since they are for different systems, it's hard to tell where the difference lies. The 10 is fine, but can get soft in the corners wide open. The 12 is newer, so I suspect it's a more refined optical formula, since it's a redesign of an older lens.
Like you, I have never found a need for AF in an ultra wide, so that isn't usually a consideration. Faster lenses are mandatory for astro, but generally slower lenses are fine for daylight use.
Aug 10, 2026 at 03:30 PM
p.1 #11Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
So if you avoid zooms, consenus is the Laowa 12mm cine mount is the best option in the 10-12mm range?
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
Aug 14, 2026 at 01:54 AM
p.1 #12Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Jack Flesher wrote:
Best is tough to say. I will say I am quite pleased with my Tamron 12-20/2.8 zoom at 12mm even wide open at f2.8. It’s a new lens, so there me be copy variations, but I am very pleased with mine so far.
I will get mine today. So far, the reviews have been very positive; it is fairly light-weight and pretty small for what it covers. At f/2.8 it is also fairly fast. The only downside right now is... the price since it just came out. I am pretty sure it will go down in a few months. Not the MSRP but I believe retailers will be more motivated to sell their stock...
Best is tough to say. I will say I am quite pleased with my Tamron 12-20/2.8 zoom at 12mm even wide open at f2.8. It’s a new lens, so there me be copy variations, but I am very pleased with mine so far.
I will get mine today. So far, the reviews have been very positive; it is fairly light-weight and pretty small for what it covers. At f/2.8 it is also fairly fast. The only downside right now is... the price since it just came out. I am pretty sure it will go down in a few months. Not the MSRP but I believe retailers will be more motivated to sell their stock...
Aug 14, 2026 at 07:58 AM
p.1 #13Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
AGeoJO wrote:
I will get mine today. So far, the reviews have been very positive; it is fairly light-weight and pretty small for what it covers. At f/2.8 it is also fairly fast. The only downside right now is... the price since it just came out. I am pretty sure it will go down in a few months. Not the MSRP but I believe retailers will be more motivated to sell their stock...
As good as it has been already, the extra $200 (or thereabouts) I spent to have it now as opposed to this winter has already been worth it. At least for me and my uses. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback!
Jack Flesher wrote
Best is tough to say. I will say I am quite pleased with my Tamron 12-20/2.8 zoom at 12mm even wide open at f2.8. It’s a new lens, so there me be copy variations, but I am very pleased with mine so far.As good as it has been already, the extra $200 (or thereabouts) I spent to have it now as opposed to this winter has already been worth it. At least for me and my uses. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback!
Aug 14, 2026 at 08:02 AM
p.1 #14Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Knut. wrote:
So if you avoid zooms, consenus is the Laowa 12mm cine mount is the best option in the 10-12mm range?
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
I would recommend that you start with the normal version: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1904391-REG/venus_optics_ve1228mf14fe_laowa_12mm_f_2_8_lite.html
It's half the cost of the Cine version and more compact. I don't have any direct experience that supports the Cine version having better image quality (it does have superior build quality, but is also larger). If you are unsatisfied with the IQ, then that might justify trying the cine version.
So if you avoid zooms, consenus is the Laowa 12mm cine mount is the best option in the 10-12mm range?
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
I would recommend that you start with the normal version: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1904391-REG/venus_optics_ve1228mf14fe_laowa_12mm_f_2_8_lite.html
It's half the cost of the Cine version and more compact. I don't have any direct experience that supports the Cine version having better image quality (it does have superior build quality, but is also larger). If you are unsatisfied with the IQ, then that might justify trying the cine version.
Aug 14, 2026 at 08:16 AM
p.1 #15Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
Knut. wrote:
So if you avoid zooms, consenus is the Laowa 12mm cine mount is the best option in the 10-12mm range?
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
The cine version might have a longer focus throw and different aperture mechanism, you'd have to research. Optically I'd doubt there is much difference. And again, I have no direct exposure to any of these lenses. But I try to stay up with the Joneses. The Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 is definitely interesting, but from what I've gathered anecdotally, just from my normal perusing is that the Laowa 12mm would probably be sharper in the corners wide open. But I bet copy variation could invalidate any advantages. And who knows, I'm not sure anyone has compared them, especially with the Tamron being so new.
I had been considering buying the Laowa 10mm, but I ended up going the route of the NiSi 16mm f/2.8 for GFX (which is about 12.6mm effective in 35mm land).
I think lenses like this are a bit niche, so you may not get a lot of hands on experience type feedback. I'd look at the Phillip Reeve website.
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af/
Edited on Aug 14, 2026 at 04:30 PM · View previous versions
So if you avoid zooms, consenus is the Laowa 12mm cine mount is the best option in the 10-12mm range?
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
The cine version might have a longer focus throw and different aperture mechanism, you'd have to research. Optically I'd doubt there is much difference. And again, I have no direct exposure to any of these lenses. But I try to stay up with the Joneses. The Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 is definitely interesting, but from what I've gathered anecdotally, just from my normal perusing is that the Laowa 12mm would probably be sharper in the corners wide open. But I bet copy variation could invalidate any advantages. And who knows, I'm not sure anyone has compared them, especially with the Tamron being so new.
I had been considering buying the Laowa 10mm, but I ended up going the route of the NiSi 16mm f/2.8 for GFX (which is about 12.6mm effective in 35mm land).
I think lenses like this are a bit niche, so you may not get a lot of hands on experience type feedback. I'd look at the Phillip Reeve website.
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af/
Edited on Aug 14, 2026 at 04:30 PM · View previous versions
Aug 14, 2026 at 10:10 AM
p.1 #16Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
tsdevine wrote:
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)The cine version might have a longer focus throw and different aperture mechanism, you'd have to research. Optically I'd doubt there is much difference. And again, I have no direct exposure to any of these lenses. But I try to stay up with the Joneses. The Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 is definitely interesting, but from what I've gathered anecdotally, just from my normal perusing is that the Laowa 12mm would probably be sharper in the corners wide open. But I bet copy variation could invalidate any advantages. And who knows, I'm not sure anyone has compared them, especially with the Tamron...Show more →
FYI - the reviews you linked for the Laowa 12 are for two different lenses. The first link is for the redesigned version released last year. The original version was released in 2007, which is the lens reviewed at TDP in the 2nd link. They are quite different in both performance and size. The new version is a mirrorless lens which uses 72mm filters and the original version was a DSLR lens which could use 95mm filters, but only with a special adapter.
EDIT* It should also be noted that there are two versions of the new 12mm lens. There is an AF model with a 5 bladed aperture, which is the one reviewed at philipreeve.com. There is also a MF version with a 14 bladed aperture, which is shown at the B&H link I provided above. I doubt the optics are significantly different, but the aperture design is definitely different. These lenses focus very close, so you can easily throw the background out of focus at MFD and the bokeh is nicer with the 14 blade aperture when the lens is stopped down a bit. The Cine version of the 12mm 2.8 is yet another variation and it has the 14 blade aperture and uses 77mm filters. Available here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1886178-REG/venus_optics_ve1229vvfe_laowa_12mm_t2_9_lite.html
Knut. wrote
So if you avoid zooms, consenus is the Laowa 12mm cine mount is the best option in the 10-12mm range?(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
FYI - the reviews you linked for the Laowa 12 are for two different lenses. The first link is for the redesigned version released last year. The original version was released in 2007, which is the lens reviewed at TDP in the 2nd link. They are quite different in both performance and size. The new version is a mirrorless lens which uses 72mm filters and the original version was a DSLR lens which could use 95mm filters, but only with a special adapter.
EDIT* It should also be noted that there are two versions of the new 12mm lens. There is an AF model with a 5 bladed aperture, which is the one reviewed at philipreeve.com. There is also a MF version with a 14 bladed aperture, which is shown at the B&H link I provided above. I doubt the optics are significantly different, but the aperture design is definitely different. These lenses focus very close, so you can easily throw the background out of focus at MFD and the bokeh is nicer with the 14 blade aperture when the lens is stopped down a bit. The Cine version of the 12mm 2.8 is yet another variation and it has the 14 blade aperture and uses 77mm filters. Available here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1886178-REG/venus_optics_ve1229vvfe_laowa_12mm_t2_9_lite.html
Aug 14, 2026 at 03:31 PM
p.1 #17Best options in the 10 to 12mm range?
josh-himes wrote:
(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)The cine version might have a longer focus throw and different aperture mechanism, you'd have to research. Optically I'd doubt there is much difference. And again, I have no direct exposure to any of these lenses. But I try to stay up with the Joneses. The Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 is definitely interesting, but from what I've gathered anecdotally, just from my normal perusing is that the Laowa 12mm would probably be sharper in the corners wide open. But I bet copy variation could invalidate any advantages. And who knows, I'm not sure anyone has compared them, especially with the Tamron being so new.
I had been considering buying the Laowa 10mm, but I ended up going the route of the NiSi 16mm f/2.8 for GFX (which is about 12.6mm effective in 35mm land).
I think lenses like this are a bit niche, so you may not get a lot of hands on experience type feedback. I'd look at the Phillip Reeve website and the Laowa's are even up on The Digital Picture and you can see some actual lens chart photos. (Although with UWA they can be misleading, as you'd have to focus very close to shoot a chart and not all lenses my be flat field when focused close....although that can be true I guess no matter where you focus.
. )
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af/
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Venus-Optics-Laowa-12mm-f-2.8-Zero-D-Lens.aspx
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1131FYI - the reviews you linked for the Laowa 12 are for two different lenses. The first link is for the redesigned version released last year. The original version was released in 2007, which is the lens reviewed at TDP in the 2nd link. They are quite different in both performance and size. The new version is a mirrorless lens which uses 72mm filters and the original version was a DSLR lens which could use 95mm filters, but only with a special adapter.
EDIT* It should also be noted that there are two versions of the new 12mm lens. There is...Show more →
Oof. Thank you for catching that! Sloppy on my part. Let me try to go back and clean up the mess I made in that post. At least the really inaccurate stuff. Will have to read it later to maybe fully clean it up. TDP started reviewing Viltrox lenses recently and I glossed over the Laowa was a completely different lens.
tsdevine wrote
Knut. wrote
So if you avoid zooms, consenus is the Laowa 12mm cine mount is the best option in the 10-12mm range?(Optical performance and centering coming first and AF not being important on such an ultrawide)
I had been considering buying the Laowa 10mm, but I ended up going the route of the NiSi 16mm f/2.8 for GFX (which is about 12.6mm effective in 35mm land).
I think lenses like this are a bit niche, so you may not get a lot of hands on experience type feedback. I'd look at the Phillip Reeve website and the Laowa's are even up on The Digital Picture and you can see some actual lens chart photos. (Although with UWA they can be misleading, as you'd have to focus very close to shoot a chart and not all lenses my be flat field when focused close....although that can be true I guess no matter where you focus.
. )https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af/
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Venus-Optics-Laowa-12mm-f-2.8-Zero-D-Lens.aspx
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1131
EDIT* It should also be noted that there are two versions of the new 12mm lens. There is...Show more →
Oof. Thank you for catching that! Sloppy on my part. Let me try to go back and clean up the mess I made in that post. At least the really inaccurate stuff. Will have to read it later to maybe fully clean it up. TDP started reviewing Viltrox lenses recently and I glossed over the Laowa was a completely different lens.
Aug 14, 2026 at 04:29 PM