Macro photography is typically done with either normal or telephoto lenses. Today, for the first time, Chinese optical company Venus Optics introduced a full frame ultra wide angle macro lens with 1:1 magnification called the LAOWA 15mm.
Venus Optics was able to wow the optical industry with its second unique design for a macro lens and this time instead of a super macro they decided to launch a product that many macro photographers have been looking for – for many years – an ultra wide angle macro lens.
The first LAOWA 15mm ultra wide angle macro lens
The video above was shot using this lens (which can be used for wide angle photography as well as macro work). The creative potential of this lens should not be understated and we will be looking forward to review it in the near future.
Below is the main specs of the LAOWA 15mm:
- Focal length: 15mm (full frame coverage).
- Aperture: max f/4 (min f/32).
- 12 elements in 9 groups (3 HRE and 1 ED).
- +/- 6mm Shift ability.
- 110 degrees with claimed low barrel distortion.
- min shooting distance: 12 cm (for 1:1 – 47 cm).
- Manual focus only.
- Magnification – 1:1.
- Filter size: 77mm (with flat front element).
- Weight 410 grams.
- Aperture blades: 14 (!).
- Mounts: Canon/Nikon/Sony FE/Pentax.
- Price: $480 (online – sever currently busy).
Venus already surprised the market a few months ago with its VENUS V-DX 60mm f/2.8 2:1 Super-Macro Lens (we looked at here). In the past we had our own video and extensive look at super macro photography and the Japanese made Nanoha 5:1 lens. We are hoping to do our own review of the Venus later this year.
Here are some sample images which were shot with the LAOWA 15mm:
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Iddo Genuth 
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