Venus Optics, the Chinese camera lens manufacturer unveil the pricing and availability of the highlighted product in 2020: Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X macro APO. It is the first macro lens that Venus Optics specially design for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors. Looking at market offerings that can focus up to 1:1 at most, the Laowa macro lens is the only APS-C mirrorless lens in the market that is capable of achieving a 2:1 magnification, with a minimum focusing distance of 6.7” (17cm).

The wide magnification range is essential for shooting insects and plants at different sizes. A ~100mm (FF equivalent) field of view is also a handy focal length for macro photography. The lens can focus from 2:1 all the way to infinity and can be used for normal portrait shooting. The great versatility makes it a very useful tool for macro, portraiture product photography and even videography.

Weighted 11.8oz (335g), this remarkably lightweight, compact and versatile lens serves as an exceptional complement to APS-C cameras. Venus Optics takes advantage of the shorter flange distance and smaller sensors on Fuji X and Sony E cameras to compress the size of the lens to the minimal, making it the most compact macro set ever. Mirrorless camera shooters no longer need to adapt a huge Canon/Nikon macro lens to a smaller Fuji X / Sony E camera to get quality macro images.

Unlike some other macro lenses in the market which extends when focusing, the Laowa lens features an internal focus design so that the overall lens length is maintained during focusing. Macro lovers will certainly find this additional feature a big plus when shooting at insects at close distances.

The new Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X macro incorporates 14 elements in 10 groups design with 3 extra-low dispersion glasses to minimize chromatic aberrations across the frame. It has inherited the APO design from Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X macro lens and has outperformed market offerings in suppressing chromatic aberration. Most macro lenses in the market shine in terms of eliminating lateral chromatic aberration (LaCa) but falls short on the longitudinal CA (LoCA or Bokeh Fringing). The new Laowa 65mm macro lens is carefully designed to remove both LaCA and LoCA to an invisible level.

Attributed to the maximum aperture at f/2.8, the 65mm f/2.8 allows the photographer to work in a variety of lighting conditions and the minimum f/22 aperture helps to attain a deeper depth of field when working with close-up subjects. The fast aperture can help to create images with smooth and creamy bokeh.

Optimized for APS-C systems, the resulting images deliver stunning details and contrast from centre to corner even when using a wide open aperture. It is a professional prime lens which delivers exceptional resolution and sharpness with outstanding optical construction. The APO feature also lifts up the overall clarity, contrast and color fidelity throughout the entire frame.

The lens is currently available to order in authorized resellers and in Venus Optics official website.
The ex-VAT retail price is $399. Available in Fujifilm X, Sony E, and Canon M mount (APS-C).

More info on Venus Optics’ website.