Venus Optics Announces the Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift Lens
Chinese lens manufacturer Venus Optics has just announced a new wide-angle shift lens with very minimal distortion, the Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift, that provides a plus or minus 11mm shift on full-frame cameras and gives architectural photographers the ability to have more control over perspective.
The shift adjustment is particularly useful to correct converging vertical lines when taking stills of tall structures and buildings. The lens is part of the Zero-D series, which delivers close-to-zero distortion, according to the company.
The lens is constructed of 16 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements. It features a 14-blade aperture diaphragm, has an aperture range of f/4 through f/22, uses an 82mm front filter thread, and has a 25cm minimum focusing distance. The lens has a 94.4-degree angle of view that extends to up to 117-degrees when used for panoramic photography.
This 20mm is compatible with a huge variety of camera systems since it’s available in Canon EF and RF, Nikon F and Z, Sony E, Pentax K, Leica L, and Fujifilm G mount options. Moreover, this new glass comes with an included lens hood that is rotatable to prevent lens flares.
The lens measures roughly 95mm in diameter by 91mm long and weighs roughly 747g, although the exact dimensions will vary based on the mount you get the lens in. As it carries the Zero-D designation, Venus Optics says that the lens exhibits nearly zero distortion and any straight lines in the frame can be maintained from corner to corner.
Here are some sample pictures:
The Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift is available for $1,099 for all mount options. An optional lens support system, which will keep the lens in place while shifting your camera, is also available for an additional $249.
More info on Venus Optics’ website.
