Venus Optics Announces Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 and 25mm f/0.95 Lenses
Venus Optics has released two new ultrafast manual APS-C prime lenses: the Laowa Argus 18mm F0.95 APO lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras and the Laowa Argus 25mm F0.95 APO lens for five APS-C mirrorless camera systems. These lenses, the latest in the company’s premium Argus lineup, offer a roughly 35mm equivalent focal length on their respective camera systems.
The focal length is “extremely versatile due to the semi-wide but comfortable images produced,” Venus Optics says. “Apart from portrait photography, it also works for landscape, street photography, and as an everyday lens.”
Both lenses have a 9-blade aperture with a maximum opening of f/0.95, enabling artistic wide-angle shooting with appealing bokeh.
“From an eye-catching portrait to stunning low-light photography, an f/0.95 ultra-fast aperture is perfect for creating impactful images with its shallow depth of field,” the company says. “The lenses are built to offer an incredible low-light shooting performance. Both lenses can create excellent contrast from center to corner. Perfect when you get limited time at dark sites or wants to increase the shutter speed.”
The 18mm f/0.95 lens has an apochromatic optical design with 14 elements in eight groups, including four Ultra High Refraction elements and one Aspherical element.
Here are some sample pictures:
It has a 62mm front filter thread, a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, a minimum focusing distance of 20cm, and an aperture range of f/0.95 to f/11. The lens weighs about 500g and has dimensions of 83mm in length and 80mm in diameter. For de-clicking the aperture ring as needed, the lens has an aperture ring click switch.
The lens is available immediately with a price tag of $449 through the Venus Optics website and authorized resellers.
With 14 elements in nine groups (one more than the 18mm), the 25mm f/0.95 lens has an apochromatic optical design similar to its 18mm f/0.95 counterpart. It also has one extra-low dispersion element, one aspherical element, and two ultra-high refraction elements.
Here are some sample pictures:
The lens has a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, a 62mm front filter thread, a minimum focusing distance of 34 cm (13.4″), and an aperture range of F0.95 to F11. The lens weighs about 575g and has dimensions of 71.5mm (2.8″) in diameter by 81mm (3.2″). (1.3lb).
The lens has an aperture ring click switch for de-clicking the aperture ring as necessary, similar to the 18mm f/0.95 lens.
The lens is available immediately for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fuji X, and Canon EF-M mounts with a price tag of $549 through the Venus Optics website and authorized resellers.
More info on Venus Optics’ website.
