Venus Optics Unveils the Laowa Argus T1 Cine Series
Venus Optics has introduced the Laowa Argus T1 Cine Series, which includes what the company claims are the world’s first ultra-fast T1 aperture 28mm and 35mm T1 lenses for full-frame cameras.
Although the 28mm and 35mm T1 full-frame lenses are particularly noteworthy, the new Laowa Argus T1 Cine Series includes eight lenses spanning several sensor types. Aside from the Argus 28mm T1 FF and Argus 35mm T1 FF primes, there is also the lengthier Argus 45mm T1 FF cinema lens. The Laowa 18mm T1 S35, 25mm T1 S35, and 35mm T1 S35 are all Super35 cameras. The final Argus T1 Cine Series lenses are 18mm T1 and 25mm T1 primes for Micro Four Thirds cameras, which correspond to 36mm and 50mm lenses.
The three full-frame Argus Cine lenses are compatible with Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon RF-mount mirrorless cameras. The three Super35 lenses use the same mounts, with the addition of Fujifilm X Series compatibility.
Although the specific size and weight of each lens varies, the Argus T1 Cine Series is very compact and lightweight for T1 cinema lenses. Full-frame lenses range in length from 104 to 122 millimeters and weigh between 950 and 1,200 grams. The Super35 lenses measure 94 to 107 millimeters and weigh between 700 and 950 grams. The Micro Four Thirds lenses are the smallest and lightest of the lot, measuring 98 millimeters long and weighing between 659 to 690 grams.
Venus Optics’ Laowa Argus T1 Cine Series promises shallow depth of focus and lovely bokeh. The 45mm T1 lens on full-frame cameras will have the shallowest depth of focus, but they should all provide good subject separation. Given their fast apertures, all lenses are ideal for low-light situations.
The lenses have been developed to provide minimal focus breathing, consistent color reproduction, and high resolving power. Furthermore, unlike the Laowa Argus lenses for still photography, the new Cine Series lenses include cinema-style housing and controls, including uniform gear positions across sub-series. The lenses have 0.8 mod gearing for both the aperture and focus rings (these are manual lenses, by the way), and 80mm outer diameters across the board. They also focus internally, which means that a gimbal does not need to be rebalanced as its focus changes.
The new Laowa Argus T1 Cine Series lenses are now available. The full-frame lenses cost $1,499 each, or $3,999 for a three-lens bundle. The Super35 lenses cost $899 each, or $2,399 for the three. Finally, the Micro Four Thirds primes cost $699 each, totaling $1,259 for both.
