Venus Optics has launched an updated version of the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) which includes a chip that provides metadata in EXIF as well as allows aperture control digitally through the camera.

This 7.5mm f/2 lens follows the Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D MFT and 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO with their inclusion of the CPU chip and motor that allows for the digital control of aperture. As the company notes, this added feature is particularly useful for DJI Inspire 2 pilots who want to use the compact lens for wide aerial shots.

“The focus magnifier will be triggered for easier focusing when rotating the focus ring,” the company says. “It also allows the adjustment of aperture via the camera body and a no aperture ring design. With the control chip, DJI Inspire owners can benefit by avoiding complicated mounting process. Moreover, the metadata will be stored on EXIF and remote aperture adjustment can be realized.”

The new lens features the same optical construction as its fully-manual predecessor (13 elements in nine groups), but adds an electronically-controlled aperture at the cost of reducing the number of aperture blades to five (there are seven in the manual version). The original standard version of the lens (which will still be available for sale) weighs 170 grams and measure 55mm long. The auto aperture version is slightly lighter –likely due to the reduction of aperture blades despite the addition of the chip — and weighs just 150 grams, but has the same physical dimensions. Both the new aperture control version and the standard version accept 46mm filters.