Laowa Ranger Lite Lightweight cinema lenses announced

Venus Optics has introduced an updated edition of its full-frame Ranger cine lenses, the Laowa Ranger Lite 28-75mm and 75-180mm T 2.9, which now boasts a reduced size by 10% compared to its predecessors. Despite this downsizing, all the key features, focal lengths, and optical designs have been preserved, ensuring no compromise in quality.

The initial line of Laowa Ranger full-frame video zoom lenses made its debut back in June 2023, unveiling the Laowa Ranger 28-75mm and Laowa Ranger 75-180mm T2.9 lenses. With each lens weighing 1.4 kg, it showcased a remarkable feat for high-aperture film optics.

However, the release of the Laowa Ranger Lite has allowed the company to offer even lighter lenses. The Laowa Ranger Lite 28-75mm T2.9 weighs 1.3 kg, while the Laowa Ranger Lite 75-180mm T2.9 comes in at 1.2 kg. While this difference may seem subtle, it can substantially impact scenarios involving stabilizers and other use cases.

In addition to the weight reduction, the new Laowa Ranger Lite lenses will come in Space Gray, distinguishing them from the “regular” Ranger series. Essentially, in all aspects (including those mentioned earlier), these new optics mirror the previous original versions of film optics.

Price and availability

Available for $3,499 individually or as a kit for $6,799 on the Bhphotovideo.com online store, the Laowa Ranger Lite zoom lenses promise the same quality and performance in a more compact build.

Laowa Ranger Lite 28-75mm / 75-180mm T2.9 specifications

• Focal Length: 28 to 75mm / 75 to 180mm
• Lens Mount: ARRI PL
• Lens Format Coverage: Full Frame
• Maximum Aperture: T2.9
• Minimum Aperture: T22
• Lens Mount: ARRI PL
• Image Circle: 43.2 mm
• Focus Scales: Metric, Imperial
• Filter Thread: 77 mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: From Unspecified Point in Lens (Wide to Tele): 1.6 to 2.9″ / 4.1 to 7.4 cm
• Diaphragm Blades: 11
• Image Stabilization: No
• Gear Standard: Focus: 0.8 MOD
• Dimensions: 80 x 179.3 mm (28-75mm) / 80 x 189.5 mm (75-180mm)
• Weight: 2.8 lb; 1.3 kg (28-75mm) / 2.7 lb; 1.2 kg (75-180mm)

Recently, in late October, the Laowa 8-16mm F/3.5-5 Zoom CF, a wide-angle zoom lens, was unveiled. This lens is designed for APS-C format cameras, delivering an expansive viewing angle of 82.8-120.9 degrees. The manufacturer highlights the optics’ capability to manage optical distortion effectively and focus at a close distance of 20 cm. Ideal for landscape and architectural photography, it caters to shooting scenarios requiring a wide perspective.