Venus Optics has released two new wide-angle shift lenses, the Laowa 15mm T4.8 Zero-D Shift Cine and 20mm T4.1 Zero-D Shift Cine. These are the company’s first shift lenses for professional cinematography and full-frame and Vista Vision cameras. Both lenses combine wide-angle coverage, perspective correction, and a sizeable manual image circle and feature an interchangeable PL mount that supports EF, RF, E, Z, and L mounts.
Venus Optics Shift Lenses
Shift lenses allow the front optical unit to move off-axis while keeping the camera stationary. This allows the operator to correct converging vertical lines without tilting the camera body, which is especially useful when shooting tall buildings or interiors of various rooms. Shift lenses are also used in VFX workflows, where keeping the sensor parallel to the subject helps match movement, compositions, and correct geometry for post-production.
Each lens covers a Ø65.2mm image circle, providing ample coverage for full-frame and large-format cinema camera sensors. Supported formats include RED V-Raptor 8K VV (Ø46.31mm), ARRI Alexa 65 (Ø59.86mm), and Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65 (Ø65mm).
The optical formula in both lenses matches Laowa’s “Zero-D” designation. The lenses minimize Distortion and deliveDistortion architectural lines straight out of the camera, even without the shift function.
The lenses can focus at close range: the 15mm model focuses as close as 20cm, and the 20mm model as close as 25cm, allowing you to shoot close-up video with a wide field of view.
The focus, aperture, and shift rings feature standard 0.8-mod gears, allowing compatibility with various follow-focus systems. Both models come with a PL mount, but the Laowa adds support for EF, RF, E, Z, and L with interchangeable mounts.
Price and Release Date
- Laowa 15mm T4.8 Zero-D Shift Cine: $1,999 on B&H Photo
- Laowa 20mm T4.1 Zero-D Shift Cine: $1,999 on B&H Photo
Laowa 15mm T4.8 & 20mm T4.1 Zero-D Shift Cine Lenses
- Shift Range: ±11mm on full-frame sensors, ±9mm on Vista Vision
- Large Image Circle: Ø65.2mm
- Expanded Field of View: 130.4° (15mm) / 117° (20mm) when shifted
- Close Focusing Distance: 20cm (15mm) / 25cm (20mm)
- Optical Design: Zero-D (Zero Distortion) for minimDistortionion
- Aperture BDistortionblade diaphragm for smooth bokeh
- Precision Control: 0.8 mod gear rings for focus, aperture, and shift
- Manual Operation: Fully manual controls with a dual-focus scale
- Mount Compatibility: Replaceable PL mount with support for EF, RF, E, Z, and L mounts
- Weight: Approx. 1,150g (15mm) / 1,170g (20mm)
Last year, Venus Optics introduced the Laowa 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and Laowa 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro for full-frame mirrorless cameras, which can also work with medium-format cameras. The optics focus on photography, landscapes, macro, and architecture. The new products are available for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-mount, and Fujifilm GFX cameras.
