Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 Lens for Full-Frame Cameras

Venus Optics has recently launched the latest addition to its line-up of lenses for full-frame cameras, the Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2. According to the manufacturer, this new optic is capable of producing “impressive” sharpness even at its fully open aperture. It also boasts the ability to produce high-quality results even in low-light conditions, making it an ideal travel lens.

With a weight of only 562 grams and dimensions of 68.5 x 106 mm, the Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 is a lightweight lens with exceptional optical character. It has a filter thread of 62mm, and its manual control system means that it supports only manual focus and iris control. The lens’s maximum magnification is 0.073X.

The 75.4-degree angle of view is perfect for capturing a wide range of details that would be impossible to achieve with 50mm or 35mm lenses. The wide aperture also allows you to isolate objects in any scene, making it a great fit for genres such as street, documentary, landscape, portrait, and astrophotography. The 13-blade aperture design produces creamy round bokeh with a touch of artistry, enhancing the artistic appeal of the photographs.

The lens’s optical design comprises 13 elements in 7 groups, including two UHR elements and two ED elements. This design provides high sharpness even at an open aperture of F1.2. The Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 has a minimum focusing distance of 50 cm.

Venus Optics has designed the Argus 28mm F1.2 to be convenient for videographers, with a special switch that allows you to choose between aperture modes with or without a click. For video shoots, the non-click mode is preferred. The internal focusing design is also convenient for video production.

Price and availability

The Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 is available at Adorama.com at the price of $599 and is compatible with Sony FE, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L mounts. The Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 promises to deliver exceptional results in all genres of photography and videography.

Laowa Argus 28mm F1.2 specifications

• Mounts: Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z, Sony E
• Format: Full Frame
• Focal Distance: 28mm
• Aperture Range: f/1.2 – f/16
• Angle of view: 75.4 Degree
• Lens Structure: 13 elements in 7 groups (2 ED glass and 2 UHR glass)
• Aperture Blades: 13
• Minimum Focus Distance: 19.69″ (50cm)
• Max. Magnification: 0.073X
• Focusing: MF
• Filter Thread: 62mm
• Dimensions: 68.5 x 106.31mm
• Weight: 19.82 oz / 562g

In January 2023, Venus Optics launched the Laowa Proteus 2x Anamorphic cinema lenses with focal lengths of 35mm, 45mm, 60mm, and 85mm, all of which have T2 apertures and are compatible with cameras with Super 35 optical format sensors.