Venus Optics has released the Laowa 15mm F4.5 0.5x wide-angle macro lens for full-frame cameras. The new Laowa lens provides distortion control in a compact form factor and weighs 300 grams. It is available with Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon EF, Nikon F, and L-mount mounts.
Despite its modest dimensions, the new lens has an advanced optical design with many elements. There are 16 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements, three HR elements, and three ED elements. The lens has a five-blade diaphragm.
The company promises superior distortion control thanks to its advanced optical design. This should make the new lens more flexible and suitable for various scenarios, including landscape and architectural photography.
Laowa also notes the compact and lightweight design of the Laowa 15mm F4.5 0.5x, which is 48mm long and weighs just over 300 grams. The lens has a 62mm filter thread.
The minimum focusing distance is 129 millimeters, and the maximum magnification factor is 0.5x. The working distance for macro photography is 36 millimeters.
The new lens will allow photographers and videographers to take impressive close-up shots of small objects while capturing more of the background and surrounding environment.
It’s also worth noting that the new Laowa 15mm F4.5 0.5x Macro is a manual-focus lens. However, it is not necessarily a fully manual lens—this depends on its mount. The Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF versions support automatic aperture control, while the Nikon F, Canon RF, and L-Mount versions only support manual aperture.
Laowa 15mm f4.5 0.5x Macro Price and Release Date
The new Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5x Wide Angle Macro lens is now available for pre-order on B&H Photo at $399 and will be shipped from May 22, 2025. The lens comes in Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF mounts with automatic aperture control, and Nikon F, Canon RF, and L-Mount mounts with manual aperture control.
Previously, the Laowa Proteus 2X anamorphic zoom lenses were released. Both new Laowa cine lenses are explicitly designed for Super 35 sensors with a compression ratio of 2X and weigh 2.7 kg each. The length is 19.3 cm. The manufacturer reports that the relatively small dimensions and weight make it convenient to use cameras with new optics when shooting handheld.
Specifications
- Focal Length: 15mm
- Lens Mount: Sony E, Nikon Z and F, Canon RF and EF, Leica L
- Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
- Maximum Aperture: f/4.5
- Minimum Aperture: f/32
- Angle of View: 110.5°
- Minimum Focus Distance: From Front of Lens: 1.4″ / 36 mm
- Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
- Optical Design: 16 Elements in 11 Groups
- Special Elements: 2 Aspherical, 3 HR, 3 ED
- Diaphragm Blades: 5
- Focus Type: Manual Focus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Front Filter Size: 62 mm
- Dimensions (ø x L): 2.8 x 1.9″ / 70 x 47.7 mm
- Weight: 10.9 oz / 308 g
