Venus Optics has released quite a lot of interesting lenses over the past few years. And now, four of the most popular and most unusual ones are available in L-mount. Venus Optics has just launched the L-mount version of two wide-angle lenses and two macro lenses: 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye, 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D, 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe, and 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro.
All of these four lenses already exist in other mounts. The 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D were announced back in February 2018, so here is a quick overview of the specs:
Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro
Focal length: 25 mmOpen F value: F 2.8Field of View: 10.3 degreesLens construction: 6 groups 8 piecesMinimum aperture: F16Maximum aperture: F 2.8Minimum photographing distance: 173 mm to 223.5 mmWorking Distance: 40 mm – 45 mmShooting magnification: 2.5 times to 5 timesNumber of diaphragm blade: 8Weight: 400 g
Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D
Focal length: 9 mmMaximum F value: F 2.8Viewing angle: 113 degrees (corresponding format: APS-C)Lens construction: 10 groups of 15Number of diaphragm blades: 7Shortest shooting distance: 12 cmMaximum magnification: 0.13 timesFilter diameter: φ 49 mmWeight: ~ 215 g * Variable depending on mount
The 24mm f/14 2:1 Probe lens was announced later the same year, and it’s one of the craziest lenses I’ve ever seen. Still, it produces great results, allows you lots of creative uses, and filmmakers and photographers seem to love it. Here are the specs:
Focal Length: 24mmAperture: f/14Aperture: f/40Angle of View: 85°Format Compatibility: Full FrameLens Structure: 27 elements in 19 groups (High Index Glass x 1, ED Glass x 2 & Prism x 2)Aperture Blades: 7Focusing Distance: 470mmWorking Distance: 20mmMagnification: 2:1Infinity Focus: YesFocusing Manual FocusDimensions: (Approx.) 38 x 408mmWeight (Approx.): 474g (1.04 lb)Mount (Standard Version): Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, L mountMount (Cine Version): Arri PL, Canon EF, Sony FE
And last but not least, the Laowa Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye. The MFT version was announced in August 2019, and the Sony E, Canon EF-M, and Fuji X mount arrived in January last year. Here are the specs:
Focal Length: 4mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 6mm)Maximum Aperture: f/2.8Minimum Aperture: f/16Angle of View: 210°Minimum Focus Distance: 3.15″ / 8 cmMaximum Magnification: 0.11xOptical Design: 7 Elements in 6 GroupsDiaphragm Blades: 7Focus Type: Manual FocusImage Stabilization: No
With these latest additions, Venus Optics now offers 12 L-mount lenses, and here’s the complete list: Wide-angle lenses:
4mm f/2.8 Fisheye9mm f/2.8 Zero-D9mm f/5.6 FF RL11mm f/4.5 FF RL14mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Zoom15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
15mm f/2 Zero-D Macro Lenses:
100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro15mm f/4 Wide Angle Macro
For now, all four L-mount lenses are available only through the Venus Optics website:
Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D: $499Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro: $399Laowa 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe: $1,499Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye: $199
You can preorder any of them now, and shipping starts from early March 2021.
