Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO review

If you shoot small, the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO produces phenomenal photographs

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO review
(Image: © James Artaius)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO is ludicrously sharp, especially for a lens at this price point. If you can live without luxuries like autofocus (not that macro users really need it), stabilization and EXIF data, there's absolutely no reason not to add this to your collection immediately – and even if you'd find those things hard to let go of, for this price there really is little to lose and whole lot to gain.

Pros

  • +

    Sharp as a Savile Row suit

  • +

    Focuses to infinity

  • +

    2x magnification

Cons

  • -

    No automatic /preset aperture

  • -

    No electronic contacts / EXIF

  • -

    No stabilization

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Like many of the manufacturer's offerings, the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO promises premium performance at a pocket-friendly price. Laowa has fast carved a niche for itself not just as a purveyor of exotic optics, but of expertly engineered ones that offer more than just quirkiness or lower cost of entry – and this is no exception.

Designed for APS-C systems using the Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X or Sony E mount, the Laowa 65mm Macro is among the best macro lenses in its own right. It's a rightful contender for our list of best Fujifilm lenses and is especially valuable for EOS M cameras, where it offers a rare native option for the likes of the Canon EOS M6 Mark II (which also has the high resolution to really take advantage of it). 

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.