Laowa has unveiled four f/0.95 prime lenses that comprise its new Argus line – two for full frame, and one each for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras.
Venus Optics, manufacturer of the Laowa brand, revealed the fast glass at the CP+ 2021 (opens in new tab) imaging super show in Japan. They consist of mostly wide-angle lenses (opens in new tab) – 25mm (Micro Four Thirds), 33mm (APS-C) and 35mm – along with a 45mm option. However, given the associated crop factors, the first two behave as effective 50mm lenses (opens in new tab).
• Read more: Fastest lenses you can buy (opens in new tab)
They join the increasingly populated ranks of f/0.95 lenses, including the Mitakon Speedmaster f/0.95 (opens in new tab) and the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct (opens in new tab). Here are the specs of the lenses, courtesy of Venus Optics / Sightron (opens in new tab):
Laowa MFT 25mm f/0.95
Micro Four Thirds
• Focal length: 25 mm
• Effective focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
• Angle: 46.7 °
• Lens construction: 8 groups 14 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens, including three high refractive lenses)
• Number of aperture blades: 9
• Minimum shooting distance: 25 cm
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.17 times
• Filter diameter: φ62mm
• Dimensions: φ71 mm × 86 mm
• Mass: Approx. 570 g
Laowa CF 33mm f/0.95 APO
APS-C – Sony E / Fuji X / Nikon Z / Canon EF-M
• Focal length: 33 mm
• Effective focal length: 49.5 (Sony / Fuji / Nikon), 52.8 (Canon)
• Maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
• Angle: 46.2 °
• Lens construction: 9 groups 14 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens, including three high refractive lenses)
• Number of aperture blades: 9
• Shortest shooting distance: 35cm
• Maximum shooting magnification : 0.125x
• Filter diameter 62mm
• Dimensions: φ71.5mm × 83mm
• Mass: Approximately 590g
Laowa 35mm f/0.95
Full frame – Sony FE / Nikon Z / Canon RF
• Focal length: 35 mm
• Maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
• Angle: 63.4 °
• Lens construction: 9 groups 14 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens includes four high refractive lenses)
• Number of aperture blades: 15
• Shortest shooting distance: 50cm
• Maximum shooting magnification : 0.1x
• Filter diameter: 72mm
• Dimensions: φ76.8mm × 103mm
• Weight: Approximately 755g
Laowa FF II 45mm f/0.95
Full frame – Sony FE / Nikon Z / Canon RF
• Focal length: 45 mm
• Maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
• Angle: 51.3 °
• Lens construction: 9 groups 13 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens, including one high refractive lenses)
• Number of aperture blades: 15
• Shortest shooting distance: 50cm
• Maximum shooting magnification : 0.12x
• Filter diameter: 72mm
• Dimensions: φ76.8mm × 110mm
• Weight: Approximately 850g
Read more:
Best wide angle lens
(opens in new tab)Best 50mm lens
(opens in new tab)Best Canon RF lenses
(opens in new tab)Best Nikon Z lenses
(opens in new tab)Best Sony lenses
(opens in new tab)Best Micro Four Thirds lenses (opens in new tab)
