Laowa has announced that its 17mm f/1.8 lens for Micro Four Thirds is now ready to ship. Originally announced over a year ago at Photokina, the manual-focus prime is an ideal street photography lens for those using Olympus or Panasonic MFT-mount mirrorless cameras. The lens can also be used on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K cine camera.
The key appeal of this lens will be the price - at just $149 it is one of the most affordable lenses on the market. After taking the 2x crop factor into account, the Laowa 17mm f/1.8 MFT offers a focal length equivalent to a 35mm wide-angle. This coupled with its wide f/1.8 maximum aperture make it a classic choice for documentary shooters.
Specifications
Focal length 17mm
Max. Aperture f/1.8
Angle of View 65°
Lens construction 9 elements in 7 groups
Aperture 7 blades
Minimum focusing distance 15 cm
Max. Magnification 1:5
Autofocus No
Filter thread 46mm
Dimensions 55×51mm
Weight 172g
Mounts Micro Four Thirds
The lens is small and lightweight - making it particularly appealing for use on a smaller mirrorless model, such as the new Olympus PEN E-PL10. Its size also make it a useful option for when shooting with a gimbal or a drone.
The lens will be available from the end of this month, and will cost $149 / £189.
Read more:
• The best Micro Four Thirds lenses for your Olympus or Panasonic camera
• The best Panasonic cameras
• The best 4K cameras for filmmaking
