Laowa does what Fujifilm couldn't: here's the 33mm f/0.95 lens in action

Laowa CF 33mm f/0.95 APO
(Image credit: Venus Optics / YouTube: Sar Andrea)

We've just got our best look at the upcoming Laowa CF 33mm f/0.95 APO – a mirrorless APS-C lens for Canon, Sony, Nikon and Fujifilm mounts. 

A new video has appeared online showcasing the Laowa CF 33mm f/0.95 APO, which  is faster than the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.0 R WR that was famously scrapped by Fujifilm when it proved too difficult to produce (and was replaced by the Fujifilm XF50mm f/1.0). 

• Read more: Fastest lenses on the market

Admittedly, of course, the Fujifilm lens possessed autofocus, where this new Laowa is a fully manual affair. Still, it's impressive that Laowa has filled the gap left by one of the premier manufacturers, as well as increased the speed to f/0.95. And this is just one of four f/0.95 optics announced by the brand, as part of its new Argus lens lineup (comprising a 25mm for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and a 35mm and 45mm for full frame bodies). 

The product video, which you can see below, illustrates the lens' impressively shallow depth of field and the buttery soft bokeh that is rendered. The lens is said to have virtually zero focus breathing, making it an ideal option for videography.  

The Laowa CF 33mm f/0.95 APO, being an APS-C lens, has a longer effective focal length depending on the camera you mount it to. It possesses a full-frame equivalent 49.5mm on Sony E, Nikon Z and Fujifilm X systems, and 52.8mm on Canon EF-M bodies. We don't have pricing or release info yet, but we'll give you an update as soon as we do. 

Laowa CF 33mm f/0.95 APO specs

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 elements (including 1 aspherical lens, 1 special low-dispersion lens, 3 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

Read more: 

Best wide angle lens
Best Canon EF-M lenses
Best Nikon Z lenses
Best Sony lenses
Best Micro Four Thirds lenses
How to photograph mountain bikers

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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.