Laowa has launched its widest rectilinear Cine lens yet for Super 35/APS-C format cameras
(Image credit: Laowa)
The new Laowa 7.5mm T2.9 Zero D S35 Cine is an ultra-wide prime lens offering the equivalent of an 11-12mm lens in full frame terms. It uses ‘Zero-D’ optical configuration for near zero distortion and should be ideal for architecture, interiors and any other kind of ultra-wide shot.
It’s part of Laowa’s S35 Cine range. Super 35 is a very popular film making format and roughly equivalent to APS-C.
Indeed, the new lens comes in four mounts: Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z and Fujifilm X (it can be used in Super 35 mode on full frame Canon and Nikon cameras).
Laowa 7.5mm T2.9 Zero-D S35 Cine specifications
Format Compatibility: S35 Mount: Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Fuji X Focal Length: 7.5mm (11-12mm full frame equivalent) T-Stop Range: T2.9-22 Angle of View: 123° Image Circle: 29mm Lens Structure: 16 elements in 10 groups (2 ED glasses & 2 aspherical glasses) Aperture Blades: 7 Min. Focusing Distance: 25cm/ 9.84” Max. Magnification: 0.05x Filter Thread: 77mm Dimensions: 80 x 80.7mm Weight: 610g
The huge 123-degree angle of view is the main selling point for this lens, but its size and form factor are impressive too. It’s just 80.7mm long and weighs only 610g, so it’s ideally suited for use on rigs and gimbals.
Despite its wide angle of view, the 7.5mm T2.9 can take regular 77mm filters, so you won’t need to attach a matte box. As a cine lens it also has geared focus and iris (aperture) rings, and the iris ring is ‘declicked’ for smooth and silent exposure control.
Being a cine lens, the maximum aperture is quoted in T-stops rather than f-stops and reflects the actual light transmission, not simply the aperture size.
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The optical configuration is designed to produce near zero distortion, and consists of 16 elements in 10 groups, including 2 ED elements and 2 aspherical. The nearest focus distance is 0.25m. The lens also comes with a weather-sealed box for transportation and protection.
The Laowa 7.5mm T2.9 Zero-D S35 Cine is available to order now and will cost $699 (about £533/AU$958).
Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com
