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Venus Optics Launches Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens

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Venus Optics has announced the new Laowa Zero-D 12mm f/2.8 lens.

It is the world’s widest full frame F2.8 lens featuring an ultra-wide 122° Angle of View. The optic can boast great image quality, portable size, as well as “close-to-zero” lens distortion.

The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens is designed for photographers for everyday use. It is an ideal lens for a variety types of photography. From landscape, architecture, interior, travel to the most important one, astro photography.

The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 lens will firstly be available for backing via Kickstarter from July 30 onwards. It will then be available for purchase at authorized distributors and resellers from Sept 2016 onwards.

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Venus Optics Announces Laowa 12mm f/2.8, the *World’s Widest f/2.8 Lens with Close-to-Zero Distortion

The lens weighs only 1.34 pounds. It has a front diameter of 77mm. Venus Optics also offers a filter holder which is designed to fit 2 pieces of 100mm filters and 1 piece of Circular Polariser.

The prime optic incorporates with 16 elements in 10 groups optical design. Also includes 3 pieces of Extra-Low Dispersion elements and 2pc of Aspherical Elements. A floating design is also adopted to ensure a good performance even in the closest focusing distance (0.18cm). The enclosure of the lens is fully made of metal to strengthen its durability.

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Technical Specifications:

  • Focal Length: 12mm
  • Maximum Aperture: F/2.8
  • Angle of View: 121.96°
  • Elements/ Groups: 16/10 (3pcs ED, 2pcs ASP)
  • Aperture Blades: 7
  • Format Compatibility: Full Frame
  • Minimum Aperture: F/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 7.09” (0.18 cm)
  • Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 0.2x
  • Focusing: Manual Focus
  • Dimensions(DxL): 74.8×82.8mm
  • Weight: 1.34 lb (609 g)
  • Mounts: Canon EF | Nikon AI | Pentax K Sony A | Sony FE
  • Hood: Detachable

Laowa_Magic_Shift_Converter

Laowa Magic Shift Converter

Venus Optics also announces the Laowa Magic Shift Converter.  It enlarges the full frame image circle through the 4pcs of elements inside the converter. The enlarged image circle provides sufficient image field for lenses shifting by a maximum of 10mm without vignetting. It will transform the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens (DSLR mount) into a 17mm f/4 Professional Shift Lens with +/- 10mm shift capability for Full-Frame E-mount cameras. It is a perfect tool for professional architectural photography. The principle is explained in below diagram.

The new lens will be available in Canon EF, Nikon AI, Sony A, Pentax K and Sony E mounts. The recommended retail price without tax is USD 949.