It is been a fast paced year for Venus Optics. With new releases numbering in the double digits, ranging from compact extremely-wides to shift lenses, the Anhui, China-based brand is developing a reputation for its perfectly-priced, specialised glass. And this latest release, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO “CA-Dreamer” appears to be to be a solid addition to the brand’s catalog.
Who’s the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x macro for?
Similar: Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is the world’s smallest 2x macro for entire-body
Readily available for Canon RF, Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L, Nikon Z, and Sony E-mount, the new Laowa 58mm f/2.8 macro is priced at $499. An all-handbook, comprehensive-frame lens, it ought to attractiveness to mirrorless camera homeowners hoping for excessive magnification in their macro pictures. Extra especially, this is for macro shooters who want to include things like some sense of a scene or background in their shut-up pictures.
If 58mm is much too wide for your macro takes advantage of, take into consideration the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x macro. It is the exact same value. Crop sensors mirrorless shooters, on the other hand, will experience an 87mm equal area of check out with the Laowa 58mm, which is much nearer to a “standard” macro focal duration.
Once more, there are no digital contacts to talk of and certainly no impression stabilization. For those people factors, it’s probably very best employed on a tripod or with an image-stabilized body. In the long run, if you are amazing sacrificing autofocus functionality in the title of discounts and portability, and you are looking for a vast-ish 2x macro, this may possibly be your jam.
Optics & building
The Laowa 58mm macro has an optical design consisting of 14 features arranged in 11 groups, like a few ED (further-reduced dispersion) aspects, and a few Ultra-Superior Refractive Index elements. And the lens’ apochromatic (APO) design really should neutralize chromatic aberrations across the frame, a major in addition for macro shooters.
The Laowa athletics a 13-blade diaphragm with a variety of f/2.8 to f/22. And judging from the sample shots, see down below, it ought to be able of manufacturing spectacular out-of-concentrate renditions.
The Laowa 58mm is just 2.9 inches in diameter and four inches prolonged. But with a bodyweight of 21 ounces, it’s definitely not spry rooster. Focusing is inside, so the proportions of the lens really don’t transform as you change it. Up entrance is a 67mm filter thread.
Venus Optics would make no point out of climate-sealing, though the lens mount and housing are both of those metallic (and initial assessments recommend a solid construct quality general). The barrel delivers a substantial-sized guide focus ring at the front and an aperture ring with a hyperfocal scale at the rear.
Rate & availability
The new Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO CA-Dreamer can be bought right now for $499. It ships with a reversible, plastic, petal-model lens hood.
Sample photographs
The following sample pics ended up furnished by Venus Optics.
