Venus Optics announces the Laowa RF 12-24mm f/5.6 zoom lens

[Canon Rumors Guy]

Anhui China, 7 July 2022 – Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer that has been endeavoring to invent high-quality lenses at an affordable price, is thrilled to release an ultra-compact Zoom Lens for Full Frame cameras – Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom. This tiny lens offers an AOV from an ultra-wide 121.9° to an easier-to-control 84° with a fixed aperture. The 5.9”/15cm closest focusing distance allows users to explore more creative shots or even macro-like photos. Laowa’s classical 5-bladed aperture design for stunning 10-point Sunstar also packed in this lens.
A 77mm filter can be used directly with the adaptor ring (come along with the lens). With the competitive price of USD649 (USD699 for m mount) and the tiny size, this lens would be perfect for travel and landscape photography. Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z and Leica M are available for this lens.

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[Tom W]

Interesting - an ultra-ultra-wide zoom. Another site has a link to a review of the lens on DPReview. Fully manual, but 12 mm at FF isn't a terrible thing. And on, say, an R7, it would be something in the neighborhood of a 19-37 field of view, give or take.

For me, redundant since I have the 14-35 f/4 already (which is an excellent lens also). I realize 12 mm is significantly wider than 14, but I don't see a need to buy it for those extra 2 mm.

 

[neuroanatomist]

For me, redundant since I have the 14-35 f/4 already (which is an excellent lens also). I realize 12 mm is significantly wider than 14, but I don't see a need to buy it for those extra 2 mm.

I have the RF 14-35/4 and also the EF 11-24/4, making this lens even more redundant for me. But the $650 price tag in a focal range where manual focus is unlikely to be an issue for most used cases will make this lens a good choice for many people.

A 12mm lens that takes a 77mm front filter is a nice bonus (that was one of the downsides to my 11-24, although now to drop in adapter fixes that issue).

 

[Nemorino]

Really interesting lens. Small, light, good magnification and unexpensive.
I wonder how good the optical performance will be.

 

[Hector1970]

You'd have to hand it to Laowa all their lens are interesting. 12-24mm F5.6 is a good compromise. As landscape would be a big target audience manual focus is possibly what you should be doing anyway. F5.6 wouldn't bother me at all for wide angle. I have the EF11-24mm so that's enough for me. An awkward lens really but sunk costs at this stage. Heavy to carry around. Can create unique views but debateable if its worth it.

 

[Antono Refa]

The 77mm front filter is a big plus. If the reviews are positive, I'd buy one.

 

[Jethro]

Another really interesting lens from Laowa. I have their 100mm 2x macro (again fully manual) and I love it. Given the size, this strikes me as a great travel lens, and with good reviews it would be a probable purchase for me.

 

[SnowMiku]

If I had a full frame and needed a landscape lens I would buy this, most of the time I use manual focus for landscapes anyway.

 

[Nemorino]

Another site has a link to a review of the lens on DPReview.

DPReview TV: Laowa 12-24mm F5.6 C-Dreamer Review

It's small, inexpensive and incredibly wide. How does Laowa's latest full-frame lens perform?

m.dpreview.com

I have downloaded a few Raw files of sample pictures and the IQ seems to be good.

 

[abraxas]

I wonder how would Laowa RF 12-24mm/F 5.6 compare to the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM...

 

[koenkooi]

I wonder how would Laowa RF 12-24mm/F 5.6 compare to the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM...

The Canon wins when it comes to AF, iris control and reporting the focal length to the body and IS.