Venus Optics announce the World’s Smallest 2x macro lens for full frame mirrorless cameras: Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO
Anhui China, 29 November 2021 – Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer that has been endeavouring to invent unique lenses, is thrilled to release Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO, an exceedingly compact and affordable mirrorless full-frame macro lens with excellent image quality. Weighs only 259g, the lens still comes with 2x magnification inherited from most of the Laowa macro lenses which give photographers a wider range of flexibility in creation. The APO design empowers this lens to produce pleasing minimal CA images. It fulfils the needs of many macro photographers while relieving the pain from carrying the heavy load of gears.
 Canon R |
 Sony E |
 Nikon Z |
 Leica M |
Though it be but little, it is fierce!
Kicking out the traditional heavy bulky macro lens, Laowa makes this 85mm lens to be revolutionarily small. Built specifically for mirrorless full-frame cameras with a smaller f/5.6 aperture, the new 85mm macro lens only weighs approximately 259g/9.1oz (Sony E) and with Φ53mm×81mm/2.09”x3.18” (Sony E) in size. A 46mm filter thread is also provided for circular screw-in filters. It is perfect for photographers who are looking for an extreme lightweight setup, such as using at a BioBlitz. This lens would match the portable mirrorless camera body perfectly, making macro shooting a breeze while rendering pictures with excellent and outstanding image quality.
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For 1:1 or higher magnification macro photography, the depth of field is extremely shallow. Usually, photographers need to stop down to f/8 or even narrower aperture. A maximum f/5.6 is not always used as it’s not able to cover the depth in many cases. A lens with f/5.6 can keep the usability of the lens and at the same time create a much smaller instrument for macro lovers.
Up to 2x magnification
This new 85mm lens can focus from infinity to 2x magnification along with a minimum focusing distance of 16.3cm/6.41”. Numerous details can be captured for tiny objects under 2X magnification. It would be much more flexible and versatile for photographers shooting in different circumstances.
 © Kiva |
  © Nicky Bay |
 
© Don Komarechka |
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Apochromat (APO) design
The freshly designed 13 elements in 9 groups optical structure contains 3 extra-low dispersion elements which eliminate the color fringing at both in-focus and out-of-focus areas. Rendering stunning magnified pictures without chromatic aberration would be an extra convenience to photographers as it saves much time and effort on post-production.
 © John Hanson |
 © Kiva |
Internal Focusing
The lens barrel does not extend in internal focusing design when changing focus. It avoids collision of the lens and the objects. It also helps reduce the chance of dust getting into the lens.
 © Riccardo Mattea |
 © Richard Wong |
 © Alberto Ghizzi Panizza |
 © Jimmy Chan |
Pricing and Availability
Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is currently available to order on the official website of Venus Optics (http://www.venuslens.net/) and their authorized resellers. Recommended Retail Price in the US (without tax) is USD 449/pc (Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony FE) & USD 499/pc (Leica M). Pricing may vary in different countries. Shipping starts from early December onwards.
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| Optical Structure | MTF |
Specifications
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Max. Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Angle of View | 28.55° |
| Format Compatibility | Full Frame |
| Lens Structure | 13 elements in 9 groups (3 ED glasses) |
| Aperture Blades | 7 |
| Min. Focusing Distance | 16.3cm/6.41” |
| Max. Magnification | 2x |
| Filter Thread | Φ46mm |
| Dimensions | Φ 53mm×81mm / 2.09” x 3.18” (Sony E) |
| Weight | around 259g / 9.1oz (Sony E) |
| Mounts | Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Leica M |
Reviews by Photographers
- Micael Widell – Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens Review & Sample Photos
- Keith Cooper – Laowa 85mm F5.6 Macro 2:1 lens review. Using the 2x full frame macro lens from Venus Optics
- Northlight Images – Review: Laowa 85mm 2x macro f/5.6 APO lens
- Richard Wong – Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Review (vs Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x macro) review
- Stewart Wood – Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Review
- Emanuele Biggi – The new Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is finally out!
- Alberto Ghizzi Panizza – Nuova Laowa 85mm f5.6 Macro 2:1 (Italian)
But what I really wanted was a 180mm F5.6 macro - you know, like the one Sigma made a few years ago, but in RF mount, and preferably with AF.
For those of you who follow Don Komarechka, he has a mini-review (of a sample copy of the lens) and also a sample shot using it, on his facebook feed this morning. He is very enthusiastic about it.
I think that is a very common misconception for many people .I had the 100mm 2.8 and it was my first ever macro and full manual lens. Was a bit wary at first but once the concept of magnification vs focus distance sunk in, I found it very intuitive. If you want 2:1, there's no focusing to be done, just getting closer or further since the lens will only give you 2x at the "closer end" of its focus. It took me a while to understand though. Macro is not easy :ROFLMAO:
I've far more pictures than I've included in the reviews, so if anyone has any specific questions let me know?
A note for some - I'm an commercial/industrial photographer, so for macro I don't tend to shoot living stuff and definitely not outdoors if I can help it :-)
More images and detail are in the written article though
https://www.northlight-images.co.uk/review-laowa-85mm-2x-macro/