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    Home»Third Party Lenses»Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography
    svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PScwIDAgNzI4IDQ4NScgeG1sbnM9J2h0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnJz48L3N2Zz4= - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    By Canon RumorsAugust 1, 2018Updated:August 6, 201823 Comments5 Mins Read Third Party Lenses
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    Tubular barrel, Waterproof & built-in LED design unlock shooting possibilities.

    Anhui China, Aug 1, 2018 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique Laowa camera lenses, are proud to announce the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe Lens, a unique & revolutionary macro tool.

    Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe is the world’s first consumer-grade probe lens that was developed to provide photographers and videographers with a new perspective and remove their shooting barriers while using conventional macro lenses. Below are the key features of this lens.

    Bug-Eye Perspective

    The new Laowa 24mm Probe lens can create a Bug-Eye perspective that cannot be done by conventional macro lens. Not only can it focus really close (2cm @ 2:1) and show a great amount of detail and texture, but also achieve a compelling wide angle ‘Bug Eye' view (84.1°). More background details can then be included into the shots to create a very informative and stunning macro bug-eye perspective. For telephoto macro lenses, the subject will fill most of the frame and appear isolated from the surrounding environment instead.

    2:1 Magnification to Infinity Focus

    The new Laowa Probe covers a focusing range from 2:1 macro magnification to Infinity Focus. Photographers can take advantage of the 2:1 maximum magnification to shoot really small bugs/objects and reveal details that cannot be seen by naked eye. The wide focusing range (from Macro to infinity) is also particularly useful for videography as both finer details and environmental background can be captured in one shot.

    word image 1 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    2:1 Macro to Infinity Focus

    Deep Depth-of-Field

    The wide angle design also means much more depth of field at close distance (compared to the telephoto macro lens) so that more background details will now be visible. Being able to focus so close but still having a deep depth of field is a BIG advantage for both studio and wildlife shooting. The less blurry background allows the habitat of the subject to be visible in your photo.

    word image 2 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    DOF Comparison vs Tele-macro lens

    Waterproof front lens barrel

    The front barrel of the lens is waterproof and it can be used to shoot in any environment. This makes shooting in liquid no longer a limitation. The waterproof design also implies that shooting in super dusty environment or with fine powders are not going to be a problem.

    word image 3 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    Waterproof Front Barrel enables a lot of possibilities

    40cm long & Tubular Lens Barrel

    Thanks to the 40cm (15.7″) long barrel, photographers can focus really close to the subject but still keep themselves and cameras distance away. This unlocks the possibility of shooting in areas which were not accessible in the past. E.g. Shooting a frog hiding in the bushes using our Probe lens, compared to getting a telephoto macro lens super close to avoid leaves blocking your subject. The long lens barrel also allows photographers to keep a safe distance away when shooting lethal animals. The big camera body and lens will no longer ‘alert' the subject too.

    word image 4 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    Shooting at areas which were not accessible in the past

    Tiny 2cm lens tip

    The tiny 0.2cm-in-diameter lens tip unlocks the possibility to get very low to the ground level to capture a ‘delicious' perspective and maximize the visual impact. The viewers will be like walking on your shooting subject (e.g. Pizza) now. Moreover, you can insert the lens into tiny caves, bottle or burrows to shoot. The smaller lens tip also enables proper lighting hitting onto the subject whereas typical macro lenses with larger lens barrels will block most of the light.

    word image 7 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    Get very low to the ground level to capture a ‘delicious' perspective

    LED Ring Light at the tip

    A LED ring light (powered through the micro-USB slot on the barrel) is mounted at the tip of the lens to provide additional lighting for focus assistance and video shooting.

    word image 9 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

    Provide lighting for videography / focus assistance

    Full frame coverage

    The Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe can cover both the standard 35mm full frame and Super35 image sensor.

    Lightweight

    The new Laowa weighs only 1.04 pounds (474 grams) and it’s super light and easy to carry.

    The lens has one of the most complicated optics design and houses with 27 elements in 19 groups to deliver the exceptional image quality. Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony FE mounts are currently available for standard version. A cine version with click-less aperture and focus gears in Arri PL mount is also available to order.

    Availability

    The lens is expected to retail at USD 1,499/pc (ex-VAT). It is currently available to pre- order via Kickstarter at a discounted price. The earliest expected delivery date is September. The lens will also be available via authorized resellers from October onwards.

    Supplementary Materials

    • Sample Footages
      • Youtube Playlist
        • http://bit.ly/2LNFfrm
      • Wildlife
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FCXHojMOBE
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR3Q1Jwnr90
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGUzQw8XKFA
      • Table-top Videography
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7TMhhQvU0
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjPnwGOgcAE
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07P7aDw9xfI
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9JpwZzaSgI
      • Creative Shooting
        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHUUT4uRgiU
    • Venus Optics Official Website http://www.venuslens.net/

    Specifications

    Focal Length 24mm
    Max. Aperture f/14
    Min. Aperture f/40
    Angle of View 85°
    Format Compatibility Full Frame
    Lens Structure 27 elements in 19 groups

    (High Index Glass x 1, ED Glass x 2 & Prism x 2)

    Aperture Blades 7
    Min. Focusing Distance 470mm
    Min. Working Distance 20mm
    Max. Magnification 2:1
    Infinity Focus Yes
    Focusing Manual Focus
    Dimensions (Approx.) 38 x 408mm
    Weight (Approx.) 474g (1.04 lb)
    Mount (Standard Version) Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE
    Mount (Cine Version) Arri PL

    About Us

    Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics) is a new Chinese camera lens manufacturer based in Hefei, Anhui. We currently manufacture and distribute camera lenses under the brand name of ‘Laowa’.

    For more information about Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited and our products information, visit http://www.venuslens.net/

    For review request or other enquiries, please kindly contact us at [email protected]

    Go to discussion...

    Laowa Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens Venus Optics
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    23 comments

    1. DJL329
      August 1, 2018 at 6:51 pm
      That looks COOL! :eek: Definitely have to get!!!
      • Reply
      • 0
    2. tianxiaozhang
      August 1, 2018 at 6:56 pm
      Easily the weirdest (in a good way) lenses I've seen. Wow.

      Shame I don't shoot macro...
      • Reply
      • 0
    3. melgross
      August 1, 2018 at 7:20 pm
      I’m liking this lens. At that price it doesn’t seem to be a cheap junk product, even though it’s cheap for what it does. I do a lot of macro, and even designed and built my own macro unit, so I just might pick this up.
      • Reply
      • 0
    4. melgross
      August 1, 2018 at 7:21 pm
      By the way, I like the new site design.
      • Reply
      • 0
    5. bod
      August 1, 2018 at 7:50 pm
      Yes new site operation is good.

      As regards the OP this looks like a fun piece of kit if you engage in insect photography as I do and the performance & price is right. One observation though is that when poking it through foliage as suggested in the image that whilst the lens tip may get close an on camera or hand held flash will likely be blocked by the foliage so ISO will be really high.
      • Reply
      • 0
    6. miketcool
      August 1, 2018 at 10:26 pm
      We use probe lenses all the time for cinematography work. Glad to see there is at least a consumer version.
      • Reply
      • 0
    7. keithcooper
      August 1, 2018 at 10:29 pm
      I briefly checked it out last year and have been asking them ever since when it would be available. Hope to get one for a review before too long :-)
      • Reply
      • 0
    8. slclick
      August 1, 2018 at 10:36 pm
      I'm interested. I do think someone might mistake it for a barrel...an idiot, yes, but it will happen. People think they see firearms everywhere they are not these days.
      • Reply
      • 0
    9. Mt Spokane Photography
      August 2, 2018 at 12:02 am
      I was tempted to order one on kick starter, but decided to wait and see how buyers review them. I will be unlikely to use such a lens seriously, but the idea of something to use for macro video is interesting. I'm sure it is not easy to use, a camera with IBIS might be a help?
      • Reply
      • 0
    10. Jim Saunders
      August 2, 2018 at 12:08 am
      I'm interested. I do think someone might mistake it for a barrel...an idiot, yes, but it will happen. People think they see firearms everywhere they are not these days.

      As much as I want one, I now want a roll of brightly coloured adhesive tape to go along with it.

      Jim
      • Reply
      • 0
    11. drjlo
      August 2, 2018 at 2:50 am
      I would have to try hand-holding this lens myself to be convinced of its real-life usefulness. Too bad my Canons do not offer IBIS, which I'm sure would help.
      Also, the small LED array at end, while seemingly a good idea, appears to be creating harsh, blown-out videos in their sample videos in burrows. I wonder if the LED strength can be adjusted and how useful it actually would be in Macro photo shooting.
      • Reply
      • 0
    12. slclick
      August 2, 2018 at 2:55 am
      Just imagine all the video style stabilizer accessories you can buy!
      • Reply
      • 0
    13. Zeidora
      August 2, 2018 at 3:07 am
      If this lens goes to infinity, and largest f-stop is 14, then at 2:1 it is f/42, with f/40 at 2:1 gives effective f/120! This may work for an instagram post, but don't even think about printing at 8x10". Diffraction soup galore! Fun toy anyway, but not tempted.
      • Reply
      • 0
    14. Chaitanya
      August 2, 2018 at 3:33 am
      I briefly checked it out last year and have been asking them ever since when it would be available. Hope to get one for a review before too long :)
      How did Kai get one for review?
      https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?threads/venus-laowa-24mm-relay-lens-preview.35468/
      • Reply
      • 0
    15. ahsanford
      August 2, 2018 at 6:22 am
      How did Kai get one for review?
      https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?threads/venus-laowa-24mm-relay-lens-preview.35468/

      Because Kai is, in fact, Kai.

      When you build two different social media presences to over 500k followers, advanced access to schwag tends to follow.

      - A
      • Reply
      • 0
    16. riker
      August 2, 2018 at 8:57 am
      Vaaaahahaha hand-held :))))) Suuuuure. Why all these marketing videos need to be full of shit?! :(
      • Reply
      • 0
    17. sanj
      August 2, 2018 at 9:36 am
      Wow. Cool. Interesting possibilities!
      • Reply
      • 0
    18. DJL329
      August 2, 2018 at 11:24 am
      I would have to try hand-holding this lens myself to be convinced of its real-life usefulness. Too bad my Canons do not offer IBIS, which I'm sure would help.
      Also, the small LED array at end, while seemingly a good idea, appears to be creating harsh, blown-out videos in their sample videos in burrows. I wonder if the LED strength can be adjusted and how useful it actually would be in Macro photo shooting.

      In Kai's review, he shows the cable that attaches to the lens to connect to a USB power source. In addition to the cable's On/Off switch, it has Up and Down switches to increase/decrease the lights' intensity.

      • Reply
      • 0
    19. Chaitanya
      August 5, 2018 at 4:36 pm
      Here is Dpreview's preview of this lens:
      https://www.dpreview.com/videos/867...f14-probe-may-look-strange-but-it-sure-is-fun
      • Reply
      • 0
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