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    Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

    By Updated:23 Comments3 Mins Read Third Party Lenses
    laowa11mmheader - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

    Venus Optics has officially announced a new lens for the RF mount, the Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL. This new lens is extremely compact measuring only 2.5″(6.3cm) long and weighs 8.9oz (254g). With only 5 aperture blades, you're also able to create 10-point sunstars. This is Laowa's 7th official release for the RF mount.

    The Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL retails for $699USD and is available now directly from Venus Optics and it will make its way to official dealers soon.

    You can check out all of the available third-party lenses for the RF mount here.

    Press Release

    Anhui China, February 19 2021 – Venus Optics, the manufacturer specialized in making unique camera lenses, now offers more variants to 2 popular Laowa lenses. Added Canon RF mount for the Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL lens (Full Frame) and Nikon Z mount for Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO (APS-C). Offering Canon Full-frame (R, RP, R5 & R6) users an exceptional ultra-wide experience and the high magnification power on Nikon APS-C body (Z50).

    Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

    Laowa 11mm F4.5 FF RL is an extremely compact rectilinear(RL) wide-angle lens for full-frame (FF) mirrorless cameras. The remarkable 126° angle of view with a 19cm minimum focus distance can be found in this 6.3cm(2.5 inches) long and 254g(8.9oz) lens. It allows you to capture the stunning landscape, precious travel moments and beautiful cityscape without any burden. The lens also includes 2 aspherical elements and 3 extra-low dispersion elements to guarantee sharpness, suppress chromatic aberrations and distortion to the minimum.

    Conveniently a 62mm filter can be screwed onto the lens directly, or a 100mm-wide filter can be used. The 5-bladed aperture is able to create clean and appealing stunning 10-point sunstars.

    Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL is now available in Leica M, Sony FE, Nikon Z, Canon RF and L mount. MSRP in USD is $799(Leica M) and $699 (other mounts).

    Specifications

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    11mm Optical Structure 18 728x393 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL MTF 11mm 688x575 - Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa RF 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

    Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO

    Laowa 65mm f/2.8 is optimized for mirrorless cameras with APS-C format. As the only macro lens in the market that is capable of producing 2X life-size images, the lens allows photographers to use it for a wide range of subjects. The 65mm f/2.8 also inherited the excellent Apochromatic optical(APO) design from Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X macro, which suppresses the chromatic aberration at both in-focus and out-of-focus areas to the minimum. Delivering stunning details and contrast from centre to corner even when using a wide-open aperture. This professional prime lens delivers exceptional resolution and sharpness.

    With only 335g(11.8oz), the lens is a very versatile lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. The internal focus design can maintain the overall lens length during use, which avoids any collision or damage to the subject. Thanks to the advantage of its lightweight and compactness, this lens is definitely a great companion for outdoor and ecological photography.

    It is now available in Canon EF-M, Fuji X, Sony E & Nikon Z mounts. The suggested retail price in the US is US$399.

    Specifications

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    23 comments

    1. I love how they are creativ and pushing the lines.
      Im still waiting for the laowa RF 15mm f/4 1:1 macro lens.
      I own the EF version but changed completely to the R system with my cameras.
      I love the lens it makes so much fun to just shoot for fun, but of course also for serious work.
    2. I love how they are creativ and pushing the lines.
      Im still waiting for the laowa RF 15mm f/4 1:1 macro lens.
      I own the EF version but changed completely to the R system with my cameras.
      I love the lens it makes so much fun to just shoot for fun, but of course also for serious work.
      I'm curious why you wouldn't just spring for the EF->RF adapter to keep using the laowa 15mm lens?

      I love the thing...I'm actually adapting it and using it on my Leica M10M.....

      I find that one of the GREAT things I love most about mirrorless cameras, is being able to readily adapt such a huge number of lenses, both vintage and new, to the new mirrorless bodies.

      I think that's one of the strengths of the mirrorless bodies out today....embrace it.
      ;)
    4. I'm curious why you wouldn't just spring for the EF->RF adapter to keep using the laowa 15mm lens?

      I love the thing...I'm actually adapting it and using it on my Leica M10M.....

      I find that one of the GREAT things I love most about mirrorless cameras, is being able to readily adapt such a huge number of lenses, both vintage and new, to the new mirrorless bodies.

      I think that's one of the strengths of the mirrorless bodies out today....embrace it.
      ;)
      I use the adapter and use the lens alot as a allround for small hikes, versatile light combo for going out into the nature but also travel.

      The almost dont care problem is the extra length but the big problem is I dont get the maximum 1:1 reproduction somehow.
      I dint made exact test and comparisons but I guess I need to.
      My feelings says I could get 1mm closer but still it is almost nothing and it just dont feel right anymore, after some years and alot of traveling I anyway would like to replace it for a native one now on the new system.
    6. If the numbers from their chart are 10L/mm and 30L/mm, then it’s almost useless. A chart with 10L/mm means almost nothing.
      10 and 30 L/mm are the standard for all MTF charts and that one actually looks pretty good for an 11mm lens. Odds are it will be better on periphery when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8 as well. Hopefully Brian will test it at TDP and we can see what it looks like on a chart, but that may not be the whole story either since it might have some field curvature that could be used to advantage for better results than indicated on a flat chart. The small size makes it very interesting for field work.
    7. A very interesting new lens. My RF collection is still pending any move in the UWA segment, the RF 15-35 is not what I want, so I am using EF lenses while waiting for some new RF lenses to materialize. I like the quality of my EF 11-24L, it makes some unique pictures in so many ways but the bulk is something of a buzzkill for travel photography. Will the capabilities of the RF mount result in an RF 10-24 or RF 11-24 that is more compact? That is my hope, but if not the option of a relatively compact 11mm prime and then a 14-35 L IS or similar could be very tempting. I love my other UWA zoom, the EF 16-35 L IS, while it is of course more limited in range it is a pleasant size and weight more suited to a traveling camera bag.
    8. I love how they are creativ and pushing the lines.
      Im still waiting for the laowa RF 15mm f/4 1:1 macro lens.
      I own the EF version but changed completely to the R system with my cameras.
      I love the lens it makes so much fun to just shoot for fun, but of course also for serious work.
      Me too. Love that little macro. I do use it quite a lot with an adapter. In fact, that's where I keep my adapter. Would eagerly purchase an RF version.

      Now that we finally have full frame cameras with fully-articulated screens, I feel the Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro can really come into its own. Getting within 1 cm of a bug in a marsh isn't easy with a freaking 5d4. The flippy/tilty on the R5 and R6 brings whole new worlds into convenient range with that lens.
    9. 10 and 30 L/mm are the standard for all MTF charts and that one actually looks pretty good for an 11mm lens. Odds are it will be better on periphery when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8 as well. Hopefully Brian will test it at TDP and we can see what it looks like on a chart, but that may not be the whole story either since it might have some field curvature that could be used to advantage for better results than indicated on a flat chart. The small size makes it very interesting for field work.
      10 isn’t “standard”. Some companies use 20 and 40. Some use 30 and 60. 10 and 30 is really lowballing it.
    11. Generally a good vlogging lens just with 4k on an RP or on a C70. What about a harness which allows to focus this lens externally via an ultrasonic or optical distance meter and some standard video gear?
      EDIT: 11mm @ f/4.5 shoud not be too critical with a focus system which is precise within 2cm ...
    15. 10 isn’t “standard”. Some companies use 20 and 40. Some use 30 and 60. 10 and 30 is really lowballing it.
      The lowballing makes me wonder about sharpness, but its compatible with 100mm square filters, which I already own. I doubt the rumoured RF 10-15mm would be.

      As I haven't upgraded to mirrorless yet, I'll be waiting for reviews.
    17. The lowballing makes me wonder about sharpness, but its compatible with 100mm square filters, which I already own. I doubt the rumoured RF 10-15mm would be.

      As I haven't upgraded to mirrorless yet, I'll be waiting for reviews.
      I expect low priced lenses like these to have decent quality, but not “great” quality. Every so often an inexpensive lens from a third tier maker such as this one lucks out, and performs above its weight. Truth is that it’s more luck than anything else.
    18. 10 isn’t “standard”. Some companies use 20 and 40. Some use 30 and 60. 10 and 30 is really lowballing it.
      I see Olympus uses 20 and 60, but they are using lines/mm as opposed to line pairs/mm, so that is still 10 and 30 line pairs/mm. Please advise who is using 20 and 40 or 30 and 60 line pairs/mm.
    19. I see Olympus uses 20 and 60, but they are using lines/mm as opposed to line pairs/mm, so that is still 10 and 30 line pairs/mm. Please advise who is using 20 and 40 or 30 and 60 line pairs/mm.
      They mean line pairs. It’s assumed, they don’t have to say it.

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