Venus Optics has made a name in the photographic community with its unique lenses, many of which fall into either ultra-wide or macro categories. Its Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D ($849) is the former, with a wide aperture and an optical design that all but eliminates barrel distortion. The latter is a plus for photographers, but especially important for videographers, as are silent aperture control and front filter support. It's a unique lens, but one that might make more sense than an autofocus alternative for some. Designed for Full-Frame Mirrorless The Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D is built for mirrorless. Wide-angle lenses benefit from a short distance between the rear glass and image sensor, so Venus is able to make this noticeably smaller and lighter than similar designs for SLRs. It measures 3.2 by 2.6 inches (HD), weighs about 1.1 pound, and supports 72mm front filters. It's finished in black metal, with Venus' trademark blue accent ring at the front. Build quality is generally stron...
The Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D is an ultra-wide lens with an especially bright aperture and almost no barrel distortion.
Ultra-wide angle of view; Eliminates barrel distortion; Declickable aperture control; Front filter support; Fluorine lens coat; Minimal focus breathing; Full-frame coverage; Available for multiple systems
Manual focus not for everyone; Heavy vignette; A little soft at wide aperture; No stabilization or electronic communication; Hood fits a bit loose; Pentagonal bokeh highlights