If you need a wide angle or a macro lens you might take a look at this incredible 15mm that does both!
Laowa 15mm Macro Lens on Amazon: http://geni.us/NWZ41yx
Also available on B&H: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/laowa_15mm_macro/Ntt/laowa%2B15mm%2Bmacro/N/0/kw/search/BI/6566/KBID/7173/DFF/d10-v1-t12
In short, the Laowa 15mm F4 Macro lens is a wide angle lens that can shoot 1:1 macro AND has a shift mode for landscapes and architecture. This lens is fully manual with click less aperture settings and low distortion.
Pros:
Great wide angle with low distortion
Very short minimum focus distance
Smooth focus and aperture rings
Declicked aperture
Shifting mode for correcting tall distortion
77mm filter threads
Available in the following mounts:
Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE (e mount), Pentax K and others
Cons:
No autofocus
A somewhat heavy lens
Focus ring is at the rear of the lens
Heavy focus breathing near minimum focus
Do keep in mind there are two versions of this lens. Both seem to be identical but with different ascetics (newer model has a blue ring with different lens rings and shift button). I’m checking with Laowa to see what the differences are exactly.
DISCLAIMERS:
Some of these links have an affiliate code, if you purchase gear with these links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
This lens was supplied to me from Venus Optics free of charge. This review and it’s content was not reviewed or paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.
Price: $12.99
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SMALLRIG Super Lightweight 15mm Railblock with 1/4"-20 Thread for RED and Other 15mm DSLR Camera Rig - 942
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CRAFTSMAN Shallow Socket, Metric, 3/8-Inch Drive, 15mm, 6-Point (CMMT43547)
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Thank you so much for reviewing our lens!
That intro is even more amazing with earphones! Great lens, might be a great option.
If this beauty could only run on my Canon M6 sigh 🙂
Awesome review! Thanks for sharing.
Man…I was just in the market for a wide E-mount lens and I went with the Sigma 16mm f1.4.
I’d be all over this lens if it wasn’t an f4, maybe down the line when I can get specialty lenses I may grab this.
Make a video about the rokinon/samyang lens!!
its crap my friend had it
Very interesting, Caleb. Thanks.
Now I want to try extension tubes on my Rokinon 12mm.
<3 love you#
I have wanted this lens for a year or so now.. This made me want it more. Great comprehensive review!
Great video, laowa have some super interesting lenses, lack of distortion is crazy. Have my Samyang 14mm which has me happy on the extreme wide end but I’m very tempted!
Btw I always mean to ask you but what’s the song at the top and tail of your videos?
Guaranteed to be on backorder by tomorrow because Calib loves it.
I’m still on the list at a few places to get that Apature F7 LED light.
Is it available for micro four thirds? Or does Laowa have some kind of adapter?
Looks awesome. How far away can it focus?
Another super great video 🙂 Thanks !
I got so many ideas for perspective affects using this lens. Will have to see if it mounts on Canon to.
Laowa lenses are great. I have the 15mm f2.
WOW!!!
Dig it!
This lens is insane! I never would have even given this lens a second look if you hadn’t shared what it can do. Now I neeeed it! Haha
I wonder can Laowa 15mm f2 provide the same focus distance?
Caleb!! please do a review on their top lenses, ive been struggling to choose between this or the 12mm zero d, and then ALL OF THE OTHERS!! they just seem so great but also very familiar to each other (as they have a few that are repeated lengths) any thoughts?
Nice
Just added to my wishlist
Does it work with a speedbooster and GH5?
Probably buying this lens because of this review
Man I wish they would make this in a cine focal/aperture ring options instead of photo.
I almost bought this lens but went with a refurbished Tokina 10-17MM to save money. Both are recommended by Thomas Shahan and provide very similar results.
Any chance you could do a video explaining anamorphic on gh5 and gh5s? Cheers
finally a lens I can use to replicate my over the top anime live actions lool