Venus Optics has announced their Laowa Magic Shift Converter ($300 – Available Here) for Sony E-Mount cameras specially designed for the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens (Available Here). This 1.4x teleconverter will convert the lens into a 17mm f/4 Zero-D lens with +/- 10mm shift capability.
The adapter will be available for both Canon & Nikon mount Laowa lenses for Sony Full Frame E-mount cameras. It may also work with other ultra-wide angle lenses. Laowa Magic Shift Converter (MSC) Canon EF – Sony FE will begin shipping late July 2017. The Nikon AI – Sony FE version will begin shipping a few months later.
Official Text
Anhui China, Jul 10, 2017 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique Laowa camera lenses, unveil the Laowa Magic Shift Converter (MSC) for Sony Full Frame E-mount cameras. It can convert your ultra-wide angle lens into a Shift lens and with no vignetting observed.
Laowa Magic Shift Converter (MSC) is a lens adapter built with a patented optics system, which expands the image circle of the ultra-wide angle lenses. The shift mechanism on the adapter takes advantage of the enlarged image circle and shift the camera sensor along the axis. The MSC is specially designed for the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens and it will convert the lens into a 17mm f/4 Zero-D lens with +/- 10mm shift capability.
There is no vignetting observed even at the maximum shift and we have successfully controlled the image performance impact to the minimal. The close-to-zero distortion feature of this lens can also be retained. Additionally, the MSC comes with a 360° rotation structure which allows photographers to shoot in both horizontal and portrait orientation.
Shift lens is extremely beneficial for architecture photographers to capture the skyscrapers and real estate photos because the converged lines arisen from perspective distortion can be easily eliminated. When using a standard lens angled upwards to shoot a building, the bottom of the building will appear wider and bigger than the top. Shift can be used to keep the image plane parallel to the subject so that the sides of the tall building can stay parallel.
