Venus Optics Announces their third Sony E-mount lens – the Laowa 12mm f/2.8, the world’s widest rectilinear fullframe F2.8 lens featuring an ultra-wide 122° Angle of View, available for pre-order on Kickstarter.

Press Release
Anhui China, Jul 30, 2016 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched several unique lenses including a Wide Angle Macro Lens & a Smooth Trans Focus Lens, is proud to introduce the world’s widest f/2.8 Lens, Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens for full frame cameras.

The new Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens features a close-to-zero optical distortion, allowing photographers to take landscape/architecture shots with straight lines retained. Featuring a widest angle of view (122°) ever built with a f/2.8 lens, the Laowa Lens is an ideal lens for a variety types of photography. From landscape, architecture, interior, travel to the most important one, astro photography. The combination of ultra wide-angle and fast aperture makes this lens a perfect tool for creating impressive milky way shots.

The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens is designed for photographers for everyday use and hence the weight and size has been controlled to the minimal. The lens weighs only 1.34 pounds (0.6kg) and has a front diameter of 77mm. Venus Optics also offers a filter holder which is designed to fit 2 pieces of 100mm filters and 1 piece of Circular Polarizing Filter.

The lens incorporates with 16 elements in 10 groups optical design, including 3 pieces of Extra-Low Dispersion elements and 2pc of Aspherical Elements. This design not only delivers an outstanding image sharpness and controls the distortion to the minmal, but also controls the chromatic aberration at its lowest level. A floating design is also adopted to ensure a good performance even in the closest focusing distance (0.18cm). The enclosure of the lens is fully made of metal to strengthen its durability. Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Sony A and Pentax K mounts are available.

Laowa Magic Shift Converter

Along with the new Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens, Venus Optics also announces the Laowa Magic Shift Converter which is able to enlarge the full frame image circle through the 4pcs of elements inside the converter. The enlarged image circle provides sufficient image field for lenses shifting by a maximum of 10mm without vignetting. It will transform the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens (DSLR mount) into a 17mm f/4 Professional Shift Lens with +/- 10mm shift capability for Full-Frame E-mount cameras. It is a perfect tool for professional architectural photography. The principle is explained in below diagram.

Pricing and Availability

The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 lens is available for backing via Kickstarter. It will then be available for purchase at authorized distributors and resellers in Sept 2016. The recommended retail price without tax is $949 USD. The Laowa Filter Holder & Laowa Magic Shift Converter will be available at authorized distributors and resellers beginning in October. The recommended retail price without tax is $50 and $300 USD respectively.

Specs:

Focal Length: 12mm
Maximum Aperture: F/2.8
Angle of View: 121.96°
Elements/ Groups: 16/10 (3pcs ED, 2pcs ASP)
Aperture Blades: 7
Format Compatibility: Full Frame
Minimum Aperture: F/22
Minimum Focus Distance: 7.09″ (0.18 cm)
Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 0.2x
Focusing: Manual Focus
Dimensions(DxL): 74.8×82.8mm
Weight: 1.34 lb (609 g)
Mounts: Canon EF | Nikon AI | Pentax K Sony A | Sony FE
Hood: Detachable

About Venus Optics

Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics) is a new Chinese camera lens manufacturer based in Hefei, Anhui. They manufacture and distribute camera lenses under the brand name of “˜Laowa’. For more information about Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited and their products information, visit www.venuslens.net

More Venus Optics E-mount Lenses:

Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro E-mount Lens
Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus E-mount Lens