Venus Optics Announces Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL – World’s Widest Full Frame Rectilinear Lens

Published: June 30, 2020

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL Lens

Venus Optics announces Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL – the World’s Widest FullFrame Rectilinear Lens available in fullframe Sony E-mount with a list price of $799.

Press Text
Anhui China, Jun 29, 2020 – Venus Optics, the manufacturer specialized in making unique camera lenses, unveiled the new Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL lens, the world’s widest rectilinear lens for full frame cameras. Venus Optics have been designing ultra-wide angle lenses with outstanding optical performance and their 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 lens is currently the world’s widest zoom lens for full frame cameras.

Ultra-wide perspective

Featuring a remarkable 135° angle of view, the new Laowa 9mm f/5.6 is currently the widest non-fisheye lens ever developed for full frame mirrorless cameras. Landscape photographers can now experience an ultimate wide-angle photography with beautiful scenery captured in one shot. The ultra-wide angle of view is particularly helpful for interior shooting as it helps exaggerated the sense of space. The one-of-a-kind perspective also helps realized a lot of formerly impossible shots.

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL Lens Sample Image
Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL Sample Image ©Wen Tai Da Shu

Super compact & lightweight

In response to the demand from mirrorless camera shooters of having a compact wide angle lens, Venus Optics have taken advantage of the flange distance of mirrorless cameras and compress the size of the 9mm f/5.6 lens to the smallest in its class, measuring approximately 2.4 inches (~6cm) long and weighing only 12 oz. (350g) with a lens diameter of 60mm. It is a welcome relief for landscape, architecture, interior or travel photographers that are traveling over long distances and looking for a high quality and portable ultra-wide lens to carry anywhere.

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL

Extremely close focusing distance

In addition to the ultra-wide perspective, the new Laowa 9mm lens can focus extremely close, almost like a macro lens. The closest focusing distance is only 4.72” (12cm) measuring from subject to sensor. This is so much closer than the other ultra-wide angle lenses in the market and it provides a greater flexibility for photographers to compose shots at close and far distances and control depth of field much more easily.

Exceptional optical performance

Incorporating a 14 elements in 10 groups optical design, the 9mm is able to deliver outstanding image sharpness from corners to corners. The 2 aspherical elements and 2 extra-low dispersion elements help to eliminate chromatic aberrations successfully. Despite the fact that it is not one of the Zero-D lenses, the lens still exhibit a very low distortion at infinity distance compared to other ultra-wide angle lenses in the market.

Mount options

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL is currently available in Leica M, Sony FE, Nikon Z and L mount. It’s the first Leica M lens Venus Optics have ever produced. It also supports rangefinder coupling on Leica cameras. 2 colors (Black & Silver) are available for Leica M mount.

100mm-wide filters compatible

Venus Optics truly understand that filter is essential to produce an impressive landscape photo. Despite being an ultra-wide angle lens, Venus Optics have managed to work with partners to carefully design a filter holder that 100mm wide filters can be used without serious vignetting. Unlike some other wide angle lenses where 120mm or even 150mm filter system are required, the entire landscape shooting setup for the Laowa 9mm lens will be extremely portable.

100mm Filter Holder

10 point sunstars

Laowa 9mm f/5.6 is designed with 5-bladed aperture where a clean and appealing 10-point sunstar rendering can be created.

Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL Lens Sample Image
Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL Sample Image ©Gua Ge

Specifications

Focal Length: 9mm
Max. Aperture: f/5.6
Min. Aperture: f/22
Angle of View: 135°
Format Compatibility: Full Frame
Lens Structure: 14 elements in 10 groups
Aperture Blades: 5
Min. Focusing Distance: 4.72” (12 cm)
Max. Magnification: 0.21x
Filters Solutions: via 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder
Dimensions: 62.4 x 66 mm
Weight: 12.3 oz. (350g)
Mounts: Leica M, Sony FE, Nikon Z, Leica L

Pricing & Availability

The new Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL is currently available to purchase via Venus Optics official website and authorized resellers. The US price for 9mm f/5.6 FF RL is $899 (Leica M mount) and $799 (Sony FE, Nikon Z and L) Pricing varies in different countries.

The first 100 orders will get a 100mm magnetic filter holder (Retail Value: $149) for FREE.

About Venus Optics

Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics) is a new Chinese camera lens manufacturer based in Hefei, Anhui. We currently manufacture and distribute camera lenses under the brand name of ‘Laowa’.

ORDER NOW!

Order Venus Optics Laowa 9mm F5.6 FF RL Lens from B&H Photo | Venus Optics

Apply for B&H Photo Payboo Card

Thank you for supporting this website through purchases from our affiliate partners! We always strive to bring you the best deals and lowest prices.

Sony-Alpha-1-II-FE-28-70mm-F2-GM

Sony Alpha 1 II and FE 28-70mm F2 GM Available for Pre-Order NOW!

Published: November 20, 2024 The new Sony Alpha 1 II and FE 28-70mm f/2 GM Lens are Available for Pre-Order NOW! Order Sony Alpha 1

Read More »

Sony Alpha 1 II Livestream Watch NOW!

Published: November 20, 2024 Click below to rewatch our Livestream Panel Discussion about the new Sony Alpha 1 II where I join my fellow Sony

Read More »
Sony-FE-28-70-F2-GM-Canon-RF-L

Tale-of-the-Tape: Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM -vs- Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L Lenses

Published: November 19, 2024 With the announcement of the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM lens, here’s how the specs compare with the Canon RF 28-70mm

Read More »

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *