Laowa Aksen Ultra Macro Lenses Start at $749 With up to 10x Magnification

Venus Optics has introduced the new Laowa Aksen series: two ultra macro APO lenses covering magnifications from 1x all the way up to 10x. The 45mm f/2.8 handles 1–5x, while the 17.5mm f/1.7 pushes into 5–10x territory. Both lenses are available in stills and cine versions.

The headline feature on both lenses is the parfocal internal zoom. As you adjust magnification, focus stays locked and the working distance stays fixed – which means no repositioning the camera, no bumping your lights, and no chasing your subject.

Apochromatic correction is the other big selling point. Color fringing is a real problem at high magnification, and Laowa’s APO design is aimed at eliminating it. The 11-blade diaphragm on both lenses also means out-of-focus backgrounds will render smoothly. The 45mm’s standard focal length gives it a depth-of-field advantage over longer macro designs, while the 17.5mm’s faster f/1.7 aperture helps compensate for the extreme magnification range it covers.

But there are a few caveats worth noting: both lenses are manual focus only. It’s expected at these magnification levels but still worth mentioning. Working distances are short – 41mm on the 45mm and just over 22mm on the 17.5mm. Venus Optics also notes that medium format shooters adapting these lenses should expect vignetting that varies by magnification level.

Both lenses come in six mounts: Canon RF, Fuji X, L-Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon Z, and Sony FE. As for the cine version, it comes in the PL mount.

Laowa Aksen Ultra Macro APO Specs

Specification	Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1–5X	Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5–10X
Format	Full Frame	Full Frame
Focal Length	45mm	17.5mm
Aperture	f/2.8	f/1.7
Lens Structure	13 elements in 9 groups	17 elements in 12 groups
Aperture Blades	11	11
Max. Magnification	1X – 5X	5X – 10X
Min. Working Distance	41.35mm	22.48mm
Focus Type	Manual (MF)	Manual (MF)
Front Diameter	Ø 56mm	Ø 42mm
Dimensions	Ø 70.2 x 121mm	Ø 70.2 x 127.5mm
Weight	599g	570g
Mounts	Sony FE, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount, Canon RF, Fuji X, MFT	Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount, Fuji X, MFT

Sample Images

Pricing and Availability

The Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1–5x and 17.5mm f/1.7 5–10X are priced at $749 for the stills version. You can get the 17.5mm version with coaxial illumination for an extra $100. The cine versions of both the 45mm and the 17.5mm f/1.7 5–10x are priced between $1,499 and $2,999, depending on configuration and whether you’re buying the set or just one lens. The lenses are marked as “special order, so no shipping date has been announced.

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[Image courtesy of Venus Optics]

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