Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D is the world’s widest rectilinear lens for Fujifilm GFX

Venus Optics has launched the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D GFX lens, a wide-angle lens for Fujifilm GFX camera system. Announced way back in spring last year, the world’s widest rectilinear lens is finally available for orders.

Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D GFX is a 13.5mm equivalent ultra-wide-angle prime, offering the 113°ultra-wide angle of view. The new lens is the fourth member of the Laowa’s “Zero-D” product line-up. The “Zero-D” stands for “zero distortion,” as the company promises a close-to-zero optical distortion rate. Because of this, the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D GFX could be particularly useful for architecture and interior photographers.

Other than architecture photographers, the company is also targeting landscape photographers with this lens. And since they often use filters, they’ll be happy to know that this lens allows using screw-on filters. Unlike most ultra-wide-angle lenses in the market, the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D GFX doesn’t have a bulgy front element. It’s designed to support 86mm filter, and you can also get an optional magnetic filter holder for using with 100mm-wide slot-in filters.

The lens is built of 21 elements in 14 groups and features a 5-blade aperture system, which creates 10-point sunstar rendering. It offers a pretty good close-focus capability: up to 7.9” (20cm) between the object and the sensor. In fact, most Laowa lenses boast this feature, which helps you get some creative close-up shots with lots of background information included.

Venus Optics describes Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D as the smallest in its class. It is approximately 4.9 inches (12.5cm) long and weighs 1.8 lbs (800g), with a diameter of 88mm.

Here are the full specs:

And some sample photos:

The lens is available for orders via Venus Optics website for $1,199, and shipping should start in mid-August 2019.