Laowa Announces Parfocal, Broadcast, and Probe Zoom Lenses at NAB 2026
Apr 17, 2026
David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.
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Laowa, the flagship brand of Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics), made a striking impact at NAB Show 2026 with the introduction of its groundbreaking Axon series; widely recognized as the world’s first parfocal zoom super macro lenses. Headlining the launch are the Axon 45mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro 1–5x APO and the Axon 17.5mm f/1.7 5–10x Ultra Macro APO, both designed to redefine macro cinematography.
What sets these lenses apart is their ability to maintain a constant working distance throughout the zoom range. This parfocal capability allows filmmakers to adjust magnification without repositioning the camera, a major advancement for precision-driven fields such as scientific, medical, and tabletop filmmaking. By eliminating the risk of disrupting delicate subjects or introducing unwanted shadows, the Axon lenses streamline workflows and expand creative possibilities.
Focus on Cinematographers
In addition to the Axon series, Laowa introduced its Ultima Broadcast Zoom lenses, including a powerful 25–180mm T3.8 and an impressive 25–600mm T4 with a 24x zoom ratio. These lenses are engineered for professional broadcast environments, offering minimal focus breathing and consistent performance across demanding shooting scenarios like sports and wildlife coverage.
Laowa also showcased its innovative Probe Zoom series, featuring ultra-wide options designed for shooting in tight or unconventional spaces. Together, these releases reinforce Laowa’s reputation for pushing optical boundaries and delivering practical solutions for modern cinematographers.
No word on either pricing or availability, yet.
Enjoy.
David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.
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