DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Laowa’s new 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO boasts to be the world’s smallest 2x full-frame macro lens

Nov 29, 2021 by John Aldred Add Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Venus Optics has just announced their new Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. They claim that it’s the world’s lightest 2x macro lens for full-frame cameras. Measuring only 53 x 81mm and weighing in at a mere 269g for the Sony E mount version, that might indeed be the case.

The lens is coming to a number of mirrorless mounts, including Canon EF, Sony E, Nikon Z and Leica M – but not Leica L (Update: Scroll down to the bottom). It offers an 85mm focal length with a minimum focus distance of 16.3cm for a fairly decent working distance and the APO design, Laowa says, helps you shoot them with minimal chromatic aberration.

How can they make an 85mm macro lens so small and light? Well, it’s all down to the maximum f/5.6 aperture. Most macro lenses around this focal length (the 85-105mm range) have a maximum aperture of f/2.8. I’ve no idea why because you’re never going to have the depth of field you need at macro distances with an f/2.8 aperture and if you’re always stopped down to f/11 anyway, then it’s just needlessly large and heavy. Laowa’s new 85mm f/5.6 solves this by losing two stops on the maximum aperture. For most macro shooters, though, that isn’t going to be a problem – especially with the ISO performance of today’s mirrorless bodies.

Focal length85mm
Max aperturef/5.6
Min aperturef/22
Angle of view28.5°
FormatFull-Frame
MountCanon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Leica M
Focus typeManual Focus
Lens typeRectilinear
Optics13 elements in 9 groups
Aperture blades7
Min focus distance16.3cm (6.69")
Dimensions53 x 81mm
Weight259g (9.1oz)

The 13 elements in 9 groups contain 3 extra-low dispersion elements to help eliminate colour fringing in both in-focus and out-of-focus areas, which Laowa says renders “stunning magnified pictures without chromatic aberration”. A bold claim, which should help to speed up post-processing workflow times if you don’t have to correct for the usual CA you often see with macro lenses (even expensive ones).

And for those that use macro flashes close to the lens, the lens barrel itself does not rotate nor does it change in length. All of the focusing is done internally to eliminate the chance of collision between lens and subject while focusing and reducing the chances of dust entering the lens. But it also means you can get your lights in real close without worrying that your lens is going to bump into them as it adjusts the focus.


The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is available to buy now through the Venus Optics website for the very modest price of $449 for Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E mounts or $499 for Leica M mount. It should be coming to the usual retailers soon and shipping begins in early December.

Update: February 16th, 2022. Laowa has now announced the 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO lens for Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L mount cameras. It’s the company’s first L mount lens 

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO now comes in L-mount, too Leica launches a pair of APO-Summicron full frame 75mm & 90mm f/2 prime lenses Laowa new super compact ultra-wide 11mm f/4.5 full-frame lens actually has a front filter thread Vazen new cine lens is an 85mm T2.8 1.8x anamorphic for full-frame

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: 2x Macro, 85mm f/5.6, Gear Announcement, Lens Announcement, Macro Lens

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

« How to shoot translucent product photos on a white background with just a couple of speedlights
Scottish Isle using facial recognition software to track puffins »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Here’s a bullet time video booth you can build yourself
  • Ricoh has discontinued the HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited silver lens
  • This “stellar flower” unravels the twilight’s evolution in 360 degrees
  • Strobes vs Continuous LEDs – Which is right for you?
  • Wave goodbye to Apple’s My Photo Stream next month

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy