Venus Optics Updates Laowa 15mm F4.5R Zero-D Shift Lens
Venus Optics announced the release of an updated version of its Laowa 15mm F4.5R Zero-D Shift lens. Available in Canon EF & RF, Nikon F & Z, Sony E, Pentax K, L mount & Fujifilm G mounts, the US price of this lens is $1,199.
The new Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift features 14 blade-aperture instead of the 5 blade in the original, and not only works with the full-frame format but also covers medium format sensors. The lens aperture also has an impact on the shape of bokeh in the photographs. The new red ring version creates round bokeh on the out-of-focus backgrounds. It is smoother and hence more appealing in the night-view city scenes, says Venus Optics.
Laowa Lenses are sold at Adorama and B&H.
Key Features:
- 14-Pointed Sunstars
- World’s Widest Shift Lens for Full Frame Cameras
- ±11mm Shift Amount
- “Zero” Distortion
- Top-Notch Image Quality
- Extremely Close Focusing Distance
- 360° Rotation
- Special Design Lens Support* *Not included, sold separately.
New 14 Blades Aperture
Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift is made with a 14-blade aperture, producing 14-point sunstars. Compared to the previous 5-blade aperture version, the sunburst effect with fourteen rays is softer and subtler. Using lenses with different blades, you can create the desired starburst effect in particular scenes. It is critical for architecture photography when there are often strong light sources and reflections on the windows.
The new lens aperture also offer different shape of bokeh and flares in the photographs. 15mm f/4.5R creates round bokeh on the out-of-focus backgrounds. It is smoother and hence more appealing in the night-view city scenes.
World’s Widest Shift Lens
The angle of view for Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift is 110° with a huge image circle up to ⌀ 65mm. The ultra-wide angle perspective gives photographers great flexibility to frame the object and background. It is perfect for capturing supertall skyscrapers, magnificent architecture, and interior works.
±11mm Shift Amount
The maximum possible shift amount of the lens is ±11mm for full-frame cameras and ±8mm for medium format cameras (e.g. Fujifilm GFX / Hasselblad X1D). The shift capability allows photographers to capture straight architecture and interiors. By shifting the lens, perspective distortion can be fixed, straightening the lines that appear to converge in the distance. It is incomparable to post-editing or photo cropping, crooked images are corrected by the lens, so a large area on the image can be preserved.
The ±11mm shift amount also allows photographers to expand the angle of view by stitching multiple images. It gives an extraordinary image perspective and rooms for special compositions.
Ready For Medium Format
With a huge ⌀65mm image circle, the lens works with the full-frame format and covers the medium format sensors. It is the World’s Widest lens for medium format with no vignetting. All the shift lens from Laowa is now available for Fujifilm GFX mount.
Zero Distortion
Composed of 17 elements in 11 groups with 2pcs of aspherical elements. It suppresses the distortion to nearly zero level from corner to corner. It is game-changing for architecture and interior photography as straight and sharp edges can be captured easily.
Top-Notch Image Quality
15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift has adapted the new lens coating technology. It has excellent control of chromatic aberration, flaring, and ghosting effects.
Extremely Close Focusing Distance
This lens is very versatile, with its ultra-wide angle feature and 20mm closest focusing distance, wide-angle macro-like images can be created easily.
360° Rotation
The lens is engineered with the rotation function on the barrel, allowing photographers to change the direction of the shift by pressing the silver unlock button conveniently. The lens barrel can be rotated at 360° and it clicks every 15°. It is very user-friendly for composing both landscape and portrait photographs.
Special Designed Lens Support
A Lens support is specially designed to work with all Laowa’s Shift lens. The rotatable ring is extremely helpful for stitching by keeping the principal axis even when orientations are changed and shifted. A must-have to achieve perfect stitching and panorama photography
