Venus Optics rehouses Laowa MTF lenses for cine and adds ultra-wide 6mm Cine Zero-D: Digital Photography Review

Chinese lens manufacturer Venus Optics has introduced a new range of four cinema lenses for the Micro Four Thirds system. Three of the lenses are rehoused versions of existing focal lengths, while the new 6mm T2.1 becomes the widest rectilinear focal length for the mount.

The range comprises:

• Laowa 6mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine
• Laowa 10mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine
• Laowa 17mm T1.9 MFT Cine
• Laowa 50mm T2.9 Macro APO MFT Cine

The two wider lenses use the company’s Zero-D label which in the past has indicated that curvilinear distortion will be very successfully controlled, while the 50mm T2.9 is perhaps the first cine version of a 2x macro lenses. All of the lenses are very small and light, and the wide angles are especially suited to drone work.

The 6mm T2.1 is a completely new design that offers a 121.9° angle of view and uses 13 elements in just 3 groups. Two aspherical elements in the construction help to achieve the Zero-D effect, and a 9cm (3.54in) closest-focus distance will offer users some interesting perspectives. The lens takes a 58mm filter, measures 61x53mm (2.4×2.08″) and weighs 180g (6.35oz).

Each of the lenses comes in a straight cylindrical design that is simpler than the stills versions, and focus and aperture rings are fitted with 0.8 mod gears.

Venus Optics is offering these lenses individually as well as in bundles of three. One bundle comprises 10mm, 17mm and 50mm lenses, and the existing 7.5mm T2.1, the new 10mm and the new 17mm lenses. All the lenses and bundles are available now from the Venus Optics website.

• Laowa 6mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine – USD $699
• Laowa 10mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine – USD $549
• Laowa 17mm T1.9 MFT Cine – USD $399
• Laowa 50mm T2.9 Macro APO MFT Cine – USD $549
• Laowa MFT Cine Prime 3-Lens [Wide + Macro] – USD $1,350
• Laowa MFT Cine Prime 3-Lens Wide Bundle – USD $1,450

Press release:

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Laowa expands its cine lens series for Micro Four Thirds

Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer specialized in making unique lenses for photographers and cinematographers, is thrilled to announce the release of four cine lenses and two bundles.

Laowa 6mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine

The widest rectilinear MFT lens
Laowa 6mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine is exclusively designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, providing the widest rectilinear option for MFT shooters. With a 121.9° angle of view, users are able to shoot in tight space and capture more details in the shot. The closest focusing distance i.e. 9cm/ 3.54” creates a stronger background bokeh effect. The constant maximum t-stop T2.1 is also favorable and flexible to shoot under low-light conditions.

“Zero-Distortion”
The newly devised optical design contains 13 elements in 3 groups with two aspherical glasses, controlling distortion while keeping it ultra wide. This lens is awarded the “Zero-Distortion” badge that is one of the best choices for filming in tight space and buildings. Moreover, it saves the time of correction in post-production.

Extremely short focusing distance
The shortest focusing distance is 9cm/ 3.54” which is favorable in creating shallower depth-of-field when shooting close-ups and that helps create stronger background bokeh effect.

Small and compact
Laowa 6mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine is a tiny and light lens suitable for several uses, like with gimals, handheld, FPV drones etc. The lens weighs around 180g/ 6.35oz and it is measured to be ~?61 x 53mm/ 2.40 x 2.08”. The standard 58mm filter thread for mounting screw-in filters brings convenience and places less burden on outdoor filming.

Product page

Laowa 10mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine

Outstanding image quality with Zero-Distortion
Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D has been one of the best sellers in the Laowa Micro Four Thirds photo lens range. It is rehoused into Laowa 10mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine with 0.8 mod gears. It features a 96° angle of view on the MFT sensor, providing a wide and unique perspective. The lens is designed with a sublime optical distortion control. The 11 elements in 7 groups optical design includes 2 pieces of ED glasses and 2 pieces of aspherical glasses that control the distortion and color fringing to the minimum.

Small and compact
Extreme compact (?56 x 47mm / 2.20 x 1.85” and 150g / 5.29oz) is the conspicuous character of this lens since it is the smallest in the range. Despite the tiny size, the lens is still able to use a ?49mm screw-in filter which allows quick installation and remain lightweight. The size makes it handy to be filmed with a gimbal and become the favorite of many drone pilots.

Product page

Laowa 17mm T1.9 MFT Cine

A handy lens with versatile focal length
The Laowa 17mm T1.9 MFT Cine is a high-speed compact lens with a 65° field of view on a Micro Four Thirds sensor. Constant T1.9 maximum t-stop allows users to shoot in low light conditions. You can easily separate your subject from the background. Apart from the aperture, a 15mm/5.9″ minimum focus distance is also very useful for shooting close-ups and creating a shallow depth of field.

Small and Compact
Weighed around 175g /6.17oz with a tiny body size i.e. ?56 x 53mm (2.20 x 2.08”), this lens fits well with smaller MFT cinema cameras for any style of shooting.

Product page

Laowa 50mm T2.9 Macro APO MFT Cine

Up to 2x Magnification Macro lens
Laowa 50mm T2.9 Macro APO MFT Cine is equipped with 2x magnification that can be rarely found in the market. More details and objects with even smaller sizes can be easily captured. It can also focus from 2X macro to infinity which can serve as a portrait lens. Very useful for shooting b-rolls and products commercial as well.

Apochromatic optical (APO) design
An apochromatic (APO) design has been adopted that controls the color fringing to the minimum. It greatly improves the sharpness and clarity of images.

Small and Compact
Weighed around 289g/ 10.19oz with a tiny body size i.e. ?58 x 83mm (2.28 x 3.26”), this lens is super light and handy compared with other macro lenses in the market.

Product page

All lenses are molded with mod 0.8 gear. The aperture ring and focusing ring of each lens have the same position so filmmakers can quickly switch between lenses without readjusting. Both imperial and metric scales are printed on the lens body.

Pricing and Availability

Laowa 6mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine, 10mm T2.1 Zero-D MFT Cine, 17mm T1.9 MFT Cine and 50mm T2.9 Macro APO MFT Cine are currently available to purchase via Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/) and authorized dealers. It is priced at USD699, USD549, USD399 and USD549 respectively. Laowa MFT Cine Prime 3-Lens [Wide + Macro] and Laowa MFT Cine Prime 3-Lens Wide Bundle are priced at USD1,350 and USD1,450.

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