Great video and interesting lens! But if I'm not mistaken this lens isn't actually a macro lens, it has a x0.25 magnification ratio according to Laowa's website. They do also make a 15mm macro but that is an f4 lens and is 500$. Also, a review of the LAOWA 105mm Smooth Trans Focus lens would be really interesting!
hello! The Laowa company has so many lenses it's easy to mix them up. I believe this is NOT the macro version. There is the Zero-D and the macro version; not the same. It would be easier to keep the lenses differentiated if you would put the mfgr part number in your comment section; some for your lens rental website. In addition, there is a zero-D with "shift"; a nice feature if taking pics of buildings...then there is a 15mm f4 wide macro with shift. That would be a good lens to check the distortion....too many models!
i think they are two different lenses, one is the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D and another is the Laowa 15mm F/4 Wide Angle 1 1 Macro Lens . not the same
Very useful video. I previously owned the Sigma and my main concern was paranoia about scratching that bulbous front element - and also the huge cost if you want to try and use Lee type fliters. I own a couple of other Laowa lenses (100mm 2x macro and 25mm 2-5 x macro) and the build and optical quality is amazing. Manual focus and exposure settings are so much easier with mirrorless. I am thinking of getting the 15mm ZD for landscape and architecture (instead of a tilt shift due to the wide field of view). Keep up the good work!
I wanted to know if I can use this lens not being auto focus for video and on a gimbal. I have an a7iii , so whats your opinion on this lens with the gimbal? thanks Bango
That is an awesome lens but I think it is not really sharp enough when I shoot buildings from a low angle. At least it has a bit dispersion on the edge of the pics.
At 15mm FL, the lens is already VERY close to the subject. Try the longer FL versions. If the mount is RF, the tube would fit, but no electrical in the Laowa; all manual.
FYI this is NOT the Zero-D version. There IS a 15mm ZERO-D which has a frog eye lens and no filter ability like the 12mm Zero-D. I have the 9mm Zero-D and it is excellent; doesn't use a frog eye lens. 49mm filter.
Very nice review. I had a question. I currently own 24mm 1.4 , 85mm 1.8 and 24-105 f/4. Thinking of getting rid of 24-105, as already have a 24 and 85 with better optics covered. Which lens should I get as a sub. Tamaron 28-75 f2.8 or get a wide prime than 24. I do mainly landscapes and street photography. Thanks.
Maybe you got a bad copy of the Sigma, but I have both of the lens and they are very different. Yes the weight and cost can’t be more stark. However for Astro work the Sigma comes out WAY on top. The Coma is completely gone by f 2.5 , maybe 2.8. Loawa, it so much. Additionally, the Loawa has horrible vignette at its lower reaches, far worse than the Sigma. The Sigma is just SOnMUCH more brighter out the edges. This comes in KEY when doing panos, especially multi row. And of course the autofocus versus a straight manual lens with ZERO metadata to examine what you did wrong come computer time. It’s not such an obvious choice as you point out. Both of their pros and cons. But for Astro it low light the Sigma is the winner from my extensive testing
That's NOT their macro lens. That's their astro lens. Their macro lens is a 15mm F4, not a 15mm F2....... that lens only has .25x magnification, not even close to being macro...
Great video and interesting lens! But if I'm not mistaken this lens isn't actually a macro lens, it has a x0.25 magnification ratio according to Laowa's website. They do also make a 15mm macro but that is an f4 lens and is 500$. Also, a review of the LAOWA 105mm Smooth Trans Focus lens would be really interesting!
hello! The Laowa company has so many lenses it's easy to mix them up. I believe this is NOT the macro version. There is the Zero-D and the macro version; not the same. It would be easier to keep the lenses differentiated if you would put the mfgr part number in your comment section; some for your lens rental website. In addition, there is a zero-D with "shift"; a nice feature if taking pics of buildings...then there is a 15mm f4 wide macro with shift. That would be a good lens to check the distortion....too many models!
loved the video can you tell me would this lens work with the higher 61 mp sensors of the sony... or should I get th sony 18mm f1.8 ???
I'm certain it's jumping a narrow margin but does anyone know how this compares to Zeiss' wides?
1:27 did you mean 1:2, rather than 2:1?
What about the IRIX 2.4 firefly ? How does it compare ?
Seems to be available for Nikon DSLR plus Z mount. Great for interior work.
i think they are two different lenses, one is the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D and another is the Laowa 15mm F/4 Wide Angle 1 1 Macro Lens . not the same
Very useful video. I previously owned the Sigma and my main concern was paranoia about scratching that bulbous front element - and also the huge cost if you want to try and use Lee type fliters. I own a couple of other Laowa lenses (100mm 2x macro and 25mm 2-5 x macro) and the build and optical quality is amazing. Manual focus and exposure settings are so much easier with mirrorless. I am thinking of getting the 15mm ZD for landscape and architecture (instead of a tilt shift due to the wide field of view). Keep up the good work!
nice video thanks.
I wanted to know if I can use this lens not being auto focus for video and on a gimbal. I have an a7iii , so whats your opinion on this lens with the gimbal?
thanks Bango
That is an awesome lens but I think it is not really sharp enough when I shoot buildings from a low angle. At least it has a bit dispersion on the edge of the pics.
nice review
Would anyone know if this lens is compatible with RF extension tubes ?
At 15mm FL, the lens is already VERY close to the subject. Try the longer FL versions. If the mount is RF, the tube would fit, but no electrical in the Laowa; all manual.
I'm trying to decide whether to buy the Lawoa 12mm or 15mm for real estate... The filter thread on the 15mm though wins 🤔
I'm trying to make that decision too, what did you go with? I'm leaning towards the 15mm for filter threads and less distortion...
FYI this is NOT the Zero-D version. There IS a 15mm ZERO-D which has a frog eye lens and no filter ability like the 12mm Zero-D. I have the 9mm Zero-D and it is excellent; doesn't use a frog eye lens. 49mm filter.
I use the Nikkor 14-24 - pretty awesome
Very nice review. I had a question. I currently own 24mm 1.4 , 85mm 1.8 and 24-105 f/4. Thinking of getting rid of 24-105, as already have a 24 and 85 with better optics covered. Which lens should I get as a sub. Tamaron 28-75 f2.8 or get a wide prime than 24. I do mainly landscapes and street photography. Thanks.
None
I just got this today! Now I can't think of what to try it on...
The options are unlimited!
it have the L mount model now~
the wrong video title it's not macro lens
Maybe you got a bad copy of the Sigma, but I have both of the lens and they are very different. Yes the weight and cost can’t be more stark. However for Astro work the Sigma comes out WAY on top. The Coma is completely gone by f 2.5 , maybe 2.8. Loawa, it so much. Additionally, the Loawa has horrible vignette at its lower reaches, far worse than the Sigma. The Sigma is just SOnMUCH more brighter out the edges. This comes in KEY when doing panos, especially multi row. And of course the autofocus versus a straight manual lens with ZERO metadata to examine what you did wrong come computer time. It’s not such an obvious choice as you point out. Both of their pros and cons. But for Astro it low light the Sigma is the winner from my extensive testing
Thanks for your thoughts on it! I haven’t shot Astro with them but that would be a good thing to test
If you look at the side by side image of red siding/brick, there is definite vertical distortion in the Sigma.
🙏🏾
Bruh, tell me you're not wearing a MVMT Watch
Dear Americans, please learn metric.
That's NOT their macro lens. That's their astro lens. Their macro lens is a 15mm F4, not a 15mm F2....... that lens only has .25x magnification, not even close to being macro...
When you introduced the sigma at th-cam.com/video/nCKnhiJZObk/w-d-xo.html you said its 1.4 but its 1.8. Also Laowa has a 7.5 mm F 2 for m43
Guys, don't get this lens. I returned it seconds after I unboxed it. It's virtually unusable in natural light at 1:1. It's ridiculous.
Why was it so bad?
Never mind the lens what about the lovely face 😍😍
Why are we talking about bokeh with a 15mm lens? This is it. We have reached peak stoopid.