The Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra-Macro: A $399 Full-Frame 5:1 Lens
Venus Optics has just announced its new Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra-Macro lens, an “affordable extreme macro option for full frame cameras.”
Here’s a size comparison between the Laowa 25mm (above) and the $1,049 Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro lens (below):
With a wide focal length of 25mm, photographers can shoot with a relatively deeper depth of field than when using longer macro lenses. Macro shooters who use a focus stacking technique can create the same images while needing fewer shots to stack.
There’s an extended working distance of 40mm (~1.57in) when shooting at 5x, and the small lens barrel allows more light to reach the subject even when you’re working up close.
It features 8 lens elements in 6 groups, reduction of chromatic aberration and color fringing, a weight of just 400g (14oz), an 8-blade aperture, and an angle of view of 10.3°.
Here are some sample photos captured with the lens:
![](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/03/Photo-Credit-Alberto-Ghizzi-Panizza-Stacked-800x534.jpg)
![](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/03/Photo-Credit-Nicky-Bay-Single-Shot-800x534.jpg)
![](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/03/Photo-Credit-John-Hallmén-Stacked-600x800.jpg)
![](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/03/Photo-Credit-Jie-Ge-Stacked-800x534.jpg)
![](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/03/Photo-Credit-Gua-Ge-Stacked-800x532.jpg)
![](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/03/Photo-Credit-Gil-Wizen-Stacked-800x533.jpg)
The new Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra-Macro lens is now available through the Venus Optics website (and through authorized retailers) for Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, and Sony E mounts for $399.