Venus Optics Launches Affordable 2X Macro Lens for APS-C Mirrorless Cameras
After “announcing” the lens some time ago, Venus Optics has officially released the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO: a surprisingly affordable 2X macro lens made specifically for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras made by Fuji, Sony and Canon.
“[The Laow 65mm f/2.8 2x Macro APO] is the first macro lens that Venus Optics specially design for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors,” reads the release. “Looking at market offerings which can focus up to 1:1 at most, the Laowa macro lens is the only APS-C mirrorless lens in the market that is capable of achieving a 2:1 magnification.”
Optically, the lens is made up 14 elements in 10 groups—including 3 extra-low dispersion elements—and features a maximum magnification ratio of (you guessed it) 2:1 at a minimum focusing distance of just 6.7-inches (17cm), with a full-frame equivalent focal length of approximately 100mm.
The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x features an internal focusing design (no lens extension)—a big plus when you’re shooting skittish insects from close-up—and can focus from 2:1 all the way to infinity, making it useful for portraiture, product photography, and even shooting some B-roll in addition to macro photography.
Finally, Venus Optics emphasizes that the lens’ APO design—inherited from the popular Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Macro lens—excels at cancelling out both lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberration, whereas most other macro lenses focus their efforts on lateral CA.
But enough talk. Here are some high-res sample images captured by photographer Jonas Rask that show what this lens can do in the field (click to enlarge):
The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO is available to order now for $400. You can get it in Sony E-, Fuji X-, and Canon EF M-mounts, and shipping for all mounts will begin immediately. To learn more about this lens, head over to the Venus Optics website.
Image creditsAll photos by Jonas Rask, used courtesy of Venus Optics.
