Venus Optics Unveils Slew of New Laowa Cinema Lenses
Although the IBC Expo 2024 is still more than a week away, Venus Optics has shared new details on various Laowa lenses, including an Ultima 12-120mm T4 8K S35 Broadcast Zoom lens, the Nanomorph LF 1.5x Anamorphic Series, Sword Macro lenses for full-frame cinema cameras, and the Nanomorph 60mm Macro 1.5x Anamorphic for Super35.
Laowa Ultima 12-120mm T4 8K Broadcast Lens
Starting with the Ultima 12-120mm T4 broadcast lens, it is Laowa’s first foray into the 8K broadcasting market. The Super35 lens offers 10x optical zoom with a constant T4 aperture and promises “exceptional image quality.” The lens works alongside an optional MOVCAM Servo Unit to control focus, zoom, and aperture while shooting.
The highly specialized lens promises sharp 8K performance and accurate color reproduction for studio and in-field broadcast work. The lens includes 28 elements arranged across 20 groups, which is a lot of glass, even for a zoom lens. Given the robust build quality and the large quantity of glass, its weight of 3.2 kilograms (just over seven pounds) isn’t too surprising.
The lens comes in Arri PL mount, although Venus Optics says a B4 mount version may be offered in the future depending on user demand. Pricing information has not been provided.
Nanomorph LF 1.5x Anamorphic Series
The new Nanomorph LF 1.5x Anamorphic Series follows the success of Laowa’s Nanomorph lenses for S35 image sensors. The LF versions cover the Arri Alexa LF sensor in Open Gate format and come in 32mm, 42mm, 55mm, and 85mm focal lengths with a constant T2.9 aperture across the board.
Each lens weighs around a kilogram (2.2 pounds) and comes in blue, silver, and amber flare versions. Laowa will offer each lens in various mount options, including PL, EF, RF, E, Z, DJI DL, and L-Mount. All four lenses sport a 13-bladed aperture diaphragm and share aperture, and focus throws (70 degrees and 270 degrees, respectively). Gear modding is 0.8M across the board, and each lens has an 80mm front diameter.
There’s no information yet on pricing, although Venus Optics says the lenses will arrive later this year or early next. For reference, the Nanomorph 1.5x S35 lenses start at $999 each and are available at a discount when purchased in a bundle.
Sword Full Frame Cine Macro Series
Another set of cinema lenses with full-frame coverage, the Sword Full Frame Cine Macro Series — seen at the top of this article — comes in six focal lengths and offers up to 2x macro capabilities. The 15mm T4.1, 25mm T2.9, and 35mm T2.9 lenses are 1:1 macro lenses, while the 180mm T4.6 ups the ante to 1.5x magnification. The 60mm T2.9 and 100mm T2.9 primes are both 2:1 macro lenses.
Like the Nanomorph LF lenses, the Sword primes come in various mounts, although not the exact same ones. The lenses are available in PL, EF, RF, E, Z, and L mounts — no DJI DL. With the exception of the 15mm T4.1 lens (100mm front diameter), all the Sword macro primes share the same front diameter of 80mm.
No pricing is available yet, although the lenses will arrive in the next few months.
Nanomorph 60mm Macro Anamorphic Super35 Lens
Rounding out Venus Optics’ significant news drop is the Nanomorph 60mm T2.9 1.5x Anamorphic Macro lens. The lens joins the existing S35 Nanomorph series and adds 0.5x macro capabilities to the lineup thanks to its 24-centimeter (9.44-inch) close-focusing distance.
Details are very scarce, but the lens will come in PL and EF mounts, plus additional mirrorless camera bayonets, and, as usual, it will have amber, blue, and silver flare options. It will arrive in the next few months for an undisclosed price.
Laowa at IBC 2024
There is a good chance that some missing details will be filled in at the upcoming 2024 IBC Expo in Amsterdam. The event runs from September 13-16, and Venus Optics will be at booth 12.G72 to show off all their latest cinema lenses.
Image credits: Venus Optics / Laowa