Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D
Announced August 1, 2016
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a purpose-built, rectilinear wide-angle prime that delivers impressive center sharpness and remarkably low geometric distortion. While its manual-only operation and lack of electronic communication require a deliberate workflow, the lens remains a standout tool for architecture and landscape photography.
Weighted from 23 reviewer scores
Pros
- Exceptional control over linear distortion
- Robust all-metal construction
- High center sharpness even at wide apertures
- Extremely short minimum focus distance
- Compact and lightweight form factor
Cons
- Fully manual operation without electronic communication
- Significant vignetting at wide apertures
- Softness and light fall-off in the extreme corners
- Absence of front filter threads
- Lack of weather sealing
- Launch price $949 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 12mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount, Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 18 cm (0.2x)
- Autofocus motor Manual focus only
- Weight & size 609g · 74.8 x 82.8 mm (2.94 x 3.26 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 23 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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Very unique images on this and optically it's an excellent lens.
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The good news first - the center quality is superb even at f/2.8. [...] There is, however, a substantial boost at f/5.6 with good results even in the image corners.
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It takes a certain type of photographer to want a 12mm lens and all the special considerations surrounding one. This is not a casual walk-around lens, but a deliberate and purpose-built piece of equipment for images that you cannot capture with anything more normal.
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A stellar debut wide-angle prime.
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It has a high quality construction and an overall impressive image quality. And, who doesn't love a few world records?
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This is a very intriguing lens. That extremely wide focal length is both challenging and yet inspiring.
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So all in all, the Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D is quite a winner on nearly all fronts. Whether mounted on a full-frame or APS-C camera, its images are sharp, punchy, potentially dramatic, and very well corrected of distortion and chromatic aberration.
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To round things up: this lens has hardly a negative aspect that stands out, which is something that rarely occurs.
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A unique lens, well made, with extraordinary performance. There are those who will struggle with the manual focus, but there are solutions to this with various techniques.
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What can we say about the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens? Well, we have to start with the image quality, because it is so good.
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If I would still have a DSLR this definitely would be my lens! There may be other 12mm FF lenses out, but I did not find one.
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So yes, when you need the widest of the wide, especially for real estate and architecture where you're on a tripod to ensure careful leveling, this Chinese lens can be better than the name brand lenses.
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A 12mm f/2.8 rectilinear prime lens from Laowa, with very low levels of geometrical distortion.
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What LA have done here is they've made a lens that does have f/2.8 and it has autofocus and it's zero distortion and it's 12 ms. Normally you have to pick like two or three of those and you one of the other ones suffers. That's why these lenses are so special.
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I have been testing it for about two weeks since I got it from Laowa Poland, and I gotta tell you, it's a lens that you can fall in love with very quickly. It is incredibly awesome.
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The final word: if you're a real estate videographer who dabbles in real estate photography, then there may be a place in your camera bag for the Laowa 12mm f/2.8.
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[M]y impression: I'm very impressed with it. As someone who's a wide-angle junkie who loves wide-angle lenses, I'm very satisfied with the purchase of the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens.
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To me, the Laowa seems like it's filling a niche for filmmakers that hasn't really been filled before.
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So in conclusion, for most of you, whether you're shooting on a full frame body or an APS-C body, you should probably save yourself the $450 and just pick up the nine-millimeter once it's cheaper. It's basically just as good, it's lighter, and it's smaller.
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Everything else optically is pretty strong.
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The Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D resolves these problems by keeping things simple.
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[F]or the trade-offs, I still think it is an amazing lens.
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I think it's a good lens; I wouldn't use it every day, and that's a suggestion when you make videos, but even when you take photos, try to switch between lenses to have a Variety of different shots. Having almost no distortion is definitely a plus.
