Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO
Announced March 16, 2022
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
Good
The Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO is a well-built manual lens that delivers impressive center sharpness and smooth bokeh at a competitive price point. That said, it lacks electronic contacts for metadata and suffers from significant corner softness and vignetting when used at its widest apertures.
Weighted from 13 reviewer scores
Pros
- Robust all-metal construction with high build quality
- Very good center sharpness and resolution at wide apertures
- Excellent control over chromatic aberrations
- Versatile aperture ring with click or de-click options
- Smooth and well-damped manual focus ring
Cons
- Soft corners and heavy vignetting at large apertures
- Lack of electronic contacts results in no EXIF metadata or in-camera corrections
- Susceptibility to flare and ghosting under bright light
- Absence of weather sealing
- Issues with focus breathing
- Launch price $399 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 25mm f/0.95
- Mount & coverage Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Canon EF Micro Four Thirds
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 25 cm (0.17x)
- Filter thread 62mm
- Autofocus motor Manual focus only
- Weight & size 570g · 71 x 86 mm (2.80 x 3.39 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 13 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- PetaPixel 7.5/10
The Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO represents a very good price/performance ratio, but if your work requires technical perfection, then you want to look elsewhere.
-
The Laowa Argus 25mm F0.95 APO is both similar and different than the Argus 35mm F0.95 full frame lens that I reviewed. The APO design does alter the formula, which results in more usable sharpness results at huge aperture values like F0.95.
-
[T]his new Venus Optics Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO is very well done. It's sharp even at closer distances with decent contrast and attractive bokeh, and it has wonderful build quality.
-
Unfortunately the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 25 mm f/0.95 MFT fails to meet such requirements.
-
If you want the fastest available lens with decent characteristics for your APS-C camera and don’t mind manual focusing, this is the lens for you.
-
Some of the idiosyncrasies set aside, I'm ultimately really enjoying what I'm getting out of this lens. It is a fun experience to work with.
-
I think it's a good value for the money and here are some more videos about Laowa lenses that I have on my channel, but hey [...]
-
If this is not a factor for you when it comes to lenses, then it's definitely worth considering, not only because of the maximum f/0.95 aperture but because of the sharpness when stopped down.
-
This is an extremely basic manual-focus, manual diaphragm lens for people who enjoy all the extra work involved with fiddling with adapted manual lenses.
-
[T]his is a great moderate angle bright lens.
-
Okay, so another super fun lens from Laowa in the Argus 25 f/0.95. Now, if you're looking for a a slightly wider field of view than the 33 but still want that super fast aperture that will allow you to not only separate subjects, but have some sort of interesting rendering to it.
-
[T]his Venus Optics Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO is a brilliant choice, and there's not very many options, certainly not at this price point, that will perform as well.
-
[W]hatever this is, take this formula and do it on different focal lengths because it's probably the best manual focusing lens that I've used without much compromises or lens quirkiness that I've experienced from a third-party lens manufacturer.
