Venus Optics has recently announced the Laowa FF II 10mm f/2.8 C&D Dreamer, marking Laowa's initial foray into the autofocus lens market. Known for their manual focus lenses, particularly in the realms of extreme macro and cine lenses, this represents a new direction for the brand.
The lens, compatible with full frame cameras, will be available for Nikon Z, Canon RF, Sony E, and L mounts. It reflects Laowa's continued focus on lens quality, now combined with autofocus capability.
In terms of design, the Laowa FF II 10mm f/2.8 C&D Dreamer is comprised of 15 elements in 9 groups, incorporating extra-low dispersion and ultra-high-refraction glass to reduce aberration and distortion. The lens weighs approximately 420 g, with slight variations depending on the mount.
The lens maintains Laowa's design aesthetics, featuring a modern look and a distinctive focusing ring. However, it lacks a focus distance scale, a feature common in similar lenses.
Offering a 130.4-degree field of view and a minimum focusing distance of 0.12 m, the lens is versatile for different photography styles. The "Zero-D" inscription on the lens indicates its low distortion characteristics.
With an f/2.8 aperture, the lens is suitable for low-light conditions and maintains high resolution across the frame.
The autofocus feature, a first for a Laowa lens, varies depending on the mount. The Sony E and Nikon Z mounts will have autofocus capability, while the Canon RF and L mounts will remain manual focus. This differentiation may affect its appeal across different camera users.
No specific release date or pricing details are available yet. This new lens marks an interesting expansion of their lens lineup into the autofocus segment.
Just found the pricing
That's actually pretty good. If I'm not mistaken it's less than the 12mm when it was first released.
A lens I thought Sony would come up with. I got some years ago the Voigtlander HELIAR-HYPER WIDE 10mm F5.6 Aspherical lens a very good lens but f/5.6. Great Lens and sturdy metal. It also has contacts on the lens for Metadata info but MF that is no problem due to manual assist. This one I will get for the low price but also screw on filters and AF. But I will warn about UV filters up front you will get a center hump BUT Haida Rear Lens ND Filter Kit removes and replaces the inside frame part for filter part for filters with selectable kit's ND 0.9, ND 1.2, ND 1.8, and ND 3.0 filters but for night there is a separate the Clear Night filter for color corrections either for astro Milky Ways or cityscape exp. cities use the new LED Daylight temp lights but you will find a blue sheen on the ground or below street lamps and on walls near LED lights this one filter will help correct it instead of going 200% zoom and using a brush. The other filters to be used for water falls etc.. Advice be sure to clean back of lens of small dust that will look like a big blob impossible to clone out!
Using this lens is not for getting all in like a tourist capturing the whole of the Grand Canyon in one shot! Think of the two stories both near and far and believe me the far all the way to horizon will be sharp and also be in focus like a night capture of the milky way over the ocean with a 1.8 lens wide open, well if you use the focus little square on the near you will/may get great bokeh of lights! Also one would think it would be great for indoor architectural capture BUT NOT it is like using a 12mm things are just to far away on far walls stick with the 16-35mm f/2.8 and bracketing for outdoor view. And there will be a sloping down near on sides and possible upward, just the way it is in your peripheral in a room, have to look with your brain sorta while looking straight.
If this lens is anywhere like the Voigtlander sharpness will be great far and near with no help in Lr clarity and texture siders needed or using a brush with them, just amazing.
One thing to do first when you get it is to do several captures of stars and and zoom in to the corners. The stars should be almost pinpoint, yes a little not much star elongation and focus chart in a lab will not show. Star capture is way better than a close chart or brick. You also may have to wait for programs to get a lens correction Lr will be the first! Back when I got the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 I had to wait 2 years to use images for a night of great MW captures but glad I kept them all.
This lens is small, a pocket lens, you will find putting in a pocket of your photo vest/shirt on a walk/drive about JUST in case like the 1st cave photo while stopping to see the caves, and I used the lens on the A7S handheld, well used the camera strap and a bungee cord to the bottom of the camera no tripods/bipods allowed! Just for grins if you have a Sony mod 1 or 2 use the pano function on top dail, just for play. 2nd not a pano but a single shot on the A7RM2. 3rd also a single capture with front and rear story of downtown Jacksonville using also a front filter holder with clear night filter. 4th playing with A7S and after two Denoise AI's the second image able to increase exposure and other things Fort Clinch Florida last images looking south just thought impossible. Have Fun like I have!!!
I'm beginning to think this isn't real or it's been canceled as a release. You can't find this lens anywhere, and all these post on the internet are old.
Even on Venice optics/Laowa's page there's no mention of this particar lens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qEqwzOHJG0.
This was uploaded 6 hours ago, seems like it's going ahead no issues.