LensLaowa (Venus Optics)50% by Neofiliac Team74% by External Reviewers

Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D

Full-Frame Lens

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Product Overview

Laowa 12mm F2.8 Zero-D is a manual-focus ultra wide-angle prime lens for Canon EF-mount, Canon RF-mount, Leica L-mount, Nikon F-mount, Nikon Z-mount, Pentax K-mount, Sony A-mount, and Sony E-mount. It is one of the widest rectilinear prime lens that covers the full-frame image circle. Introduced by Laowa in 2016, it has 16 elements in 10 groups.
Manual focus may be limiting to some, but purists will find it much more engaging. There are also fewer things to go wrong on the long run.
As an ultra wide-angle prime lens that happens to have relatively small maximum aperture, it is best suited for landscape photography. Even though the lens is not stabilized, at this focal range it does not usually matter. In fact, some may be able to get cleaner corners without image stabilization.
Some photographers may be disappointed by the fact that the lens does not accept front screw-on filters.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 50%
Pros
  • One of the widest rectilinear FF lens
  • Solid build quality
  • Low distortion
  • Reasonably sharp
Cons
  • Lacks front filter thread

What external reviewers found

External score 74%
Pros
  • Low vignetting at f/4
  • Wide focus ring rotation
  • F/2.8 aperture
Cons
  • Lacks AF and auto aperture
  • No full frame alternatives

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Specifications

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External Reviews

digitalpicture[1]

Reviewer score 74% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from digitalpicture have found:
The Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D Lens is available in Canon EF (reviewed), Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A and Sony E mounts. While there are potential issues with using third party lenses, that this lens lacks most features including AF and auto aperture means that there is little future compatibility risk.
Pros
  • F/2.8 aperture
  • Low vignetting at f/4
  • Wide focus ring rotation
Cons
  • No full frame alternatives
  • Lacks AF and auto aperture

Also Check

Product ComparisonProducts in LensProducts by Laowa (Venus Optics)Keyword a-mountKeyword dslrKeyword e-mountKeyword ef-mountKeyword f-mountKeyword full-frameKeyword k-mountKeyword l-mountKeyword manual-focusKeyword mirrorlessKeyword prime-lensKeyword rf-mountKeyword ultra-wideKeyword wide-angleKeyword z-mount

References

  1. ^ Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D Lens Review. [digitalpicture].

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