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The Venus Laowa 6mm f/2 Zero-D MFT is a wide-angle lens for 4/3, manufactured from 2022. The focus is done by Manual Focus, it does not have image stabilization. The average price, when it has been added to the JuzaPhoto database, is 525 €;
6 users have given it an average vote of 9.8 out of 10.
MOUNT
This lens is available with the following mounts:
Micro 4/3: this lens is compatible with mirrorless micro-4/3.
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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
Pros:Size, weight, contacts for EXIF data, correction of optical defects, starburst effect, minimum focusing distance, lateral aberrations virtually absent at closed apertures.
Cons:Rendering at the edges, ghosting with strong direct light, diffraction even at f/8. Manual focus only.
Opinion:Stratospheric and unique lens of its kind, of this size and quality can only exist in the micro four-thirds world. The image quality, although not its workhorse, is decent, good in the center, inevitably decays at the edges. The best apertures are between f/4 and f/5.6, but at f/8, the aperture at which diffraction begins to appear, you have the best uniformity over the entire frame. You can also use it safely at f/11 and f/16 but you have to be well aware of what you are doing. The aperture is adjusted directly in the camera, while the focus is only manual (but it's not a problem at all, the depth of field is gigantic). This means that you don't have to set the focal length for stabilization, very convenient! With strong light directed into the frame (e.g. against the sun), ghosting is always present, while contrast hardly suffers (applause!). The distortion is corrected almost perfectly with the optical scheme, demonstrating to other manufacturers who rely on software corrections that it is possible to churn out small, well-built lenses of good optical quality even without relying on corrections in the machine. The color rendering is true to life. The star effect of the light points is undoubtedly the best of the micro four-thirds system. It starts with apertures just closed (even at f/4 the star is well formed) and is perfect between f/8 and f/11. A well-defined 10-pointed star with thin arms, a pleasure. The very wide angle of view makes the use of this lens not very easy, but it opens up to a very creative use of perspective. For me it is best in images set of a close-up subject, but it can also be used in images of natural and urban landscapes with a little foresight: the wide perspective includes many elements in the frame, making the composition not very easy. It is not a lens for everyone but a unique gem in the system.
Cons:Vignetting in particular at F2 with even backgrounds or clear skies.
Opinion:INCREDIBLE!!! Virtually no distortion, contrast and perfect colors. I had the Laowa 7.5 and although it churned out pretty good photos, the filling never took place. I still don't know why but the photos didn't satisfy me. With this it was love at first shot. If we talk about the creative possibilities, it has no comparison in the MTF world, in fact this focal length offers incredible prospects. The big danger I will have to guard against is habituation. Seeing is believing.
Pros:Correctness of lines, natural rendering of colors, construction, lightness.
Cons:Vignetting, flare, lack of AF.
Opinion:For some time, despite having the Panaleica 8-18 and the olympus 8mm 1.8 fisheye, I felt the need for a lightweight ultra wide angle to optimize the benefit of the m43 system; trying this lens you immediately realize its IQ: the correctness of the lines is amazing while the natural rendering of colors distinguishes it from more "cheerful" lenses such as fisheye; we add that screw filters can be mounted to use polarizers and ND filters; The construction to the touch leaves a good impression, it seems fairly solid while remaining light (on the other hand it does not reach 2 ounces). As for the defects, they are also unfortunately conspicuous and the most obvious is the vignetting with open diaphragms, then there is a lot of flare against the light, but on the other hand if it had also been resistant to flare it would have cost more; finally - if you want to consider a defect - like all laowa lenses there is no AF motor which is perhaps the reason why designers are able to make the lenses compact; Let's say that for its characteristics it is a lens that finds its vocation for interior photography, but on the other hand it is no mystery that it was designed for architectural photography, which is why I bought it as well as for its lightness.
Pros:Shortest linear focal length available in the M43 universe; really good yield on most of the frame; very low distortion and vignetting (especially considering the complexity of the project); presence of contacts for the transmission of EXIF data; manual focus assist (as for original lenses); excellent mechanical construction, entirely in metal (as usual in the Laowa house); possibility of using screwed filters; some problems with reflections, especially in the presence of light sources in the frame; small size and weight, in full harmony with the philosophy of the M43 system; Price not very cheap but adequate to the nature and performance of the optics.
Cons:Edges not excellent but still absolutely acceptable (especially at intermediate diaphragms); lack - at least at the moment - of a specific profile for automatic lens correction; yellowish dominant rather evident (in particular in the presence of large surfaces of white, such as landscapes with snow) but easily eliminated in post-production.
Opinion:For those who - like me - have long embraced the M43 system (with all its strengths and limitations, of course), it was really difficult to resist the idea of finally being able to have an ultra-short linear focal length like the Laowa 6mm ... especially if we consider the great advantage offered by the presence of contacts for the transmission of EXIF data (hoping that sooner or later the relative profile will be made available for the correction of this optics, in particular through an excellent software such as DXO Pure Raw); Even the assisted focus ("focus peaking") is therefore rather easy, without special setups, and the iris adjustment takes place regularly through the dedicated commands on the camera body (there is therefore no manual ring). The optical yield is decidedly high in the center, while as expected the edges appear a bit soft (but still absolutely more than acceptable, especially closing the diaphragm of a few stops); however, the wide aperture allows you to shoot at reasonable ISOs, when the scene makes it necessary. Beyond the bombastic marketing on "Zero-Distortion", the Laowa 6mm. it behaves rather well in the field, and also the vignetting is decidedly contained (even at TA). The mechanics are top-notch: the lens is entirely made of metal, with a focus ring that in my opinion offers adequate resistance and has no play whatsoever; The hood supplied is also metallic (understandably limited, but with a reversible design to minimize the overall size of the lens). Excellent possibility to mount filters: polarizers with "slim" profile do not create any vignetting problem, beyond the poor uniformity of effect in the presence of such a wide shooting angle (but this is certainly not new). Having to make a criticism of this lens (I can't say if it's a problem related only to my specimen), I must admit that I noticed a strong warm dominant (yellowish) on the shots taken with the Laowa, particularly evident on white surfaces. It is not a very pleasant effect, but it can also be easily eliminated in post-production. I ordered the lens directly from China about a month and a half ago, receiving it very quickly.
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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
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