Laowa 15mm f2 zero-d: Lens review
14th October 2017
Recently I was given the opportunity to field test the new Laowa 15mm f/2.0 Zero-D lens for Sony E-Mount, specifically for Video work.
Now, living on the West Coast of Australia, opportunities like this don't come up all that often, so naturally I jumped at the chance!
Let me start this review by saying, I work behind the lens for a living, not writing... So if you’re reading this for a detailed review on specifications and chart analysis, perhaps this isn’t the review for you. If on the other hand you’d rather read about how the lens performs in real world situations, read on!
First Impressions?
Well, as the lens I tested was a pre-production model – some things may change... BUT the lens is solid!
The construction feels every part the professional lens, complete with buttery smooth focus and, conveniently, for those of us who’d use this lens for filming - a clickless aperture if you so desire, but more on that later.
Now, due to other work commitments it took me a whole week before I put this bad boy on my Sony a7Sii . Once it was on, boy was I surprised!
This lens is WIDE! And I mean wide! I own a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8, and though the Laowa is a mere 1mm wider, I noticed a significant difference in the field of view... But, perhaps this perceived difference is down to some clever work in the optics, which makes this lens have next to no distortion. How often do you see 110 degree field of view render near straight lines through the frame!? My Sigma definitely can’t do that!
My use of photographic optics for video is not unique at all, but is certainly different to the majority of people who’d typically buy a lens like this. It’s nice to know that companies like Laowa are thinking about making their lenses functional for both the photographer and videographer. The fact they’ve made the aperture ring clickable OR clickless by a simple switch says to me that they’re serious about the video market too.
On the topic of aperture, f/2.0... F/2.0! That’s crazy talk on a lens this wide!
It’s a good thing that residing at the front of this lens is a 72mm filter ring so you can put some ND on this beast!
Now, living on the West Coast of Australia, opportunities like this don't come up all that often, so naturally I jumped at the chance!
Let me start this review by saying, I work behind the lens for a living, not writing... So if you’re reading this for a detailed review on specifications and chart analysis, perhaps this isn’t the review for you. If on the other hand you’d rather read about how the lens performs in real world situations, read on!
First Impressions?
Well, as the lens I tested was a pre-production model – some things may change... BUT the lens is solid!
The construction feels every part the professional lens, complete with buttery smooth focus and, conveniently, for those of us who’d use this lens for filming - a clickless aperture if you so desire, but more on that later.
Now, due to other work commitments it took me a whole week before I put this bad boy on my Sony a7Sii . Once it was on, boy was I surprised!
This lens is WIDE! And I mean wide! I own a Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8, and though the Laowa is a mere 1mm wider, I noticed a significant difference in the field of view... But, perhaps this perceived difference is down to some clever work in the optics, which makes this lens have next to no distortion. How often do you see 110 degree field of view render near straight lines through the frame!? My Sigma definitely can’t do that!
My use of photographic optics for video is not unique at all, but is certainly different to the majority of people who’d typically buy a lens like this. It’s nice to know that companies like Laowa are thinking about making their lenses functional for both the photographer and videographer. The fact they’ve made the aperture ring clickable OR clickless by a simple switch says to me that they’re serious about the video market too.
On the topic of aperture, f/2.0... F/2.0! That’s crazy talk on a lens this wide!
It’s a good thing that residing at the front of this lens is a 72mm filter ring so you can put some ND on this beast!
How’d it perform?
In a word, great! One of the remarkable things this lens has to offer is its M.O.D. or Minimum Object Distance. With an M.O.D of just 15cm, you can create some impressive bokeh. On that topic, the way any lens renders bokeh is completely subjective, but to me its rather pleasing the way focus falls off from the subject through this lens.
I also noticed the way the Laowa 15mm Zero-D handles contrast is also very good, especially for a lens this wide. I filmed all my test shots in 4K and saw minimal to no chromatic aberration and only a small degree of flaring when really pushing the lens.
That’s not to say that chromatic aberration or nasty flaring wont be evident on still images. I only used the lens for filming purposes so can’t comment on how things would render on the a7S’s 12MP sensor as an image or even the a7R’s 42MP sensor.
Would I buy one?
HECK YES! I even asked if I could purchase the lens I was testing, as I was THAT impressed with it. Sadly being a pre-production model it had to go back...
But I have placed an order for its sibling, the 12mm f/2.8 – Since I can get that lens in an EF mount to fit the range of cameras I own.
If you’re interested in buying one of these awesome lenses, contact the team at Radbitz! http://radbitz.com
In a word, great! One of the remarkable things this lens has to offer is its M.O.D. or Minimum Object Distance. With an M.O.D of just 15cm, you can create some impressive bokeh. On that topic, the way any lens renders bokeh is completely subjective, but to me its rather pleasing the way focus falls off from the subject through this lens.
I also noticed the way the Laowa 15mm Zero-D handles contrast is also very good, especially for a lens this wide. I filmed all my test shots in 4K and saw minimal to no chromatic aberration and only a small degree of flaring when really pushing the lens.
That’s not to say that chromatic aberration or nasty flaring wont be evident on still images. I only used the lens for filming purposes so can’t comment on how things would render on the a7S’s 12MP sensor as an image or even the a7R’s 42MP sensor.
Would I buy one?
HECK YES! I even asked if I could purchase the lens I was testing, as I was THAT impressed with it. Sadly being a pre-production model it had to go back...
But I have placed an order for its sibling, the 12mm f/2.8 – Since I can get that lens in an EF mount to fit the range of cameras I own.
If you’re interested in buying one of these awesome lenses, contact the team at Radbitz! http://radbitz.com
Laowa 15mm Lens Test from Blake Waldock on Vimeo.