After seeing the Sigma 14mm f/1.8, I think this lens is a great substitute to that lens. True it doesn't have electronic communication with the cameras, however for certain uses that's not strictly needed. Some landscape photographers would complain the lack of weather sealing, but up to a point: who is going to purposefully leave unprotected gear under heavy rain? Small drizzles of water won't harm any gear. Besides video, the manual aperture ring is great for timelapses as well, since it will avoid flickering. Flickering usually happens with any other electronically controlled lens where the blades open and close at each frame, however, in several hundreds shots there are going to be inconsistencies on the closing. I wish camera manufacturers would add a menu voice that would keep the blades closed at a chosen aperture during shooting: that would welcome by many I think. Looking forward to the review!
I just bought this lense and went out for 2 nights. First night was stars and second night was night cityscapes. So the lense does NOT focus past infinity and I could not get my Starz perfectly in focus. For this reason I returned it and now have the signature 14- 1.8. Soo happy now
I may not ever own a Sony body, but I very much appreciate these third parties putting out quality lenses with reasonable affordability. This is a very good-looking lens, and I like its images in your gallery.
Perfect timing for this review series. I purchased the Laowa shift-adapter a few months ago and am constantly blown away at how incredibly sharp it is - used with my Samyang 14 2.8 and 35 1.4, I see literally no degradation in image quality (A7R2). I`m tired of the distortion of the Samyang 14, and am ready for a low distortion ultrawide; this 15mm from Laowa would be perfect. I`m looking forward to the IQ review !
Yay Dustin, looking forward to your thoughts on IQ. Very interesting lens as it's supposed to have low distortion, super close focus and shallow DOF for a 15mm. Thanks!
OUTSTANDING Review ... Well done Dustin .I was in between the Laowa 12mm F/2.8 and the Laowa 15mm f/2 for a 4 in 1 Lens : Real Estate Photography , Video , Weddings/Birthdays and also Astrophotography ... I understand the Laowa 15mm is the Lens ... Agree ?
I know this isn’t the topic of this video but, I can’t seem to find a comparison videos. Would you recommend the laowa 12mm or the Voigtlander 12 for real estate photography and the occasional landscape? Mostly real estate interiors however. Thanks!
I know this lens has falts but their are several things that make me keep considering it over the FE 16-35mm f2.8. I just have not made up my mind yet. In reviewing landscape shots the focal length that seems to stand out with images I like are around 15-17mm and have objects very close to the lens in the foreground in sharp focus. With the close focus distance this will be easer to do with this lens. Also something I do not here reviewers talk about is the ability to stop down to f/22 without taking a big hit in sharpness that most lens have. I often here stop down to f/16 and only go to f/22 if you have to. A sharpness test I saw indicated that f/22 was pretty good on this 15mm, something that most lenses dont do. Although I do not know if this is true. Also the very shallow depth of field at close up macro could produce some very different images. I think it was very kind of them to put a mark on the lens indicating where the no-parallax point is (what they marked as entrance pupil) to easily set up a nodal slide for doing panoramic work. I do not understand why lens makers keep this information a secret. I know the 16-35mm would be the most practical for me but something about being different has an appeal.
Very interested in your thoughts, thank you. I recently decided on the Voigtlander 15mm because I'm a big fan of the size and don't really feel the need for a fast ultrawide. I have read on some forums that the Voigtlander as some sample variation, with some copies having de-centering or weak corners, but mine seems pretty good. I have a question that's not directly related to this specific lens review but more about general strategies as you make choices to build out your system. I am in a similar position but trying to economize. We all have our own needs, of course. I want a small kit, I don't need lenses for sports or wildlife, I don't really need the versatility of zooms at all, let alone f2.8 zooms, since I don't do client work and I don't have any particular need or professional obligation to get a particular shot. I don't need to cover all my bases, in other words. However, I do like to have a good plan. So I'm interested in your thoughts on using lenses on the APSC crop on the A7Riii, or on your A6500. For example, right now I have the Voigtlander 15 and the Sony 28 and 85. If I crop on the A7Riii (or use my A6000) that would mean 15/22/28/42/85/135 - pretty good range, all with 3 lenses. If I need high resolution or fast I can make the appropriate choice.
sounds reasonable but I can admit that the 24-105mm might confuse matters. I like the idea of it supplemented by 2-3 primes. But the price! If it's exceptional maybe.
In camera? If so, I haven't figured out how to do that yet. You can manually set the focal length for the Steady Shot, but that's the extent of my knowledge.
@TravelGM | Adobe provides a Lens Profile Creation tool (helpx.adobe.com/uk/photoshop/digital-negative.html#Adobe_Lens_Profile_Creator) but it involves carefully taking a series of test images and passing them through their software. But you then have access to a profile which can be installed into Lightroom and ACR.
On the Iaowa web site I see that they have a photoshop/lightroom profile for the lens that you can download. www.venuslens.net/lens-profile-for-laowa-15mm-f-2-fe-and-15mm-f-4-are-now-available/
Interesting products of venus. I hope you'll do comparison tests against the Tamron 15-30/2.8, sigma 14-24 and Sony zeiss lens. I still hesitate to go the Tamron way or else. Thanks for this presentation. I'm quite surprised by the looking good quality of the laowa lenses. Probably their price tag ain't no exaggerated in fact.
I think for me the lack of electronics on a lens like this is a bigger deal to me than a lack of AF. If it functioned like a Zeiss lens I'd be delighted.
Foto4Max ,I have a Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 lens for my Sony A7R3 and it has auto focus and electronic aperture. Not as wide as 15mm, but a more usable lens for the myriad of subjects I shoot professionally. Cheers !
On their website shop one can select the lens (Sony version.) then underneath there is a list of extras one can chose from, amongst which is a Sony E-Mount adapter,
now this lens is so close to be a waste of money at a 15mm prime that this lens is for someone who has to have everything, personally i do not have any use for a 15mm prime, much rather have that 15-30mm....
After seeing the Sigma 14mm f/1.8, I think this lens is a great substitute to that lens. True it doesn't have electronic communication with the cameras, however for certain uses that's not strictly needed. Some landscape photographers would complain the lack of weather sealing, but up to a point: who is going to purposefully leave unprotected gear under heavy rain? Small drizzles of water won't harm any gear.
Besides video, the manual aperture ring is great for timelapses as well, since it will avoid flickering. Flickering usually happens with any other electronically controlled lens where the blades open and close at each frame, however, in several hundreds shots there are going to be inconsistencies on the closing. I wish camera manufacturers would add a menu voice that would keep the blades closed at a chosen aperture during shooting: that would welcome by many I think.
Looking forward to the review!
That's an interesting observation.
I just bought this lense and went out for 2 nights. First night was stars and second night was night cityscapes. So the lense does NOT focus past infinity and I could not get my Starz perfectly in focus. For this reason I returned it and now have the signature 14- 1.8. Soo happy now
It's not my top choice for astro. Some coma is the main issue.
Which, the Laowa or sigma? Is not your choice.
Laowa, though the Sigma isn't fantastic either.
What is your recommendation for astro?
The sigma if fantastically better then the Laowa. The sharpness out ways coma or fall off sharpness at the extream corners.
I may not ever own a Sony body, but I very much appreciate these third parties putting out quality lenses with reasonable affordability. This is a very good-looking lens, and I like its images in your gallery.
I agree. More competition in the market is a good thing.
Was looking forward to your review of this lens, in my case for astrophotography. Thanks for covering this one.
That's definitely covered in the final review.
Perfect timing for this review series. I purchased the Laowa shift-adapter a few months ago and am constantly blown away at how incredibly sharp it is - used with my Samyang 14 2.8 and 35 1.4, I see literally no degradation in image quality (A7R2). I`m tired of the distortion of the Samyang 14, and am ready for a low distortion ultrawide; this 15mm from Laowa would be perfect. I`m looking forward to the IQ review !
I'm glad to hear that about the shift adapter. I need to test it.
Yay Dustin, looking forward to your thoughts on IQ. Very interesting lens as it's supposed to have low distortion, super close focus and shallow DOF for a 15mm. Thanks!
All of those things are true, for sure.
OUTSTANDING Review ... Well done Dustin .I was in between the Laowa 12mm F/2.8 and the Laowa 15mm f/2 for a 4 in 1 Lens : Real Estate Photography , Video , Weddings/Birthdays and also Astrophotography ... I understand the Laowa 15mm is the Lens ... Agree ?
It's the one I'm using right now, and I think it is a nice choice.
Nice. I've been considering this lens for a while now.
Hopefully my reviews will help you with that decision.
solid, solid review, thanks!
My pleasure.
I know this isn’t the topic of this video but, I can’t seem to find a comparison videos. Would you recommend the laowa 12mm or the Voigtlander 12 for real estate photography and the occasional landscape? Mostly real estate interiors however. Thanks!
I haven't used the Voigtlander, but my favorite combo for Sony is this lens and the Laowa MSC. Watch this video to see why: bit.ly/LaowaMSCda
I know this lens has falts but their are several things that make me keep considering it over the FE 16-35mm f2.8. I just have not made up my mind yet. In reviewing landscape shots the focal length that seems to stand out with images I like are around 15-17mm and have objects very close to the lens in the foreground in sharp focus. With the close focus distance this will be easer to do with this lens. Also something I do not here reviewers talk about is the ability to stop down to f/22 without taking a big hit in sharpness that most lens have. I often here stop down to f/16 and only go to f/22 if you have to. A sharpness test I saw indicated that f/22 was pretty good on this 15mm, something that most lenses dont do. Although I do not know if this is true. Also the very shallow depth of field at close up macro could produce some very different images. I think it was very kind of them to put a mark on the lens indicating where the no-parallax point is (what they marked as entrance pupil) to easily set up a nodal slide for doing panoramic work. I do not understand why lens makers keep this information a secret. I know the 16-35mm would be the most practical for me but something about being different has an appeal.
I will address a number of those things in the final review episode, so stay tuned.
One lens I’m very interested for night or star shots
Fortunately I was able to cover that during my review period, and it will be a part of my follow up video.
Very interested in your thoughts, thank you. I recently decided on the Voigtlander 15mm because I'm a big fan of the size and don't really feel the need for a fast ultrawide. I have read on some forums that the Voigtlander as some sample variation, with some copies having de-centering or weak corners, but mine seems pretty good.
I have a question that's not directly related to this specific lens review but more about general strategies as you make choices to build out your system. I am in a similar position but trying to economize. We all have our own needs, of course. I want a small kit, I don't need lenses for sports or wildlife, I don't really need the versatility of zooms at all, let alone f2.8 zooms, since I don't do client work and I don't have any particular need or professional obligation to get a particular shot. I don't need to cover all my bases, in other words. However, I do like to have a good plan. So I'm interested in your thoughts on using lenses on the APSC crop on the A7Riii, or on your A6500. For example, right now I have the Voigtlander 15 and the Sony 28 and 85. If I crop on the A7Riii (or use my A6000) that would mean 15/22/28/42/85/135 - pretty good range, all with 3 lenses. If I need high resolution or fast I can make the appropriate choice.
That sounds reasonable to me. The ability to use lenses on both systems is certainly handy.
sounds reasonable but I can admit that the 24-105mm might confuse matters. I like the idea of it supplemented by 2-3 primes. But the price! If it's exceptional maybe.
Hi Dustin. Can you set up a manual lens correction profile on the A7Riii?
In camera? If so, I haven't figured out how to do that yet. You can manually set the focal length for the Steady Shot, but that's the extent of my knowledge.
@TravelGM | Adobe provides a Lens Profile Creation tool (helpx.adobe.com/uk/photoshop/digital-negative.html#Adobe_Lens_Profile_Creator) but it involves carefully taking a series of test images and passing them through their software. But you then have access to a profile which can be installed into Lightroom and ACR.
I just realized that on my A7R2 its an application that I downloaded. I don't use it much. Its a shame you cant download apps on the A7R3.
That's a surprise to me, too. The handling of the apps was terrible, but better than not having it at all.
On the Iaowa web site I see that they have a photoshop/lightroom profile for the lens that you can download.
www.venuslens.net/lens-profile-for-laowa-15mm-f-2-fe-and-15mm-f-4-are-now-available/
How does the image quality compared to the 16 35 GM and the batis 18mm?
I've not yet used either of those lenses, so I can't comment.
Does that mean with this lens we don’t need to focus for subject further than 1 meter?
That's not necessarily true, though if you understand hyperfocus, it is very easy to focus for infinity.
Interesting products of venus. I hope you'll do comparison tests against the Tamron 15-30/2.8, sigma 14-24 and Sony zeiss lens. I still hesitate to go the Tamron way or else. Thanks for this presentation. I'm quite surprised by the looking good quality of the laowa lenses. Probably their price tag ain't no exaggerated in fact.
I did shoot a comparison to the Tamron, but not other lenses.
so wats the sharper aperture settings on this lens?
At 5.6 it is brilliantly sharp.
Seems a bit expensive though perhaps it's worth it for those with specific requirements... Thank you.
It's not cheap, but neither is it a cheaply made lens, either.
Thanks, wish it had auto focus and aperture ability.
I think for me the lack of electronics on a lens like this is a bigger deal to me than a lack of AF. If it functioned like a Zeiss lens I'd be delighted.
I have the A7R3 and yes focus peaking works great for manual focusing, but to have no electronic aperture control is a minus. Cheers !
Foto4Max ,I have a Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 lens for my Sony A7R3 and it has auto focus and electronic aperture. Not as wide as 15mm, but a more usable lens for the myriad of subjects I shoot professionally. Cheers !
Hi Dustin, I see they offer a Sony e-mount adapter for $30 extra. Why is that, is the lens, they state it is for Sony, unusable without this adapter?
I think you may be looking at a different lens. This is a native E mount lens (only made for Sony FE, in fact).
On their website shop one can select the lens (Sony version.) then underneath there is a list of extras one can chose from, amongst which is a Sony E-Mount adapter,
That must be a website error, as this lens is only an E mount lens.
OK, thanks for the answer. Regards from Munich in Germany
If zero d means "zero distortion", what profile are we asking for?
Vignette correction would be a big one, and a little CA correction wouldn't hurt.
Dustin Abbott couldn't we just make an import preset with the lens that applies vignette and CA correction when we import?
Certainly, though that isn't going to help JPEGs nor video.
Dustin Abbott didn't even think about it. You like the lens though? Only time I use a wide angle is for school group photos.
I do like it, but don't love it. You'll see why in my followup episode.
black camera/len on black background!
lol true
now this lens is so close to be a waste of money at a 15mm prime that this lens is for someone who has to have everything, personally i do not have any use for a 15mm prime, much rather have that 15-30mm....