I am really impressed with the Laowa 12mm. Used my e-mount version on a recent interior architecture shoot and it performed superbly on the a7R II. No distortion correction needed! Focusing is easy: at f/11 set to infinity and your done: sharp throughout the frame. I've also recently tried the smaller/lighter Voigtlander 12mm 5.6, which is superb and has more microcontrast pop to it. It was a tough choice, but the flatter Laowa rendering seemed more ideal for architectural photography imo, so the Voigtlander got returned. For DSLR shooters, the Irix 11mm would be interesting to compare against the Laowa 12mm.
I do believe that diffraction is sensor based and not purely aperture? Ex. a sensor that has pixel size of 3.8 will have a DLA of about 5.6. So diffraction will set in with this sensor on any lens that you set the aperture above 5.6...?
Great review. I have the 14mm Rokinon which is great value. The lens profile in lightroom fixes up the distortion with one click, so that's not an issue for me, but I hate the fact that you can't remove the lens hood. This 12mm looks amazing!
Definitely an interesting lens. When I looked at it I decided it might be a little to wide. For landscapes and such it creates an extra compositional challenge. Plus I need at least an ND filter. And those systems are not really cheap either. For interior design and maybe architecture (which I believe the lens was made for) it's probably the best you can get for the money. ... not doing much of that though. Still it is intriguing and I would like to play with it....
Nisi does have a filter system they are working on for this lens. but it is extremely wide and I personally rarely find myself shooting that wide. If I was doing interiors though it would be a no brainer.
Actually I just heard at another place that a lens-hood should exist that allows for screw-on filters. Not sure if its an accessory or original content.
It would be nice to see review of Samyang (Rokinon) XP 10mm for Full Frame, extra wide. It's in similar price range and it have electronics but still is manual focus. I'm thinking about buying one or Laowa 12mm, but I'm still not sure if I need it.
Those are crop sensor lenses though. I suspect distortion with all of those is on par with the Rokinon, which is to say a good bit - but for stars and general wide angle use on a crop body - they are better for most people.
The two I have were listed as EF specific, although I use the 8mm only on my 70d. I find it's way too soft on the edges when used on a full frame after crop. The 12 isn't bad when compared to the 8 for distortion, but I've never compared the 12 to other brands (hence my curiosity lol)
Hello, I have heard that this lens isn't all that sharp in the corners at 2.8... even worse than the rokinon 14mm at 2.8 (I already own the Rokinon) How would you compare image quality in these two lenses side by side? Center sharpness, edge to edge, etc Thanks
I just reviewed the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 ua-cam.com/video/8An3dzcgCWE/v-deo.html While not a direct comparison much of what I say about the sigma compared to the Irix applies.
It doesn't matter Tamron far better value and highly praised even over the Nikon option, better bang for buck better realistic tool for use. Laowa is an unknown quality wise, you want too gamble 1K on a unknown unproven lense go right ahead? Will I find people pawning them off on Ebay at $300 a pop in a years time?
kalidesu good point. In this price range nothing else but the Tamron makes sense. For fun and stars, that means a highly specialized field, the Samyang is much better value, under 300 dollars now
Depends on your needs. No way am I going to carry around that brick of a lens from Tamron but for some that is certainly a more versatile and better option. Also - the difference between 12 and 15 is huge.
I am really impressed with the Laowa 12mm. Used my e-mount version on a recent interior architecture shoot and it performed superbly on the a7R II. No distortion correction needed! Focusing is easy: at f/11 set to infinity and your done: sharp throughout the frame.
I've also recently tried the smaller/lighter Voigtlander 12mm 5.6, which is superb and has more microcontrast pop to it. It was a tough choice, but the flatter Laowa rendering seemed more ideal for architectural photography imo, so the Voigtlander got returned. For DSLR shooters, the Irix 11mm would be interesting to compare against the Laowa 12mm.
David Arbogast f/11 on a 12mm sounds like diffraction city
I do believe that diffraction is sensor based and not purely aperture?
Ex. a sensor that has pixel size of 3.8 will have a DLA of about 5.6.
So diffraction will set in with this sensor on any lens that you set the aperture above 5.6...?
Great review. I have the 14mm Rokinon which is great value. The lens profile in lightroom fixes up the distortion with one click, so that's not an issue for me, but I hate the fact that you can't remove the lens hood. This 12mm looks amazing!
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 offers an angle of view of 121°. The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 has an angle of view of 115° and is much brighter with autofocus.
Great review and sample photos - thanks. I'm trying to make a decision if I should add this lens for my real estate interior work.
Definitely an interesting lens. When I looked at it I decided it might be a little to wide. For landscapes and such it creates an extra compositional challenge. Plus I need at least an ND filter. And those systems are not really cheap either.
For interior design and maybe architecture (which I believe the lens was made for) it's probably the best you can get for the money. ... not doing much of that though.
Still it is intriguing and I would like to play with it....
Nisi does have a filter system they are working on for this lens. but it is extremely wide and I personally rarely find myself shooting that wide. If I was doing interiors though it would be a no brainer.
Actually I just heard at another place that a lens-hood should exist that allows for screw-on filters. Not sure if its an accessory or original content.
Which objective would you choose for architecture, landscape, interior spaces? Laowa 12mm or sony 12-24mm?
It would be nice to see review of Samyang (Rokinon) XP 10mm for Full Frame, extra wide. It's in similar price range and it have electronics but still is manual focus.
I'm thinking about buying one or Laowa 12mm, but I'm still not sure if I need it.
I'd be interested to see the comparison to the Rokinon 12mm f2.8 for less than $400... or even their more expensive 12mm 2.0.
Those are crop sensor lenses though. I suspect distortion with all of those is on par with the Rokinon, which is to say a good bit - but for stars and general wide angle use on a crop body - they are better for most people.
The two I have were listed as EF specific, although I use the 8mm only on my 70d. I find it's way too soft on the edges when used on a full frame after crop. The 12 isn't bad when compared to the 8 for distortion, but I've never compared the 12 to other brands (hence my curiosity lol)
Would you recommend this for a crop sensor?
do i need a adapter for the a7rii?
Hello, I have heard that this lens isn't all that sharp in the corners at 2.8... even worse than the rokinon 14mm at 2.8 (I already own the Rokinon) How would you compare image quality in these two lenses side by side? Center sharpness, edge to edge, etc
Thanks
Your Videos are so good!
Much appreciated.
its $ 1200 here in dubai ... but its great lens ....
whats your wide lense suggestion for star photograpy to a crop machine?
I have a couple of recommendations here photorec.tv/2016/03/rokinon-14mm-best-budget-lens-for-astrophotography/
nice review, . . . but did you find Flatness in its rendition, i.e. failure to produce 3D pop ?
thanks
I did not notice any serious difference from other wide angle lenses in this category.
how about the flare and CA with this lens?
Not a serious issue.
cool if you can compare the laowa12mm to Sigma14mm art
I just reviewed the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 ua-cam.com/video/8An3dzcgCWE/v-deo.html While not a direct comparison much of what I say about the sigma compared to the Irix applies.
Good Review, Subbing. YT, Rob
ケニー・ロバーツかと思ったよ
Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 with auto focus is not much dearer. Why bother.
because its not as wide.
It doesn't matter Tamron far better value and highly praised even over the Nikon option, better bang for buck better realistic tool for use.
Laowa is an unknown quality wise, you want too gamble 1K on a unknown unproven lense go right ahead? Will I find people pawning them off on Ebay at $300 a pop in a years time?
kalidesu good point. In this price range nothing else but the Tamron makes sense. For fun and stars, that means a highly specialized field, the Samyang is much better value, under 300 dollars now
Depends on your needs. No way am I going to carry around that brick of a lens from Tamron but for some that is certainly a more versatile and better option. Also - the difference between 12 and 15 is huge.
exactly. this lens is specialised for being that wide.
and 1000$😭😂😂
Nothing else this wide, this fast.