Love your honest, straight-forward reviews. I am partial to a good wide-angle lens and this looked interesting because of the size, but I already have the Samyang 12mm (which is optically good) so this 10mm doesn't really look like a good option for me. My only quibble with the Samyang 12mm is that it's physically big and very 'obvious' when mounted on the camera....
What a fun little lens, all they would have to do is drop the price and it would be a winner. I think your criticisms were well founded, but those flaws could be forgiven at a lower price point.
Damian, have a 12mm Samyang MF for my a6400 ( really only purchased for its stellar IAF- necessary for phone addicted?" " photographers", and young children who just won't stay still ! Use the Samyang ( purchased 2nd hand) for wider shots for which AF not really necessary e.g. landscapes and the like, as much as as I prefer AF, the Samyang 12 was MF only when purchased for a bargain price. Despite the Sony apsc range having a rather conulted menu system, wasn't too difficult to set up focus peaking - bright red!- however, most of the time, everything Is bright red- if doing landscapes etc, with MF, even though I remain a hack shooter, just setting lens to 5.6, 8 get the whole image in focus.
Laowa is prolific, and they do release lenses to cover needs that others aren't, I just wish their prices matched the performance. Their 9mm 2.8 is the most polarizing lens, I wonder if there's consistency issues too
this is my new favourite lens (on the CL). i love it so much! my only gripe is the focus scale markings are not correct on the lens. but that seems to be a problem with all my chinese manual focus lenses. i think the problem is they design the lens to work with different sensor sizes, but retain the same scale markings. but apart from that, i love this lens. it's sharp. it's tiny. it's well built. that's all i need.
Damian, as always enjoyed this video. By no means do I have deep pockets and am not wedded to always purchasing OE lenses or, particularly flash units- low level Godox does everything I need, basically TTL Aperture shooting. Others have stated the reverse, however I don't find Fuji native glass unduly expensive. Though that may not apply to the 16 1.2, 56 prime and the "pro" longer zooms. However, whilst fully manual 7 Artisan, Helios, Meike and may offer excellent value for money, I just don't feel compelled to try them compared with Fuji's native offerings. The Fuji glass I have provides excellent quality and I don't have to rely on focus peaking or similar. Yes, the longer Pro quality zooms are pricey however they would be infrequently used. Just my 20 cents.
I do it to all my cameras because I prefer to have less labels. I like the all black look and actually it stops people at jobs asking me what camera it is and getting in the way of my work sometimes.
No offense but I think you're missing the whole point of the lens. It's an extraordinarily small pancake lens that allows you to create cool interesting imagery, if you can imagine it.
Hi Mike, I understand completely. But no, the IQ is a big let down for what is a tidy, small lens with a very interesting focal length *for me. We expect better from LaOwa.
Love your honest, straight-forward reviews. I am partial to a good wide-angle lens and this looked interesting because of the size, but I already have the Samyang 12mm (which is optically good) so this 10mm doesn't really look like a good option for me. My only quibble with the Samyang 12mm is that it's physically big and very 'obvious' when mounted on the camera....
Thanks Stevie. I do love the 12mm and I use the af version a lot now.
I enjoy all of your videos, thanks 🙏
I appreciate it Ken!
What a fun little lens, all they would have to do is drop the price and it would be a winner. I think your criticisms were well founded, but those flaws could be forgiven at a lower price point.
I agree Mark!
Damian, have a 12mm Samyang MF for my a6400 ( really only purchased for its stellar IAF- necessary for phone addicted?"
" photographers", and young children who just won't stay still ! Use the Samyang ( purchased 2nd hand) for wider shots for which AF not really necessary e.g. landscapes and the like, as much as as I prefer AF, the Samyang 12 was MF only when purchased for a bargain price. Despite the Sony apsc range having a rather conulted menu system, wasn't too difficult to set up focus peaking - bright red!- however, most of the time, everything Is bright red- if doing landscapes etc, with MF, even though I remain a hack shooter, just setting lens to 5.6, 8 get the whole image in focus.
Nice focal lenght and nice size.. But that's all. Waiting for your meike 10mm f2 review
Good idea!!
Laowa is prolific, and they do release lenses to cover needs that others aren't, I just wish their prices matched the performance. Their 9mm 2.8 is the most polarizing lens, I wonder if there's consistency issues too
I have to agree with you!
this is my new favourite lens (on the CL). i love it so much! my only gripe is the focus scale markings are not correct on the lens. but that seems to be a problem with all my chinese manual focus lenses. i think the problem is they design the lens to work with different sensor sizes, but retain the same scale markings. but apart from that, i love this lens. it's sharp. it's tiny. it's well built. that's all i need.
I've just finished a video for their next cookie lens, alas it's for L Mount and not out until summer... grr
@@DamianBrowna new L mount cookie!!?? gimme gimme gimme
Damian, as always enjoyed this video.
By no means do I have deep pockets and am not wedded to always purchasing OE lenses or, particularly flash units- low level Godox does everything I need, basically TTL Aperture shooting.
Others have stated the reverse, however I don't find Fuji native glass unduly expensive. Though that may not apply to the 16 1.2, 56 prime and the "pro" longer zooms.
However, whilst fully manual 7 Artisan, Helios, Meike and may offer excellent value for money, I just don't feel compelled to try them compared with Fuji's native offerings.
The Fuji glass I have provides excellent quality and I don't have to rely on focus peaking or similar.
Yes, the longer Pro quality zooms are pricey however they would be infrequently used.
Just my 20 cents.
Thanks Robert! The more options the better I say. Go Fuji unless you have a specific need that isn't covered or budget. I'm glad there's choice
I really fancied this lens, but now I'm not too sure 🤷♂️ great as always Damian 👌👌👌
You want mine, you know it.
@@DamianBrown 😱🤣🤣🤣
Great review. One of the few reviewers addressing the terrible IQ of this lens, only the centre is acceptable. Cheers.
They didn't send me anything for ages after :D but it is what it is!
200 usd and itd be an easy buy. I have the 9mm laowa and its a lovely lens. So a smaller version would be incredible
I agree!
Industar-50 design is here!)
Not far from it!
There should be a decimal point in the price somewhere!. Good review Damian.
😁
Curious as to why you taped up your camera letters. We know it's the T-3.
I do it to all my cameras because I prefer to have less labels. I like the all black look and actually it stops people at jobs asking me what camera it is and getting in the way of my work sometimes.
Thanks, the price is crazy.
Even worse in the UK 🤣
No offense but I think you're missing the whole point of the lens. It's an extraordinarily small pancake lens that allows you to create cool interesting imagery, if you can imagine it.
Hi Mike, I understand completely. But no, the IQ is a big let down for what is a tidy, small lens with a very interesting focal length *for me. We expect better from LaOwa.
I tape up all my cameras
You understand me :D
I miss the small lenses for Fujifilm cameras. Now I shoot Nikon and require gigantic lenses 😂
That'll keep you fit :D
@@DamianBrown Yeah extra lifting weight! 💪
Too late… I’m waiting for xf 8mm f3.5
Too late? You won't see that 8mm for ages still :(
Tiny innit
That's the real selling point for me, albeit not at this price.