Category Archives: Laowa

Review: Laowa CF 8-16mm f/3.5-5.0 Zoom (APS-C)

March 20, 2024 Martin 7 Comments

Introduction

Review Laowa CF 8-16mm f/3.5-5 C-Dreamer Zoom APS-C nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc Sony FE Fuji X canon rf m43 review nikon z z-fc z30 z50 test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f — Laowa CF 8-16mm f/3.5-5 C-Dreamer on a Nikon Z fc

Laowa CF 8-16mm f/3.5-5.0 Zoom is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras with an impressive zoom range (equivalent to 12-24mm on fullframe sensors). It is a very compact lens and seems to fit nicely on smaller APS-C cameras. Its versatile focal length range makes it a good choice for landscape, architecture, and travel photography or whenever you want a dramatic perspective in your images. In times when it seems that all the major manufacturers (except Fujifilm) are neglecting the APS-C lens development and focusing on fullframe lenses, it is refreshing to see exciting lenses like this from third-party manufacturers. Let’s see how it behaves in real life!

I tested this lens on a Nikon Zfc
You can see this review as YouTube video here

Sample Images

Review CF Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 C-Dreamer Zoom APS-C nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc Sony FE Fuji X canon rf m43 review nikon z z-fc z30 z50 test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f — Nikon Z fc | CF Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 C-Dreamer @8mm | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: Laowa CF 8-16mm f/3.5-5.0 Zoom (APS-C) →

Comparison, Laowa, Leica, Leica M, lenses, Nikon, Sigma, Sony E-mount, Thypoch, Voigtlander

Comparison: Fast 28mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/1.5 Fullframe Lenses

February 25, 2024 BastianK 31 Comments

Introduction

28mm fullframe comparison 1.4 1.2 1.5 voigtländer laowa nikon af-s af-d argus nokton thypoch simera sigma art dg contrast resolution bokeh vignetting coma sharpness loca ca — Sigma 28mm 1.4 Art | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | Nikon AF 28mm 1.4D | Laowa 28mm 1.2 Argus | Thypoch Simera 28mm 1.4 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 1.5 Nokton

To me, fast 28mm fullframe lenses are very useful. No matter where I go, I either carry a fast 28mm or a fast 35mm lens. When it comes to the 28mm focal length we are not exactly blessed with great options though. I gathered six of those ranging from f/1.2 to f/1.5 and will compare them, to give you an idea which might work best for your needs.
Last update: May 2024

Continue reading Comparison: Fast 28mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/1.5 Fullframe Lenses →

Laowa, lenses, Review, Sony Alpha, Sony E-mount

Review: Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF – The Beginning of a New Era

February 20, 2024 BastianK 59 Comments

Introduction

laowa 10mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare — Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF on Sony A7rII

2024 is a special year for Laowa, as it marks the company’s 10th anniversary. What better way to celebrate this than with a 10mm lens? But wait, Laowa already released a 9mm full frame lens, so what is so special about this 10mm lens? For starters, this lens features a maximum aperture of f/2.8, making it the world’s fastest 10mm lens and also the world’s widest f/2.8 lens. But what might be even more important: this is Laowa’s first AF lens. The beginning of a new era.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF – The Beginning of a New Era →

Analogue, Laowa, Leica, Leica M, Minolta, MS-Optics, Travel-Report, Voigtlander

Analogue Adventures – Part 28: Japan

January 25, 2024 BastianK 23 Comments

Introduction

kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om — Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/2.0 | Portra 800 +1 | ECN-2

When visiting Japan in early 2023 I exposed 8 rolls of film, this is a collection of pictures from that trip.

laowa 15mm 2.0 zero-d m-mount leica m10 m10r m11 review sharpness contrast coma distortion vignetting 42mp 24mp 61mp — Minolta CLE | Laowa 15mm 2.0 M | f/2.0 | Ektar 100 +1 | ECN-2

Minolta CLE | Laowa 15mm 2.0 M | f/8.0 | 500T | ECN-2

Minolta CLE | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/1.4 | 500T +1 | ECN-2

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 28: Japan →

Laowa, Macro, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Laowa FFII 58mm f2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X APO

December 10, 2023 Martin 15 Comments

Introduction

While most popular macro lenses have been in the range of 90-105mm and Laowa themselves having all, an 85mm, a 90mm, and a 100mm macro 2X lens, they opted for making a 58mm lens too, as some macro photographers prefer a wider angle of view or use the lens both as macro and allround lens. Also the perspective might make a difference for some people as you can include more surroundings with a wider lens for the composition. Laowa has shown that they can produce very nice macro lenses during the past few years, let’s see if this one can match them!