The Laowa 45mm 0.95 is the latest addition to Laowa’s high speed Argus line up and thereby follows the footsteps of the record breaking 35mm 0.95. A maximum aperture of f/0.95 is always exciting whereas a focal length of 45mm is a rather rare bird. Let’s see what the differences between these two lenses are and who this 45mm is for!
I have a soft spot for lenses with unique parameters and a compact 85mm macro lens offering a staggering maximum magnification of 2:1 while being only 260g heavy certainly fits the bill. But everything comes at a price and a maximum aperture of f/5.6 does not exactly sound appealing, so let us find out in this review if this ends up being an issue and who this lens is for.
By now I have used over 150 lenses – of which 20 are 35mm lenses and most of them reviewed here – and it is safe to say that nowadays I am rarely excited about a new release in this focal length range. This Laowa 35mm 0.95 is not only the fastest 35mm fullframe lens though, it is also the widest f/0.95 fullframe lens – so two records in one lens (as of 2021 and counting).
Such bold designs often spot noticeable compromises, will this also be the case here? Let us find out in this review.
Continue reading Review: Laowa 35mm 0.95 – The world’s fastest 35mm lens
Regulars know we only rarely review APS-C lenses, but a 33mm f/0.95 lens with floating elements did manage to catch my attention, especially as it should give an idea of what to expect from the future full frame lenses of Laowa’s Argus line, so let us see what the Laowa 33mm 0.95 CF has in store for us!
For 11 years the Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0L was the widest shift lens available and now it is not Nikon but Laowa who challenges them with their 15mm 4.5 Shift. May this be the new king for wide angle architectural photography?
