{"id":29120,"date":"2021-09-10T12:55:30","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T11:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=29120"},"modified":"2026-03-24T12:48:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T11:48:21","slug":"review-laowa-35mm-0-95-the-worlds-fastest-35mm-lens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-35mm-0-95-the-worlds-fastest-35mm-lens\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Laowa 35mm 0.95 – The world’s fastest 35mm lens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n
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Laowa 35mm 0.95 FF on Sony A7rII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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).
\nSuch bold designs often spot noticeable compromises, will this also be the case here? Let us find out in this review.
\nLast update:<\/strong> May 2023, new samples added<\/em><\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/h2>\n
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Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"laowa
Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"laowa
Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Sony A7rII | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

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Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/0.95<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can find most of the sample images in full resolution here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

What the optical designer says about the lens<\/span><\/h2>\n

“The idea was to design a 35mm fullframe wide angle lens with a maximum aperture of f\/0.95 like the world has never seen before. Yet t<\/em>he goal was also to keep the size reasonable, so the lens would still be fun to use.<\/em>
\nTo maintain good optical performance across the distance range a complex floating elements design with two independently moving groups has been incorporated.<\/em>
\nAs is most important for a lens with these parameters, the optical design ensures the background bokeh is extraordinarily smooth a<\/em>nd when shooting stopped down the highlights stay perfectly round thanks to using 15 rounded aperture blades.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Mr. Li<\/a>, optical designer and CEO, Laowa<\/p>\n

Disclosure<\/h2>\n

The Laowa 35mm 0.95 was kindly provided free of charge by Venus Optics \/ Laowa for reviewing purpose for a few weeks.<\/p>\n

Specifications<\/h2>\n

The Laowa 35mm 0.95 is the first fullframe 35mm lens with a maximum aperture of f\/0.95. The full specifications are:<\/p>\n