{"id":65631,"date":"2025-06-26T13:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=65631"},"modified":"2026-03-23T13:41:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T12:41:20","slug":"review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_74373\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74373\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74373\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_no_hood.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_no_hood.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_no_hood-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_no_hood-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-74373\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF on Sony A7rII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In 2024 Laowa released their first AF lens, the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a>. Now 10mm is extremely wide, maybe too wide for some, so in mid 2025 they added a 12mm lens with AF to the lineup. Let&#8217;s have a look together at this Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF.<\/p>\n<h2>Sample Images<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66234\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66234\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66234\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_23.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_23.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_23-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_23-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66234\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66235\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66235\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66235\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_24.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_24.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_24-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_24-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66227\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66227\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66227\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_19.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_19.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_19-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_19-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66227\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66222\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66222\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66222\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_29.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_29.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_29-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_29-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66222\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66230\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66230\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66230\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_5.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_5-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66230\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66214\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66214\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66214\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_6.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66214\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66226\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66226\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66226\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_14.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_14.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_5.6_14-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66226\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><em>Many of the Sample images in this review can be found in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCkmJS\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>Specifications \/ Version History<\/h2>\n<p>This is already the second 12mm 2.8 lens from Laowa. The first <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-zero-d\/\">Laowa 12mm 2.8<\/a> was still designed for DSLRs (it could be used with any normal adapter or the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-magic-shift-converter-17mm-4-0\/\">Magic Shift Adapter<\/a> on mirrorless cameras as well), whereas this new version has been designed for mirrorless cameras from the ground up. For this review I first received the manual focus Cine version and later the AF version for E-mount. This E-mount AF version has the following specifications:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Diameter: 77 mm<\/li>\n<li>Field of view: 122\u00b0 (diagonally)<\/li>\n<li>Length: 79 mm<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 379g (without hood[27g], without caps)<\/li>\n<li>Filter Diameter: 72 mm<\/li>\n<li>Number of Aperture Blades: 5 (straight)*<\/li>\n<li>Elements\/Groups: 16\/9<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-74322 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Diagram-300x142.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Diagram-300x142.png 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Diagram.png 513w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Close Focusing Distance: 0.14 m<\/li>\n<li>Maximum Magnification: 1:5.0 (measured)<\/li>\n<li>Mount: Sony-E, Nikon-Z, Canon RF, L-mount<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*The Z and E AF versions feature 5 straight aperture blades. The MF versions feature 14 rounded aperture blades.<\/p>\n<p><em>buy from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.venuslens.net\/product\/laowa-12mm-f-2-8-lite-zero-d-ff\/ref\/57\">manufacturer&#8217;s homepage<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=laowa+12mm+2.8+af&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=laowa+12mm+2.8+af&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_from=R40&amp;_trksid=m570.l1313&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3TJtYcJ\">amazon.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4lkwLF1\">amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?q=laowa%2012mm%202.8%20af&amp;sts=ma&amp;BI=21073&amp;KBID=18855&amp;SID=DFF\">B&amp;H<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links) for <strong>$699<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Disclosure<\/h2>\n<p>At the end of 2024 I received an early sample of the Cine version of this lens and shortly prior to the release I received a final production model of the AF version. The optical design of these two lenses is identical.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Handling \/ Build Quality<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_74372\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74372\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74372\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-74372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This 12mm 2.8 features the same metallic dark grey casing design as the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a> before.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The focus ring is also the same, again featuring two bumps with a Laowa logo. Another unique design element. For an AF lens the ring is well dampened and it takes 180\u00b0 from the minimum focus distance to infinity &#8211; similar to Sony&#8217;s GM lenses. The lens does also feature an AF\/MF-switch on the left side.<\/p>\n<p>The E-mount version does not feature an aperture ring, you set the desired aperture in camera.<\/p>\n<p>The lens also features a rubber gasket at the rear bayonet which some people think helps with keeping the sensor clean of dust and others think is mainly a marketing gag.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_74374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74374\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74374\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_Title.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_Title.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_Title-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_E_Title-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-74374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF on Sony A7rII with hood attached<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p>The hood is also removable, so theoretically you could use a filter system as well. I don&#8217;t have a 100mm system to tell you which combinations work here though.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65565\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65565\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65565\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65565\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laowa 12mm 2.8 Cine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Cine version features geared focus and aperture rings. The focus ring has a nice resistance, on the left side you can find a distance scale in feet and on the right side in meter. The aperture ring is clickless and features markings on both sides.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_74376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74376\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Nikon_Zf.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Nikon_Zf.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Nikon_Zf-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Nikon_Zf-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-74376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF on Nikon Zf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This lens is available for E, Z, RF and L-mount.<\/p>\n<h2>AF performance<\/h2>\n<p>I am not shooting sports or fast moving animals\/humans so if you want to know if the lens is fast enough for this or how it compares to other lenses in this segment you may have to look for a different review with a more detailed assessment of this aspect.<\/p>\n<p>In everyday use I found the AF to be perfectly usable and also nearly silent.<\/p>\n<h2>Vignetting<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>light falloff<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66584\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/vignetting_Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"750\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/vignetting_Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine.jpg 750w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/vignetting_Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine-300x244.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-218\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-218\">\n<tbody class=\"row-striping\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/2.8<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.2 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/4.0<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.0 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/5.6 - f\/22<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.8 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-218 from cache -->\n<p>This 12mm 2.8 shows a little less vignetting than the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a>, which surely is welcome. Still, the small front element (allowing the use of standard filters) takes its toll and this new mirrorless version shows noticeably stronger vignetting than the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-zero-d\/\">older Laowa 12mm 2.8<\/a> for DSLRs with its bulbous front element.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66580\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66580\" style=\"width: 1026px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66580\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Vig_Graph.png\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"1026\" height=\"766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Vig_Graph.png 1026w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Vig_Graph-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Vig_Graph-800x597.png 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Vig_Graph-768x573.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1026px) 100vw, 1026px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66580\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laowa 12mm 2.8 Cine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>It is recommended to have a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/vignetting-graphs-explained\/\">this article<\/a> first to get an idea how this brightness graph works.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>color cast<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-1-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-76834\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Laowa 12mm 2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Laowa 9mm 5.6<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-1-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-76834\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane1-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66927\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_12mm_2.8_Laowa.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_12mm_2.8_Laowa.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_12mm_2.8_Laowa-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_12mm_2.8_Laowa-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane1-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66926\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_9mm_5.6_Laowa.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_9mm_5.6_Laowa.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_9mm_5.6_Laowa-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Comp_9mm_5.6_Laowa-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Sony A7rII | f\/8.0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Some good news: while the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-9mm-5-6-ff-rl\/\">Laowa 9mm 5.6<\/a> has noticeable color cast this Laowa 12mm 2.8 follows the footsteps of the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a> showing none that I would worry about. This is also a benefit over the older Laowa 12mm 2.8 for DSLRs, which also led to the corners taking on a green hue.<\/p>\n<p>I did not feel the need <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/how-to-correcting-color-cast-in-lightroom\/\">to correct any color cast<\/a> in post for the pictures you see in this review.<\/p>\n<h2>Sharpness<\/h2>\n<h3>infinity (42mp Sony A7rII)<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74441\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sharpness_Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_R2.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"1400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sharpness_Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_R2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sharpness_Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_R2-171x300.jpg 171w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sharpness_Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_R2-731x1280.jpg 731w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sharpness_Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_R2-768x1344.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_74440\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74440\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74440\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sharpness_Overview_11.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sharpness_Overview_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sharpness_Overview_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sharpness_Overview_11-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-74440\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The center looks great from f\/2.8 and I hardly see any midzone dip here. The corners surely benefit from stopping down though and look best at f\/5.6. A performance similar to the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a>, slightly better maybe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>I took these pictures on an early summer morning, the f\/8.0 and f\/11 shots may look worse than the f\/5.6 one due to slight heat haze.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>close 0.14 m, 1:5.0 (42mp Sony A7rII)<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-2-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-26320\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-2-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-26320\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane2-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66469\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_2.8-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane2-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66470\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_4.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane2-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66471\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sharpness_Close_5.6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>100% crops from center, A7rII<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Laowa is known for implementing very generous close focus distances in their ultra wide angle lenses and this is also the case here, as this 12mm lens focuses down to 0.14 m offering an impressive 1:5.0 magnification.<\/p>\n<p>Because the lens is big itself you will very likely run into issues properly lighting your subject situated at the minimum focus distance though.<\/p>\n<h2>Distortion<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66409\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66409\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66409\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Distortion_A7III_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Distortion_A7III_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Distortion_A7III_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Distortion_A7III_5.6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66409\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This 12mm 2.8 is part of Laowa&#8217;s &#8220;Zero-D&#8221; line. Not always does this mean that the distortion of the lens is non existent though, just that it is very low. As you can see from the picture above it is indeed low and I did not correct it for any of the sample pictures.<\/p>\n<p>For architecture pictures with straight lines close to the edges you may still want to correct this. There is no profile available now, but you can of course always try to <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/how-to-creating-distortion-correction-profiles-for-lightroom-photoshop\/\">create one on your own<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Flare resistance<\/h2>\n<p>As always evaluating flare is a complex matter since you can get any lens to look bad if you push it hard enough and a slight change of scenario can affect results a lot.<\/p>\n<p>With a lens as wide as 12mm you will often encounter situations where you find strong point light sources inside and\/or outside the frame. We will first have a look at the performance at f\/2.8 and then at f\/11.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-3-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-65403\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos1<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos2<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos3<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos4<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-3-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-65403\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane3-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74391\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos1.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos1-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74392\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos2.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos2-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74393\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos3.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos3-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74394\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos4.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_2.8_Pos4-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF | f\/2.8<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Actually, at f\/2.8 I see a pretty good performance here, as we can only see some minor ghosts when looking closely. With the sun in the very corner of the frame we can create huge veiling flare which is the case for most lenses. This can easily be avoided by slightly reframing.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-4-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-82965\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos1<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos2<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos3<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos4<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-4\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos5<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-5\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Pos6<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-4-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-82965\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane4-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74395\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos1.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos1-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74396\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos2.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos2-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74397\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos3.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos3-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74398\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos4.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos4-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74399\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos5.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos5-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74400\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos6.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Flare_R2_11_Pos6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF | f\/11<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Stopped down we can see more artefacts, especially ghosts on the opposite side of the light source and for various positions.<\/p>\n<p>All in all the performance here looks slightly better to what I have seen from the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Coma<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-5-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-44044\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/8.0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-5-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-44044\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane5-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74387\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_2.8-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74388\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_4.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74389\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_5.6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74390\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_8.0.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_8.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_8.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Coma_100_R2_8.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF | 100% crops from extreme corner<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Astrophotography could be an application for a 12mm 2.8 lens. We see slight Coma at f\/2.8 to f\/4.0. Here the lens performs very similar to the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a>. From f\/5.6 Coma is well corrected.<\/p>\n<h2>Sunstars<\/h2>\n<h3>5 Straight Aperture Blades<\/h3>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-6-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-82849\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/8.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-4\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/11<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-5\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/16<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-6\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/22<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-6-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-82849\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane6-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74401\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_2.8-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74402\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_4.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74403\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_5.6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74404\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_8.0.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_8.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_8.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_8.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74405\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_11.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_11-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74406\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_16.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_16.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_16-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74407\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_22.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_22.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_50_R2_22-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Sony<em> A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF | 50% crops<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The 5 straight aperture blade version creates no sunstars at f\/2.8 and very well defined 10-stroke sunstars between f\/4.0 and f\/22 as we have also seen from other recent Laowa ultra wide angle lenses.<\/p>\n<h3>14 Rounded Aperture Blades<\/h3>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-7-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-67406\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/8.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-4\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/11<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-5\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/16<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-6\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/22<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-7-review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af-67406\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane7-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-65730\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_2.8-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-65731\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_4.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-65732\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_5.6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-65733\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_8.0.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_8.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_8.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_8.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-65734\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_11.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_11-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-65735\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_16.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_16.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_16-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-65736\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_22.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_22.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_50_Sunstars_22-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Sony<em> A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 MF | 50% crops<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The cine version has a diaphragm made of 14 rounded aperture blades and I am happy to report that they are well aligned, as we see nice sunstars from f\/4.0 to f\/16.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to learn more about sunstars have a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/best-lenses-for-sunstars\/\">this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Chromatic Aberrations<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>lateral<\/strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>Not that long ago ultra wide angles lenses were really plagued by lateral CA, but this lens is testament to how far we have come, not showing any.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>longitudinal<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Lenses this wide are usually not prone to showing longitudinal CA and this is also the case here. Even in this very demanding scene no purple fringing is to be found:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65741\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65741\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65741\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_loCA_PF_100_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_loCA_PF_100_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_loCA_PF_100_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_R2_loCA_PF_100_2.8-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65741\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8 | 100% crop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">across frame sharpness stopped down<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">standard 72mm filter thread<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">no color cast in the corners<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">minimum focus distance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">CA correction<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">sunstars<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">handling\/build quality<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">weight<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>average<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>flare resistance<\/li>\n<li>coma correction<\/li>\n<li>distortion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>not good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">high vignetting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>There are many similarities to the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a> here, so I will also talk about the notable differences between these two lenses.<\/p>\n<p>I surely think it is nice to have the f\/2.8 option in a lens this wide, as it allows to take some handheld shots during the blue hour or indoors that would have otherwise been too noisy without a tripod. Peak performance in the corners is reached at f\/11, which is a bit worse compared to the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As with almost all lenses this wide my main complaint is the high vignetting, which was to be expected and is part of the price to be paid for having a standard 72mm filter thread &#8211; as was already the case for the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\">Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I was a bit surprised to see this 12mm being released shortly after the 10mm. Going by the performance of the two samples I had, I think they perform very similar, but for some people the 10mm field of view might simply be too extreme and therefore this 12mm more appealing. As a mirrorless user I would also prefer this new 12mm to the older <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-zero-d\/\">Laowa 12mm 2.8<\/a> designed for DSLRs.<\/p>\n<p><em>buy from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.venuslens.net\/product\/laowa-12mm-f-2-8-lite-zero-d-ff\/ref\/57\">manufacturer&#8217;s homepage<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=laowa+12mm+2.8+af&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=laowa+12mm+2.8+af&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_from=R40&amp;_trksid=m570.l1313&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3TJtYcJ\">amazon.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4lkwLF1\">amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?q=laowa%2012mm%202.8%20af&amp;sts=ma&amp;BI=21073&amp;KBID=18855&amp;SID=DFF\">B&amp;H<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links) for <strong>$699<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Alternatives<\/h2>\n<p>I will only cover the most obvious alternatives here but you can find many more being discussed in our <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/user-guide-ultra-wideangle-lenses-sony-alpha-7-series\/\">Guide to Ultra Wide Angle Lenses for the A7 Series<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-10mm-2-8-af-the-beginning-of-a-new-era\/\"><strong>Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF:<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nI already compared these two lenses in most of the sections above. Their performance is very similar, the main difference is really the field of view. This 12mm lens is also $100 cheaper.<br \/>\nbuy from<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.venuslens.net\/product\/laowa-10mm-f-2-8-ff-zero-d\/ref\/57\">manufacturer&#8217;s homepage<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/42Cc7rP\">B&amp;H<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=laowa+10mm+2.8+af&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links) for <strong>$799<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-9mm-5-6-ff-rl\/\"><strong>Laowa 9mm 5.6 FF-RL:<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nThe difference in fied of view is huge, as I have shown at the beginning of this review. From f\/5.6 onwards the performance is generally similar.<br \/>\nThe benefits of the 12mm are AF and Exif readout, the f\/2.8 maximum aperture as well as a lack of color cast and a normal 72mm filter thread. The 9mm is noticeably wider and smaller.<br \/>\n<em>buy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.venuslens.net\/product\/laowa-9mm-f-5-6-ff-rl\/ref\/57\/\">manufacturer&#8217;s homepage<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/3jnhRPw\">B&amp;H<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC1.A0.H0.Xlaowa+9mm+5.6.TRS1&amp;_nkw=laowa+9mm+5.6&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xlaowa+9mm+5.6.TRS0&amp;_nkw=laowa+9mm+5.6&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> for <strong>$699<\/strong> (M-mount) and <strong>$599<\/strong> (E\/Z\/L-mount) (advertisement\/affiliate links)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-sony-fe-12-24mm-2-8-gm\/\"><strong>Sony FE 12-24mm 2.8 GM:<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nIf money, weight and size are no concern to you, this is currently the best 12mm 2.8 lens you can find &#8211; even though it is a zoom lens. In my review I hardly found any flaw with it &#8211; except for the aforementioned obvious ones.&nbsp;<br \/>\n<em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GLE2Am\">Amazon.com<\/a>&nbsp;| <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2IfQTv5\">Amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/35cXnnk\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=sony+12-24mm+2.8+gm&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820130&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay <\/a>(advertisement\/affiliate links) for <strong>$2998<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Further Sample Images<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66221\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66221\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66221\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_26.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_26.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_26-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_26-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66221\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66219\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66219\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66219\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_18.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_18.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_18-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_18-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66219\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66217\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66217\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66217\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_15.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flarelaowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_15.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_15-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66217\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66215\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66215\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66215\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_7.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_7-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66215\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66211\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66211\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66211\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_2.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66211\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66210\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66210\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66210\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_1.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66210\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66213\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66213\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66213\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_4.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66213\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66212\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66212\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66212\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_3.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_2.8_3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66212\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66231\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66231\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66231\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_10.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_10-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66231\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66232\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66232\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66232\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_12.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_12.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_12-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66232\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66233\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66233\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66233\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_16.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_16.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_16-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66233\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66238\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66238\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66238\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_11_30.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_11_30.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_11_30-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_11_30-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66236\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66236\" style=\"width: 533px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66236\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_25.jpg\" alt=\"laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&amp;D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_25.jpg 533w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laowa_12mm_2.8_Cine_Sample_Zf_8.0_25-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66236\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Many of the Sample images in this review can be found in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCkmJS\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Further Reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/fe-lenses-sony-comprehensive-independent-guide\/\">Sony FE lenses: Our comprehensive and independent guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-viltrox-fe-16mm-1-8-af\/\">Review: Viltrox FE 16mm 1.8 AF<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-sony-fe-24mm-1-4-gm\/\">Review: Sony FE 24mm 1.4 GM<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-35mm-0-95-the-worlds-fastest-35mm-lens\/\">Review: Laowa 35mm 0.95<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-sigma-105mm-1-4-dg-hsm-art-the-bokeh-master\/\">Review: Sigma 105mm 1.4 Art<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Support Us<\/h2>\n<p>Did you find this article useful or just liked reading it? Treat us to a coffee!<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=3K9EJRRQVXT4J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40345 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donate2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"103\" height=\"29\"><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"><em>via Paypal<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This site contains advertisement\/affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as advertisement\/affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction In 2024 Laowa released their first AF lens, the Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF. Now 10mm is extremely wide, maybe too wide for some, so in mid 2025 they added a 12mm lens with AF to the lineup. Let&#8217;s have a look together at this Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF. Sample Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4708,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[212,18,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-laowa","category-review","category-sony-e-mount"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Review: Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF - phillipreeve.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the first lenses Laowa released was a 12mm 2.8 for DSLRs. 11 years later we receive an updated version, but\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-12mm-2-8-af\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Review: Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF - 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