Venus Optics Unveils Two New High-Bright Laowa Prime Lenses for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds Cameras

Loawa has an original catalog

Venus Optics and its Laowa branch have become specialists in atypical fixed focal lengths such as the 24mm F14 Macro 2x Probe. From now on, the company is providing the market for mirrorless devices with numerous optics, including a very large aperture. Thus, there were already four lenses with a very large f/0.95 aperture, divided between 4/3, APS-C and 24×36 mounts.

Now, Laowa will release two new bright prime lenses: the Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO for APS-C bodies and the Argus 18mm f/0.95 MFT APO for 4/3 mount.

Two beautiful beasts

The first lens, Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO, is a 37.5 mm f/1.4 (or 40 mm f/1.5 at Canon) in 24×36 equivalent, a rather heavy optic, all-metal construction obliges, with its 575 g, for 8.1 cm long and 7.1 cm in diameter. The optical construction is based on a formula of 14 elements divided into nine groups (including an ED glass lens + two with a high refractive index). The diaphragm consists of nine blades and the minimum focusing distance is 34 cm.

The second pebble, Argus 18mm f/0.95 MFT APO, has a focal length approaching 36mm in 24×36 equivalent for a slightly more closed aperture, f/1.9. It also remains a bit heavy, especially for small devices with its 500 g for 8.3 cm long and 8 cm in diameter. It uses an optical formula of 14 elements divided into nine groups (including two ED glass lenses + four with a high refractive index). The diaphragm has nine blades, and the minimum focusing distance is 20 cm.

For nostalgics, bokeh lovers and videographers

Of course, these are manual optics without autofocus and, at full aperture, you will have to be very skilful to achieve the point. Nevertheless, it remains devilishly effective at night or to achieve a nice bokeh. The optician’s teams say they have worked specifically to reduce chromatic aberrations and guarantee a good level of sharpness, even at full f/0.95 aperture. For videographers, the aperture ring is clickable for smoother rotation.

Price and availability

The Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO for APC bodies and Argus 18mm f/0.95 MFT APO for 4/3 mount will be marketed from January 2023. The 25 mm, available for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon mounts RF, Fujifilm X and Canon EF-M, will be offered at €749, while the 18 mm will be sold at €599.

Images courtesy of Venus Optics/Laowa