- From Circular to Diagonal: Capturing Creative 180-Degree Perspectives with a Single Lens - Perfect for Creators: Features a Constant f/2.8 Aperture and Parfocal Design
Venus Optics (Laowa), known for its unique optical innovations, has unveiled a groundbreaking new lens for crop-sensor mirrorless shooters. On May 20, Laowa officially announced the "Laowa CF 4.5-10mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom," the world's first dedicated APS-C format fisheye zoom lens.
While fisheye zooms have historically been exclusive to full-frame systems, this new release brings that unique creative freedom directly to APS-C and Micro Four Thirds (MFT) users, packing distinct optical capabilities into a remarkably compact body.
Two Fisheye Perspectives at the Turn of a Zoom Ring
The standout feature of this lens is its ability to deliver two completely different fisheye rendering styles depending on the chosen focal length.
- 4.5mm Ultra-Wide End: Produces a dramatic "Circular Fisheye" effect where the image is contained within a perfect circle in the center of the frame. Offering a massive 180-degree field of view, it delivers striking, immersive visuals by distorting the surrounding space.
- 10mm Telephoto End: As you zoom in, the black vignette disappears, transitioning seamlessly into a full-frame "Diagonal Fisheye" view. This perspective maintains a vast ultra-wide field of view while adding just the right touch of unique distortion—ideal for sweeping landscapes and action-packed extreme sports.
Constant f/2.8 Aperture and Parfocal Design Built for Video
Despite being a specialty lens, there are no compromises on performance. It maintains a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range, letting creators keep ISO low in low-light environments, indoor venues, or when shooting astrophotography.
Importantly for videographers, the lens features a parfocal design. This ensures that the focus stays locked even while zooming, enabling smooth, cinematic focal-length changes mid-shot. Combined with an impressive minimum focusing distance of just 10cm, creators can get incredibly close to their subjects to capture dynamic, close-up macro shots with an expansive background.
Lightweight at 330g with Massive Mount Compatibility
The optical construction consists of 13 elements in 9 groups, including 4 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and 1 UHR (Ultra-High Refractive Index) element to minimize flares and chromatic aberrations. Despite this rich optical setup, the lens weighs a mere 338g (with a length of about 59.3mm), making it incredibly portable for everyday walks, gimbals, or drone setups.
Designed as a manual focus (MF) lens, it offers widespread compatibility across virtually all modern mirrorless systems, including Sony E, L-mount, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon RF/EF-M, and Micro Four Thirds (MFT). The global retail price is set at a competitive $399, offering exceptional value.
Editor's Note
"Even the most ordinary, everyday scenery looks entirely different when twisted through a 180-degree perspective. Laowa’s new 4.5-10mm lens is far more than just a novelty toy; with its constant f/2.8 aperture and parfocal design, it is a highly capable tool tailored to the creative demands of videographers. If you use a crop-sensor or MFT system as your primary setup and want a unique, lightweight 'secret weapon' in your bag, this 300g piece of glass might just be the perfect answer."
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