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Posts Tagged ‘7.5mm’

Venus Optics’ new $549 7.5mm F2 MFT lens now has electronic aperture control

11 Jun

Venus Optics has announced an updated version of its Laowa 7.5mm F2 Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens that has electronic aperture control and an onboard chip for transferring metadata from the lens to the camera.

The new lens features the same optical construction as its fully-manual predecessor (13 elements in nine groups), but adds an electronically-controlled aperture at the cost of reducing the number of aperture blades to five (there are seven in the manual version).

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As for dimensions, the lens comes in at 3mm (.12”) larger in diameter and 7mm shorter (.28”) than the manual version. Also, despite adding the electronic aperture control and onboard CPU chip, Venus Optics managed to reduce the lens’ weight to 150g (5.3oz), down from the 170g (6oz) weight of the manual version.

Below is a video review of the lens from YouTube channel RED35:

The Laowa 7.5mm F2 lens with electronic aperture control is available to order on Venus Optics’ website for $ 549. You can view a gallery of full-sized sample images on Venus Optics’ Flickr album.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kamlan announces new 7.5mm F3.2 fisheye lens for Micro Four Thirds systems

12 Feb

Chinese optical manufacturer Kamlan Optical has announced its next lens will be a 7.5mm F3.2 fisheye for the Micro Four Thirds system. The lens joins an existing line-up of manual focus primes for APS-C and MFT systems, and will be shown at the CP+ show later this month.

The FS 7.5mm f/3.2 will provide an angle of view of 160° with a construction that consists of seven elements in six groups. It will focus as close as 10cm and will have a minimum aperture of F16. The manufacturer says the lens will measure 48x58mm, will weigh 250g and it will be impossible to mount a filter in the conventional way because of the shape of the built-in hood.

According to DC Watch, the price in Japan will be about 25,000 yen, which is approximately $ 230. For more information see the Kalman website

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics Laowa C-Dreamer 7.5mm F2 for Micro Four Thirds sample gallery

06 Aug

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Laowa is one of the brand names used by Chinese manufacturer Venus Optics. We previously encountered Laowa when we produced a sample gallery of the full-frame Zero-D 12mm F2.8 – a lens that claims zero distortion and has exceptionally well corrected barrelling for any focal length let alone one with such a dramatic angle of view. This 7.5mm F2 lens is designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras and makes no such distortion claims, but is one of the widest focal lengths for the system and certainly stands out for its combination of wide angle and wide maximum aperture.

The lens is small but weighty, its solidity lending it a feel of a product well made. It is actually very nice to use, focuses smoothly and its 46mm thread means filters can be used – with care. It is manual focus, with the infinity setting at the left of the scale as you look down from the shooting position. The aperture ring doesn’t unclick and offers the smallest space between the penultimate F16 and ultimate F22 settings. It has a depth of field scale marked on the barrel along with distances, but I’m unconvinced that either is especially useful.

These sample images have been made using the lens on the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5.

See our Venus Laowa 7.5mm F2
sample gallery

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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics announces spec and price for 7.5mm F2 Micro Four Thirds lens

02 May

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Chinese optical manufacturer Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited, or Venus Optics, has released more details of a forth-coming lens it claims will be the widest rectilinear F2 for the Micro Four Thirds system. The Laowa 7.5mm F2 MFT was first seen at Photokina last year, and will offer the 110° angle of view we’d expect from a 15mm lens on a full-frame camera and will be available in two versions – a standard model that will weigh 200g / 7oz and a lightweight model that will tip the scales at 150g / 5.3oz.

Both versions of the lens will feature 13 elements in 9 groups and will use a pair of aspheric elements and three in extra-low dispersion glass. The company has stopped short of using the ‘Zero-D’ designation it applies to the Laowa 12mm F2.8 and its previously announced 15mm F2, but does claim to have minimized distortion, as well as chromatic aberrations.

The 7.5mm lens will have a 46mm filter thread, a closest focusing distance of 12cm / 4.7in, a 7-bladed iris and will be 55mm long. The lightweight version has been designed with drones in mind, will use lighter metals than the standard version and will cost $ 519 plus tax instead of $ 499. Black or silver options are available. The standard model will be shipping this month with the lightweight model following in July. For more full specification and pre-order information visit the Venus Optics website.

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Press release

Venus Optics announces the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT, the World’s Widest f/2 Lens for Micro Four Thirds Camera

Featuring a 110° Angle of View, Ultra-fast f/2 aperture, 46mm filter thread& less than 200g in weight

Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique Laowa camera lenses, is proud to announce the world’s widest rectilinear f/2 lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT.

The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is currently the widest f/2 rectilinear lens ever designed for Micro Four Thirds Cameras. It is an ultra-wide & ultra-fast prime lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 15mm. Despite the extreme specifications, Venus Optics has successfully minimized the weight of the lens to less than 200g (0.44 pounds) and 55mm long. This compact and light lens comprises of 13 elements in 9 groups with 2 pcs of aspherical elements and 3 pcs of Extra-low dispersion elements. This optical design successfully minimizes the distortion and chromatic aberrations to its lowest but at the same time, delivers a superb optical performance from corners to corners.

The extreme 110° angle of view and ultra-fast f/2 aperture allows photographers to create impressive astro-photography shots with ease. It also gives photographers a fast and wide-angle option for landscape photography and low-light shooting. The lens is designed with a 46mm filter thread which can gives additional portability for screw-in filters.

Venus Optics also introduce a lightweight version for this lens and controlled the weight to merely 150g. The feather-light weight opens up a new opportunity for photographers and pilots to shoot wider footage with gimbals and drones.

Availability
The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is currently available to pre-order in the official website of Venus Optics (http://www.venuslens.net/) and their authorized resellers. It comes with 2 colors, Black and Silver. Recommended Retail Price in US (without tax) is USD 499/pc for standard version and USD 519/pc for Lightweight version. Pricing may vary in different countries.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

25 Sep

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

Venus Optics is showing off two brand new lenses at Photokina – the Laowa 15mm F2 FE for Sony E-mount and 7.5mm F2 MFT for Micro Four Thirds.

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

The 15mm F2 is being billed as the world’s widest F2 lens, and Venus Optics claims that it is virtually distortion-free. Designed for Sony’s full-frame FE-mount A7-series, the new 15mm could prove very attractive to videographers, as well as stills photographers.

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

The mount is fully mechanical, so don’t expect to get automatic aperture indexing or focal length reporting. As such, metering is limited to the stop-down method. Videographers will be used to this way of working.

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

Here’s the 15mm F2 attached to a Sony A7R II. As you can see, it’s not a small lens, but actually balances very nicely with the camera. At 500g in weight (~1.1lb) it is substantial without being too heavy, in normal use. 

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

The minimum focusing distance of the 15mm F2 is around 6 inches, which equates to a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.25X. Pricing has yet to be announced but the lens should become available in early 2017.

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

Next up is the 7.5mm F2 MFT, for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. Designed to appeal especially to drone photographers this lens is absolutely tiny. Offering an equivalent focal length of 15mm, it weighs 170g (~0.4lb).

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

Again, this is a fully mechanical mount with no electrical contact between camera and lens. 

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

Interestingly, despite its ultra-wide focal length, the 7.5mm F2 can be used with screw-in filters (49mm) which could prove very handy to videographers who want to work with ND filters.

Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

As with the 15mm F2, the 7.5mm F2 will be available in early 2017, and no pricing information has yet been released.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics unveils Laowa 7.5mm F2 for MFT and 15mm F2 FE Zero-D

14 Sep

Venus Optics has announced a pair of manual focus lenses – a 7.5mm F2 for Micro Four Thirds and a 15mm F2 FE Zero-D designed with full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras in mind. Both of these 15mm equivalent lenses are rectilinear. 

Venus calls the Laowa 15mm F2 the ‘world’s fastest 15mm rectilinear lens for full-frame’ and includes it in its ‘Close-to-Zero Distortion’ series along with the 12mm F2.8 Zero-D. It offers a 72mm filter thread. Claiming another ‘world’s first’ achievement, Venus calls the Laowa 7.5mm F2 the widest F2 rectilinear lens for Micro Four Thirds.  

The Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 will be available in early 2017 – no pricing is given yet.

Anhui China, Sept 14, 2016 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of quality lenses with ‘World’s First’ specifications, is proud to unveil two premium lenses with extreme specifications and impressive performance, the Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D & the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT.

Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D

Featuring a 110° Angle of View, Ultra-fast f/2 aperture and 72mm filter thread, LAOWA 15mm f/2 becomes another member in their ‘Close-to-Zero Distortion’ lineup.

Laowa 15mm f/2 FE is currently the World’s Fastest 15mm rectilinear lens for Full Frame cameras. It features a close-to-zero optical distortion, allowing photographers to take landscape or architecture shots with straight lines retained.

Dedicated to fulfill the need of photographers, Venus Optics have managed to add a 72mm filter thread onto the 15mm f/2 lens. Photographers can easily install standard screw-in filters without paying for an expensive yet bulky filter holder system.

Designed specially for the Sony Full Frame Mirrorless cameras, Venus Optics has successfully controlled the size and weight of the lens to the minimal. Weighing less than 1.1 pounds (500g) and 82mm in length, the portability and compactness of the Sony E-mount Mirrorless cameras can be maintained when used with the Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Lens.

Featuring the fastest f/2 aperture ever built with a 15mm lens, the new Full Frame E-mount lens is engineered for professionals to shoot impressive landscape, architecture and primary astro photos with great details. This is an every-day and must-buy lens that every Sony Full Frame Mirrorless camera user should have one in his bag.

Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT

The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT is the Widest f/2 rectilinear lens ever designed for Micro Four Thirds Cameras. Despite the extreme specifications, Venus Optics has successfully minimized the weight of the lens to a merely 0.37 pounds (170g) and 55mm long. The extreme 110 angle of view, ultra-fast f/2 aperture and featherweight make this lens an ideal option to pair up with drones for aerial photography. It also gives photographers a fast and wide-angle option for low-light shooting as well as landscape photography.

Availability

The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D and the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT will be available to the market in early 2017. Engineering prototype will be available to test in Venus Optics’ Photokina debut. Venus Optics’ booth is in Hall 2.1, Booth A-045.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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