The Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Wide Angle 1:1 Macro ($499) is a lens that's currently peerless in the marketplace. It combines an ultra-wide field of view with a very close focus ability—close enough to project objects onto the image sensor at life-size. It doesn't support autofocus, which will turn off some photographers, but thanks to its wide field of view and relatively narrow maximum aperture, it's not hard to lock on. The lens isn't optically perfect—there's some barrel distortion, edges are on the soft side at wider apertures, and corners are dim compared with the center of the frame—but the unique ultra-wide macro design, and a relatively attractive price point, make this a versatile option that can create stunning images in the hands of the right photographer. Design The Laowa 15mm ($499.00 at Amazon) is a short, stout lens, with a narrow barrel and a wider front element. It measures about 2.6 by 3.3 inches (HD) and weighs 14.4 ounces when bought for an SLR—it can be had...
The Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Wide Angle 1:1 Macro is a versatile wide-angle lens that's capable of capturing vast landscapes and focusing extremely close for macro shots.
Unique ultra-wide macro design; Shift function; Strong center sharpness; Excellent build quality; Clickless aperture; Available for multiple camera systems; Full-frame coverage
Noticeable edge softness, barrel distortion, and dimmed corners