Venus Optics, LAOWA’s parent company, has launched a full-frame 35 mm prime that does something no other autofocus lens at this focal length can. The LAOWA ACRIS 35mm f/2.8 1X AF Macro APO delivers true 1:1 macro reproduction with autofocus.
Mount options cover Sony E, Nikon Z and Canon EF. L mount and Canon RF versions also exist, though they are manual focus only.
1:1 macro
True 1:1 means subjects land on the sensor at full life size. Shoot a dime, which measures 0.7 inches (17.91 mm) across, and its image on the sensor measures 0.7 inches across too.
What makes this unusual is the focal length. You get that magnification with a 35 mm field of view, which is a perspective most macro shooters never work with.
Optical design
The lens uses 13 elements in 10 groups, including one ED (extra-low dispersion) element and one made from ultra-high-refractive-index glass.
That APO in the name refers to LAOWA’s apochromatic design, which focuses three primary wavelengths onto the same plane. The payoff is clean, high-contrast edges, with chromatic aberration and color fringing all but eliminated.
Autofocus
Venus Optics describes the autofocus as fast, precise and dependable. There’s a catch, though. It only operates from infinity down to 1.6 feet (0.5 meters).
Closer than that, you’re on your own. From 1.6 feet into 1:1 territory, focus goes manual, aided by a tactile focus ring and Macro Focus Assistance. For still shooters, micro-step adjustments make focus stacking practical. For video, it means your macro work is hand-focused.
Fast maximum aperture
An f/2.8 maximum aperture gives you shallow depth of field for macro work plus reasonable low-light performance. Blade count differs by version. The autofocus models use a nine-blade iris, while the manual focus variants get 13 blades for rounder bokeh.
Build
A metal body keeps things durable without much weight penalty, landing between 18.7 ounces (530 g) and 20.1 ounces (570 g) depending on mount. Weather-resistant construction guards against dust and moisture. Filter thread is 72 mm.
What we think
At $449, this would be fair value as a 35 mm prime alone. Corner-to-corner sharpness across the focus range and an f/2.8 aperture cover the basics.
The macro capability is what makes it interesting. Longer macro lenses compress the background, while a 35mm keeps perspective natural and lets you show the environment around your subject. That’s genuinely useful for anyone shooting insects in context or product details on a set.
Just go in knowing the autofocus stops where the macro starts. If you planned to pull focus on a crawling subject, that’s manual work.
Pricing and availability
The LAOWA ACRIS 35mm f/2.8 1X AF Macro APO is available now at $449 across all mount options.
