Laowa has announced a new autofocus telephoto prime lens for full-frame cameras. The Laowa 200mm f/2 AF FF is available with Nikon Z, Sony E and Canon EF mount options. You can also pick up an EF to RF adaptor.
Compact design
The Laowa 200mm prime lens weighs 3.5 pounds (1.59 kg) for the Canon EF mount lens and 3.92 pounds (1.78 kg) for the Sony E and Nikon Z mount versions. It’s still lighter than many competitors’ lenses, however, which range from 3.97 pounds (1.8 kg) to 6.6 pounds (3 kg). The 200 mm lens is also relatively compact, varying in length from 5.8 inches (148.3 mm) (Canon EF) to 7 inches (176.8 mm) (Nikon Z). All variants of the lens have a diameter of 4.6 inches (118 mm). The front filter thread is 105mm and the rear is 43mm (Sony E and Nikon Z only).
Optical construction
Optically, the 200mm prime lens is designed with 11 lens elements in 9 groups. These include two extra-low dispersion glass elements, one anomalous dispersion glass element and one ultra-high refraction glass element. As a result, Laowa says that the lens minimizes chromatic aberration and ensures sharp edges. You also get accurate colors and clean image quality even in high-contrast scenes.
Autofocus
The 200mm prime lens also features fast, highly accurate autofocus that Laowa says can lock on to moving subjects as well as stationary ones.
In addition, the lens can focus as close as 4.92 feet (150 cm) for great close-ups. There’s a switch on the lens so you can restrict the focus range to 5 meters to infinity for even faster focusing on distant subjects.
f/2 maximum aperture
The Laowa 200mm prime lens has a fast maximum aperture of f/2. This will deliver great low-light performance and a super shallow depth of field. The iris also has 9 blades for a smooth, round bokeh. From the image samples shared by Laowa, the 200 mm lens gives a very pleasing large bokeh effect.
Other features
The Laowa 200mm prime lens features an adjustable lens support. This makes it easier to change the orientation of your camera while maintaining stability. The lens also includes a dedicated support bracket that easily attaches to tripods using the Arca-Swiss mounting system. In addition, the 200mm lens has a weather-sealed structure, which makes it dust and moisture-resistant. The front lens element is coated with a water and dirt-repellent layer as well.
What we think
The Laowa 200mm f/2 AF FF prime lens is ideal for shooting portraits, sports, wildlife and events. With its fast f/2 aperture, you can achieve great background separation and low-light performance. The bokeh also looks gorgeous in Laowa’s sample images.
Plus, the 200 mm lens is smaller and lighter than many of Laowa’s competitors’ products, so it will be less tiring to handhold. The Laowa 200mm f/2 prime lens isn’t cheap, but it’s a bargain compared to other similar lenses on the market. If you are looking for a full-frame telephoto prime lens with a fast aperture, it’s hard to beat.
Pricing and availability
The Laowa 200mm f/2 AF FF is available to pre-order now and is expected to ship in November 2025. The Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount options cost $1,999. If you want the EF-mount lens that costs $1,799, and the EF-to-RF adaptor is $80.
