Back in October, we revealed the full specifications of Venus Optics LAOWA’s two new tilt-shift macro lenses. The Venus Optics LAOWA 55mm f/2.8 and Venus Optics LAOWA 100mm f/2.8 FFII full-frame lenses are now both available to buy in the U.S. They are available with Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z and Sony E-mount as well as for Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD medium-format mirrorless cameras.
55 mm lens
The LAOWA 55mm FFII tilt-shift lens is designed with 14 lens elements in 11 groups. It offers a tilt range of 10 degrees and a shift range of +/- 12mm. Despite its shorter focal length, the 55 mm lens is the larger of the two lenses. It weighs 3.2 pounds (1.45 kg) and measures just over 6.6 inches (168.5 mm) in length.
The 55 mm lens also has a close focus distance of 10.6 inches (27 cm). In addition, the wide f/2.8 aperture has 15 iris blades which should give a smooth, circular bokeh. As a true macro lens, the 55 mm delivers a 1:1 maximum magnification ratio.
100 mm lens
The LAOWA 100mm FFII tilt-shift lens features 13 lens elements in 10 groups. This is why it is a little lighter and smaller than the 55 mm version. The 100 mm lens measures 6.4 inches (162 mm) in length and weighs 2.9 pounds (1.31 kg). It delivers the same 10-degree tilt and +/- 12 mm shift range as the 55 mm lens. The 100 mm lens also shares the 15-bladed iris with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. In addition, it’s also a true macro lens with 1:1 reproduction. Both lenses have a 77 mm filter thread.
The benefits of tilt-shift lenses
With a tilt-shift lens, you can change the orientation or position of the lens relative to your camera’s image sensor. As the name suggests, the tilt function tilts the lens, so the focal plane isn’t parallel to the sensor.
In addition, the shift function moves the lens up and down or side to side on the body of the camera. You can use a tilt-shift lens to correct distortions in perspective when filming architecture. Another common use is to make real-world scenes look like miniature models by creating a very shallow depth of field.
What we think
Venus Optics LAOWA’s new tilt-shift lenses promise high-quality images for a reasonable price. They aren’t the cheapest on the market, but they are far from being the most expensive either. The f/2.8 maximum apertures should also make the lenses great for low-light work. In addition, it’s good to see LAOWA supporting so many different camera systems, including medium format. If you want to explore the benefits of tilt-shift in your video, Venus Optics LAOWA’s new 55 mm and 100 mm lenses are great options.
Pricing and availability
Venus Optics LAOWA’s new 55 mm and 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-shift 1X Macro lenses are available to order now. They are each priced at $1,249.
