Venus Optics has announced the launch of its Wide Angle VV Cine series of Laowa prime lenses. The range includes four new full-frame cine prime lenses covering the focal lengths 9 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 14 mm.
VistaVision
The VV in the name of Venus Optics’ new lens range stands for VistaVision. With image circles over 46 mm in diameter, you can use all four lenses with cameras featuring larger VistaVision sensors. The lenses also feature standard 0.8 gears on the focus and aperture rings. All four are completely manual lenses with focus throws ranging from 90o for the 9 mm lens up to 300o for the 14 mm lens. Unfortunately, the curved design of the 9 mm lens’s front element means that you can’t use screw-in filters. However, the other three all feature 77 mm filter threads.
Laowa 9mm T5.8 VV Cine
Venus Optics says that the new 9mm T5.8 VV Cine prime lens is the widest rectilinear Vista Vision lens on the market. It delivers a 134.8o angle of view with an impressive close focus distance of only 4.7 inches (12 cm). The 9 mm lens is also compact, weighing less than a pound (430 g). In addition, Venus Optics says that the low-distortion optical design of the lens delivers exceptional sharpness across the entire frame. You can choose between Arri PL, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF and L-Mount options.
Laowa 10mm T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine
The Laowa 10mm T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine prime delivers a 130.3o angle of view with zero distortion. Like the 9mm lens, it can also focus as close as 4.7 inches (12 cm). However, it has a much wider T2.9 maximum aperture for better low light performance. Despite this, it’s still compact and lightweight at only 1.14 pounds (516 g). The 10mm lens is available with Arri LPL, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF and L-Mount options.
Laowa 12mm T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine
The Laowa 12mm T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine prime lens has a 122o angle of view and a close focus distance of 5.5 inches (14 cm). It also features the same wide maximum aperture of T2.9. The 12 mm lens is a little lighter than the 10mm option, weighing a little over a pound (458 g). As with the other lenses, it’s available with Arri PL, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF and L-Mount options.
Laowa 14mm T2.6 Zero-D VV Cine
The Laowa 14mm T2.6 Zero-D VV Cine has the widest maximum aperture of all four lenses. However, it’s the heaviest lens at 1.31 pounds (592 g). It also delivers a 117.8o angle of view and a close focusing distance of 7.9 inches (20 cm). The 14 mm lens is available with Arri PL, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF and L-Mount options. Usefully, you can also get a Canon EF version of this lens.
What we think
Venus Optics’s new Wide Angle VV Cine series of prime lenses have a lot to offer. With such wide focal lengths and short close-focus distances, you can achieve unique and dramatic shots. The rectilinear design of the optics also means that your images won’t suffer from the curved distortions normally associated with short focal lengths. Also, the compact and lightweight design of all four lenses makes them ideal for use with gimbals, handheld, or even on a drone. If you are looking for a wide-angle prime lens, Venus Optics’s new VV Cine series could be just what you need.
Pricing and availability
Laowa’s Wide Angle VV Cine prime lenses are mostly available now. However, some lens mount options are on pre-order with delivery scheduled for April. The 9mm T5.8 VV Cine, 12mm T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine and 14mm T2.6 Zero-D VV Cine all retail at $1,499. The 10mm T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine is a little more at $1,699.
