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Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for Sony E

BH #VE1540SFE • MFR #VE1540SFE
92 reviews
Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for Sony E
Key Features
  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • 1:1 Magnification Ratio; Internal Focus
  • One ED & Three High-Refractive Elements
Venus Optics is offering photographers the first native option to get started in the world of wide-angle macro photography with the Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens, available here for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. Before now, wide-angle macro required the use of extension tubes and other workarounds, but now the Laowa 15mm Macro offers true 1:1 magnification without the hassle. The ultra-wide perspective on full-frame cameras allows users to get exceptionally close to their subjects with a minimum focus distance of just 4.7", and have them fill the frame, while still capturing the background for more informative scenes. Internal focusing further assists by not disturbing your subject, even when you reach the 0.2" minimum working distance.
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15mm & 100mm Lenses for Sony E-Mount
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Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Overview

By B&H Photo's

Venus Optics is offering photographers the first native option to get started in the world of wide-angle macro photography with the Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens, available here for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. Before now, wide-angle macro required the use of extension tubes and other workarounds, but now the Laowa 15mm Macro offers true 1:1 magnification without the hassle. The ultra-wide perspective on full-frame cameras allows users to get exceptionally close to their subjects with a minimum focus distance of just 4.7", and have them fill the frame, while still capturing the background for more informative scenes. Internal focusing further assists by not disturbing your subject, even when you reach the 0.2" minimum working distance.

Optically, it is designed to minimize distortion that plagues wide-angle lenses with the use of an advanced 12 element in 9 group construction with one extra-low dispersion and three high-refractive elements. A multi-layer low-reflective coating further improved image quality by reducing the appearance of flare and ghosting. Also, when used on APS-C cameras, or in crop modes, the lens offers +/- 6mm of vertical shift which can help correct for perspective when shooting objects such as buildings.

Full manual operation is required with this lens through the use of a physical aperture ring with a range of f/4 to f/32 and a large focusing ring. A flat front element provides room for a 77mm front filter thread for using a selection of specialized filters to enhance your scene. Additionally, it has a near circular 14-blade diaphragm for smooth out of focus elements and comes with a lens hood.

Ultra-wide 110° angle of view on full-frame cameras.
The wide-angle lens offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 22.5mm with an 85° angle of view when used on APS-C cameras bodies or in crop modes.
Wide aperture range of f/4 to f/32.
Lens construction features 12 elements in 9 groups with 3 high-refractive elements and on extra-low dispersion element.
Minimum focus distance of 4.7" with a minimum working distance of just 0.2".
Manual focus and aperture control.
When used with APS-C cameras, the Laowa 15mm Macro can utilize +/-6 mm of vertical shift to help correct perspective.
True 1:1 magnification allows photographers to capture life-sized images of their subjects while still providing infinity focus for use as a standard wide-angle lens.
Near-circular 14-blade aperture diaphragm provides smooth out-of-focus elements.
Accepts 77mm threaded filters.
UPC: 683203914703

Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Specs

Focal Length15mm
Maximum Aperturef/4
Minimum Aperturef/32
Lens MountSony E
Lens Format CoverageFull-Frame
Angle of View110°
Tilt-Shift+/- 6 mm Shift
Minimum Focus Distance4.72" / 12 cm
Maximum Magnification1x
Macro Reproduction Ratio1:1
Optical Design12 Elements in 9 Groups
Diaphragm Blades14
Focus TypeManual Focus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)3.3 x 2.55" / 83.8 x 64.7 mm
Length at Maximum Extension3.7" / 93.9 mm
Weight0.9 lb / 410 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight1.505 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)7.1 x 5.1 x 5.1"

Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Reviews

Great Lens

By Andre
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-30

I didn't think I would like it the first 2 hours and had planned to return it. I'm glad I didn't . I love this lens

Great lens for creative shooting

By Mike
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-05

Until you've shot with a wide angle macro lens like this one, you are missing some opportunities for real creativity. I love the quality of this lens and the resulting images and would highly recommend!

My new unexpected favorite lens of all, ever!

By Steven
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-04-06

Once I got used to using it, which didn't take long, I realized nothing else can do what this lens can. Hopefully in the future there's an even better mark ii version for mirrorless mounts.

Stunningly fun lens.

By Thomas
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-02-22

Well built and full of wonder. My favorite lens.

Amazing macro lens!!!

By Mike
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-02-01

Not enough is said about this lens.. It is unique with its wide angle design and provides for amazing images, enhanced with the creative capabilities of wide angle macro!! I am using this with Canon EOS R series bodies using the EF-RF converter and it works flawlessly. Highly recommend!!

Flare issues, but unanticipated capability

By Wallace
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-04

The lens suffers from some potent magenta flare whenever the sun gets anywhere near the front element, and the provided lens hood didn't help much. But, because I primarily use this lens for macro tabletop shots, the image circle at macro distances provides me almost 5mm of shift on my full frame Canon. The literature explains this is only useful on APS-c sensor cameras, but that limitation seems to mostly go away when focusing close.

Amazing lens. And quite sharp

By Bill
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-07-13

I was a bit skeptical when I ordered this lens. But it has been a very pleasant surprise. It is very sharp. It is totally manual, which is fine since this goes back to my early days shooting, 60 years ago. It is not pre-set either. I am very please with it across the board.

Interestingly Distorted Images

By Rikky
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-06-27

I primarily shoot still life product in studio and wanted something that offered a different perspective than the typical 100mm macro. The lens, when used in a macro setting, can be difficult to get good looking images, but if you take the time to compose and light properly, you can achieve really interesting sizes and angles The build of the lens is very solid and for the price, it's definitely something fun to use.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

I see the complaints about tilt shift and macro ...

I see the complaints about tilt shift and macro being problematic on full frame. I’m considering this for landscapes and wouldn’t bother with TS... would it work well? Decent image quality? I’d use on an a7 iii, don’t care that it’s manual focus
Asked by: Etan
You will be very happy with the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens on your full frame A7R III. The lens is very sharp, well made, and features a 3 year warranty.
Answered by: Lenny
Date published: 2020-04-02

Can someone with the Sony E mount version of the ...

Can someone with the Sony E mount version of the lens measure the height for me without the hood? I notice all the variants list a 3.3inch height, so clearly the sony mount one isn't adding the extra hight of the adapter that's basically fixed to the lens.
Asked by: Etan
The manufacturer does not list the dimension and B&H agents are not able to open boxes to measure so our guesstimate is a length of 5.3".
Answered by: Dennis A
Date published: 2020-03-12

question

Would this be the best macro option for the Sony a6500?
Asked by: Joshua
If you are looking for a wide angle macro lens for use on the Sony E-mount lens mount, then yes, the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for Sony E would be my recommendation as the best option for your usage needs on the Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera.
Answered by: Manzell L.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

Would the lens shift mode work better when using an A7Rii camera if the the camera were set to crop frame (aps-c) mode? Am I also correct to assume that I would not need to be as close to the subject?
Asked by: Michael
I do believe that A7ii and A7Rii have issues in APS-C mode, as in the image quality suffers in general and it's not as simple as a matter of less pixels. Perhaps this is fixed in firmware etc. but I would be wary of it and read up online to see if it's a problem for A7Rii specifically, or if it's been fixed.Other than that, it should work... but it's good to understand why it works. By using APS-C mode you are cropping the image. Literally 100% the exact same results would be achieved by taking your photos at full frame and cropping them afterwards. In fact, it's probably better most of the time since the image quality etc. won't be modified by the APS-C mode. It also gives you more image to work with, and you could probably crop to larger than what APS-C would give you while still eliminating most or all of the vignetting etc... it comes down to having more image to work with gives more flexibility so don't give up that flexibility unless you need to.In my opinion, the only reason you should use APS-C mode is if you want to avoid having to take the time to crop by hand. That's a fair reason in my opinion, especially since you may need to put that work in for every single image you take--so it's up to you whether the trade is worth it.If you want to frame the same image in APS-C vs Full Frame, yes you will be further away, but you will also end up with far far less detail since you are farther away.Hope this helps!!
Answered by: Matthew L.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

Is it good to go on Sony 6000 Emount?
Asked by: Jimmy L.
Should be, but it is a full frame lens, so it will be heavier than the camera.
Answered by: Chester J.
Date published: 2018-08-26

Will I still get 15mm wide angle when used on a ...

Will I still get 15mm wide angle when used on a full frame Sony A7riv?
Asked by: Gabe
Yes Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for Sony E is a full frame lens so the it will be 15mm on the Sony A7riv.
Answered by: Daniel
Date published: 2023-01-31

How many mm of shift/rise would you be able to ...

How many mm of shift/rise would you be able to get on an APS-C (Sony a6300)?
Asked by: Ari
The shift is only compatible on crop frame cameras such as the A6300 and the lens offers +/- 6mm of vertical shift which can help correct for perspective when shooting objects such as buildings. Using the shift on a full frame would result in image vignetting.
Answered by: Dan
Date published: 2021-08-19

Does it work with a generic 4x6 (100mm) square ...

Does it work with a generic 4x6 (100mm) square filter holder? If yes, has the vignette issue become worse? Thanks.
Asked by: Ke
Yes, a filter holder for 100mm filters can be attached and the lens is compatible with those filters.
Answered by: Boyd
Date published: 2021-01-07
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