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

BH #VE1540SFE • MFR #VE1540SFE
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Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens (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
Get started in the world of wide-angle macro photography with the Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras from Venus Optics. 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 you to get exceptionally close to your subjects and have them fill the frame with a minimum focus distance of just 4.7", 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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Temporarily Out of Stock
Expected availability: May 22, 2025
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Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Overview

Get started in the world of wide-angle macro photography with the Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras from Venus Optics. 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 you to get exceptionally close to your subjects and have them fill the frame with a minimum focus distance of just 4.7", 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 nine groups construction with one extra-low dispersion and three high-refractive elements. A multilayer low-reflective coating further improves 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. The lens has a flat front element with a 77mm front filter thread for using a selection of specialized filters to enhance your scene. It also 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 one 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

Key Specs
Focal Length
15mm
Maximum Aperture
f/4
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/4
Minimum Aperture
f/32
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
110°
Tilt-Shift
+/- 6 mm Shift
Minimum Focus Distance
4.72" / 12 cm
Maximum Magnification
1x
Macro Reproduction Ratio
1:1
Optical Design
12 Elements in 9 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
14
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.3 x 2.55" / 83.8 x 64.7 mm
Length at Maximum Extension
3.7" / 93.9 mm
Weight
0.9 lb / 410 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.505 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
7.1 x 5.1 x 5.1"

Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Reviews

Love the cool perspective

By Elena
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-04-05

Love the cool perspective on this lens! It's so fun to get up close to things and have a wider perspective. Using it with my Canon R5. There's a bit of blue light abbiration on some edges but otherwise crisp and looks great!

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

See any errors on this page?

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: Leonard E
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 L
Date published: 2023-03-25

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
You may use the APS-C crop mode while using the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for Sony E, but as this is a full-frame lens designed for full-frame sensors, the lens will not work better when set to APS-C mode; the lens will work identical as when using the full sensor, but in APS-C mode, you would simply not get as wide as a view and you would have a smaller maximum resolution due to the smaller frame crop size. While you will still have 6mm, it may appear less as you would not be viewing the lens' full angle of view. Regardless on if the camera is set to full-frame or APS-C mode, the lens' minimum focus distance is 4.72 (12 cm). The distance you are from the subject would simply change the perspective of your view of the subject slightly.
Answered by: Manzell 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: 2023-03-25

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 C
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 W
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 H
Date published: 2021-01-07
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