Pairing an ultra wide-angle field of view with an especially compact design, this Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D from Venus Optics is a Sony E-mount lens offering a 13.5mm equivalent focal length. As a Zero-D lens, this 9mm f/2.8's optical design is specifically meant to limit distortion for clear and accurate portrayals of landscapes and architectural subjects. The optical construction also incorporates a pair of aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements to control both spherical and chromatic aberrations for improved sharpness and reduced color fringing. A Frog Eye Coating has been applied, too, to repel dust and moisture from the front element of the lens to benefit working in trying environmental conditions. Its sleek and lightweight design is well-matched to mirrorless bodies and is ideal for everyday shooting as well as use on gimbals. Additionally, a petal-shaped lens hood is also incorporated into the lens' design to reduce flare and ghosting when working in strong lighting conditions.
- E-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 13.5mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Two Aspherical Elements
Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D Overview
Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D Specs
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Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D Reviews
RF version has infinity focusing issue.
I used Canon R7 to test this lens when I receive this lens from B&H. This 9mm lens should focus everything anything beyond 3m to infinity if the focusing dial set to all the way to left which is infinity. However, actual infinity spot on focusing ring is about 2mm right side from infinity mark. On actual infinity focusing mark on the focusing ring at f2.8 everything look a little soft until you move back your focusing ring a little inward. I immediately request B&H replace with other copy. Then they send me open box copy (which made me feel real bad - another issue). However, this 2nd copy has exactly same issue just like the first one. I also send email to fix this issue with Venus Optics. No body reply or contact me with this issue. Once the focus in on right spot everything looks so sharp and look very good. But when you use this wide lens ( in architectural photo session) Nobody want to magnify images to re focus whenever you photograph each image. I was so disappointed with Venus Optics customer service, B&H sending me open box copy for replacement. So I ended up to send the second copy back to B&H.
Very sharp lens
This is a great street photography lens paired with my X S10, I love it.
Good things come in small packages
Purchased this lens in 2018 so I feel qualified to write a review. This lens is so fun. It's ridiculously small, and ridiculously sharp. I've used this lens extensively for personal work as well as professional work. It renders buildings beautifully dramatized due to its extreme field of view. There truly is no barrel distortion, even at such a wide angle. I am passionate about architecture and it's my go-to lens anytime I want great photos of a space. The one thing I wish different were the vignetting when shooting wide open. When stopped down the vignetting disappears. It's extremely sharp the entire aperture range. Build quality is pretty solid. I am not careful with my gear and it has taken quite a few bumps. The lens cap and hood are very high quality.
Great but heavy vignetting
It's a great lens. And if you don't mind vignetting then it's perfect!
Too much vignetting
Great quality in the hand, no distortions, great sharpness. But it's not usable at F2.8 since there's soo much vignetting at this aperture. You have to be at F/8 or F/11 to get great shots. For real estate photography you can't use flashs with this since you have to be at 1/40s or slower at F/11.
Didn't fit camera well, soft
I think I got a bad copy. I saw a Youtube video where the guy doing the demo got one just like mine. Hard to fit onto camera, and then soft image. Something went wrong at the factory. Returned it. Went out today and bought a used Rokinon 12mm at my local camera shop and I'll never look back. Sharp! (Still no autofocus, but cheaper than the Laowa 9mm lens.)
A decent lens for the price
I wanted this lens for IR photography on my converted Fujifilm X-T2, and tested it on an X-T5 as well. The first copy I received was very sharp in the center, but quite muddled at the edges... and even worse in the corners. The second copy... the one I kept... is sharp in the center and soft in the corners... but at least the images are reasonably sharp at the edges. B&H was *very* good about exchanging the first copy of this lens... and I thought about trying my luck on a 3rd copy, but decided to settle for the one I have. I like it well enough for IR. This is a decent, but not spectacular, manual focus, wide angle lens. The center can be very sharp, but at this price point you might not expect the corners to be as sharp as the center. Be aware that it has significant vignetting. Based on my experience and the variety of reviews by other photographers, Venus Optics has serious quality control issues with this lens. My experience with the 2 copies I tried was mixed. If you purchase the 9mm, may your luck be good.
Best ultra-wide
So compact and build quality is so good! Does the job perfectly every time.
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