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Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens for Sony E

BH #VE1545FE • MFR #VE1545FE
 11 reviews
Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens for Sony E
Key Features
  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4.5 to f/22
  • +/- 11mm of Shift, 360° Rotation
  • Two Aspherical Elements
Pairing an exceptionally wide field of view with the ability to correct for perspective distortion, the Sony E-mount Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift from Venus Optics is an ideal lens for architecture and interior applications. The broad 110° angle of view is complemented by an impressive +/- 11mm shift range to compensate for unwanted converging lines and keystone distortion. This shift control is further complemented by a 360° rotation mechanism applying the movements in various directions for to suit both horizontal and vertical orientation shooting. Additionally, as part of the Zero-D lens series, this 15mm f/4.5 also renders scenes with a high degree of accuracy and very low distortion.
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Used for$946.95
Aperture
14 Blades
5 Blades
Lens Mount
Canon RF
Leica L
Nikon Z
Sony E
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Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Overview

Pairing an exceptionally wide field of view with the ability to correct for perspective distortion, the Sony E-mount Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift from Venus Optics is an ideal lens for architecture and interior applications. The broad 110° angle of view is complemented by an impressive +/- 11mm shift range to compensate for unwanted converging lines and keystone distortion. This shift control is further complemented by a 360° rotation mechanism applying the movements in various directions for to suit both horizontal and vertical orientation shooting. Additionally, as part of the Zero-D lens series, this 15mm f/4.5 also renders scenes with a high degree of accuracy and very low distortion.

In terms of optics, two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements are featured, which reduce both spherical and chromatic aberrations for high sharpness and clarity. An anti-reflective coating also helps to control flare and ghosting for heightened contrast and color rendering. The lens uses a manual focus design for working with subjects as close a 7.9" away and has a five-blade diaphragm for producing distinct 10-point sun stars.

Ultra-wide lens is designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras but can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 22.5mm equivalent focal length.
As part of the Zero-D series, this lens has a rectilinear design that renders subjects with minimal distortion in order to suit architectural, interior, and landscape applications.
Integrated +/- 11mm of shift adjustment helps to correct perspective distortion and eliminate keystone distortion.
Large 65mm-diameter image circle easily covers full-frame sensors without any vignetting.
The shift control works in conjunction with 360° of rotation for applying the shift in various directions, benefitting switching between vertical and horizontal shooting orientations, and the rotation mechanism has click stops at 15° increments for intuitive handling.
Two aspherical elements limit spherical aberrations and distortion for improved sharpness and accurate rendering.
Three extra-low dispersion elements reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for increased clarity and color neutrality.
Updated anti-reflective coating suppresses flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy when working in strong lighting conditions.
Manual focusing design and a minimum focusing distance of 7.9" suits working with close-up subjects.
Five-blade diaphragm produces distinct 10-point sun stars and specular highlights when stopped-down and photographing point light sources.
Compatible with optional Shift Lens Support for more balanced mounting and to better enable using the lens for shift-type stitched panorama shooting without parallax error.

Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Specs

Key Specs
Focal Length
15mm
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5
Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
110°
Tilt-Shift
+/- 11 mm Shift
Minimum Focus Distance
7.9" / 20 cm
Optical Design
17 Elements in 11 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
5
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Tripod Collar
Removable (Optional)
Filter Size
None
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.1 x 4.1" / 79 x 103 mm
Weight
1.3 lb / 597 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.66 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
8.6 x 4.8 x 4.5"

Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Reviews

Very capable, but soft.

By Luka
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-08

For all architecture photographers, the power of a shift lens is incomparable to conventional lenses. With this tool, this wide, you can get angles to get any job done and exceed client expectations. Tilt option si missing, but on this focal lenght is not really necessary, you easily get in focus everything at f11. Mind thst this lens is soft AT ANY APERTURE. Even softer on highlights due to extreme abberations and no proper lens data to correct that. The common sliders in Capture One will not help much. I think that I got the worst copy out there anyway, so maybe you should not be discouraged. All in all, I'm working with it commercially and everything is decent.

It's ok but I had to send it back...

By Mike
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2021-12-16

I'm a full time architectural photographer. I'm a Nikon shooter using the Z6/Z7 series bodies. I wanted to give this glass a go since it has a native Z mount and does not require the FTZ adapter. I have the Nikon 19mm Tilt/Shift and with the adapter the thing is bulky and heavy. I know others who use this lens and like it so I decided to try it. I was really disappointed to say the least. The lens flair was a killer and the color rendering was too far off for my needs. Every sky just looked wonky. Color and saturation was way off. I found myself spending too much time in Lightroom fixing every exterior shot I took with this lens. It's fairly sharp and the focal length lets you get into the pocket a little easier for tight spaces. The price point is a lot less than the Nikon T/S. But the image quality is lacking in my opinion. I've sent it back and I decided the 19mm native Nikon T/S will continue to do all the heavy lifting for me.

Not what I was hoping for

By Jeffrey
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2021-09-16

This lens is not sharp. As a professional photographer, my clients expect more from me. This does not do the job.

Not the sharpest (obviously) but gets the job done

By Yu
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-06-21

Just bought this lens for my Sony A7RII. It feels solidly built (a bit big and hefty) and works as advertised. It is not connected electronically to the body, so that you don't get the F-stop in the exif, and you need to manually focus it. I need to manually activate the focus zoom if I need to confirm it, as the camera does not know that you are trying to focus and would not activate focus zoom automatically. But most of the time I can just put it at infinity anyway. I am into shooting architecture so that is why I bought it. But I am also thinking of using it as a regular UW lens for landscape as well. I just bought my first full frame Sony and I don't own another UW FE lens yet, but I do have two APSC UW lens, Sony 10-15 F4 and Lawao 9 F2.8. So I am interested in comparing the sharpness of this lens vs. those two. The attached images are crop out from picture taken by the 3 lens. First row: Sony 10-15 center/corner; Laowa 9 center/corner; second row: Laowa 15 shift center/corner; Laowa 15 shift, perspective corrected, center/corner; all shot at F8/125/ISO 400. Appears to me, despite the FE resolution advantage, the Laowa 15's does not look better than the other 2 lens. The center does show a bit more details, but overall it appears a bit softer, especially at the corner. So don't expect very sharp images across the frame. But for me, the shift get the job done, and I can use it as a regular UW, with comparable result from my existing APSC UW lens. For the money I think it is a reasonable deal.

High hopes, soft lens

By Kyle
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2021-06-13

Purchased a used copy of this lens and it is extremely soft from my first day of using. I spent two hours trying to get a photo that is relatively sharp but even at F11 the lens just doesn't seem capable. I'm taking it out one more time tomorrow to make sure, but it appears I have a soft copy. Will likely return and bite the bullet for canon t/s in the future. Build quality feels good, the results are just disappointing.

Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens

By Kamran
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-19

After I combined this lens with TLT ROKR from Photodiox to fit the Sony A7 series, I got myself a 15mm TS lens in par with the Canon 17mm TS at a much lower cost. The performance is great and the built is solid.

Unique

By Victor
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-02-04

No other like this one. At least at this time.

Excellent wide option for GFX

By Stefan
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-12-22

I use this on my Fuji GFX 50sii and it works very well. Covers the sensor and provides sharp results. I love this lens and would recommend it.

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How would using an optical shift lens (like this ...

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When you make perspective corrections in post using Photoshop or similar software, you are in effect stretching the image with a resulting loss in resolution. Not so with a shift lens.
Answered by: Alberto
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Is this lens compatible with the Canon ...

Is this lens compatible with the Canon teleconverter?
Asked by: Juneisy
In short, it's not compatible. Mechanically, it may fit but you have a risk of damaging the master lens even optically if the tip of the teleconverter (extender) hits the rear element of this Laowa. My guess is it would fit, but I'm not sure whether you could fully tilt or shift. Even it fits (like to TS-E 17 or 24), perhaps you have to insulate the electrical contact between the body and the teleconverter because this Laowa lens does not have the electrical contact. I would not think the staff can confirm as manufactures never mention whether attaching teleconverter is possible; that's why I said not compatible at the beginning. You might want to wait until a user, who is brave enough to try, to post a review.
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Date published: 2020-11-25

Is there a hard stop at infinity? If so, how ...

Is there a hard stop at infinity? If so, how accurate is "infinity"? (Nikon-Nex)
Asked by: Dante
yes there is
Answered by: vilson
Date published: 2020-12-21

Is this lens adaptable to a GH5?

Is this lens adaptable to a GH5?
Asked by: Kent
Unfortunately, this lens cannot be adapted to the Panasonic GH5.
Answered by: Kirk
Date published: 2020-12-10

I am very curious about the final bullet in the ...

I am very curious about the final bullet in the lens overview: "Compatible with optional Shift Lens Support for more balanced mounting and to better enable using the lens for shift-type stitched panorama shooting without parallax error." Is there an additional shift option?
Asked by: Kathleen
If you invest in a nodal slide system, you'd have that same capability on any lens, not jus this one.
Answered by: David
Date published: 2021-01-24

Can this lens be used with adaptor for canon R ...

Can this lens be used with adaptor for canon R mount or Leica Sl2 mount ?
Asked by: Bill
Yes the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens for Canon EF can be adapted to a Canon RF mount camera or Leica L mount camera.
Answered by: Dan
Date published: 2021-01-15

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Can this lens be used with the Laowa Magic Format Converter for Canon EF to Fuji GFX?
Asked by: Ken
Yes, the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens for Canon EF would be compatible for use with the Venus Optics Laowa Magic Format Converter for Canon EF to Fuji GFX.
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Date published: 2021-03-21

It appears from the description that this lens is ...

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Asked by: David
If my primary use is architectural - not looking for ultra DOF in landscapes or trying to make cars look like toys - then this could be quite useful
Answered by: Steven
Date published: 2021-10-14
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