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Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens for Sony E

BH #VE3395SE • MFR #VE3395SE
 4 reviews
Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens for Sony E
Key Features
  • Sony E-Mount/APS-C Format
  • 49.5mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/0.95 to f/11
  • 1 x ED Element, 1 x Aspherical Element
Inspired by the legend of Argus, a mythical giant with all-seeing sight, the Laowa 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens for Sony E-mount camera bodies from Venus Optics is a magnificent f/0.95 standard-length lens for APS-C-format cameras. The ultra-fast aperture is well suited for low light photography, astrophotography, shallow depth of field portraits, and narrative videography. The apochromatic design incorporates one extra-low dispersion element, one aspherical element, and three ultra-high refraction elements to achieve sharp, clear images with minimal chromatic aberration across the frame.
In Stock
$499.00
$84/mo. suggested payments for 6 Mos.
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Lens Mount
Canon M
Canon RF
FUJIFILM X
Nikon Z
Sony E
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Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Overview

Inspired by the legend of Argus, a mythical giant with all-seeing sight, the Laowa 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens for Sony E-mount camera bodies from Venus Optics is a magnificent f/0.95 standard-length lens for APS-C-format cameras. The ultra-fast aperture is well suited for low light photography, astrophotography, shallow depth of field portraits, and narrative videography. The apochromatic design incorporates one extra-low dispersion element, one aspherical element, and three ultra-high refraction elements to achieve sharp, clear images with minimal chromatic aberration across the frame.

For video applications, this dynamic manual focus lens has long focus throw and low focus breathing for fine focus control, plus a stepless aperture ring for smooth exposure transitions.

  • APO Apochromatic Optical Design
  • Internal Focusing
  • Stepless aperture ring
  • Low Focus Breathing
  • One extra-low dispersion element, one aspherical element, three ultra-high refraction elements
  • 14 elements in 9 groups
  • Nine aperture blades for excellent bokeh

Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Specs

Key Specs
Focal Length
33mm (35mm Equivalent: 49.5mm)
Maximum Aperture
f/0.95
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
APS-C
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
62 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/0.95
Minimum Aperture
f/11
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
APS-C
Angle of View
46.2°
Minimum Focus Distance
13.8" / 35 cm
Optical Design
14 Elements in 9 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
9
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
62 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
2.8 x 3.3" / 71.5 x 83 mm
Weight
20.8 oz / 590 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.385 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
7.2 x 5 x 4.7"

Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Reviews

long slow focus

By Gretchen
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-12

I love this lens! I love the long slow focus - it makes it so much easier to get the exact focus I want. Sure, it's not fast, but that's not why I got a manual focus lens. So far, the images I'm getting from this lens are great and I look forward to getting more lenses from Venus Optics!

Glad I went with the Argus

By Douglas
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-07-24

After using the Argus several times in very dark situations, I'm glad I went with it over the others. While just about twice the money, I think it is a solid lens for the money. Performance is much higher than the Mitakon 35mm 0.95 I had for my Canon EOS M5. Some reviewers did not like the long throw of the focus ring, but I think it really helps to zero in on the point of focus. I use Fujifilm X-T4, Pro3 & X-E4 and the focus peaking works well with it. Sharper than I expected wide open, which is where I will use it most of the time (why buy 0.95 if you won't use it?) Solid, well made lens, that came in nice packaging. Only real complaint is the non-click aperture ring. I won't use it for video EVER, but problem easily solved by a small piece of black gaffer tape. Weight isn't extreme if you have and use 1.4 lenses, slightly more, but for more than a stop extra, I'll take that trade. Very cool (IMHO) lens flare that basically encircles the subject/light in a red circle. Bokeh is nice and smooth, close to a 50mm/1.4 FF, but won't come close to the same look as the Canon 50mm/1.2L, which (IMHO) has the prettiest bokeh of all.

Good lens

By Robert
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-09-15

Good lens

Bokehlicious, plenty sharp, good build quality

By Serge
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-07-26

After seeing a number of reviews of this lens, I ordered it the day it became available at B&H. The Fujifilm 50mm f/1.0 was on my wishlist, but I really didn't expect to ever buy it because while it's way cheaper than comparable glass by other camera brands, it's still more than I can justify. So for 1/3 the price I got this lens instead. The Fuji X system makes manual focusing a breeze so I knew I wouldn't really miss the AF. No WR wasn't a dealbreaker. Vignetting wide open, which this lens does do a bit, is not an issue because if I'm isolating a subject at f/0.95 I'm not going to care a lot about the corners. My primary concern was sharpness near the center and what the bokeh would actually look like. The verdict: while a pixel peeper might have something to complain about, this lens is plenty sharp for me, and the bokeh is GORGEOUS. It just falls off really nicely without getting busy. I've uploaded a couple of images so you can see what I'm talking about. Another reason I wanted this lens is because some reviewers mentioned it has a really funky (in a good way) lens flare that only happens if you point it at the sun (or other light source) with the hood off, at exactly f/0.95 (it disappears at f/1.00). I have yet to experience it but I'm looking forward to playing around with it. By the way, some people complain about the abormally long focus throw. You know what, when I'm dealing with a MF lens with a razor-thin depth of field, I don't care about fast focusing, I want accuracy, so I love it. The stepless aperture ring takes a little getting used to, but it works fine and it's a boon for videographers. Finally, the build quality on this lens is great. It feels solid but not super heavy, and the rectangular lens hood is a nice touch. If you're familiar with the Fuji 16mm f/1.4's add-on hood, this is exactly the same, except the lid doesn't fall off by itself like the Fuji's does. The only (minor) annoyance for me is that the red dot indicating where to align it to the camera is on the mount bezel, not on the side, so it takes a little twisting back and forth to get it to catch. All in all, I'm very pleased with this lens. It's a lot of bang for the buck.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

Does it cover the c70 sensor?

Does it cover the c70 sensor?
Asked by: Wenyu
This lens does cover the C70 sensor. This is an APS-C lens.
Answered by: Stephen
Date published: 2021-06-13

How can this be used when there is no RF APC ...

How can this be used when there is no RF APC format camera?
Asked by: David
Can I get an adapter to micro four thirds camera for this lens?
Answered by: Joe
Date published: 2021-07-19

Is it weather sealed?

Is it weather sealed?
Asked by: alan
Unfortunately Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens for FUJIFILM X is not weather sealed.
Answered by: Daniel
Date published: 2022-11-16

Why is it called 33 when it's really 50?

Why is it called 33 when it's really 50?
Asked by: Tony
The focal length of the Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens for Nikon Z is based on the APS-C format, which is the equivalent angle of view of a 49.5mm Lens on a full frame camera.
Answered by: Kirk
Date published: 2022-11-09

f0.95 APS-C is roughly f1.5 at Full-Frame? (angle ...

f0.95 APS-C is roughly f1.5 at Full-Frame? (angle of view changes obviously).
Asked by: Rankinstein
The Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens for Canon RF is designed for the APS-C sensor. It would not cover a full-frame sensor. When used on a Canon RF-mount mirrorless digital camera, you would have to use the camera's [Cropping/aspect ratio] setting under the Camera Setting menu in the camera. The aperture indicated is the correct aperture for the APS-C sensor size, though the perceived depth-of-field would be the equivalent of a f/1.5 lens. While the focal length is correct, if you are trying to find the full-frame equivalent focal length, it would be equivalent to a 52.8mm lens covering a full-frame 36x24mm size sensor.
Answered by: Manzell
Date published: 2021-05-24
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