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Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Leica L)

BH #VE8556L • MFR #VE8556L
 12 reviews
Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Leica L)
Key Features
  • L-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/5.6 to f/22
  • Apochromatic Design, Three ED Elements
  • 2:1 Maximum Magnification
Super compact and super close focusing, the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO, from Venus Optics, is a short-tele prime offering an impressive 2:1 reproduction ratio for high-magnification macro shooting. Beyond close-focusing, high-magnification performance, this Leica L-mount lens is also distinguished by its sleek and lightweight design and its ability to focus to infinity, making it a versatile choice for walk-around use and portrait subjects, as well.
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$449.00
$75/mo. suggested payments for 6 Mos.
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Lens Mount
Canon RF
Leica L
Nikon Z
Sony E
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Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro ... Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Close-Up Shooting with 2x Maximum Magnification
  • 3Apochromatic Optics
  • 4Compact and Portable Design
By B&H Photo's

Super compact and super close focusing, the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO, from Venus Optics, is a short-tele prime offering an impressive 2:1 reproduction ratio for high-magnification macro shooting. Beyond close-focusing, high-magnification performance, this Leica L-mount lens is also distinguished by its sleek and lightweight design and its ability to focus to infinity, making it a versatile choice for walk-around use and portrait subjects, as well.

Close-Up Shooting with 2x Maximum Magnification
This lens's calling card is its 2:1 maximum magnification ratio, which permits photographing at greater-than-life-size scale with a minimum focusing distance of 6.4". Not limited to just specialized close-up applications, the lens also focuses to infinity, making it a versatile choice for both macro and portraiture subjects.
Apochromatic Optics
The optical layout includes three extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements, which greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for high color accuracy and clarity. This apochromatic design is especially beneficial when working throughout the focusing range for accurate and consistent color with both close-up and distant subjects.
Compact and Portable Design
  • Compared to conventional macro lenses, this lens has an especially sleek and lightweight design.
  • Modest f/5.6 maximum aperture contributes to the sleek form factor.
  • Designed for full-frame Leica L-mount mirrorless cameras, this lens is also suitable for DX-format cameras and provides a 127.5mm-equivalent focal length.
  • Manual focus operation is benefitted by an internal focusing design that maintains the overall lens length during operation for easier positioning at close-range.

Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro ... Specs

Key Specs
Focal Length
85mm
Maximum Aperture
f/5.6
Lens Mount
Leica L
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
46 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/5.6
Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Mount
Leica L
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
28.55°
Minimum Focus Distance
6.4" / 16.3 cm
Maximum Magnification
2x
Macro Reproduction Ratio
2:1
Optical Design
13 Elements in 9 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
7
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
46 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
2.1 x 3.2" / 53 x 81 mm
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.315 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
6.9 x 4.4 x 4.1"

Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro ... Reviews

Great macro lens at a budget price

By Gordon
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-15

This little lens has really impressed me with its build quality, optical quality, and the excellent feel of both focus and aperture rings. It's a real pleasure to use (and to carry!) on a daily basis. It's easily small enough to just carry along in your bag so that you're prepared for unexpected opportunities. I honestly couldn't be more pleased with this lens.

Great, and small! A brilliant combination!

By Thomas J
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-11-10

Optically excellent even on my 60mp camera. I thought I would find F5.6 a limitation, but for macro use I have been operating at F8 to F11. The small physical size and low weight is a big plus! I bought Leica M mount version because with adapters I can use it on all my mirrorless cameras.

The little lens that could!

By Duluthian
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-30

This is a real little gem of a macro. To say it's small & light is an understatement. Very handy for getting into tight spaces with its 2:1 macro ratio. Despite the f5.6, I've had no issues with not having enough light for flowers, bugs, ext. With Sony's focus peaking, focusing is a breeze.

Outstanding lens

By Sergey
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-07-26

Love it!

Great for macro photos of watches and flowers

By Marc
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-28

This lens is small, light, and just plain fun to use. I take macro pictures of wristwatches as well as flowers and whatever else I can find. I've used it for focus stacking and one-shots. It's just plain great. Nice size, price, comes with a nice lens hood.

Impressive little lens

By Melissa
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-03-28

I haven't had a chance to use this lens as much as I would like; however, I have used it enough to know how great it is. The clarity and colors that get picked up by this lens are really good! I do not really have to edit as straight out of camera looks lovely, but I always do edit to bring out more colors and clarity. The fact that this lens is so light is a definite added bonus. I look forward to many more uses with this lens. I wish that it could be a portrait lens too but with the aperture, it's not conducive to that. I am not at all disappointed or regretful for purchasing this affordable lens!

Easy to take along

By Jakob
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-05-29

I am using it on a Hasselblad 907x and it is vignetting the full 44x33mm format (I expected it as it is designed for 36x24) but the square 33x33mm crop works perfect. Strangely the vignetting is more at 2x than at infinity, I guess because of the internal focusing. The focusing at infinity is quite difficult because of the very short focus rotation but a close range one is focusing by adjusting the distance anyhow and focus ring is more used to determine the scale. The optical quality is very good especially at close range but the mayor benefit is the extremely light and small design so it is easy to just put it in one's camera bag whereas a larger lens like Hasselblad's macro requires much more commitment. The lens I got had a lens hood which did not stay on but replacement was very easy with B&H!

I Love it!

By Azadeh
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-11-14

You can get really close with this. I use it for turning my 35mm developed films into digital format.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

Shouldn't this lens work with a Canon R6?

Shouldn't this lens work with a Canon R6?
Asked by: Sharon
Yes, the Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Canon RF) is full frame and has a RF mount. It should work with most RF mount cameras like the R6.
Answered by: Robert
Date published: 2022-06-07

At what focusing distance is it reproducing at ...

At what focusing distance is it reproducing at 1:1 on an M11?
Asked by: Louis
At 1:1, the focusing distance is 0.19m At 2:1, the focusing distance is 0.163m
Answered by: Davidb
Date published: 2023-03-01

If the lens needs warranty service, do I have to ...

If the lens needs warranty service, do I have to send it to Hong Kong?
Asked by: William
For more information regarding warranty service on this Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens, you may e-mail the manufacturer to [email protected].
Answered by: Kirk
Date published: 2022-12-23

why choose this vs the 90? or vice versa?

why choose this vs the 90? or vice versa?
Asked by: Patrick
The 85mm is much smaller and lighter weight than the 90mm. Dimensions (ø x L) 2.1 x 3.2" / 53 x 81 mm, Weight 10.3 oz / 291 g vs the 90mm Dimensions (ø x L) 2.9 x 4.7" / 74 x 120 mm Weight 21.8 oz / 619 g. But the 90mm is better for low light and better bokeh.
Answered by: Dan
Date published: 2023-06-06

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 macro lens m mount how well does ...

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 macro lens m mount how well does it woerk with an adaptor if want to use wit Fuji, Sony and Leica L mount have all 3 and ddwant m mount if can use for all 3?
Asked by: Thomas
The Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Leica M) can work very well with the appropriate adapter for each of those camera systems.
Answered by: Kirk
Date published: 2022-03-21

Can anyone confirm if this lens will work with ...

Can anyone confirm if this lens will work with Focus Peaking? (in my case, specifically with Nikon) I'm assuming yes but I'd like to confirm. Thanks!
Asked by: Craig
Yes, any lens without electronic contacts or simply set to manual mode will allow Nikon Z-mount cameras to displayed peaking when this option is turned on in the custom setting menu.
Answered by: llinelva
Date published: 2022-11-23

Is the Leica M version rangefinder coupled (above ...

Is the Leica M version rangefinder coupled (above 0.7m of course)?
Asked by: Patrick
No, the Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Leica M) is not rangefinder coupled.
Answered by: Yaakov
Date published: 2023-01-22
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