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Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Micro Four Thirds)

BH #VEAKS4528MFT • MFR #VEAKSEN4528MFT
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Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Micro Four Thirds)
Key Features
  • Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/11
  • 1:1 to 5:1 Magnification
  • Fixed 1.6" Working Distance
  • Internal Parfocal Zoom
Create extreme close-ups in tack-sharp detail with the Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens from Venus Optics. This compact ultra macro lens boasts a 1:1 to 5:1 magnification ratio, allowing you to photograph subjects larger than life. It offers a fixed 1.6" working distance from the front of the lens and maintains sharp focus throughout the magnification range thanks to the internal parfocal zoom design. Thanks to the compact form factor, this lens is easy to use whether shooting handheld or on a motorized focus stacking rig.
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Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 Overview

Create extreme close-ups in tack-sharp detail with the Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens from Venus Optics. This compact ultra macro lens boasts a 1:1 to 5:1 magnification ratio, allowing you to photograph subjects larger than life. It offers a fixed 1.6" working distance from the front of the lens and maintains sharp focus throughout the magnification range thanks to the internal parfocal zoom design. Thanks to the compact form factor, this lens is easy to use whether shooting handheld or on a motorized focus stacking rig.
Apochromatic Correction
The Aksen series is engineered to eliminate chromatic aberration, even at higher magnifications. The apochromatic correction effectively prevents color fringing, allowing you to capture more details and texture without distortion in your final image.
Parfocal Internal Zoom
Adjust your magnification without moving your camera or subject thanks to the innovative parfocal zoom design. The Aksen maintains sharp focus across the entire magnification range, while the internal zoom allows you to shift magnification without disturbing your lights or hitting your subject. Because the weight distribution also remains identical, this lens is ideal for videography as well as macro photography. Exposure changes are the only thing that needs to be compensated for as you magnify your subject.
Additional Details
  • Eleven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing focus falloff when using shallow depth of field.
  • Standard focal length benefits the high magnification design by providing greater depth of field compared to telephoto or long lens designs.
  • When adapting the Aksen to medium format cameras, there will be varying levels of vignetting depending on the magnification.
  • Lightweight physical design makes the lens easier to use handheld and offers more room for illuminating subjects.
EAN: 6940486799040

Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 Specs

Focal Length
45mm
Aperture
Maximum: f/2.8
Minimum: f/11
Lens Mount
Micro Four Thirds
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Minimum Focus Distance
From Front of Lens: 1.59" / 40.35 mm
Magnification
5:1 Macro Reproduction Ratio
1 to 5x Magnification
Optical Design
13 Elements in 9 Groups
Aperture/Iris Blades
11
Focus Type
Fixed Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Dimensions
2.8 x 4.8" / 70.2 x 121 mm (Diameter x Length)
Weight
1.3 lb / 599 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.46 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
8.15 x 6.6 x 4.45"

Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 Reviews

Laowa Aksen 1-5x has been a blast to use!

By Jason
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-10-06

I have thoroughly enjoyed taking macro photos with this lens. Images are super sharp with amazing detail. I've been really enjoying it at f/5.6 no matter how far I zoom in. Even at max zoom, it takes beautiful images!

My PB-4 can finally retire

By Joshua
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-09-08

For years, I've been doing all my larger than 1X work with a Nikon PB-4 bellows and reversed 50mm lens. It's a venerable combo, but it's too unwieldy to use outdoors, and the sharpest tool in the shed, it is not. I considered upgrading from time to time, but Laowa ultimately successfully tempted me with the new Aksen series. The Laowa 45mm Ultra Macro's image quality is significantly better than what I was getting from a reversed vintage manual focus 50mm prime lens on a bellows. Between 1X through 3X, in the middle of its aperture range and with proper technique, it's reliably produced razor sharp images at 45MP on a full frame sensor. In the 4X to 5X range, results are still very good, but I try to keep the aperture at f/5.6 or below to avoid too much softness from diffraction, and depth of field is so narrow that focus stacking is effectively mandatory. Physically, the lens feels reassuringly solid, with controls that move smoothly but with enough firmness that I don't worry about changing them accidentally. The weight of the lens is enough that it will tip my Nikon Z9 forward if I leave it unsupported on a table, but it's not so heavy that I feel it's out of balance without a tripod collar. Since I use it on top of a focusing rail on top of a geared head on top of full size tripod, mounting the rig by the base of the camera works for me. However, if I had a small and light camera and/or a lightweight ball head, I could easily find myself wanting a tripod collar. The aperture being entirely manual might be a shock if you're accustomed to modern autofocus macro lenses, but I've always had this limitation with my ultra macro setup. As long as I have a reasonably bright room or some kind of modeling light, leaving the lens stopped down and composing on live view is totally serviceable. So in practice, once I dial in the desired aperture, I don’t end up touching the aperture ring much while working with one composition. The lack of any other electronic communication means that there's no data on aperture or magnification, so that's up to the photographer to document as they see fit (in a fantasy world, it would be cool if it did have communication for the sake of EXIF data, but as it stands, if I really care, I just snap a cell phone photo of my setup in situ so I can refer to the lens markings later). In summary, for what this lens delivers in image quality and usability at its price point, I have no complaints, and am looking forward to enjoying it for years to come.

See any errors on this page?

Arca-Swiss compatible?

Arca-Swiss compatible?
Asked by: Gene
The Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens (Micro Four Thirds) does not come with a lens foot to attach it to a tripod. The adapter needed for that is Arca-Swiss style and is the Venus Optics Laowa Tripod Collar for Aksen 17.5mm & 45mm Ultra Macro Lenses, BH #VETRINGAKSEN (https://bhpho.to/4goVIQ4).
Answered by: Rob K
Date published: 2026-08-11

Is there an online manual (e.g., PDF) for this len

Is there an online manual (e.g., PDF) for this lens, either here at B&H or at Venus Optics or at Laowa? Trying to figure out focusing for it with an OM-5 MARK II
Asked by: Jan
The Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens includes a QR code that will lead to a download of the manual.
Answered by: David B
Date published: 2026-08-26

Can this work with internal focus bracketing capab

Can this work with internal focus bracketing capabilities of the camera?
Asked by: kim
While it can't provide the focus adjustments because the lens is manual, it will provide the number of shots in the bracket. So if you set the camera to deliver a 20 shot bracket and you press the shutter button it will give you 20 shots. It's up to you to manually move the lens (in this case camera and attached lens) from the start to finish position to capture the additional depth of field. Check on-line for techniques to manually move the rig during a bracket focus procedure.
Answered by: Bill
Date published: 2026-08-26
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