Laowa 58mm 2X Macro
Review: Laowa 58mm 2x macro f/2.8 APO
New full frame macro lens for mirrorless
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Venus Lens has introduced the Laowa 58mm 2x macro f/2.8 APO. The list price (US) for the 58mm is $499
Check lens availability/prices at Venus Lens
Video review:
Laowa 58mm 2x macro
Jump to main review below release notes
Venus Optics: Laowa 58mm 2x macro
Press info: Anhui China, 22 September, 2022 – Venus Optics, the lens manufacturer that has been always endeavouring to invent unique lenses, is stoked to release the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO.
This mirrorless-designed macro lens offers a 40.9° angle of view on full frame sensors. And like many other Laowa macro lenses, it can focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity which makes it suitable for professional macro, portrait or a walk-around lens. It features an apochromatic (APO) design that chromatic aberration is compressed to the minimum. With 3 ED elements and 3 Ultra-High Refractive Index elements, the lens delivers an outstanding sharpness. Despite its metal housing, the lens only weighs 595g which is extremely portable. It comes with 4 mount options: Sony E / Canon R / Nikon Z / L mount and a price of USD499.
Example [2x] by Keith
Up to 2x magnification
This new 58mm lens has the capability to focus from 2X magnification to infinity. The minimum focusing distance is 7.29” (18.5cm).
More than a macro lens
Being able to focus infinity, the 58mm focal length (40.9° AoV) pair with the f/2.8 aperture give the lens more usage than just a macro lens. You can also use it for portrait, product photography or use as walk-around lens.
Outstanding sharpness and image quality
Specially designed for mirrorless system, the lens packed 3 ED elements and 3 Ultra-High Refractive Index elements. With a shorter flange distance, it is not only improving the image sharpness but also makes the lens more compact. It brings you a whole new macro shooting experience.
Deeper depth of field
The shorter focal length relative to 100mm would give greater depth of field. You can get more in-focus details from your subject under the same aperture. This gives you more control when creating unique visual narratives.
Pricing & Availability
Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is currently available to purchase via Venus Optics official website and authorised resellers.
Product info & sales
The US price for 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is USD499 for all mounts. Pricing varies in different countries.
Lens Review: Laowa 58mm 2x macro
The lens is a solid metal construction, with internal focusing (keeps dust out for one thing).
The lens design is quite a complex one, and genuinely warrants the APO designation
The lens is fully manual – no electronics
The focus ring is good and smooth, with clear reproduction ratios shown.
Why 58mm – another macro?
If you’re just shooting at 2X, of something fairly flat, then the 58mm looks the same as the 90mm.
However, if you’ve background, then the relative scale changes – just like with ‘normal’ lens use.
Two examples at around 0.5x, showing the same cars in the background.
The depth of field at 2x
See more examples in the video.
Note the use of focus peaking for focus adjustment.
Stepping from f/2.8 to f/22
Out of focus look
Stepping from f/2.8 to f/22.[click to enlarge]
Vignetting is not strong, even at f/2.8. but but f/8 it’s very small
Thoughts on the Laowa 58mm 2x macro
A very nice lens -[ see the video for more information].
Very low distortion and chromatic aberration. A solidly built lens – maybe a bit heavy for some, but I like the build quality.
Fully manual, so not for everyone, but focus peaking on mirrorless cameras makes it far easier to use.
One to think carefully about what else you are going to use it for other than Macro. For out and out close-up working, the greater subject to lens distance of the 90mm might be more useful.
The list price (US) for the Laowa 58mm 2x macro is $499
Taken at f/16 to get depth of field without the need for stacking.
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