17mm F1.8 Laowa MFT Lens

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Specs

F1.8-F22
9 elements in 7 groups
7 diaphragm blades
15cm min focus distance
46mm filters
55x51mm size
172g
m43 mount only
$149

Laowa 17mm f/1.8 is a new compact, standard prime designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras and it gives a 35mm-equivalent field of view. The lens houses 9 elements in 7 groups and have a 5-blade aperture for the best sunstar rendering. The lens is extremely compact and lightweight, weighs only 160g (0.36lbs) and is 5cm (2”) long. A 46cm filter thread is included and the 15cm minimal focus distance make it a perfect lens for videography.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

43rumors posted few photos

MikeLinn

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Venus Optics announce pricing and availability of Laowa 17mm f/1.8 MFT lens -- a compact, approachable and fast lens for exquisite performance

Anhui China, Oct 16, 2019 -- Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer specializes in making unique camera lenses, unveil the pricing and availability of the Laowa 17mm f/1.8 for Micro Four Thirds (M43) cameras. It is the 4th wide angle lens that Venus Optics designs for MFT mirrorless cameras, following the success of 7.5mm f/2, 9mm f/2.8 and 4mm f/2.8 fisheye lenses. At the price of USD 149, this lens has been the most affordable lens Venus Optics has ever released.

Lightweight & Compactness

Weighted 6oz (172g) only, this remarkably light, compact and agile lens serves as an exceptional complement to MFT cameras. It is a great tool for still-life shots, street and travel photography that should be in every photographers' kit bag.

Ultra-fast f/1.8 maximum aperture

An ultra-fast f/1.8 maximum aperture not only creates smooth bokeh with its rounded 7- blade diaphragm, but also offers great low-light performance. Despite the f/1.8 fast aperture, sharp and high-contrast images of distant subjects can be still captured at any apertures. It is an Ideal lens for portraits, landscapes, travel and all-purpose imaging.

Focus as close as 5.9" (15cm) from sensor

This lens has a 5.9" (15cm) minimum focusing distance that greatly benefits working with smaller subjects in detail. Photographers can make use of the "Mini-macro" feature to capture close-up shots with shallower depth of field, creating smooth out-of-focus rendering and good subject separation from the background.

Excellent performance in Videography

Attributed to the compact and light body, the 17mm f/1.8 lens is a portable and on-the- go option of videographers, both handheld and on gimbals. The high-performance optical design incorporates one ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element that delivers high- definition images with minimum ghosting and flare, broadening your shooting potential in challenging situations.

Drone-friendly

On top of using with traditional M43 cameras, this lens is also drone-friendly. It is compatible with DJI X5 camera, making it an alternative lens for aerial photography and videography. The front element has adopted premium FEC (Frog Eye Coating) to repel water droplets and pollutants from sticking onto the lens, enhancing the lens’ durability in frequent outdoor shooting.

Outstanding sharpness and high contrast

Optimized for M43 system, the resulting images deliver stunning details and contrast across the entire frame, even at a wide-open aperture. The vibrant color rendering results in high saturation, leaving the photograph impressively pleasing straight out from the camera.

Pricing & Availability

The lens is currently available to pre-order in authorized resellers and in Venus Optics official website: https://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-17mm-f18-mft/

The ex-VAT retail price in US is USD 149/pc. Pricing may vary in different countries. First shipment is expected to start in late October 2019.