Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 macro lens announced

fuent104 · 06-24-2015, 05:00 PM

I don't see it as a gimmick. It looks like a tool, with a unique niche capability. I can see it being used to create some great tabletop macro work. It could be really interesting for food photography, or plenty of other studio macro functions.

BrianR · 06-24-2015, 05:54 PM

Sigh. I've only recently started cheating on my da14mm with the da10-17mm fisheye, both purchased with wide-angle close-ups in mind. It can be challenging to light that close, but it's not as though every picture needs to be taken at the minimum focusing distance. I think I'd find great utility with this lens.

The composition adjust of recent Pentax bodies is something like 1.5mm, so adding 6mm on top of that is gravy.

---------- Post added 06-24-15 at 08:58 PM ----------

Originally posted by jeff knight

Those sample images are retouched/processed heavily. Just look at the background of the cat picture. Looks HDR. Slimy advertising vibe.

They look more like one or two large artificial sources up close with an underexposed background (look in the eyes of the cat photos for lighting details). Doesn't look like HDR to me, but maybe you're seeing something I'm not.

My favorite is the little chick with the fist(?) just in the edge of the frame.

Not a Number · 06-24-2015, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by BrianR

Doesn't look like HDR to me, but maybe you're seeing something I'm not.

I think he/she is complaining about the "normal" pictures. Big deal.

I like the chameleon shots.

K David · 06-26-2015, 12:54 PM

So as part of writing the announcement for this lens that's on the homepage I got to talking over e-mail with a Venus Optics employee. He told me what they have coming out next .I'm not sure that I'm at liberty to divulge it, but it's got a lot of potential to be exciting. There is not, that I know of, an equivalent lens on any system except Minolta (now Sony, and their version is $1,400.)

Quicksand · 06-26-2015, 01:02 PM

Hmmm. The Minolta/Sony Smooth Trans Focus ("STF") lens certainly fits your description -- and it's a pretty cool lens.

Not sure I'd want one but hey, I like the idea.

Giklab · 06-26-2015, 03:08 PM

Come on, it'surely going to be the AF mirror lens!

PS: Note the Nikon DC lenses and the Fuji 56mm APD

vonBaloney · 06-26-2015, 03:35 PM

I assume it is more macro stuff since that is their thing -- smooth bokeh then? (Isn't that what STF? If that's an accurate guess.) The Russian Volna-9 already exists (although isn't particularly sharp wide-open) with its unique "reverse" bokeh. If they came out with a Gaussian background bokeh lens like the Volna except sharp throughout and with a many-bladed aperture, that'd be cool.

Nass · 07-29-2015, 03:26 AM

Kurt has some nice shots showing the potential of this lens.

I did try putting extension tubes on my 10-18s but it made the focus distance far too close!

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06-24-2015, 05:00 PM	#46
fuent104 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,356	I don't see it as a gimmick. It looks like a tool, with a unique niche capability. I can see it being used to create some great tabletop macro work. It could be really interesting for food photography, or plenty of other studio macro functions.

06-24-2015, 05:54 PM	#47
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Sigh. I've only recently started cheating on my da14mm with the da10-17mm fisheye, both purchased with wide-angle close-ups in mind. It can be challenging to light that close, but it's not as though every picture needs to be taken at the minimum focusing distance. I think I'd find great utility with this lens. The composition adjust of recent Pentax bodies is something like 1.5mm, so adding 6mm on top of that is gravy. ---------- Post added 06-24-15 at 08:58 PM ---------- Originally posted by jeff knight Those sample images are retouched/processed heavily. Just look at the background of the cat picture. Looks HDR. Slimy advertising vibe. They look more like one or two large artificial sources up close with an underexposed background (look in the eyes of the cat photos for lighting details). Doesn't look like HDR to me, but maybe you're seeing something I'm not. My favorite is the little chick with the fist(?) just in the edge of the frame.

06-24-2015, 06:20 PM	#48
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by BrianR Doesn't look like HDR to me, but maybe you're seeing something I'm not. I think he/she is complaining about the "normal" pictures. Big deal. I like the chameleon shots.

06-26-2015, 12:54 PM	#49
K David Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,437	So as part of writing the announcement for this lens that's on the homepage I got to talking over e-mail with a Venus Optics employee. He told me what they have coming out next .I'm not sure that I'm at liberty to divulge it, but it's got a lot of potential to be exciting. There is not, that I know of, an equivalent lens on any system except Minolta (now Sony, and their version is $1,400.)

06-26-2015, 01:02 PM	#50
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Hmmm. The Minolta/Sony Smooth Trans Focus ("STF") lens certainly fits your description -- and it's a pretty cool lens. Not sure I'd want one but hey, I like the idea.

06-26-2015, 03:08 PM	#51
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Come on, it'surely going to be the AF mirror lens! PS: Note the Nikon DC lenses and the Fuji 56mm APD

06-26-2015, 03:35 PM	#52
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I assume it is more macro stuff since that is their thing -- smooth bokeh then? (Isn't that what STF? If that's an accurate guess.) The Russian Volna-9 already exists (although isn't particularly sharp wide-open) with its unique "reverse" bokeh. If they came out with a Gaussian background bokeh lens like the Volna except sharp throughout and with a many-bladed aperture, that'd be cool.

07-29-2015, 03:26 AM	#53
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Kurt has some nice shots showing the potential of this lens. I did try putting extension tubes on my 10-18s but it made the focus distance far too close!