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**sureshgvv** · 03-11-2016, 06:16 AM

Has anyone looked at this lens. Impressive pics and the lens is at $699.00

The Laowa 105mm f/2 Lens Uses a Special Element for Crazy-Smooth Bokeh

**boriscleto** · 03-11-2016, 06:18 AM

But the corners are soft...

starjedi · 03-11-2016, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

But the corners are soft...

It is a special effect lens with apodization element(APD), optimized for portraits. If you really want a crazy sharp corner, Zeiss 135F2, 100 F2 or Voigtlander 125 F2.5 will meet the demand!

Na Horuk · 03-11-2016, 06:52 AM

There are a couple threads about this lens, including image samples and discussion. Basically, some people are interested in apodization lenses, but the price seems fairly steep for a lens that is completely dead K-mount (its not like Samyang, which has A on aperture ring). At this price, something like Samyang 135mm might make more sense. But hey, that company is making some interesting lenses, which will also be available for Pentax cameras, so I wish it all the best. If I win the lottery, I'll buy a couple.

**boriscleto** · 03-11-2016, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Basically, some people are interested in apodization lenses, but the price seems fairly steep for a lens that is completely dead K-mount (its not like Samyang, which has A on aperture ring).

And it's not like it's all that complicated to add the A contacts. There are no electronics in a KA mount, just the contacts...if you are going to make a fully manual lens, at least make it a pre-set.

**jeffshaddix** · 03-11-2016, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

And it's not like it's all that complicated to add the A contacts. There are no electronics in a KA mount, just the contacts...if you are going to make a fully manual lens, at least make it a pre-set.

Agreed, it's too bad the lever action is different between K and KA, otherwise I'd add KA "contacts" to all my old lenses.

Na Horuk · 03-11-2016, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

And it's not like it's all that complicated to add the A contacts. There are no electronics in a KA mount, just the contacts...if you are going to make a fully manual lens, at least make it a pre-set.

Oh, definitely. I would like to see A on Mitakon and these Laowa lenses. It would make them much more competitive. I really like that my Samyang has A. Its great, and its a Pentax advantage over the other brands.

**THoog** · 03-11-2016, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Oh, definitely. I would like to see A on Mitakon and these Laowa lenses. It would make them much more competitive. I really like that my Samyang has A. Its great, and its a Pentax advantage over the other brands.

So who's willing to mod a Mitakon or Laowa lens with the appropriate A dimples, to see if their aperture mechanisms are linear like a K or area-based like KA? (or vice-versa, I'm too tired to remember which is which or look it up).

Na Horuk · 03-11-2016, 10:46 AM

I think the Mitakon lenses actually are preset, right? But seriously, maybe the forum should write to those companies, send them plans for KA specifications..

narual · 03-11-2016, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by THoog

So who's willing to mod a Mitakon or Laowa lens with the appropriate A dimples, to see if their aperture mechanisms are linear like a K or area-based like KA? (or vice-versa, I'm too tired to remember which is which or look it up).

If you want to send me one, I have my K5 set up to treat all manual lenses as A lenses (little bit of foil inside the mount ring over the A pin). A couple of pieces of tape to tell the camera what aperture range it has, and it's a pretty easy test from there.

I can tell you that my Porst 55/1.2 definitely is like K, not KA, but it was worth the bad metadata and occasional bad exposures to get the other benefits... but not enough so for me to consider adding foil to the k3.

**boriscleto** · 03-11-2016, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by THoog

So who's willing to mod a Mitakon or Laowa lens with the appropriate A dimples, to see if their aperture mechanisms are linear like a K or area-based like KA? (or vice-versa, I'm too tired to remember which is which or look it up).

What aperture mechanism? It's fully manual, no auto aperture. When you stop down the viewfinder gets darker.

**boriscleto** · 03-11-2016, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

I think the Mitakon lenses actually are preset, right? But seriously, maybe the forum should write to those companies, send them plans for KA specifications..

They aren't even as advanced as preset. When you turn the aperture ring the viewfinder gets darker.

**THoog** · 03-11-2016, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

What aperture mechanism? It's fully manual, no auto aperture. When you stop down the viewfinder gets darker.

Ah, so not actually K-mount, more like M42 with a K adapter ring.

narual · 03-11-2016, 02:55 PM - **1 Like**

Guess not. Here's the back of the new lens.

**THoog** · 03-11-2016, 03:31 PM

Can we dub this the "K--" mount ("kay minus minus"), since it lacks both aperture and aperture simulator arms? (Also, "F--" is what you'll see in the VF, and it's a joke that only computer geeks will get.)

03-11-2016, 06:16 AM	#1
sureshgvv Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,115	Laowa 105mm f2 Has anyone looked at this lens. Impressive pics and the lens is at $699.00 The Laowa 105mm f/2 Lens Uses a Special Element for Crazy-Smooth Bokeh

03-11-2016, 02:55 PM - 1 Like	#14
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Guess not. Here's the back of the new lens. Attached Images

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03-11-2016, 06:18 AM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	But the corners are soft...

03-11-2016, 06:48 AM	#3
starjedi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 932	Originally posted by boriscleto But the corners are soft... It is a special effect lens with apodization element(APD), optimized for portraits. If you really want a crazy sharp corner, Zeiss 135F2, 100 F2 or Voigtlander 125 F2.5 will meet the demand!

03-11-2016, 06:52 AM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	There are a couple threads about this lens, including image samples and discussion. Basically, some people are interested in apodization lenses, but the price seems fairly steep for a lens that is completely dead K-mount (its not like Samyang, which has A on aperture ring). At this price, something like Samyang 135mm might make more sense. But hey, that company is making some interesting lenses, which will also be available for Pentax cameras, so I wish it all the best. If I win the lottery, I'll buy a couple.

03-11-2016, 06:58 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by Na Horuk Basically, some people are interested in apodization lenses, but the price seems fairly steep for a lens that is completely dead K-mount (its not like Samyang, which has A on aperture ring). And it's not like it's all that complicated to add the A contacts. There are no electronics in a KA mount, just the contacts...if you are going to make a fully manual lens, at least make it a pre-set.

03-11-2016, 07:27 AM	#6
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by boriscleto And it's not like it's all that complicated to add the A contacts. There are no electronics in a KA mount, just the contacts...if you are going to make a fully manual lens, at least make it a pre-set. Agreed, it's too bad the lever action is different between K and KA, otherwise I'd add KA "contacts" to all my old lenses.

03-11-2016, 07:38 AM	#7
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by boriscleto And it's not like it's all that complicated to add the A contacts. There are no electronics in a KA mount, just the contacts...if you are going to make a fully manual lens, at least make it a pre-set. Oh, definitely. I would like to see A on Mitakon and these Laowa lenses. It would make them much more competitive. I really like that my Samyang has A. Its great, and its a Pentax advantage over the other brands.

03-11-2016, 10:34 AM	#8
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by Na Horuk Oh, definitely. I would like to see A on Mitakon and these Laowa lenses. It would make them much more competitive. I really like that my Samyang has A. Its great, and its a Pentax advantage over the other brands. So who's willing to mod a Mitakon or Laowa lens with the appropriate A dimples, to see if their aperture mechanisms are linear like a K or area-based like KA? (or vice-versa, I'm too tired to remember which is which or look it up).

03-11-2016, 10:46 AM	#9
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I think the Mitakon lenses actually are preset, right? But seriously, maybe the forum should write to those companies, send them plans for KA specifications..

03-11-2016, 11:44 AM	#10
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by THoog So who's willing to mod a Mitakon or Laowa lens with the appropriate A dimples, to see if their aperture mechanisms are linear like a K or area-based like KA? (or vice-versa, I'm too tired to remember which is which or look it up). If you want to send me one, I have my K5 set up to treat all manual lenses as A lenses (little bit of foil inside the mount ring over the A pin). A couple of pieces of tape to tell the camera what aperture range it has, and it's a pretty easy test from there. I can tell you that my Porst 55/1.2 definitely is like K, not KA, but it was worth the bad metadata and occasional bad exposures to get the other benefits... but not enough so for me to consider adding foil to the k3.

03-11-2016, 11:48 AM	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by THoog So who's willing to mod a Mitakon or Laowa lens with the appropriate A dimples, to see if their aperture mechanisms are linear like a K or area-based like KA? (or vice-versa, I'm too tired to remember which is which or look it up). What aperture mechanism? It's fully manual, no auto aperture. When you stop down the viewfinder gets darker.

03-11-2016, 11:50 AM	#12
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by Na Horuk I think the Mitakon lenses actually are preset, right? But seriously, maybe the forum should write to those companies, send them plans for KA specifications.. They aren't even as advanced as preset. When you turn the aperture ring the viewfinder gets darker.

03-11-2016, 02:31 PM	#13
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by boriscleto What aperture mechanism? It's fully manual, no auto aperture. When you stop down the viewfinder gets darker. Ah, so not actually K-mount, more like M42 with a K adapter ring.

03-11-2016, 03:31 PM	#15
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Can we dub this the "K--" mount ("kay minus minus"), since it lacks both aperture and aperture simulator arms? (Also, "F--" is what you'll see in the VF, and it's a joke that only computer geeks will get.)

Laowa 105mm f2

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