Rumor - Laowa working on f0.95 series of lenses

**pres589** · 01-20-2020, 08:21 AM - **2 Likes**

Anyone else caught wind of this? Laowa Argus f/0.95 Coming Soon? - Fuji Addict

It feels very premature to assume where this is going but maybe something to watch for from this up & coming optics company. Of course I have my fingers crossed for a lens or two from this family to come to k-mount but I understand that f0.95 lenses are technically not possible to create within the constraints of the k-mount.

photoptimist · 01-20-2020, 09:49 AM - **1 Like**

These lenses could be a lot of fun but it depends on which design strategy Laowa picks:

#1) Laowa uses sophisticated optical designs, advanced materials, and great coatings to create sharp, high-contrast Noctilux competitors.

#2) Laowa builds the bare minimum glass needed to claim the f/0.95 spec and hopes people think fuzzy/glowy images have "character."

They seem to have made decent lenses up until now so they probably will pick option 1.

**pres589** · 01-20-2020, 10:11 AM

Agreed, I don't see them going for #2 with these, but I also don't think they'll be inexpensive at all either.

HarisF1 · 01-20-2020, 01:12 PM

Can someone please link me to an explanation for why Pentax lenses have a limit on the largest aperture value? I've seen something before but wasn't able to find it after a bit of searching.

stevebrot · 01-20-2020, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by HarisF1

Can someone please link me to an explanation for why Pentax lenses have a limit on the largest aperture value? I've seen something before but wasn't able to find it after a bit of searching.

Perhaps the same reason that rule (none larger than f/1.2) is in force at Nikon, Canon, Leitz, and Zeiss for their SLR offerings?

Steve

**Serkevan** · 01-20-2020, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Perhaps the same reason that rule (none larger than f/1.2) is in force at Nikon, Canon, Leitz, and Zeiss for their SLR offerings?

Steve

Canon has a 50/1.0 lens for the EF mount.

Theoretical maximum is, IIRC, f/0.5 but that's only reached when focused at infinity with a ridiculous lens. As for practical limits, I don't know the calculations for a given throat diameter and flange distance.

stevebrot · 01-20-2020, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Canon has a 50/1.0 lens for the EF mount.

More correctly...had...The lens was EOL 20 years ago after a 10 year run. According to Zach Sutton at Lens Rentals, usability (limited DOF and sluggardly AF) may have been a factor in its demise, as might also its premium price and heft. I might add it's only being 2/3 stop faster* than the f/1.2 might also have effected sales.

Lens Rentals | Blog

Steve

* I know, most would suggest 1/2 stop except that the lens supports f/1.1 between f/1.0 and f/1.4.

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01-20-2020, 08:21 AM - 2 Likes	#1
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Rumor - Laowa working on f0.95 series of lenses Anyone else caught wind of this? Laowa Argus f/0.95 Coming Soon? - Fuji Addict It feels very premature to assume where this is going but maybe something to watch for from this up & coming optics company. Of course I have my fingers crossed for a lens or two from this family to come to k-mount but I understand that f0.95 lenses are technically not possible to create within the constraints of the k-mount.

01-20-2020, 09:49 AM - 1 Like	#2
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,121	These lenses could be a lot of fun but it depends on which design strategy Laowa picks: #1) Laowa uses sophisticated optical designs, advanced materials, and great coatings to create sharp, high-contrast Noctilux competitors. #2) Laowa builds the bare minimum glass needed to claim the f/0.95 spec and hopes people think fuzzy/glowy images have "character." They seem to have made decent lenses up until now so they probably will pick option 1.

01-20-2020, 10:11 AM	#3
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529 Original Poster	Agreed, I don't see them going for #2 with these, but I also don't think they'll be inexpensive at all either.

01-20-2020, 01:12 PM	#4
HarisF1 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 543	Can someone please link me to an explanation for why Pentax lenses have a limit on the largest aperture value? I've seen something before but wasn't able to find it after a bit of searching.

01-20-2020, 02:12 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by HarisF1 Can someone please link me to an explanation for why Pentax lenses have a limit on the largest aperture value? I've seen something before but wasn't able to find it after a bit of searching. Perhaps the same reason that rule (none larger than f/1.2) is in force at Nikon, Canon, Leitz, and Zeiss for their SLR offerings? Steve

01-20-2020, 03:33 PM	#6
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by stevebrot Perhaps the same reason that rule (none larger than f/1.2) is in force at Nikon, Canon, Leitz, and Zeiss for their SLR offerings? Steve Canon has a 50/1.0 lens for the EF mount. Theoretical maximum is, IIRC, f/0.5 but that's only reached when focused at infinity with a ridiculous lens. As for practical limits, I don't know the calculations for a given throat diameter and flange distance.

01-20-2020, 04:08 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Serkevan Canon has a 50/1.0 lens for the EF mount. More correctly...had...The lens was EOL 20 years ago after a 10 year run. According to Zach Sutton at Lens Rentals, usability (limited DOF and sluggardly AF) may have been a factor in its demise, as might also its premium price and heft. I might add it's only being 2/3 stop faster* than the f/1.2 might also have effected sales. Lens Rentals \| Blog Steve * I know, most would suggest 1/2 stop except that the lens supports f/1.1 between f/1.0 and f/1.4.

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