Laowa has launched an up to date model of its common 12mm Zero-D lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF lens is out there with E, Z, RF and L-Mount choices. Nikon and Sony customers can even select an autofocus model of the lens.
Zero D
The Zero D within the title of Laowa’s new 12 mm lens stands for zero distortion. Extensive-angle lenses normally trigger distortion in your photos. Mostly, straight strains will change into curved, particularly close to the perimeters of the body. Nonetheless, the Laowa 12mm Zero-D lens is a rectilinear lens, which signifies that you don’t get that distortion. With an ultra-wide 122-degree angle of view on a full-frame digicam, Laowa additionally says that the brand new lens is among the widest non-fisheye lenses accessible.
©Bastian Kratzke
Lite
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens has been branded Lite as a result of it’s lighter and extra compact than the earlier design. At solely 0.83 kilos (377 g), the brand new lens is nearly half the burden of the unique, which weighed 1.54 kilos (699 g).
It’s additionally smaller, measuring 3 inches (77 mm) by 3 inches (75.5 mm), in comparison with 4.4 inches (113 mm) by 3.2 inches (82.2 mm) for the older mannequin. These figures are for the Sony E-mount model, and there’s a slight variance throughout digicam methods. The filter thread is 72 mm.
Optical design
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens is constructed with 16 lens components in 9 teams. The corporate additionally states that the brand new lens delivers improved sharpness and lowered chromatic aberration. As well as, the 12mm Zero-D lens provides an in depth focus distance of simply 5.5 inches (14 cm). There’s a handbook focus model of the lens that’s accessible for all 4 mount methods. Nonetheless, Nikon and Sony shooters can even go for a lens with autofocus.
Two aperture selections
The Laowa 12mm Zero-D lens has a large most aperture of f/2.8. This implies it is going to be good for low-light use. Apparently, Laowa provides you two choices with the aperture of the lens. You possibly can select between a five-bladed and a 14-bladed iris. With the fie-bladed aperture, you’ll be able to cease it right down to create 10-point solar stars.
Alternatively, the 14-bladed iris offers you a smoother, rounded bokeh within the out-of-focus elements of your picture. Each aperture choices can be found for all 4 lens mounts. Nonetheless, Sony and Nikon customers who additionally need to use autofocus are restricted to the 5-bladed iris mannequin.
What we expect
Laowa’s new 12mm Lite Zero-D lens builds on the strengths of the unique and makes it even higher. The smaller and lighter design makes the brand new lens superb to be used on a gimbal or perhaps a drone. It’s additionally nice to have such a large focal size, however with none distortion to the picture. In consequence, the 12 mm Zero-D lens is ideal for structure and actual property work. Plus, it may be troublesome to realize a shallow depth of area with such a wide-angle lens. Nonetheless, the very quick shut focus distance of the 12mm Zero-D lens will can help you blur your background behind a close-up topic. If you’d like a wide-angle lens, the Laowa 12mm Lite Zero-D is a good alternative.
Pricing and availability
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF lens is out there now and prices $699 throughout all lens mount and focus choices.
