Right here’s a chunk of drugs information we uncared for when it was introduced round IBC: Venus Optics has launched the Laowa Daylight 2x FF Anamorphic Zoom Collection, a pair of full-frame, front-anamorphic 2x squeeze cine zooms in 40-80mm and 70-135mm, every with a relentless T4.5 aperture, parfocal mechanics, and 4 selectable flare choices, priced at $5,999 per lens or $10,999 for the two-lens set.
Within the footsteps of the Laowa Proteus line (which was solely introduced in March!), the Laowa Daylight Zooms goal to ship a traditional 2x anamorphic look in a comparatively compact housing that fits handheld, gimbal, and dynamic motion work. The lenses ship in PL mount with user-swappable bayonets for common mirrorless techniques.
What’s new within the Laowa Daylight collection
Laowa describes these because the world’s first front-anamorphic, full-frame 2x anamorphic zooms, designed to maintain dimension and weight manageable whereas sustaining a front-anamorphic picture character. The 40-80mm weighs about 2.8 kg and the 70-135mm about 2.6 kg, with each measuring roughly Ø110.4 × 242 mm, utilizing a 105 mm entrance and a 77 mm filter thread.
Zoom vary and picture character
Collectively the 2 lenses cowl 40 mm to 135 mm, offering greater than a 3x mixed zoom vary. Each preserve a relentless 2x squeeze for constant widescreen rendering, with the corporate emphasizing natural focus roll-off, dreamy oval bokeh, and low focus respiratory. Filmmakers can choose amongst 4 flare types, labeled on a devoted ring: blue, amber, silver, or clear.
Laowa Daylight 2x FF Anamorphic Zoom. Picture credit score: Laowa / Venus Optics
Parfocal design, twin metric and imperial markings
Each zooms are parfocal, holding focus by means of the zoom vary, and embody again focus adjustment for positive calibration throughout digital camera our bodies. They function industry-standard 0.8-mod rings, twin metric and imperial markings, a 100° zoom throw, a 32.7° iris throw, and lengthy focus throws of 305° on the 40-80mm and 302° on the 70-135mm.
Minimal focusing distance is 0.61 m on the 40-80mm and 0.78 m on the 70-135mm, which ought to assist with intimate framings whereas preserving the anamorphic perspective and oval speculars.
Laowa Daylight 2x FF Anamorphic Zoom. Picture credit score: Laowa / Venus Optics
Mounts and sensor protection
Lenses ship in ARRI PL as customary. Non-compulsory user-changeable bayonets for Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-Mount can be found, with no EF choice. Laowa lists the mirrorless bayonets at $50 every. Each lenses are specified for full-frame protection.
Pricing and availability
The Daylight collection is offered now by way of Laowa’s web site and approved resellers at $5,999 per lens or $10,999 for the two-lens set. Non-compulsory mirrorless bayonets are $50 apiece, with regional pricing variations famous by the producer.
Specs at a look
- Codecs: full body, fixed 2x squeeze; T4.5–T22
- Focal lengths: 40-80mm, 70-135mm
- Optics: 23 parts in 15 teams (40-80); 22 parts in 14 teams (70-135)
- Focus throw: 305° (40-80); 302° (70-135)
- Zoom throw / iris throw: 100° / 32.7°
- Min focus: 0.61 m (40-80); 0.78 m (70-135)
- Entrance diameter / filter: 105 mm / 77 mm
- Weight: ~2.8 kg (40-80); ~2.6 kg (70-135)
- Flare choices: blue, amber, silver, clear
- Mounts: PL customary; non-compulsory RF, E, Z, L bayonets; no EF optionThese specs are taken from the official press supplies.
Laowa Daylight 2x FF Anamorphic Zooms. Picture credit score: Laowa / Venus Optics
Early take on the Laowa Daylight collection
With fixed T4.5, parfocal conduct, and an entire 40-135mm two-lens set, Laowa is concentrating on productions that desire a true 2x front-anamorphic look with out committing to a heavier, extra segmented prime package. The selectable flare ring is a sensible contact for on-set management, and the $5,999 entry worth per zoom will seemingly entice indie options, business homes, and streaming collection models trying to stretch budgets.
If in case you have expertise with Laowa’s Proteus primes, do these new zooms tick the precise bins in your subsequent anamorphic construct, or would you continue to attain for primes for optimum pace and character?

