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Lens review

Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D

10 March 2018
Arkadiusz Olech

11. Summary

Pros:

  • solid, metal casing, small for the parameters of the lens,
  • possibility of using classic filters,
  • good image quality in frame centre,
  • negligible longitudinal chromatic aberration,
  • slight lateral chromatic aberration,
  • distortion lower than in the case of rivals.

Cons:

  • weak image quality on the edge of the frame,
  • noticeable spherical aberration,
  • huge vignetting, visible even on significant stopping down of aperture,
  • very distinct coma,
  • too narrow working range of the manual focus ring.
The Venus Optics company so far have had two approaches toward a relatively small f/2.0 lens with an angle of view amounting to 110 degrees. As we assessed the Micro 4/3 Venus Optics LAOWA 7.5 mm f/2 MFT very positively, summing it up in warm terms at the end of our test, we feel the big brother designed for full frame doesn’t deserve such a treatment.

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Full frame is pretty demanding on its own; if you want to keep the physical dimensions of a lens relatively small and you add good aperture fastness to the bunch it might end rather badly. You’ll see images of good quality only in the frame centre, on the edges you’ll have to tackle very average sharpness, huge vignetting and significant coma. Of course the possibility of using classic filters is a bonus but, in this case, I don’t think the privilege is worth its price. The badly constructed manual focus ring was the last drop of bitterness because, believe me, it can hardly be called a joy to use.