Lens Reviews / Laowa Lenses i Not yet tested

10-18mm	$682 average price

(From Venus Optics -- Laowa lens literature) The Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom lens is currently the widest rectilinear zoom lens available for full-frame cameras.

In response to the demand from mirrorless camera shooters for having a compact wide-angle zoom, Venus Optics have managed to compress the size of the 10-18mm FE Zoom to the smallest in its class, measuring approximately 3.5 inches (~9cm) long and weighing only 17.5 ounces (<500g) with a lens diameter of 70mm. It is a welcome relief for landscape, adventure or travel photographers that are traveling over long distances and struggling to find a compact wide-angle zoom to pair up with their cameras.

In additional to the extreme compact size and lightweight body, the 102° (18mm) to 130° (10mm) FoV provides a great deal of flexibility for photographers to compose landscape or architecture photos with ease. The ultra-wide 130° FoV also realizes many impossible shots.

Sunstar rendering has long been considered one of the most critical element for UWA lenses. Venus Optics have re-engineered the design of the aperture and incorporated a 5 straight blade aperture to deliver a sharp, clean, well-defined 10-point sunstars. It adds an aesthetic feel to photos when composing with the sun or other light sources.

Despite having a compact lens body, the 10-18mm FE Zoom still offers exceptionally high resolution across the frame at all apertures. It houses 14 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements and 1 extra-low dispersion element. It also offers excellent close up performance. It can focus as close as 15cm (0.5 feet) and deliver a 0.25x magnification for some mini-macro shooting.

Venus Optics truly understands that a filter is essential to produce an impressive landscape photo. The new 10-18mm FE Zoom is carefully designed with 2 filter solutions available. A rear filter thread is included at the back of the lens to fit a 37mm UV/ND filter. A custom designed 100mm-wide magnetic filter holder system has also been developed to fit a maximum of three 100mm-wide filters with no vignetting when rotated at any angle.

The lens also incorporates a switch to toggle the click/clickless aperture for videography usage.

Availability
As of Oct 26, 2018, the lens is currently available for pre-order from authorized resellers and from the Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/). The first 50 orders through Venus Optic's webstore will get a 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder System for FREE.

The suggested retail price is US$849 excluding tax. Pricing may vary in different countries.

First shipment is expected to commence in late November 2018.

Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 in Canon RF / Nikon Z mounts will be released in a few months.