Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro

(From Venus Optics / Laowa lens literature)

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
Following the success of the Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro, the 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro is the 2^nd member of Laowa's 2:1 macro line-up. This new 100mm lens can cover full frame sensors and focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity. 100mm is a more popular focal length for macro photographers. However, all of the current 100mm macro lenses on the market can only achieve 1:1 (life-size) or even smaller magnification. Shooting smaller bugs is usually a challenge for macro photographers. The wider magnification range of the new Laowa Macro allows photographers to capture subjects at any size, making it one of the most versatile macro lens on the market. Despite having a wider range, Venus Optics managed to compress the size of the lens to the minimum and it is similar in size to other 1:1 macro lenses on the market.

The Laowa 100mm 2:1 Macro lens also features an apochromatic (APO) design that helps keep chromatic aberration invisible. Chromatic aberration (CA) is one of the most challenging issues for optics designers as it can often ruin a perfect image. Some of the macro lenses on the market control chromatic aberration in the "in-focus" area really well, but CA is uncontrolled in "out-of-focus" areas. The Laowa 100mm, however, delivers exceptional performance with regards to chromatic aberration suppression, both in the "in-focus" area as well as "out-of-focus" areas. The subject in the image will not be polluted by any unwanted color fringing.

The Canon version of the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro lens has an integrated CPU chip and aperture motor. Photographers can now control the aperture and exposure through the camera itself and record the EXIF data in the photos. A focus indicator will also be shown in the camera to assist focus. This new feature also benefits macro photographers when composing at smaller f-stops as the aperture will only close when the shutter is released, keeping the viewfinder bright.

Not only it is an exceptional macro lens, the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 is also a very decent portrait lens when focused at infinity. The 12 elements in 10 groups optical design delivers crystal clear images at both macro and infinity distances. The bright f/2.8 and circular aperture renders softly diffused bokeh and isolates the subject from its background. The lens has an internal focusing mechanism that will not extend the barrel when focus is changed. A multilayer coating has also been applied to reduce lens flare and ghosting for increased contrast.

Pricing & Availability
The suggested retail selling price in the US of the new Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro APO lens is US$449 (ex-VAT). Pricing varies in different countries. Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony FE mounts are currently available. Canon RF mount and Nikon Z mount versions will start shipping in March 2020 tentatively, with an MSRP of US$499.