Lens Reviews / Laowa Lenses i Not yet tested

17mm	$152 average price

(From Venus Optics -- Laowa lens literature)

Laowa 17mm f/1.8 MFT Overview

Venus Optics, the lens manufacturer that specializes in making unique camera lenses, has unveiled the pricing and availability of the Laowa 17mm f/1.8 for Micro Four Thirds (M43) cameras. It is the 4th wide angle lens that Venus Optics has designed for MFT mirrorless cameras, following the success of 7.5mm f/2, 9mm f/2.8 and 4mm f/2.8 fisheye lenses. At a price of USD $149, this lens is the most affordable lens Venus Optics has ever released.

The 17mm gives the equivalent to a 34mm angle of view on a full-frame sensor. The lens houses nine elements in seven groups, and has a seven-blade diaphragm to give a pleasing sunstar rendering. The lens is compact and weighs just 6oz (172g). It has a minimum focus distance of 15cm and comes with a 46mm filter thread.

1) Lightweight & Compact
Weighing 6oz (172g) only, this remarkably light, compact and agile lens serves as an exceptional complement to MFT cameras. It is a great tool for still-life, street and travel photography that should be in every photographer's bag.

2) Ultra-fast f/1.8 maximum aperture
An ultra-fast f/1.8 maximum aperture not only creates smooth bokeh with its rounded 7-blade diaphragm, but also offers great low-light performance. Despite the fast f/1.8 maximum aperture, sharp and high-contrast images of distant subjects can be still captured at any aperture. It is an ideal lens for portraits, landscapes, travel and all-purpose imaging.

3) Focus as close as 5.9" (15cm) from sensor
This lens has a 5.9" (15cm) minimum focusing distance that greatly benefits working with smaller subjects in detail. Photographers can make use of the "Mini-macro" feature to capture close-up shots with shallower depth of field, creating smooth out-of-focus rendering and good subject separation from the background.

4) Excellent performance in Videography
Attributed to the compact and light body, the 17mm f/1.8 lens is a portable and on-the-go option of videographers, both handheld and on gimbals. The high-performance optical design incorporates one ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element that delivers high-definition images with minimum ghosting and flare, broadening your shooting potential in challenging situations.

5) Drone-friendly
In addition to using it with traditional M43 cameras, this lens is also drone-friendly. It is compatible with the DJI X5 camera, making it an alternative lens for aerial photography and videography. The front element has adopted premium FEC (Frog Eye Coating) to repel water droplets and pollutants from sticking onto the lens, enhancing the lens' durability in frequent outdoor shooting.

6) Outstanding sharpness and high contrast
Optimized for the M43 system, the resulting images deliver stunning details and contrast across the entire frame, even wide-open. The vibrant color rendering results in high saturation, leaving the photograph impressively pleasing straight out from the camera.

Pricing & Availability
The lens is currently available to pre-order in authorized resellers and in Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/)

The ex-VAT retail price in US is USD $149/pc. Pricing may vary in different countries.

First shipment is expected to start in late October 2019.