Venus Optics has unveiled the pricing and availability of the world’s widest full frame zoom lens, the Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE. The 10-18mm FE Zoom is 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 looks to be a great lens for shooting landscapes and architecture given its ultra-wide 130° angle of view.
Venus Optics have incorporated a 5 straight blade aperture to deliver sharp, clean, well-defined 10-point sunstars. This adds an aesthetic feel when composing with the sun or other light sources. At 10mm it is just 1mm wider than the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM.
Despite having a compact lens body, Venus Optics claims that the 10-18mm FE Zoom still offers an exceptionally high resolution across the frame at all apertures. The lens design consists of 14 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements & 1 extra-low dispersion element. It can focus as close as 15cm (0.5 feet) and deliver a 0.25x magnification for mini-macro shooting.
Putting filters on ultra-wide zooms has always been a pain, so Venus Optics has made 2 filter solutions available. A rear filter thread is included at the back of the lens to fit a 37mm UV/ND filter. There is also a custom-designed 100mm-wide magnetic filter holder system that was developed to fit a maximum of three 100mm-wide filters with no vignetting when rotated at any angles.
For video shooters, the lens also incorporates a switch so you can toggle between having a click or clickless aperture.
Pricing & Availability
The lens is currently available to pre-order for $849 USD from authorized resellers and on the Venus Optics official website. The first 50 orders through Venus Optic’s website will get a free 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder System. Pricing may vary in different countries, and the first shipments are expected to commence in late November. The Laowa 10mm f/4.5-5.6 will also soon be available in Canon R and Nikon Z mounts.
Specifications
Focal Length: 10-18mm
Max. Aperture: f/4.5 (10mm) – f/5.6 (18mm)
Min. Aperture: f/22
Angle of View: 102° (18mm) – 130°e (10mm)
Format Compatibility: Full Frame
Lens Structure: 14 elements in 10 groups Aperture Blades 5
Min. Focusing Distance: 15cm
Max. Magnification: 0.25x
Filter solutions – Rear filter thread (37mm)
– 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder System (3pcs 100mm-wide filters)
Dimensions Φ70×90.9mm Weight 496g
Mounts Sony FE, Canon R (Coming soon), Nikon Z (Coming soon)
