Venus Optics has been making some unique lenses lately and the Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom is no exception. I own a few of their newest lenses and they are a great value if you’re looking to do something unique. TheLaowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom can be preordered at Venus Optics today with the first 50 pre-orders getting a 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder System for FREE (The offer is valid until the message on the site is gone.).
Press Release:
Venus Optics announce pricing and availability of the World’s Widest full frame lens, Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom
Anhui China, Oct 26, 2018 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer specializes in making unique camera lenses, unveil the pricing and availability of the world’s widest full frame lens, Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom lens.
In response to the demand from mirrorless camera shooters of 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 as 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 into the photos when composing with the sun or other light sources.
Despite having a compact lens body, the 10-18mm FE Zoom still offers an exceptionally high resolution across the frames at all apertures. It houses with 14 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements & 1 extra-low dispersion element. It also comes with an 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 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 with 37mm UV/ND filter. A custom designed 100mm-wide magnetic filter holder system is developed to fit a maximum of three 100mm-wide filters with no vignetting when rotated at any angles.
The lens also incorporates a switch to toggle the click/clickless aperture for videography usage.
Pricing & Availability
The lens is currently available to pre-order in authorized resellers and in Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/). First 50 orders through Venus Optic’s webstore will get a 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder System for FREE.
The ex-VAT retail price in US is USD 849/pc. Pricing may vary in different countries. First shipment is expected to commence in late November.
Laowa 10mm f/4.5-5.6 in Canon R / Nikon Z mounts will be released in a few months.
Product Shots & Sample Images
More marketing materials, product shots & sample images can be found from below Google Drive link.
http://bit.ly/2JibPhs
Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics) Email: marketing@venuslens.net Website: http://www.venuslens.net/
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) |