Venus Optics Unveil The Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra-Macro

Venus Optics unveil the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra-Macro, an affordable extreme macro option for full frame cameras
Featuring a small lens barrel, lightweight design and extended working distance, the new Laowa lens provides an extreme macro photography option for DSLR & Mirrorless cameras.

Anhui China, Mar 27, 2018 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique macro lenses (60mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro & 15mm f/4 Wide Angle Macro), is proud to add another member to their macro products line, the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra-Macro Lens.

The new Laowa 25mm f/2.8 provides a magnification range from 2.5:1 to 5:1 and offers a flexibility for photographers to capture macro subjects with different sizes. The 8 elements in 6 groups design with 1pc of low-dispersion element, creates an outstanding image sharpness across different magnification and greatly reduces the chromatic aberrations and color fringing. The wide focal length gives a relatively deeper depth of field than lenses with longer focal length. This feature is particular essential for photographers who can then stack less images for achieving even sharpness across the frame.

Dedicated solely to macro applications, the lens is carefully designed with an extended working distance (40mm @ 5x) & small lens barrel. This design is aimed to provide sufficient room for lighting reaching the subjects. The lens weigh less than 400g and the compact size make it suitable for shooting both in the field and in the laboratory.

An optional rotating tripod collar is also released for photographers to benefit from mounting the lens onto tripods and compose at different angles.

Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K & Sony E mounts are available for order through Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/) & authorized resellers. The suggested retail price (tax excluded) in United States is USD 399/pc. Pricing varies in different countries.

The new lens will be available to try in the UK Photography Show Birmingham during 17-20 March 2018.

Product Page
http://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-25mm-f-2-8-2-5-5x-ultra-macro-2/

Specifications

Focal Length

25mm

Max. Aperture

f/2.8

Angle of View

10.3°

Format Compatibility

Full Frame

Lens Structure

8 elements in 6 groups

Aperture Blades

8

Min. Focusing Distance

17.3 (5X) – 23.4cm (2.5X)

Max. Magnification

2.5:1 to 5:1

Filter Thread

N/A

Dimension

82*65mm

Weight

~400g

Mounts

Canon/ Nikon/ Pentax/ Sony

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Sony a7III PDAF Artifacting, Auto Focus Performance, Canon Lenses, Reviews, And More


DPReview published some photos from the Sony launch event of the Sony a7III and some readers have sent us the photos over the past few days, which we previously covered, but there seems to be some confusion that there is a problem. All cameras with PDAF will show these kinds of artifacts under the right circumstances, which is why some companies stick to CDAF. Contrast detect autofocus cameras don’t have this kind of artifacting, which are caused by phase detect pixels under very specific circumstances.

This kind of issue can’t be fixed with a Firmware update unless you’re going to blur the detail to remove these artifacts, which is something better left to photoshop. 99.9% of the time you will not see these and many other PDAF on-chip systems have demonstrated this issue over the years without photographers being affected. There is nothing unique here, but feel free to pixel peep. If you want to check out the full resolution photos Girls Face 1Girls Face 2, Light 3.

Join our Sony a7 Owners Group and Sony a7 Page, also follow SonyAddict on Facebook and Twitter.

Sony a7III: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony HVL-F60RM: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF Demo

The Tokina FíRIN 20mm f/2.0 AF was at CP+ and ValueTechTV took the time to do a quick AF test with the lens while there. The speed is on the slow side, but maybe it will improve before launch.

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Using Nikon and Canon Glass on Sony Cameras: TCSTV Covers MetaBones, Sigma, Commlite Adapters

Sony’s current generation of cameras work very well with adapted glass in 2018. The Sony a7RIII, a7III, and a9 all are able to adapt Canon glass with close to native performance using the Metabones Smart Adapter or Sigma MC-11. Adapted Nikon glass is still about one generation behind the Canon adapters, but it is very usable in single point autofocus mode.

Every year Sony’s adapted glass support gets better via firmware updates, but autofocus adapters aren’t as popular on other systems as E-mount. This is helped in part due to Sony assisting AF adapter creators in recent years by making their platform more open for development. One of the main reasons Sony gained acceptance of manufactures faster than Fujifilm was their openness and ability to work well with other developers to increase compatibility and synergy. Sony could learn how to do Firmware updates from Fujifilm, but Fujifilm needs to learn to work with other companies like Sony does.

Commlite CM-ENF-E1 Pro: Amazon
Sigma MC-11: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Metabones Smart Adapter V: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Sony a7III: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a7III: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Sony Savings Sunday


Sony a7 Bodies
Sony a7rII (Save $500): B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony a7sII (Save $300): B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony a7II (Save $500): B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony a7 (Save $200): B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama

Trade-in/Trade-up savings

Sony a6500 (Save $100-200): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a6300 (Save $100): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a6000 (Save $50-250): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a5100 (Save $50): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

FE Lenses
Sony FE 28mm f/2 (Save $25):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony Zeiss Planar T* 5omm f/1.4 (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony 50mm FE f/1.8 (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (Save $25):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE PZ 28-135mm f/4 G OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama 
Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama

NEX Lenses
Sony 20mm f/2.8 Alpha E-mount (Save $25):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony E 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama

Accessories
Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony LA-EA4 A-Mount to E-Mount FF Lens Adapter with TMT (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander + FA-WRR1 Radio Receiver (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon
Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receiver (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony ECMGZ1M Gun/Zoom Microphone (Save $20):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony ECM-CG60 Shotgun Mic (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony Vertical Battery Grip for a7 II, a7R II, and a7S II (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony CLM-FHD5 Clip-On 5″ Full HD LCD On-Camera Monitor (Save $100):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama

Flashes
Sony HVL-F60M (Save $150):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony HVLF43M High Power Flash with Quick Shift Bounce (Save $70):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony HVLF32M MI (Multi-interface shoe) Camera Flash (Save $50):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Sony HVLF20M (Save $20):
B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama

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The Art of Photography And Luminous Landscape Team Up For Why You Will LOVE the SONY a7III Plus TCSTV Live

Mirrorless is where the innovations are happening and Canon/Nikon are the cameras of the past. The Sony a7III is being very well received by all at a great price point. Sony is finally at a point that their lens selection is coming around, while Fujifilm is ahead of the curve and technologically the mirrorless battle is largely between Fujifilm and Sony today. m43 will always have the size advantage and they have some nice glass, but they need to bring their price back down again to continue growing against the aggressive growth coming from Sony and Fujifilm.

Most photographers today can grab a Sony a7III and 2-3 zoom lenses and never need to invest another penny again, while others will want to get into lighting and more advanced accessories. Sony is doing an amazing job going into 2018 and I have no doubt Canon is now really worried about Sony coming for their crown.

Join our Sony a7 Owners Group and Sony a7 Page, also follow SonyAddict on Facebook and Twitter.

Sony a7III: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony HVL-F60RM: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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