Venus Optics working on ultra-wide-angle lenses for mirrorless cameras

Venus Optics comes with bright wide-angle lenses for system cameras. The manufacturer is going to make a 15mm f/2 for Sony FE cameras and comes with a 7.5mm f/2 for microfourthirds cameras. The lenses do not have autofocus and will be on the market at the beginning of 2017.

The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D is suitable for Sony cameras with a full-frame sensor, such as the models from the A7 series. According to the manufacturer, the lens has virtually no problems with optical distortion. It is currently the brightest ultra-wide angle for the FE system. Despite the large field of view and the relatively large aperture opening, the filter size is relatively modest at 72 mm. The lens weighs 500g and is 82mm long.

For microfourthirds cameras, Venus Optics is developing the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT. Combined with the 2x crop factor of the microfourthirds system, the lens gives the same angle of view as a 15mm lens on a full-frame camera. The lens weighs 170 grams and is 55 mm long. It is not yet clear whether filters can be screwed onto the lens. Both lenses are rectilinear.

Venus Optics will show prototypes of the 15mm f/2 and 7.5mm f/2 at the Photokina photo fair, which kicks off on September 20 in Cologne. The lenses should be on the market in early 2017. It is not yet known what they will cost.