Calling it the “weirdest and most genius macro lens ever,” lens manufacturer Venus Optics (Laowa) has launched a 24mm macro lens. Not only is it a macro lens, the probe design offers a very different set of possibilities compared to standard macro lenses.
Laowa is known for a unique approach to lens design. The company's focus on a "zero distortion" wide angle lens series and bokeh control lenses like the 105mm f/2 STF have cemented them as a go-to brand for glass that is uniquely designed. However, bringing a consumer-grade probe lens to the market might be their boldest move yet.
The lens itself resembles the long, thin tube that is its namesake and is constructed of a whopping 27 elements in 19 groups. This extremely complex lens formula allows 35mm full-frame coverage at 2x macro. It will be available for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, and Arri PL mounts. The waterproof lens barrel itself is 40 cm long, which allows you to get extremely close to your subject and photograph it with a wide angle of view. The unique possibilities of getting so close to small objects and working with an 84.1-degree angle of view are quite something.
Laowa has produced a series of promotional videos to give us a sense of just what the world looks like at 2x macro with this lens. Clearly, this lens is being marketed for its video applications, so you'll see a lot of that in the promotional videos. What possibilities do our readers see with such a unique lens?
