Laowa, the lens brand from Venus Optics, has once again produced a groundbreaking wide angle lens: the new 10mm f/2.8 Zero-Distortion lens. A demo unit of this lens was available for testing at the Photography Show in Birmingham, and we decided to produce some test images and clips to see how it performed.
In our latest video, we demonstrate how the new Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-Distortion lens performs. The lens features a relatively fast aperture of f/2.8 to help prevent issues when shooting in lower-light scenarios.
What's most remarkable about this lens is its size and weight. With a weight of only 420 g, it's almost a third lighter than the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 lens. Additionally, this lens does not feature a bulbous front element, meaning you can attach circular filters to the lens without needing special attachments. Of course, the footage and images it produces are most important, and we were able to test the lens thoroughly at the Photography Show this year.
In the video linked above, we go through several scenarios, testing the performance of the lens and demonstrating its capabilities. We plan on producing a full review of the lens with comparisons against other super-wide angle lenses in the future; however, for now, here is a hands-on look at the new Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero Distortion lens.
Yes the widest f/2.8 but another 10mm the Voigtlander Heliar-Hyper Wide 10mm f/5.6 Aspherical Lens and it too can be used for astro, even landscapes and close ups but not AF, I know it is f/5.6 but possible. Yes fun to play with different images and today's Vlogging. The first image is a test looking at stars as well as night sharpness, which is way different than day time like a physics puzzle, at night you get sharp in focus very close to the lens but also far away, you can not see it but the city when zoomed in at 200% is in focus also but due to distance not too for it is the distant thing. The first thing I do with a new lens is capture stars that is where you see what a chart does not show. The stars are pinpoint looking at them at the distant you should look at a print but at editing and zooming in yes there are some elongation and other things but all in all an image is sellable. The other images are the Voigtlander 2. you can get a panorama look in one shot vs in the same spot others do multilevel shots with a 24 or 35mm. 3. Yes a astro MW but the point is the story of the old fort with the MW above and lit under by LED with light. 4. Is a super close shot also could not of got because of a display table right behind me but another key is sharp very near but also in the distance of the building outside across the street.
Something about prime lenses they have no IS or OSS just telephotos and with today's mirrorless cameras they have IBIS so as mentioned VLogging will be alright, I do not do but possible, a little crazy looking with the outstretched arm.
What has to be understood or learned is with all the 10,12, 14 and 16mm's is the near story as well as the far background story of an image with all the fun stuff aside. For the Astro MW people as I learned in my early days going wide with all the new ultra wide lenses is you will not get a rainbow looking MW it will be natural going straight across the image you have to do a panorama. Now the late July pano with this lens can be done in one level vs two or three with say a 24 or 35 and trying to mesh clouds and surf etc.
One very sad note if you have the A7RV or A7SM3 and using the SmallRig turning bracket it well not fit in the circle part so just keep the first one handle we all used before it came out (yes many camera L'Brackets when getting twisty screens).
But I must just say when looking around you must see with your peripheral vision as well as your 50mm vision example like with a 12mm if you do a night image of a city an the moon is up and in the image you take you will not see the moon for it will be so small just a dot but if you do a bracketed shot 5 at +/- 3EV yes you can get a in focus sharp moon but only seen with a magnifying glass!
Also watch for tripod legs!!! But who needs tripods anymore with IBIS.....
Just have fun with a new lens