Laowa Unveils 15mm f/4.5 Wide-Angle Macro Lens
Venus Optics has officially launched the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5X Wide Angle Macro, designed for full-frame cameras and blending ultra-wide perspective with macro capabilities. With a minimum focusing distance of just 12.9 cm, the lens offers a 0.5X magnification ratio, making it ideal for capturing subjects up close while still including a wide view of their surroundings—something particularly valuable for creative photography and video work.
The lens delivers an expansive 110.5° angle of view, achieved through a complex optical structure comprising 16 elements in 11 groups. These include two aspherical elements, three high-refractive (HR) elements, and three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, which collectively ensure good image quality and distortion control. The five-blade aperture creates a striking 10-point sunstar when stopped down, adding to the lens’s aesthetic appeal.
Weighing 308 grams and measuring 48 mm in length, the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 offers then a reasonable a balance between portability and performance. Its full-metal housing adds durability, and a 62mm front filter thread allows for filter use—an uncommon feature for lenses this wide. A removable lens hood is included as well.
Designed as a manual focus lens, the Laowa 15mm is available for both DSLR and mirrorless systems, with versions for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Leica L mounts. Notably, the Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF variants feature automatic aperture control, while the others are fully manual. In addition, these electronically-enabled versions support EXIF data transfer.
Here are some sample pictures courtesy of Laowa:
While this new 0.5X version doesn’t offer the 1:1 reproduction of Laowa’s older f/4 macro lens, it stands out for its compactness and creative versatility. Priced at $399, the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5X Wide Angle Macro is available now through Venus Optics and authorized dealers.
