Chinese lens maker Venus Optics has released what it claims is the world’s first rectilinear 9mm full-frame lens for Leica L/M, Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, under its Laowa brand. The ultra-wide, manual-focus lens includes two aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements to suppress chromatic aberrations and keep distortion to the minimum, the company claims.
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“Despite the one-of-a-kind perspective, the lens itself is super compact at 6 cm long, weighing only 350g,” says the company. “It also features an extremely close focusing distance of 12cm (from subject to sensor) for photographers to create mini macro shots with ultra-wide perspective.”
Other key benefits include an exaggerrated sense of space when taking shots of interiors, and pleasing ‘star burst’ effects on lights when taking cityscapes. “Despite the ultra-wide angle of view, Venus Optics have managed to work with partners to carefully design a filter holder that 100mm-wide filters can be used without serious vignetting,” the company added.
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On the subject of the filter holder, the first 100 customers to order will get one for free. The Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL starts from $799 and full details, including an image gallery, are here.