Name: Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX
Brand: Venus Optics

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#376 in Best Wide Angle Lenses
#838 in Best Camera Lenses

Verdict

The Venus Optics Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D GFX is a compact, ultra-wide medium format prime lens for Fujifilm G-mount cameras, featuring an optical structure of 12 elements in 10 groups, a broad 110-degree angle of view (15mm full-frame equivalent), and a 5-blade aperture diaphragm that generates 10-point sunstars. Main pros include a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture for low-light performance, close-to-zero optical distortion suited for architecture, a highly portable weight of 546 grams, a 77mm front filter thread, an 18-centimetre minimum focusing distance for 0.185x magnification, and a focus scale adjustment system for easy infinity calibration. However, main cons include a fully manual configuration lacking autofocus and electronic contacts for data transmission, as well as noticeable vignetting and soft corner sharpness when shot wide open at f/2.8.

Technical Specifications of Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX

Overall score

6.4

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Fujifilm G

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Medium format

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

77 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

Optics & Aperture

6.6

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

19 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

19 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

110 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

110 °

Focus & Controls

5.4

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

N/A

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

Build & Handling

7.2

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

Lab Scores

9.0

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX vs the average camera lens

Why is Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX better than the average camera lens?

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Has aperture ring
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.2% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
Clicked aperture ring.
What it is: A dedicated ring on the lens used to control the aperture directly.
When it matters: When you want direct tactile control over exposure while shooting photos or video.
Importance: MEDIUM
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.2% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
Has focus distance scale
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
Newer release date
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX was released more recently than the average camera lens.
December 2022
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX was released more recently than the average camera lens.2022 vs 2016
0.12 m shorter minimum focus distance
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.18 m vs 0.3 m
12 mm shorter lens
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is shorter than the average camera lens (80 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is shorter than the average camera lens (80 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.80 mm vs 92 mm
1 more low-dispersion elements
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.3 vs 2
1 more low-dispersion elements
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
Has aperture ring
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.2% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
Has focus distance scale
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
0.12 m shorter minimum focus distance
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
Newer release date
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX was released more recently than the average camera lens.
12 mm shorter lens
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is shorter than the average camera lens (80 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.

Why is Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX worse than the average camera lens?

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4 fewer aperture blades
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (5 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
No rounded blades
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
5 straight blades.
No full-time manual focus
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Manual-focus-only lens.
Not weather-sealed
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
5.6 mm wider lens barrel
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is wider than the average camera lens (82.6 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
20.6 g heavier
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is heavier than the average camera lens (546 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
Not weather-sealed
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
4 fewer aperture blades
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (5 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (5 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.5 vs 9
No full-time manual focus
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Manual-focus-only lens.
What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.
When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.
Importance: HIGH
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No rounded blades
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
5 straight blades.
What it is: A blade design that keeps the aperture opening more circular for smoother out-of-focus highlights.
When it matters: When you care about smoother bokeh and rounder highlight shapes in blurred backgrounds.
Importance: HIGH
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
6.38x less popular
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is less popular than the average camera lens (1.00 vs 6.383).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is less popular than the average camera lens (1.00 vs 6.383).1 vs 6.38
5.6 mm wider lens barrel
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is wider than the average camera lens (82.6 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is wider than the average camera lens (82.6 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.82.6 mm vs 77 mm
26.6% worse value for money
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (5.80 vs 7.346).
What it is: An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters: When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (5.80 vs 7.346).5.8 vs 7.35
2.15x more expensive
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is more expensive than the average camera lens (£1,140 vs £530).
Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX is more expensive than the average camera lens (£1,140 vs £530).£1,140 vs £530

Graphic comparison of Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX?

Exceptionally compact and lightweight for a medium format lens
Excellent control of optical distortion (Zero-D)
Wide f/2.8 maximum aperture for low-light and depth of field
Close minimum focusing distance of 18cm
High-quality 10-point sunstars from the 5-blade diaphragm
Supports standard 77mm screw-in filters
Solid all-metal build with a smooth focusing throw
Significantly more affordable than native Fujifilm GF wide-angle lenses

What customers dislike about Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX?

Fully manual with no electronic contacts for EXIF data
Noticeable vignetting, especially at wider apertures
Softness in the corners at f/2.8, requiring stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 for peak sharpness
Prone to significant ghosting and flare when shooting toward light sources
May not fully resolve the detail of 100MP sensors compared to 50MP sensors
Loose aperture ring can be easily knocked out of place
Chromatic aberration and fringing visible at wide apertures

Expert reviews

northlight-images.co.uk

13/12/2022

Summary of the review

Detailed Laowa 19mm GFX f/2.8 ultra-wide lens review

🔍 Overview & Features The Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a fully manual, ultra-wide prime lens designed for Fujifilm GFX medium format cameras, offering a 110° field of view equivalent to a 14mm lens on full-frame systems. Priced at $999, this lightweight and compact 550g lens features no electronic contacts, meaning it does not record EXIF data and requires cameras to be set to shoot without a lens. It is built with a 77mm filter thread, a smooth manual focus ring with a 90-degree throw, an adjustable infinity focus end stop, and a 5-blade aperture unit that generates distinct 10-point sunstars. ⚖️ Pros & Cons Pros: Excellent geometric accuracy with virtually zero distortion. Chromatic aberrations are almost entirely absent. Impressive center sharpness peaking at f/5.6 and corner sharpness peaking at f/8, easily handling 100MP sensors. Highly affordable and compact alternative to native Fuji glass. Generates striking starburst effects. Cons: No electronics to transmit lens data or EXIF info to the camera body. Vignetting is quite obvious wide open at f/2.8 and persists even up to f/16. Noticeable image softening due...

dpreview.com

21/12/2022

Summary of the review

DPReview TV: Laowa 19mm F2.8 Zero-D GFX Review

The Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D GFX is a compact, affordable $1,000 USD ultra-wide lens for Fujifilm medium-format cameras, boasting a premium all-metal build, excellent manual focus, 77mm filter threads, and minimal distortion. It excels at close-up photography with an 18cm minimum focusing distance and creates sharp 10-point sunstars. DPReview · However, the manual lens lacks electronic contacts for EXIF data and autofocus, requires stopping down to f/8-f/11 for optimal sharpness, and exhibits heavy vignetting with significant ghosting. The lens struggles to fully resolve 100MP sensors, making it better suited for 50MP GFX bodies. Watch the full review at DPReview.

paulnewbery.co.uk

19/01/2026

Summary of the review

Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D Review on Fujifilm GFX100S IIGo to product viewer dialogue for this item.

The Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a compact, metal-bodied, fully manual ultra-wide prime lens that delivers a dramatic perspective on the 102MP Fujifilm GFX100S II camera body. The reviewer chose it over the native Fujifilm GF 20–35mm lens due to its lower cost—especially when bought used from MPB—and its ability to force a slower, more deliberate, and creative approach to photography. On the positive side, the lens boasts strong centre sharpness when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/11, well-controlled "Zero-D" geometric distortion that keeps straight lines honest for architecture, and a smooth, well-damped mechanical focus ring. Furthermore, using manual focus is simplified on the GFX system by utilizing clear focus peaking and punching in for critical focus magnification. However, the lens suffers from notable optical quirks and technical compromises that make it unsuited for corner-critical work or fast-moving subjects. Shooting wide open at f/2.8 results in softer details, particularly toward the edges of the frame. It is highly susceptible to producing distracting flare when strong light sources are near the edge of the frame, requiring the photographer to carefully shade...

focus-review.com

13/12/2022

Summary of the review

Laowa 19mm F2.8 Zero-D GFX Lens Review - Focus in Review

The Focus Review details the Laowa 19mm F2.8 Zero-D GFX as a highly capable manual ultra-wide prime lens tailored for Fujifilm's medium format cameras. Priced competitively at €1299, this durable lens features a robust, old-fashioned metal housing weighing 546 grams and uses a 77mm filter size,. Optically, it boasts an expansive 110-degree diagonal field of view (comparable to a 15mm lens on a full-frame sensor) and lives up to its "Zero-D" moniker by producing images virtually free of distortion without relying on digital software corrections,. Performance highlights include an impressive close-focusing distance of 18 centimeters and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, making it an excellent choice for low-light situations, astrophotography, the northern lights, and clean architectural photography,. However, the reviewer points out several notable compromises to consider before purchasing. The lens lacks autofocus and possesses absolutely no electronic coupling with the camera body, meaning users will not receive EXIF data for focal length or aperture, nor will the camera automatically apply lens corrections,. Because focusing must be executed manually at the selected aperture, users may find it tedious to open...

Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX Review | 54 Data compared

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Verdict

Technical Specifications of Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX

Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX vs the average camera lens

Why is Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX better than the average camera lens?

Why is Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX worse than the average camera lens?

Graphic comparison of Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX and

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX?

What customers dislike about Venus Optics Laowa 19mm F 2 8 Zero-D GFX?

Expert reviews

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