Venus Optics Laowa 50mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO Review | 54 Data compared

The Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is a high-powered manual-focus lens built specifically for Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus and Panasonic. A major standout feature is its embedded microchip and aperture control motor, marking a significant evolution for Laowa by enabling electronic communication with the camera body. This allows photographers to control the aperture directly from the camera, view scenes at full aperture before stopping down, automatically trigger focus magnification, and successfully record EXIF data. Optically, the lens utilizes an apochromatic (APO) design with 14 elements in 10 groups to successfully eliminate chromatic aberration and distortion, producing incredibly sharp fine details at ultra-close distances. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons when comparing the lens to its closest rival, the Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro. On the positive side, the Laowa offers an impressive 2x maximum magnification ratio—double that of the Olympus—alongside a lower price tag and a premium, high-quality build feel with an internal focusing system. However, the lens is manual focus only, lacks image stabilization, and suffers from severe diffraction that softens images when stopped...

The Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO MFT is a lightweight, all-metal lens tailored for Micro Four Thirds cameras that stands out for its extreme 2:1 maximum magnification capability. On the positive side, it delivers outstanding optical quality with exceptional sharpness starting right at f/2.8 and peaking around f/4 to f/5.6. It exhibits nearly non-existent lateral and axial chromatic aberrations, distortion-free images, and automatic vignetting elimination via electronic coupling. The addition of electronic contacts allows the camera to record EXIF data, control the aperture, and automatically trigger a magnified focus view when rotating the smooth manual focus ring. Furthermore, its robust, compact internal-focusing body ensures it does not change length during use. However, the lens has several distinct drawbacks, most notably its vulnerability to flare and reduced contrast in backlit conditions, which makes using the included lens hood essential. While the bokeh is silky in the foreground and clean at f/2.8, stopping down to f/4 quickly reveals an edgy, non-circular aperture shape due to unrounded aperture blades. It lacks any form of weather sealing and relies entirely on manual...

This review highlights the Venus Optics Laowa 50mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro APO lens as an excellent, premium-feeling metal lens tailored for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Priced at $399, it stands out by offering a unique 2:1 magnification ratio and an integrated CPU chip that communicates EXIF data, enables auto-aperture, and triggers camera-focusing aids flawlessly. The reviewer notes that its compact footprint allows for easy maneuverability in tight positions, and its overall optical performance is highly impressive. Crucially, the image quality remains exceptionally sharp, hitting a sweet spot between f/4.5 and f/5.6, while three extra-low dispersion elements successfully eliminate color fringing and chromatic aberrations. However, the lens does present notable challenges, primarily due to its lack of autofocus and the precision required for high-magnification shooting. While manual focus is smooth, capturing images at 2:1 magnification makes the setup highly sensitive to camera shake, meaning users must use sturdy tripods, long self-timers, and perfect lighting to avoid blurry results. This intense magnification also significantly thins the depth of field, rendering moving subjects like insects nearly impossible to capture and forcing photographers to...

The Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro is a manual-focus, apochromatic (APO) lens designed specifically for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera systems. In real-world field testing, photographer Nicky Bay found that the lens delivers unparalleled sharpness and exceptional image quality, particularly when shooting small, moving insects at its maximum 2:1 magnification with a tight 44.45mm working distance. A standout design feature is its electronic aperture coupling, allowing photographers to control the aperture directly from the camera body and focus while the lens is wide open. This feature eliminates the need for manual aperture rings found on previous Laowa models. Optimal image results were achieved by backing off from diffraction-heavy settings like f/11 and instead using a sweet-spot aperture of f/6.3 for 2x magnification and f/8 for 1x magnification. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding the lens's physical build and optical performance. Key advantages include its incredibly compact size, lightweight build, and a generous 215° focus throw that allows for highly precise manual adjustments. Furthermore, its apochromatic design excels at suppressing color fringing and chromatic aberrations to provide...

The Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2:1 Macro lens, reviewed by ePHOTOzine, is a specialized, compact lens for MFT systems, featuring an impressive 2:1 maximum magnification ratio. It delivers outstanding center-to-edge sharpness with an apochromatic (APO) design that eliminates chromatic aberration, while its electronic contacts enable automatic EXIF data and in-camera aperture control. The lens is manual focus only and lacks internal optical stabilization, requiring a steady hand or tripod for 2x magnification. Furthermore, the 50mm focal length (100mm equivalent) provides a relatively short working distance, which can limit lighting options or disturb live subjects.

in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside You sent: 1 tab and said: 2 paragraphs summary of this review in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside Review: The LAOWA 50mm f/2.8 2x 2:1 Ultra Macro APO MFT - wildmacro - extreme macro photography 2 paragraphs summary of this review in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside

Nicky Bay's field review highlights the Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO as a compact, lightweight, and sharp lens for Micro Four Thirds, featuring an apochromatic design and useful electronic contacts for EXIF data and aperture control. It stands out for its 2:1 magnification capability, offering more versatility than typical 1:1 macro lenses in the system. Cons include the lack of autofocus and a very long focus throw, making rapid shooting difficult, along with a short 44.45mm working distance at 2x magnification, which is challenging for timid subjects. The lens also lacks some mechanical drag on the focus ring for optimal tactical feedback in the field.

The Venus Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2X Macro lens for Micro Four Thirds stands out as a highly specialized, well-built option that delivers exceptional optical performance and an impressive 2:1 magnification ratio. In his long-term review, Jason Polak praises the lens for its excellent build quality, sturdy all-metal body, and an exceptionally smooth, well-dampened manual focus ring. It is highly commendable for its high sharpness—especially when stopped down to f/4—and features electronic contacts that seamlessly relay EXIF data and allow camera-body aperture control. This capability also prompts helpful mirrorless focusing aids like automatic viewfinder magnification and focus peaking. Despite a personal unit experiencing an issue where it temporarily stopped communicating with the camera's image stabilization, the manufacturer's swift, free express repair left a positive, reliable impression of their customer service. However, the lens comes with notable constraints, primarily its lack of autofocus and a very short actual working distance of about 4cm at maximum magnification. This tight physical restriction makes capturing live, flighty insects outdoors incredibly difficult, limiting practical 2:1 usage mostly to calm subjects like flowers or tree bark. Optically,...

The ⁠Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO stands out as a specialized lens for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, celebrated by reviewer Petr Bambousek for its unique ability to achieve a native 2:1 magnification ratio (equivalent to 4:1 on full-frame). On the plus side, this well-crafted optic offers an impressive peak sharpness at f/5.6, compact and sturdy physics, and electronic contacts that seamlessly transfer lens data to set the aperture straight from the camera body. Crucially, it allows for infinity focus, making it a versatile tool beyond extreme macro tasks. However, its high-magnification nature introduces clear limitations for fast-paced, handheld wildlife photography. The lack of autofocus (AF) prevents the use of automated, in-camera focus stacking, forcing users to rely on slow, manual adjustments or external tripod rails. Additionally, at maximum magnification, subjects must sit just 4.5 cm from the lens element, creating severe constraints for lighting diffusers. Bambousek also noted the lens lacks weather sealing and suffered from firmware anomalies during testing—specifically an inactive image stabilization system and a 1EV overexposure glitch when changing apertures. It is highly recommended...

The OpticalLimits review of the Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO MFT highlights several outstanding optical strengths, making it a highly capable lens for Micro Four Thirds users. The primary pros include excellent center sharpness right from f/2.8, which expands to very good border and corner resolution when slightly stopped down to f/5.6. True to its apochromatic (APO) designation, lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations are completely negligible, and typical macro distortions are virtually absent. Additionally, the lens features a minimal field curvature, good sample centering quality, and an aggressive, unusual in-camera auto-correction approach that completely eliminates vignetting across the frame. However, the review also identifies distinct drawbacks and performance trade-offs. The lens's major weakness is flare, which causes reduced contrast and noticeable ghosting artifacts in extreme lighting situations. In terms of bokeh, the foreground blur is silky and out-of-focus highlights look clean at f/2.8, but stopping down to f/4 quickly reveals a highly apparent, edgy aperture shape because Laowa did not implement rounded aperture blades. Furthermore, background blur can become somewhat harsh during high-contrast transitions, sunstars at small apertures...