World’s Widest f/2.8 Lens
Featuring the widest field of view for a rectilinear f/2.8 lens, the Laowa 12mm is the ideal lens for a variety of genres. From landscape, architecture, interior, travel and most importantly, astro-photography, this lens offers photographers the ability to capture images that no other lens can.
Class Leading distortion performance
This lens features class-leading distortion performance, which has made Laowa lenses the workhorse of architectural photographers around the world.
The only full frame lens wider than 15mm compatible with a 100mm filter system
The Laowa 12mm is incredibly light and small compared to other lenses of the same focal length and in this lies one of it's most appealing features - it is the only full frame lens wider than 15mm that is compatible with a 100mm square filter system. All other lenses wider than 15mm require the use of 150mm filter systems, which are large, cumbersome and very expensive.
The use of filters is made possible by a bayonet-mount adapter for NISI's V5 Pro system and features their rear-mounted polarizer, allowing the use of a polarizer and any two square filters. This filter holder can be purchased individually
here or at better price if bundled with the Laowa 12mm
here.
Excellent Sharpness Across the Frame
The center-frame sharpness of this lens is on par with very best the best from wide-open, peaking at f/5.6 - f/8, with diffraction becoming noticeable at f/16. Corner sharpness is slightly soft wide-open as can be expected with such a wide lens, but quickly improves from f/4.0 - f/5.6, with near-perfect corners from f/8 onwards. MTF charts can be found in the reviews linked below.
Cutting-Edge Nano Coating
A water and dust repelling ‘Frog Eye Coating’ is added at the front element of the lens. Most reviews of this lens rave about how amazing this coating is - water beads perfectly and simply rolls off the front element, making it easy to clean if shooting rain or seaspray.
Built to Last
Despite their compact size and price, Laowa lenses are assembled from the very best materials and are well-known for their fantastic build-quality and solid feel.
In-Depth Objective Reviews
Time-lapse footage
Shot in Alaska with the LAOWA 12mm f/2.8 ZERO-D Lens (Click 1080p for the best experience)