Venus Optics Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Review

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Venus Optics Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Specifications

Lens Specifications
Lens TypeZoom Lens
Focal Length10-18mm
Mount TypeNikon Z, Sony E
FormatFull Frame / FX
Compatible Format(s)Full Frame / APS-C
Compatible with TeleconvertersNo
Maximum Reproduction Ratio1:4
Image StabilizationNo
Aperture Information
Aperture RingNo
Maximim Aperturef/4.5-5.6
Minimum Aperturef/22
Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format)130°
Minimum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format)102°
Optical Information
Lens Elements14
Lens Groups10
Diaphragm Blades5
Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Elements1
Aspherical Elements2
Fluorine CoatingYes
Focus Information
FocusManual Focus
Built-in Focus MotorNo
Minimum Focus Distance150mm
Filter Information
Filter Size37mm
Accepts Filter TypeRear
Physical Characteristics
Weather / Dust SealingNo
Mount MaterialMetal
Dimensions2.76 x 3.6" / 70 x 90.9 mm
Weight1.1 lb / 496 g
Other Information
Available in ColorsBlack

Without a doubt, the Laowa 10-18mm has quite interesting specifications, thanks to its ultra-wide zoom range and rectilinear design. The lens has a rather complex optical formula comprising of 14 elements in 10 groups, 2 of which are Aspherical and 1 is Extra-low Dispersion. The front element is coated with Laowa’s “Frog Eye Coating”, which works similarly to fluorine coating that we see on other modern lenses. To make the lens particularly attractive for including bright sources of light to create appealing sun stars, the lens has a 5-blade diaphragm (more on this later). A particularly interesting feature is the ability to use rear-mount 37mm filters, although as I reveal below, it is not a particularly useful feature to have for mounting thick polarizing filters.

Laowa 10-18mm Image Sample #15
NIKON Z 7 + 0mm f/0 ISO 100, 0.6 sec

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