Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro Lens with Shift for Canon EF

2020-12-09T11:11:28

I have been looking for an affordable ultra wide shift lens for a number of years. Lens offerings by the camera manufacturer are not quite wide enough and are very expensive. This 15 mm lens projects a rectilinear image on to the sensor without any barrel or fisheye distortion. The image circle is wide enough to cover a full size 35mm sensor with some limited shift displacement. The images produced are very sharp. The depth of field is exceptional with sharp focus at f16 from 1.5 feet to infinity. On the down side, despite product descriptions to the contrary, this is shift only lens and does not have a tilt function. The shift function can not be rotated so an upward or downward shift can only be made on a landscape oriented composition. The mechanical construction leads to stiff lens movements. There is no calibration of offset for the shift function. As expected there is no automatic function of the lens focus or iris setting. Unlike more expensive lenses, the shift function is push-to-position rather than a thumbscrew controlled shift. Also there is no preset function for the lens aperture. Once the image is composed the photographer will need to manually set the aperture by visually observing the f stop markings on the lens barrel. That being said, this lens is ideal for architectural interior photographs, especially for real-estate promotional photographs. This lens is not for beginner photographers. To use the lens effectively a tripod will need to be employed to level the camera and preserve the composition while lens adjustments are made. Using the shift function can save lots of time in post production where straightening out converging and tilted images can be tedious.

GEORGE W.

2020-09-16T10:33:29

Solid build quality. Really fun to use because it provides unusual capabilities. Good image quality in the macro range and very close. Harder to manage distortion for typical photography uses like landscapes.

Spencer S.

2020-06-11T08:59:04

Takes a little practice to get the shot right, but takes great wide angle pics

JOHN R.

2020-01-24T16:38:13

So right away, I like this lens and it performed the job I needed it to. Gave me a clean, sharp image. - The negatives: 1) I was using this on my Sony a7Rii. When I would use the shift feature all the way, I got horrible vignetting happening in the corners. 2) When shot at f4, the corners were a blurry mess. f11 and they are sharp. 3) Currently there is no lens profile in Lightroom for this lens to remove barrel distortion. I used the Rokinon 14 profile and it helped a lot. I am keeping this lens for architectural shots and products. The macro feature is pretty sweet.

JACOB H.

2019-08-18T13:29:44

There is a vignette on the image. If this is a full frame, they didn't align it correctly. Or it has been stretched too far from it's original specs. The tilt is either jammed; or takes way too much force to be able to use it without damaging it in the future. I was unable to get it to work. Fyi, the instructions are very badly translated to english. In order to get a 1:1 ratio image. The subject would have to be so close it would be almost impossible to light. On the plus side. It's a rugged, all metal construction. I am returning mine today.

anthony a.

2019-08-14T08:23:01

This lens changed the way I worked with closeups/macro, typically those photos are telephoto style. They often lack environmental context... but not with this lens. I use it for conservation storytelling and it allows for interesting and previously very challenging images to be made with relative ease. Also its been great for adding variety to commercial food photography. The lens allows a photographer to have a more robust visual variety that most clients will appreciate. Also, it is very well-built, all-metal construction. It isn't perfect. There is no autofocus so fast moving subjects are tough. The focal plane is hard to work with at the macro distances, as one might expect. And, as is usual, you want the primary subject to stay out of the corners, though it performed better in this way than I expected for such a wide lens. Don't expect an incredible all-around performer but to have an extra visual tool in the kit, this lens is awesome.

Spencer S.

2019-01-02T08:23:08

A lens as I imagined it. Good construction and very robust. excellent for creative shots and with very different perspectives to which one is accustomed with other macro or large angular lenses

Rosa L.

2018-12-10T15:26:19

Write your review here. It must be at least 10 characters long. Consider very much like this. it is weird to use but very rewarding. seems to be very high quality but also very basic. with no auto aperture and manual focus it can be challenging. but again, i know of no other lens that can do what this one does. you would recommend this product and what you like or dislike about it.

Dwayne W.

2018-10-26T19:33:22

This lens is amazing! I can't believe the detail it can capture. I use a lot of manual focus glass, so that's not a problem for me, but it some may find it difficult to use. I feel that there are a lot of interesting images that can be made with this lens if you take the time to learn how to shoot with it. I enjoy the ability to get the fine details of a macro and the environment around the subject. I would recommend this to anyone looking to publish macro images that don't look like everyone else's. It takes great portraits as well.

Zero N.

2018-09-07T19:11:30

VIgnetting forces a crop down to APS-C. When applying 1.5 crop factor though, the aperture is multiplied as well. So f/4 technically becomes f/6, It's really not usable on a full frame. The shift mechanism doesn't seem like it's built to last and has limited positions.

David L.

2017-07-15T16:41:21

Took this lens out for a test run today, worked well. I agree with the other comments about difficulty of operating the unique features, however. The shift lever is difficult to press, and then the shift action itself is very clumsy. The focus ring is also not very smooth. The instruction manual is not translated into english very well, so that could have something to do with how difficult it seems to operate. On the bright side, the combination of wide angle, macro, and tilt/shift is very unique, making this lens good for a wide variety of subject matter. When not shooting specifically for macro, using the infinity focus gives you a HUGE focal range. As others have said, in order to use the macro function, you do have to get dangerously close to the subject, but I haven't had a lens that allows as much detail as this lens does. I look forward to trying this out for night sky photos.

Lauren R.

2016-11-12T20:12:57

First mistake was ordering it through Laowa took two weeks but the lens is sharp and wide. I'm really liking the perspective from this lens. Really worth it. I would have had the lens sooner if B&H wasn't closed for almost two week. Great lens with a nice price. I didn't want to spend the money on Nikon's 15-35mm. I'm good with this lens. I have sample

Nelta N.

2016-09-14T12:53:31

I've had this lens a few weeks and have been in awe how well it captures photos at close range. The unique macro feature is the main reason I bought this. The wide angle feature is nice as well. I've tried this with Aurora Borealis (my first attempt at this type of photography) and was pleased with my photos. If you have a hankering for a new wide angel/macro lens this might be the one for you.

CHET K.

2016-08-31T18:31:11

First, I think I should give a little synopsis of what how I feel about this lens and then go into more detail. Pros - *Shift Capability *very little barrel distortion *inexpensive for the features *it can focus close - if necessary *Construction feels pretty solid and smooth *Shift function! *15mm works on full frame camera Cons - *The f-stop ring has no "clicks" its a free spinning ring *F-stop ring is in front of the focus ring so you accidently move the fstop when trying to focus *1:1 macro function is useless. It's nice that it focuses close, but to achieve 1:1, the subject is so close to the lens it's impossible to get light on the front of the subject. *Shift actuation is not easy or smooth *Shift function will cause vignetting on a full frame camera I like the lens, and for the price, if you are looking for a very wide shift lens, then you can't beat it. If you are just looking for a really wide lens, there are some other options out there that might be a better choice. Do not expect to buy this and use the 1:1 macro function unless you can light THROUGH your subject. To achieve the 1:1 focus, the subject is going to be so close to the lens you cannot get light in front and it will be back-lit. The shift function is great for architectural photography, and if that is what you are into, and your budget is tight then I would suggest this lens. I shot a video of my review so you can see images and learn a bit more about what a true macro lens is, and tilt-shift lenses. https://youtu.be/tA5skfZQ5dc

MATTHEW E.

2016-08-31T18:27:34

First, I think I should give a little synopsis of what how I feel about this lens and then go into more detail. Pros - *Shift Capability *very little barrel distortion *inexpensive for the features *it can focus close - if necessary *Construction feels pretty solid and smooth *Shift function! *15mm works on full frame camera Cons - *The f-stop ring has no "clicks" its a free spinning ring *F-stop ring is in front of the focus ring so you accidently move the fstop when trying to focus *1:1 macro function is useless. It's nice that it focuses close, but to achieve 1:1, the subject is so close to the lens it's impossible to get light on the front of the subject. *Shift actuation is not easy or smooth *Shift function will cause vignetting on a full frame camera I like the lens, and for the price, if you are looking for a very wide shift lens, then you can't beat it. If you are just looking for a really wide lens, there are some other options out there that might be a better choice. Do not expect to buy this and use the 1:1 macro function unless you can light THROUGH your subject. To achieve the 1:1 focus, the subject is going to be so close to the lens you cannot get light in front and it will be back-lit. The shift function is great for architectural photography, and if that is what you are into, and your budget is tight then I would suggest this lens. I shot a video of my review so you can see images and learn a bit more about what a true macro lens is, and tilt-shift lenses. https://youtu.be/tA5skfZQ5dc

MATTHEW E.

2016-08-31T18:25:19

First, I think I should give a little synopsis of what how I feel about this lens and then go into more detail. Pros - *Shift Capability *very little barrel distortion *inexpensive for the features *it can focus close - if necessary *Construction feels pretty solid and smooth *Shift function! *15mm works on full frame camera Cons - *The f-stop ring has no "clicks" its a free spinning ring *F-stop ring is in front of the focus ring so you accidently move the fstop when trying to focus *1:1 macro function is useless. It's nice that it focuses close, but to achieve 1:1, the subject is so close to the lens it's impossible to get light on the front of the subject. *Shift actuation is not easy or smooth *Shift function will cause vignetting on a full frame camera I like the lens, and for the price, if you are looking for a very wide shift lens, then you can't beat it. If you are just looking for a really wide lens, there are some other options out there that might be a better choice. Do not expect to buy this and use the 1:1 macro function unless you can light THROUGH your subject. To achieve the 1:1 focus, the subject is going to be so close to the lens you cannot get light in front and it will be back-lit. The shift function is great for architectural photography, and if that is what you are into, and your budget is tight then I would suggest this lens. I shot a video of my review so you can see images and learn a bit more about what a true macro lens is, and tilt-shift lenses. https://youtu.be/tA5skfZQ5dc

MATTHEW E.

2016-08-31T15:30:55

First, I think I should give a little synopsis of what how I feel about this lens and then go into more detail. Pros - *Shift Capability *very little barrel distortion *inexpensive for the features *it can focus close - if necessary *Construction feels pretty solid and smooth *Shift function! *15mm works on full frame camera Cons - *The f-stop ring has no "clicks" its a free spinning ring *F-stop ring is in front of the focus ring so you accidently move the fstop when trying to focus *1:1 macro function is useless. It's nice that it focuses close, but to achieve 1:1, the subject is so close to the lens it's impossible to get light on the front of the subject. *Shift actuation is not easy or smooth *Shift function will cause vignetting on a full frame camera I like the lens, and for the price, if you are looking for a very wide shift lens, then you can't beat it. If you are just looking for a really wide lens, there are some other options out there that might be a better choice. Do not expect to buy this and use the 1:1 macro function unless you can light THROUGH your subject. To achieve the 1:1 focus, the subject is going to be so close to the lens you cannot get light in front and it will be back-lit. The shift function is great for architectural photography, and if that is what you are into, and your budget is tight then I would suggest this lens. I shot a video of my review so you can see images and learn a bit more about what a true macro lens is, and tilt-shift lenses. https://youtu.be/tA5skfZQ5dc

MATTHEW E.

2016-06-07T14:22:02

I have not used it much yet it was very hard to get enough light when very close Macro use. you can almost touch the lens and still be in focus. The wide angle gets a lot of the surroundings into the Macro picture which could be good or bad depending on what you want. Have not used the shift feature and really the only picture I kept was a non macro shot wide angle normal shot of a river. it came out very well I might use it more for wide angle and if I take some pictures of buildings using the shift.

John W.

2015-10-22T07:35:22

I have only used this lens for a few days. It takes some effort to learn to focus when the object is really close, but for more distant objects it seems it have great depth of focus. I had some barrel distortion when taking close ups of rectangular objects, but for flowers I got really sharp pictures. I only tried the tilt shift a couple of times and it does seem to work well for objects that would otherwise appear distorted because of their height.

JONATHAN H.