Venus Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO

Focal length: 17.5 mm
Aperture: f/1.7
Weight: 570 g
Filter diameter: –
Min. focus distance: –
Length: 127.5 mm

Overview

The Venus Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO is a manual focus macro zoom for full frame cameras that works between 5x and 10x magnification. Laowa announced it in July 2026 as the second lens of the Aksen series, next to the 45mm F2.8 1-5X. It is offered for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon F, Canon EF, Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds, and it targets work that is closer to microscopy than to classic macro photography, such as small parts, textures, crystals or tiny insects.

Optical design

The lens has 17 elements in 12 groups and an 11 blade aperture that runs from f/1.7 to f/5.6. Besides the f-number, Laowa specifies the numerical aperture, which ranges from 0.25 to 0.10 on this lens. The design is described as apochromatic (APO). The magnification changes from 5x to 10x with a zoom ring, and Laowa calls the Aksen series the first parfocal zoom macro lenses, so the focus stays locked while the magnification changes.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual and the specifications list no autofocus. According to Laowa the zoom is internal and the barrel stays stationary through the whole range. The minimum working distance is only 22.48 mm, so lighting needs planning. Laowa therefore offers this lens with optional coaxial lighting, and a version without it is available too. According to Laowa the Aksen series won the TIPA 2026 and Cine Gear Expo 2026 Camera Technology Awards.

Build and size

Laowa quotes 70.2 mm in diameter, 127.5 mm in length, a front diameter of 42 mm and a weight of 570 g. The product page does not list figures per mount and does not mention a filter thread. Cine versions of the Aksen lenses exist and are not covered here.

Where it fits

Within the database, the Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and the AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2-5x Ultra Macro stop at 5x, and the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro does the same on DSLRs. The sibling Venus Laowa Aksen 45mm F2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro APO covers the range below 5x, so the two lenses together span 1x to 10x.

Pros and cons

Pros

5x to 10x magnification in one parfocal lens
f/1.7 maximum aperture
Optional coaxial lighting, according to Laowa
Stationary barrel while zooming
Eight mounts, including Nikon F and Canon EF

Cons

Manual focus only
Working distance of 22.48 mm limits lighting options
Depth of field is extremely thin at these magnifications
No separate weights or lengths per mount
Very specialized, so it needs a stable stand or rail

Verdict

The Venus Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO is a tool for photographers who want to go beyond standard macro and reach microscope territory on a normal camera body. The data suggests a precise instrument that is best paired with a rail, a stand and controlled lighting.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 17.5 mm
max focal length: 17.5 mm
max f (min zoom): f/1.7
max f (max zoom): f/1.7
min. aperture: f/5.6
Elements: 17
Groups: 12
Weight: 570 g (1.26 lb)
Filter diameter: –
min focus distance: –
Length: 127.5 mm (5.02 in)
Diameter: 70.2 mm (2.76 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Venus Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO fit?

The Venus Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO fits all Micro Four Thirds cameras. There its field of view equals 35 mm in full-frame terms (crop factor 2).

Micro Four Thirds cameras

Micro Four Thirds:: OM System PEN, OM System OM-3, OM System OM-5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G97 (G99M2), Panasonic Lumix GH7, OM System OM-1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G9 II, Panasonic Lumix G100D, OM System OM-5, OM System OM-1, Panasonic Lumix GH6, Panasonic Lumix GH5 II, Olympus PEN E-P7, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G100 (G110), Panasonic Lumix BGH1, Olympus PEN E-PL10, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90, G91), Olympus OM-D E-M1X, Panasonic Lumix GX9, Panasonic Lumix GF10 (GF90, GX880), Olympus PEN E-PL9, Panasonic Lumix GH5S, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Panasonic Lumix G9, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix GF9 (GX850, GX800), Panasonic Lumix GH5, Olympus PEN E-PL8, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G85 (G80, G81), Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80, GX7 Mark II), Olympus PEN-F, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GX8, Panasonic Lumix G7, Panasonic Lumix GF7, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GM5, Olympus PEN E-PL7, Panasonic Lumix GH4, Olympus OM-D E-M10, Panasonic Lumix GM1, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Panasonic Lumix GX7, Olympus PEN E-PL6, Olympus PEN E-P5, Panasonic Lumix G6, Panasonic Lumix GF6, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, Olympus PEN E-PM2, Olympus PEN E-PL5, Panasonic Lumix GH3, Panasonic Lumix G5, Panasonic Lumix GF5, Olympus OM-D E-M5, Blackmagic Cinema Camera (MFT)