Venus Laowa Aksen 45mm F2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro APO

Focal length: 45 mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Weight: 599 g
Filter diameter: –
Min. focus distance: –
Length: 121 mm

Overview

The Venus Laowa Aksen 45mm F2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro APO is a manual focus macro zoom for full frame cameras that covers magnifications from 1x to 5x. Laowa announced it in July 2026 together with the 17.5mm F1.7 5-10X, and it is offered for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon F, Canon EF, Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds. It is meant for photographers and filmmakers who work at extreme close range, for example with insects, jewelry, electronics or textures.

Optical design

The lens has 13 elements in 9 groups and an 11 blade aperture that runs from f/2.8 to f/11. Besides the f-number, Laowa specifies the numerical aperture, which ranges from 0.09 to 0.143. The company describes the design as apochromatic (APO) and says it aims to keep chromatic aberrations and fringing under control, which become more visible at high magnification. The magnification changes from 1x to 5x with a zoom ring. Laowa calls it the first parfocal zoom macro lens, meaning the focus stays locked across the magnification range.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual, and the specifications list no autofocus. According to Laowa the zoom mechanism is internal and the barrel stays still while the magnification changes, so a rig or a stand keeps its balance. The minimum working distance is 41.35 mm at the highest magnification. Laowa lists an optional coaxial lighting version only for the 5-10X sibling, not for this lens. Laowa says the Aksen series won the TIPA 2026 and Cine Gear Expo 2026 Camera Technology Awards.

Build and size

Laowa quotes a size of 70.2 mm in diameter and 121 mm in length, a front diameter of 56 mm and a weight of 599 g. The product page does not give separate figures per mount and does not mention a filter thread. A cine version also exists and is not covered here.

Where it fits

The closest relatives in the database are the Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and the AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2-5x Ultra Macro, which cover a similar range with a fixed magnification per setting. For DSLR users the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro is the DSLR option for 1x to 5x. The companion lens, the Venus Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO, continues from 5x to 10x.

Pros and cons

Pros

1x to 5x in one parfocal lens
Constant focus while zooming and a stationary barrel
Eight mounts, including Nikon F and Canon EF
41.35 mm working distance at the highest magnification
Apochromatic design according to Laowa

Cons

Manual focus only
Aperture closes only to f/11
Weight of 599 g is considerable for its size
No separate weights or lengths per mount
A specialist tool with a narrow field of use

Verdict

The Venus Laowa Aksen 45mm F2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro APO suits macro photographers who want to work from life size to five times life size without changing lenses. It is a precise but demanding tool, best used on a stand or a rail.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 45 mm
max focal length: 45 mm
max f (min zoom): f/2.8
max f (max zoom): f/2.8
min. aperture: f/11
Elements: 13
Groups: 9
Weight: 599 g (1.32 lb)
Filter diameter: –
min focus distance: –
Length: 121 mm (4.76 in)
Diameter: 70.2 mm (2.76 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Venus Laowa Aksen 45mm F2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro APO fit?

The Venus Laowa Aksen 45mm F2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro APO fits all Micro Four Thirds cameras. There its field of view equals 90 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)