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 is a full-frame lens for Nikon F-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Nikon F-Mount cameras its field of view equals 26 mm in full-frame terms.

Nikon F-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Nikon D6, Nikon D780, Nikon D850, Nikon D5, Nikon D810A, Nikon D4S, Nikon D810, Nikon D750, Nikon Df, Nikon D610, Nikon D4, Nikon D800, Nikon D800E, Nikon D600, Nikon D3S, Nikon D3X, Nikon D700
APS-C:: Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500, Nikon D500, Nikon D3400, Nikon D5600, Nikon D5500, Nikon D7200, Nikon D3300, Nikon D7100, Nikon D5300, Nikon D3200, Nikon D5200, Nikon D5100, Nikon D7000, Nikon D3100, Nikon D300S, Nikon D5000, Nikon D3000, Nikon D90, Nikon D60

With the Nikon FTZ II / FTZ the lens can also be used on Nikon Z (DX/FX) cameras.