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 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 68 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.