Venus Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

Leica L-Mount

Review

The Venus Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL is an ultra-wide-angle lens that brings a lot of unique features to the table for Leica L mount users. With its impressive focal length and compact design, this lens is tailored for landscape, architecture, and astrophotography enthusiasts alike. Its remarkable ability to capture vast scenes makes it a standout choice for photographers looking to explore the boundaries of creativity.

One of the primary highlights of the Laowa 11mm f/4.5 is its superb optical construction. It features 15 elements in 10 groups, including 3 extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and 4 high refractive index elements. This configuration helps minimize chromatic aberration and distortion, resulting in stunning image quality across the frame. Photographers will appreciate the sharpness, especially in the center, and the overall rendering of colors is vibrant and true to life.

The lens's aperture range of f/4.5 to f/22 also provides flexibility in exposure, allowing for adequate depth of field control. While it may not be the fastest lens in terms of maximum aperture, the f/4.5 setting is still advantageous for landscapes and other scenes where light conditions can vary.

Another key feature of the Laowa 11mm is its compact and lightweight design. Weighing in at just 254 grams, it is an excellent companion for travel and outdoor photography. Its small footprint makes it easy to pack without weighing down a photographer’s gear. This lens is also constructed with a robust metal build that feels durable in hand and offers some level of weather resistance, which is a plus for outdoor use.

However, there are a few aspects that users might want to consider before making a purchase. Given that this lens has a manual focus design, it may not be suitable for those who prefer the convenience of autofocus, especially in fast-paced shooting scenarios. Additionally, while the lens performs admirably in most situations, vignetting can be noticeable at wider apertures, and careful post-processing might be needed to correct this.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional sharpness and image quality across the frame.
• Lightweight and compact, making it perfect for travel.
• Robust metal construction with some weather resistance.
• Wide focal length ideal for landscapes and architecture.

Cons

• Manual focus may not appeal to everyone, particularly those used to autofocus.
• Noticeable vignetting at wider apertures.
• Limited maximum aperture of f/4.5 may be restrictive for certain low-light scenarios.

Verdict

Overall, the Venus Optics Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL is a fantastic ultra-wide lens that excels in delivering impressive image quality while remaining lightweight and durable. It offers photographers a unique perspective for capturing expansive scenes but may not cater to everyone’s shooting style due to its manual focus design and potential for vignetting. For those passionate about landscape, architecture, or astrophotography, this lens is undoubtedly worth considering, especially if you value optical performance and compactness over autofocus convenience.