Venus Laowa 65mm F2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO

Leica L-Mount

Review

The Venus Laowa 65mm F2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO is a specialized lens designed for Leica M mounts, appealing to photographers who crave unparalleled close-up capabilities combined with notable optical quality. This lens is particularly ideal for macro photographers, as it offers a 2x magnification ratio, allowing you to capture tiny subjects in incredible detail.

Build Quality and Design

The construction of the Laowa 65mm is impressive, featuring a sturdy all-metal body that both feels robust and provides a level of portability that’s appealing for outdoor photography. The compact size of this lens makes it a great companion for street and travel photography, as it doesn’t add significant weight to your camera setup. The sleek design with smooth manual focus adds a nostalgic touch, befitting the classic Leica aesthetic. The aperture ring is well-damped and offers precise control, making it easy to fine-tune your settings.

Optical Performance

Optically, the Laowa 65mm excels in producing sharp, high-contrast images with pleasing color reproduction. With its apochromatic design, the lens minimizes chromatic aberration, ensuring that even at its closest focusing distances, you won’t encounter rainbow-like fringing that can plague lesser macro lenses. Distortion is virtually non-existent, making this lens an excellent choice for product and fine art photography where fidelity to the subject is crucial.

Usability

As a fully manual lens, the Laowa 65mm allows for a deeper connection with the photographic process. However, this also means you need to be comfortable with manual focusing, which can be challenging at high magnifications. The focus throw is adequate, but getting critical focus on very small subjects requires a steady hand or a stable setup, such as a tripod. This lens does not feature electronic communication with the camera body, which means no automatic exposure or image stabilization, so plan accordingly.

Versatility

While primarily designed for macro photography, the Laowa 65mm is surprisingly versatile. Its focal length allows for some portraits and general utility photography, although the 2x magnification does tend to limit its effectiveness in wider contexts. It’s best suited for those who have macro photography as a primary focus but can still serve well in other roles, given the right considerations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional macro capabilities with 2x magnification.
• Outstanding sharpness and color accuracy.
• Sturdy all-metal construction that complements Leica bodies.
• Minimal chromatic aberration and distortion.

Cons

• Fully manual operation may be challenging for some.
• Lack of electronic communication limits functionality.
• Steady shooting is essential for critical focus at macro distances.

Verdict

The Venus Laowa 65mm F2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO for Leica M mount is a fantastic addition for serious macro enthusiasts who appreciate manual lenses and the art of focusing. Its optical performance is commendable, and its design quality is inline with Leica’s reputation. While it might not be the most versatile option for casual photographers or those unaccustomed to manual lenses, it excels in its niche, enabling photographers to explore the intricate details of their subjects like never before. If macro photography is your primary focus, this lens will not disappoint.