Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus

Sony E

Review

The Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus is a unique lens designed for Sony E mount cameras, pushing the boundaries of conventional lens design with its innovative Smooth Trans Focus technology. This lens is an intriguing option for portrait photographers and those who appreciate creating images with a distinctive aesthetic.

Build and Design

The build quality of the Laowa 105mm F2 is impressive, featuring a solid metal construction that feels durable and robust in hand. The lens has a pleasingly compact form for its focal length and aperture, and it incorporates an elegant design that is aesthetically appealing. The focus ring is smooth, allowing for precise manual adjustments, which can be particularly useful for those who enjoy the tactile feel of handling their lenses.

Optical Performance

One of the standout features of this lens is its creamy bokeh, made possible by the Smooth Trans Focus technology. This design provides remarkably smooth out-of-focus areas that are reminiscent of cinematic looks, elevating your portrait or close-up photography. At F2, the sharpness is impressive, with good detail retention and contrast, although it can soften slightly at the edges. Stopping down to F2.8 or F4 yields even crisper results throughout the frame, making this lens versatile in various shooting scenarios.

Unique Characteristics

The Smooth Trans Focus technology essentially blurs the background without the typical distractions found in traditional lenses. This unique characteristic can add an ethereal quality to your images, giving them a signature look that stands out. However, this effect may not be to everyone’s taste, especially for those who prefer a more conventional rendering of out-of-focus areas.

Compatibility

This lens is fully compatible with Sony E mount cameras, making it easy to use with a range of bodies, from full-frame to APS-C sensors. The focal length translates well across both formats, and the lens’s aperture allows for significant creative control over depth of field.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional build quality with a solid metal design.
• Unique Smooth Trans Focus technology for beautiful bokeh.
• Impressive sharpness when stopped down slightly.
• Compact and lightweight for a 105mm lens.

Cons

• Edge sharpness may not hold up as well as the center at wide apertures.
• The unique background rendering may not appeal to all photographers.
• Limited auto-focus capabilities as it is primarily a manual focus lens.

Verdict

The Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus is an innovative lens that offers a fresh take on portrait photography. Its build quality, sharpness, and unique bokeh capabilities make it an attractive option for those looking to create images with a distinctive style. While it may have some limitations regarding edge sharpness at wider apertures, its overall performance and creative potential will resonate with photographers willing to explore its unique characteristics. If you're a Sony E mount user looking to add a versatile and creative lens to your collection, the Laowa 105mm F2 is certainly worth considering.