Venus Optics has released an updated, red ring version of its TIPA Awards winning 15mm shift lens, the Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift, which features a 14-bladed aperture.
The new lens claims to be the widest shift lens for both full-frame cameras and medium format cameras in the market. Laowahas also announced Fujifilm G mount options of the lens for both Blue and Red Ring versions, enabling most camera systems to use the shift lenses – including the new 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift – to be used without special adapters. A key feature of the new lens is its iris diaphragm, which in the Red Ring version produces 14-pointed sunstars that are softer and subtler than those produced with the 5-blade diaphragms in the Blue Ring lenses. The lens aperture also creates more attractive bokeh in out-of-focus backgrounds, an important feature when photographing night scenes.
The new lens covers an angle of view of 110 degrees with a huge image circle diameter of up to 65mm. The maximum possible shift amount of the lens is +/-11mm for full-frame cameras and ±8mm for medium format cameras (e.g. Fujifilm GFX / Hasselblad X1D). The optical design consists of 17 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements, which are arranged to suppress distortion to almost zero level from corner to corner. This makes it ideal for architectural and interior photography. It also has a minimum focus of 20 cm, along with 360 degree rotation capability, allowing photographers to change the direction of the shift by pressing the silver unlock button.
A Lens support accessory has been specially designed to work with the 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift, with a rotatable ring that keeps the principal axis even when orientations are changed and shifted. Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift is currently available to purchase via Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/) and authorised resellers. Its listed price is US$1199 for all mounts. Click here for more information.
