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Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Fujifilm X
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published January 2020
Introduction
A while ago, we reviewed the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO and we were pretty impressed. Now, that's a full format lens optimized for DSLRs but there's a new kid around now - the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO for APS-C format mirrorless cameras (Fujifilm, Sony, Canon EF-M). Being shorter in focal length and covering a smaller image circle, it is obviously a much more compact and light-weight lens. Unfortunately, we are still talking about a fully manual lens without AF nor any electronic coupling. If your primary use-case is macro photography, this is probably not a huge deal but it's a limitation nonetheless. There are, however, two obvious advantages compared to native Fujifilm offerings - the Laowa lens offers a maximum magnification of 2:1 and it's also much more affordable at around 399USD/479EUR.
The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO is a curious little lens in shape - the diameter is comparatively small but it's also fairly long - probably a side effect of the 2:1 max. magnification. The build quality is very high. Besides the dampened focus ring (amount of throw ca. 220 degrees), there is a clicked aperture ring that allows you to stop down in full stops down to f/22. However, our test results do not suggest that f/22 is f/22 but more like f/16, maybe even f/14. However, keep in mind that diffraction effects are massive at very small apertures so you don't really want to stop down beyond f/16 anyway. The lens uses an internal focusing mechanism so the size remains constant throughout the focus range. A barrel-shaped, metal lens hood is provided.
| Specifications |
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| Equivalent focal length (full-format) | "100mm" |
| Equivalent aperture (depth-of-field, full-format) | "f/4.3" |
| Optical construction | 14 elements in 10 groups inc. 3x ELD element |
| Number of aperture blades | 9 |
| min. focus distance | 0.17m (max. magnification 2:1) |
| Dimensions | 57×100mm |
| Weight | 335g |
| Filter size | 52mm |
| Hood | barrel-shaped (bayonet mount, supplied) |
| Other features | - |
| Mounts | Fujifilm X, Sony E, Canon EF-M |
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