Venus Optics releases updated Laowa 15mm F4.5R Zero-D Shift Lens for $1,199

Venus Optics has announced a slightly updated version of its Laowa 15mm F4.5R Zero-D Shift lens. In addition to minor specification changes, Venus Optics has also added Fujifilm GFX-mount support for both the old (blue ring) and new (red ring) models.

The new red ring Laowa 15mm F4.5R Zero-D Shift lens is almost identical to its blue ring predecessor. The only difference, aside from the addition of ‘R’ in the name, is the aperture blade count. Now, instead of the five-blade aperture diaphragm used in the original version, the new model features a 14-blade aperture diaphragm.

This upgrade should see bokeh rendered more round and present much more aesthetically-pleasing starbursts when stopped down, as visible in the above and below images, respectively. Venus Optics has also added a new Fujifilm GFX-mount option for both the old and new lens models, which offer up to +/–8mm of shift on medium format Fujifilm GFX camera systems (full-frame cameras get +/–11mm of shift).

Like its blue ring sibling, the Laowa 15mm F4.5R is constructed of 17 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements. Other features, which again remain unchanged, include a 20cm (7.9″) minimum focusing distance, a 0.2x magnification ratio, a 110º angle of view and an aperture ring of F4.5 through F22. This new model is also compatible with Venus Optic’s $149 specialized lens support, which holds the lens in place on a tripod so the camera moves instead of the lens, which helps to keep the principle axis still as the lens is shifted for improved stitching in post-production. Below is a sample gallery of images taken with the new lens, provided by Venus Optics:

Venus Optic’s Laowa 15mm F4.5R Zero-D Shift lens will retail for $1,199, which is the same price as the blue ring version. It is available for Canon EF, Canon R, Fujifilm GFX, Nikon F, Nikon Z and Sony E mount camera systems. It’s not currently available on Venus Optics’ website, but we were told it should be live and available for purchase soon.