Laowa 9mm f/2.8 - any owners?

[cptobvious]

So this lens has been out for a while but I haven’t found reviews of it on MFT. I’ve tried the 7.5mm f/2 but as a pixel peeper, I felt there were too many compromises in the edges and corners in terms of resolution/vignetting/distortion. It left the impression that it was too ambitiously designed (small + light + super wide + wide aperture) at the expense of even optical performance. The 9mm seems like it would be much more even across the frame given its specs and it being originally designed for a larger imaging circle. I’ll probably order the 9mm for my upcoming trip but was wondering if anyone here owns the lens and what your impressions are. Thanks!

 

[Joris]

Three analytical tests of that lens :

Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D - Review / Test Report
Laowa C-Dreamer 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D Review
Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/2.8 ZERO-D review - Introduction - LensTip.com

And, for comparison, the same three tests of the Laowa 7.5mm f/2.0 :

Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT C-Dreamer - Review / Test
Venus Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT Lens Review
Venus Optics LAOWA 7.5 mm f/2 MFT review - Introduction - LensTip.com

If you didn't like the latter, I don't think the 9mm f/2.8 would satisfy you better

 

[cptobvious]

Thanks. I saw those but couldn’t find a review specifically for the MFT mount version.

 

[Joris]

I know... But would you think it would yield significantly different results ?

 

[cptobvious]

I think possibly. For example, reviews of the Rokinon 12mm on APS-C generally find it’s an average performer on the borders but the MFT version review I’ve read says it’s sharp corner-to-corner. I suppose generally the MFT version performs better because it uses a center crop of the imaging circle, but some lenses have a wavy resolution characteristic where the midframe is weak.

 

[StanS]

Are you sure that you haven't been looking at samples of a decentered Laowa 7.5mm? I do not have the lens myself, but I do remember that shortly after its release there was an issue of many of the first copies being decentered and having woeful sharpness in the corners, even at higher apertures. The normal lens apparently has a much better performance.

Of course, it might be the case that you just have a much higher standard for sharpness than I do.

 

[RichDesmond]

Bumping this up, interested in hearing from any m4/3 users of this lens.

 

[Z-Shooter]

Just received this little gem of a lens but having an issue with it's infinity focusing ability, or lack of, between my 2 MFT cameras. When mounted on my E-PL7 infinity focusing is possible, albeit the infinity marking is way short of reaching the "hard stop". On my GX9, it won't even focus when the focus ring is turned all the way to the stop. ??? Don't have this issue with any other MF lenses.

Love the images this lens can produce, but it must be able to focus properly on all my bodies. And yes, it will be returned/exchanged soon.

Infinity on E-PL7 ....

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[RichDesmond]

Interesting and...odd.
Do you have another manual focus lens that you can test to see if a particular focus distance comes up at a different mark on the barrel depending on which camera it's on?

 

[Z-Shooter]

Interesting and...odd.
Do you have another manual focus lens that you can test to see if a particular focus distance comes up at a different mark on the barrel depending on which camera it's on?

Yes, several, and they all will focus to infinity. My Laowa 17f1.8 shows similar difference as the 9f2.8, but at least it will focus to infinity on my GX9, whereas the 9f2.8 won't.

 

[RichDesmond]

Yes, several, and they all will focus to infinity. My Laowa 17f1.8 shows similar difference as the 9f2.8, but at least it will focus to infinity on my GX9, whereas the 9f2.8 won't.

Does a non-Laowa lens show a difference in the indicated distance (from the scale on the lens) from camera to camera when focused at the same physical distance?

What I'm getting at is that there may be a difference in the sensor to flange distance between the two cameras.

 

[Z-Shooter]

All my OM series MF lenses show just a very slight difference; my Canon FD 50f1.4 a little more so. But .... they all will focus to infinity!