Laowa 12-24mm f5.6 for Leica-M

[J S H]

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Maybe I got lucky, but I have a stellar copy of this lens. It’s very sharp across the frame wide open at every focal length. It’s also perfectly parfocal across the entire zoom range, right at the infinity hard stop. It’s not the fastest wide-angle I own, but probably the most dependable. I never stop it down past F8 and it never disappoints. it’s also an excellent lens in Infrared. Sharp from corner to corner. It remains parfocal in IR, but with a slightly different focus point. Here’s a nighttime shot with the M11, 75 seconds, f/5.6, ISO 64. I’ll try to upload some IR shots at some point. 

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[J S H]

Another shot with this lens on the M11. 14mm, F8.

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[J S H]

Same framing, M11 with Kolari 720 IR Filter. 20 seconds, F8.

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[J S H]

I would agree on the Laowa 9mm 5.6. I bought one and tested it against my Voigtlander 10mm - the Laowa was clearly the better lens. I sold the Voigtlander and never regretted it. Regarding Voigtlander quality control - I have purchased 10-12 Voigtlander lenses in the last 4 years, mostly new from Camera Quest. I only had to send one back, a 28mm f/2 which didn't quite hit infinity focus on the M11. Generally though, I personally haven't seen any unexpected quality issues from either Voigtlander or Laowa.

All of my Laowa lenses seem to be good copies and sharp to the corners. The 15mm F/2 in M mount is another great lens. I tested it against a Zeiss ZM 15mm f/2.8 and the Laowa won hands down. This 12-24 is a gem and a solid performer. Without the filter holder, it is approximately 20% larger than the WATE, but with a MUCH wider zoom range. The WATE is prone to de-centering as well, my first copy was a dud. I sold my 2nd and best WATE before I bought the Laowa, but I am pretty familiar with the image quality and I think both lenses would be equal at F8, with the Laowa having a much more versatile zoom range. I would love to see a test between good copies of each lens. 

[LarsHP]

38 minutes ago, J S H said:

I would agree on the Laowa 9mm 5.6. I bought one and tested it against my Voigtlander 10mm - the Laowa was clearly the better lens. I sold the Voigtlander and never regretted it. Regarding Voigtlander quality control - I have purchased 10-12 Voigtlander lenses in the last 4 years, mostly new from Camera Quest. I only had to send one back, a 28mm f/2 which didn't quite hit infinity focus on the M11. Generally though, I personally haven't seen any unexpected quality issues from either Voigtlander or Laowa.

All of my Laowa lenses seem to be good copies and sharp to the corners. The 15mm F/2 in M mount is another great lens. I tested it against a Zeiss ZM 15mm f/2.8 and the Laowa won hands down. This 12-24 is a gem and a solid performer. Without the filter holder, it is approximately 20% larger than the WATE, but with a MUCH wider zoom range. The WATE is prone to de-centering as well, my first copy was a dud. I sold my 2nd and best WATE before I bought the Laowa, but I am pretty familiar with the image quality and I think both lenses would be equal at F8, with the Laowa having a much more versatile zoom range. I would love to see a test between good copies of each lens. 

I remember seeing Bastian Kratzke had a WATE he was considering buying, but it was bad in three of the corners, so naturally he returned it. My 28mm Summicron-M Asph II never became properly good, even after two visits to Wetzlar.

[BastianK]

vor 6 Stunden schrieb LarsHP:

I remember seeing Bastian Kratzke had a WATE he was considering buying, but it was bad in three of the corners, so naturally he returned it. My 28mm Summicron-M Asph II never became properly good, even after two visits to Wetzlar.

Yes that is correct.
There are also too many reports talking about mechanical issues with the WATE for me to try and find a better one.

The Laowa 9mm 5.6 has better build quality than any Leica lens I ever had in my hands - except for the non-equidistant aperture clicks.
The 15mm 2.0 is on the same level and also fixed that.

Generally their M-mount lenses are more expensive than those for other mounts but in most cases I also found them to be better made.

I am also amazed by how many people complain about the build quality of Chinese lenses yet at the same time accept Leica's crappy aperture rings.

Edited November 17, 2024 by BastianK

[J S H]

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Another shot with the Laowa 12-24 on the M11. 10 minutes at F8, ISO 64, 20mm

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[J S H]

Same framing as above. Laowa 12-24, 20mm at F8. Kolari 720 IR filter, 20 seconds. 

 

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Edited November 23, 2024 by J S H
Corrected exposure info