Al Brown Posted October 5, 2024 Share #1 Posted October 5, 2024 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) It is the world's widest non-fisheye Leica M mount lens. Deemed impossible even as far as 10 years ago, the Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL lens has been available in rangefinder coupled (not really necessary, but nice nevertheless) M mount since 2020. With a remarkable 135° angle of view and good corner-to-corner performance that even beats some of the more expensive ultra wide lenses (like Canon 11-24), the Laowa 9mm is the "as wide as it gets" bragging rights trophy for all UWA show-offs, lovers and enthusiasts, sporting 12cm/4.72 inches close focusing distance (which many men will find familiar for some reason). The lens was briefly mentioned on LUF. I am in the process of thoroughly testing the lens - a silver version of course to match my M collection - and will share ASAP. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited October 5, 2024 by Al Brown 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5645099'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 5, 2024 Posted October 5, 2024 Hi Al Brown, Take a look here The world’s widest rectilinear lens for M mount is a SINGLE digit! It is Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/5.6. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted October 5, 2024 Share #2 Posted October 5, 2024 Interesting - look at the aperture ring direction... However, I still have difficulty using a 21mm... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted October 5, 2024 Author Share #3 Posted October 5, 2024 (edited) 16 minutes ago, TomB_tx said: Interesting - look at the aperture ring direction... Yes, Chinese lenses and Nikon go the "other" way. Edited October 5, 2024 by Al Brown 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Al Brown Posted October 5, 2024 Author Popular Post Share #4 Posted October 5, 2024 16 minutes ago, TomB_tx said: However, I still have difficulty using a 21mm... FStoppers put it very nicely & very honestly in their review: "...Much like a fisheye lens, <this lens'> application relies almost entirely on the creativity of the photographer." Not all of us are made for using UWA lenses. I have forced myself to make UWA look great and so far I am happy.. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 18 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5645162'>More sharing options...
henning Posted October 5, 2024 Share #5 Posted October 5, 2024 Nice picture, Al. i've had this lens since it came out in 2020, and previously posted some pictures from it on a thread which is now buried deep in some strata. I got rid of the Voigtlander 10mm because this Laowa/Venus Optics lens is noticeably better. Bastian K. on phillipreeve.net came to a similar conclusion when he tested it in 2023. These are on an M10M: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5645240'>More sharing options...
streetrattakesphotos Posted October 7, 2024 Share #6 Posted October 7, 2024 On 10/5/2024 at 2:26 PM, Al Brown said: FStoppers put it very nicely & very honestly in their review: "...Much like a fisheye lens, <this lens'> application relies almost entirely on the creativity of the photographer." Eh... I think that creativity isn't always easy, but not in that way. A few weeks ago I realized that I brought my 14mm Laowa instead of my 28mm Summicron, and decided to take the shot anyway. Not quite as wide as 9mm but the composition might've benefited from standing closer to those girls on the right. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5647315'>More sharing options...
cprotz Posted October 10, 2024 Share #7 Posted October 10, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) Cool, I was just wondering if there is a lower one available than my Voigtländer 12mm. Are you satisfied, is it worth to have it, on my Nikons I have an 8mm but as Fisheye and thus the use case is limited Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted October 11, 2024 Author Share #8 Posted October 11, 2024 On 10/10/2024 at 9:04 AM, cprotz said: Cool, I was just wondering if there is a lower one available than my Voigtländer 12mm. Are you satisfied, is it worth to have it, on my Nikons I have an 8mm but as Fisheye and thus the use case is limited Voigtlander 12 was AWESOME. It was too bulky though. The 9mm has a cool psychological effect of being the widest rectilinear there is - it does not go wider for native M mount (beyond fisheye). So it forces you to think, do more central composition and be able to catch those straight lines from street level & make rooms look bigger, to the joy of every hotel and AirBnB owner. I am attaching my fav image I made with the Voigt 12mm. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 19 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5652588'>More sharing options...
Knightspirit Posted October 11, 2024 Share #9 Posted October 11, 2024 The reviews on BH are mixed - one sent two copies back for being soft. Has anyone compared this against the VM 10mm? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted October 15, 2024 Author Share #10 Posted October 15, 2024 On 10/11/2024 at 5:29 PM, Knightspirit said: The reviews on BH are mixed - one sent two copies back for being soft. Has anyone compared this against the VM 10mm? I have compared it against VM12/5.6... It is BETTER than Voigtlander in sharpness (not so much flare) and well corrected out of the box, although keeping in mind that I have had stellar copies of both, fully centered and sharp. Laowa is unfortunately a super hit-and-miss affair. When it is good it's VERY good and when it's bad it's crap. Please do not do the mistake and base your purchase decisions and gear preferences on B&H reviews 😄. I checked at least 10 full web reviews of this lens and scanned full sized sample images on DPreview and elsewhere before even considering purchasing a lens like this. Have also had good experience with Laowa 7.5mm on my Inspire 2 drone, but that one was slightly decentered. I am sooooo glad I got this silver copy... it is an adventure in the making! More pics coming soon. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5657388'>More sharing options...
Knightspirit Posted October 15, 2024 Share #11 Posted October 15, 2024 On 10/5/2024 at 12:39 PM, henning said: Nice picture, Al. i've had this lens since it came out in 2020, and previously posted some pictures from it on a thread which is now buried deep in some strata. I got rid of the Voigtlander 10mm because this Laowa/Venus Optics lens is noticeably better. Bastian K. on phillipreeve.net came to a similar conclusion when he tested it in 2023. These are on an M10M: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I missed this comment on the Laowa vs the Voigtlander. Interesting! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted October 19, 2024 Author Share #12 Posted October 19, 2024 Here are the first tests. St. Nicholas' cathedral. Leica M10-P Reporter and Laowa 9mm wide open. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5666179'>More sharing options...
BastianK Posted October 20, 2024 Share #13 Posted October 20, 2024 The 9mm Laowa is hundred times better than the 10mm Voigtländer and I tried 3 copies of the latter. So happy to finally get rid of it (as well as the Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0L) when this 9mm surfaced. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Many more here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bastian_k/albums/72157715260235177/with/52642150904 15 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Many more here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bastian_k/albums/72157715260235177/with/52642150904 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5666911'>More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted October 30, 2024 Author Share #14 Posted October 30, 2024 Testing the 9mm in Portugal 🇵🇹, results soon. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5679525'>More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted November 2, 2024 Author Share #15 Posted November 2, 2024 Porto, Galeria de Paris. A cafe that has an entire car on the wall. M10-P Reporter, 9mm Laowa Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5683189'>More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted November 2, 2024 Author Share #16 Posted November 2, 2024 Alfanzina lighthouse. Algarve, Portugal. Laowa 9mm. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/413286-the-world%E2%80%99s-widest-rectilinear-lens-for-m-mount-is-a-single-digit-it-is-venus-optics-laowa-9mm-f56/?do=findComment&comment=5683204'>More sharing options...
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