Fast fisheye for full-frame filmmaking
Posted on Jun 6, 2025 by Adam Duckworth
The new 8-15mm T2.9 cinema lens from Laowa is a stunning new optic
Laowa’s 8-15mm T2.9 FF Zoom Fisheye Cine Lens is a groundbreaking optic designed for filmmakers seeking a unique look. Engineered for full-frame cinema cameras, this lens combines a wide 8-15mm zoom range and a fast T2.9 aperture to deliver dramatic fisheye effects. Perfect for music videos, action sequences, VR content and narrative films, it empowers cinematographers to capture expansive scenes with unparalleled creative flair.
The ultra-wide 180° field of view and distinctive curvature creates a sense of depth and intimacy, drawing viewers into the scene. From a surreal perspective scene to the dynamic energy of modern music videos, fisheye lenses amplify emotion and narrative impact.
Dual Fisheye Effect
At 8mm, it produces a circular fisheye effect with a 180° angle of view. This immersive look is ideal for VR content, 360° panoramas and surreal narrative sequences, enhancing storytelling with a dreamlike aesthetic. At 15mm, the lens transitions to a full-frame rectangular fisheye effect, filling the sensor with a wide, curved perspective that retains bold distortion. Perfect for dynamic establishing shots, music videos, or action scenes.
This flexible zoom, with a smooth 75° zoom throw, allows cinematographers to shift between dramatic and practical fisheye aesthetics without changing lenses, enhancing creative efficiency and storytelling versatility on set.
Close Focusing Distance
The Laowa 8-15mm T2.9 FF Zoom Fisheye Cine Lens features a minimum focusing distance of 16cm/ 6.3in with a 0.23x maximum magnification, allowing filmmakers to capture subjects up close with striking cinematic impact. This close focusing capability amplifies the lens’s fisheye distortion, creating an exaggerated point of view (POV) that emphasizes foreground elements while retaining a wide, immersive background. The result is a dramatic, bugeye effect, ideal for intense close-ups in action films, horror sequences, or experimental music videos.
Price has yet to be set in UK but in the USA it’s $1399. More details from https://laowacine.com/
