Legendary Laowa 12mm reborn
Posted on Jun 30, 2025 by Adam Duckworth
The widest non-fisheye lens on the market is redesigned for mirrorless shooters
Laowa has announced a new version of its iconic 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D full-frame lens – this time purpose-built for mirrorless cameras. The new Lite Zero-D FF version is smaller, lighter and now adds autofocus support for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, making it a powerful and portable option for landscape, architectural and astro photographers, as well as vloggers and videographers.
Retaining the original’s ultra-wide 122° field of view and “Zero-D” distortion-free design, the new Laowa 12mm Lite delivers high-performance optics with a fast f/2.8 aperture. Despite the wide angle, straight lines remain straight, making it a go-to lens for interior and cityscape photography where distortion can ruin a composition. It’s also built to be impressively sharp – even into the corners – with excellent control of chromatic aberration.
The lens is compact and lightweight, weighing just 377g, making it ideal for handheld use or on drones and gimbals. The close focusing distance of just 14cm adds versatility for creative wide-angle close-ups. A built-in 72mm front filter thread boosts its practicality in the field.
Autofocus performance is fast and accurate, and users can choose between 5- or 14-blade aperture options for different sunstar rendering. A striking 10-point sunstar effect is available with the 5-blade version. It’s priced at $699 and available now via the Venus Optics website and retailers. No UK price has been confirmed. More info at venuslens.net.
