Laowa tilt-shift lens range welcomes newest addition | Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift Lens

The new Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift which joins the recently announced 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift, is the widest shift lens for both full-frame cameras and medium format cameras in the market. According to Venus Optics, this new version provides one more artistic option to photographers. This also extends to Fujifilm photographers, as the company announced a Fujifilm G mount for both Blue and Red Ring versions, meaning most camera system can use Laowa’s Shift lens without any adaptors, something that is also true for the 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift.

The Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift Lens is made with a 14-blade aperture, producing 14-point sunstars. Compared to the previous 5-blade aperture version, the sunburst effect with fourteen rays is softer and subtler. By offering lenses with different number of aperture blades, photographers can choose the desired starburst effect in particular scenes. Venus Optics notes that t “it is critical for architecture photography when there are often strong light sources and reflections on the windows.”

The lens aperture also has an impact on the shape of bokeh in the photographs. The new red ring version creates round bokeh on the out-of-focus backgrounds. It is smoother and hence more appealing in the night-view city scenes, says Venus Optics.

Key Features:

• 14-Pointed Sunstars
• World’s Widest Shift Lens for Full Frame Cameras
• ±11mm Shift Amount
• Ready for Medium Format
• “Zero” Distortion
• Top-Notch Image Quality
• Extremely Close Focusing Distance
• 360° Rotation
• Special Design Lens Support (not included, sold separately)

With a huge ⌀65mm image circle, the lens not only works with the full-frame format but also covers the medium format sensors. All the shift lens from Laowa is now available for Fujifilm GFX mount. Shift Lens available for Fujifilm G:

• Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift (OLD)
• Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift (NEW)
• Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift (NEW)

The 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift is composed of 17 elements in 11 groups with 2 aspherical elements. It suppresses the distortion to nearly zero level from corner to corner. It is game-changing for architecture and interior photography as straight and sharp edges can be captured easily. The lens has adapted new lens coating technology. According to Venus Optics, “it has excellent control of chromatic aberration, flaring, and ghosting effects.”

Price & Availability

The Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift is $2,149 NZD for all mounts. Available on May 2022 at Photogear.