Venus Optics has officially announced the Laowa 4.5-10mm F2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye, a compact manual focus zoom that delivers two distinct fisheye looks in a single lens. Designed for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras, it produces a circular fisheye image at the wide end and a full-frame diagonal fisheye as you zoom in.
At 4.5mm on APS-C, the lens delivers a 175 to 180-degree field of view. Zoom to 10mm, and it becomes a diagonal fisheye covering the entire frame. This dual-personality design is rare in any lens and uncommon at this size and price point.
Compact design
The lens measures 68.9 x 59.3 mm and weighs 338g, making it compact enough to carry easily. It uses manual focus and manual zoom with clearly marked distance and focal length scales. The minimum focus distance is 10cm, allowing dramatic close-up fisheye perspectives with a maximum magnification of 0.27x.
The optical construction uses 13 elements in 9 groups, including extra-low dispersion and aspherical elements to control chromatic aberration. The aperture range runs from F2.8 to F22 with a 7-blade aperture.
Multiple mount options
The Laowa 4.5-10mm F2.8 CF is available in Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, Canon RF, L-mount, EF-M, and Micro Four Thirds mounts. The MFT version gives an even more extreme ultra-wide field of view.
The lens is priced at $399, making it one of the most affordable ways to get a circular fisheye capability. That price puts it well below dedicated fisheye primes from major manufacturers while offering the flexibility of a zoom.
Who is it for
Creative photographers who want fisheye effects without carrying a specialized prime will find the most value here. The ability to zoom between circular and full-frame fisheye means you can cover both effects in a single lens, useful for skate, action sports, architecture, and experimental photography. The compact size also makes it easy to pack as a secondary lens for travel.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | E / Z / RF / L / X / EF-M / MFT |
| Format | APS-C / Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal Length | 4.5-10mm |
| Aperture Range | F2.8 - F22 |
| Angle of View | 175-180 degrees |
| Optical Design | 13 elements in 9 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 7 |
| Zoom Ratio | 2.2x |
| Minimum Focus | 10cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.27x |
| Focus Type | Manual focus |
| Filter Thread | None (rear drop-in gel slot) |
| Dimensions | 68.9 x 59.3 mm |
| Weight | 338g |