CameraReview
Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
UNSCORED
Laowa · 90 mm · Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, Leica L mount

Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

From $499 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandLaowa
Announcement date2022
Released2022
Production started2022
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptional 2:1 macro magnification captures subjects twice life-size with extraordinary detail
+Apochromatic (APO) design with 3 ED elements minimizes chromatic aberration for clean renders
+Remarkably compact and lightweight at 619g, significantly smaller than competing 90mm macro lenses
+Excellent optical sharpness throughout focus range, especially at medium apertures f/4-f/5.6
+Beautiful bokeh quality with 13 aperture blades producing smooth, circular out-of-focus highlights
+Versatile for macro, portraiture, and general short-telephoto photography with infinity focus capability
Worth Knowing
Fully manual focus with no autofocus, making fast-moving subjects challenging to capture
No weather sealing or optical image stabilization for field durability or handheld stability
Prone to flare at wide apertures; lens hood must be used to minimize artifacts
Lack of electronic coupling prevents EXIF data recording and integration with modern camera systems

General

Brand
Laowa
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
2022
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2022
Production started
2022
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO is a newer mirrorless-focused macro lens that offers 2:1 magnification capability and can focus to infinity, making it versatile for macro, commercial and portrait photography. The lens delivers excellent sharpness in tests along with impressive contrast and clarity, with minimal lateral and axial chromatic aberrations thanks to its apochromatic design and three ED elements. At only 619g with dimensions of Ø74 × 120mm, it's among the smallest options in the market compared to equivalent lenses, though the lack of autofocus can be a chore for portraiture despite the lens's telephoto focal length and f/2.8 aperture.

Optical

Aperture Range
f/2.8-f/22
Angle of View
27°
Lens Structure
13 elements in 10 groups (3 ED elements)
Magnification
2:1 (2x)
Focusing
Manual (MF)

Build

Construction
All-metal

Performance

Internal Focusing
Yes

Optics

Min focal length
90 mm
Max focal length
90 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
90 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
13020
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
20.5 cm01500

Physical

Lens diameter
Width of the lens at its widest point
74 mm
Lens length
How long the lens is from front to back.
120 mm
Lens weight
619 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
67 mm
Lens mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, Leica L

Features

Weather sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
No