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Laowa CF 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom-Shift
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Laowa · 12-24 mm · f/5.6 · Sony E, Canon RF, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Leica L, Nikon Z mount · APS-C

Laowa CF 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom-Shift

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KEY FACTS
BrandLaowa
Announcement dateJul 2024
Released2024
Production started2024
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+World's first wide-angle zoom shift lens combining 2x zoom with ±7mm shift capability
+Exceptional shift functionality for architectural photography with straightened vertical lines and perspective control
+Compact and lightweight at 575g with all-metal construction and premium build quality
+Constant f/5.6 aperture throughout entire zoom range ensures consistent exposure
+Exceptionally short 15cm minimum focusing distance with 0.4x magnification for creative close-up work
+Good distortion control and sharpness when stopped down to f/8-f/11, suitable for landscape and architecture
Worth Knowing
−Soft at f/5.6 wide aperture; optimal sharpness requires stopping down to f/8 or f/11
−Corner softness becomes more pronounced at full shift range, particularly at wider apertures
−Manual focus only with no autofocus capability, requiring deliberate, methodical operation
−Shift functionality limited to APS-C; on full-frame cameras, only 3mm shift possible at 12mm before vignetting

General

Brand
Laowa
Announcement date
ⓘ
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Jul 2024
Released
ⓘ
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2024
Production started
2024
Production status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift CF is the world's first zoom shift lens, specifically designed for mirrorless cameras with the extraordinary ability to shift up to 7mm, allowing photographers to capture images with precise perspective control. Weighing only 575g, the lens offers exceptional performance in a compact and lightweight package, making it perfect for photographers on the move. Wide open at f/5.6 it's a bit soft but stop it down to f/8, f/11 & f/16 and performance improves significantly.

Optics

Aperture Range
f/5.6-f/22
Angle of View
102.5°-63.9°
Zoom Ratio
2.0x
Lens Elements
15 elements in 11 groups
Aspherical Elements
2 aspherical
ED Elements
3 ED glass
Min focal length
12 mm
Max focal length
24 mm
Focal range
ⓘ
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
12-24 mm
Zoom lens
ⓘ
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
Yes
Max aperture wide
5.6
Max aperture zoom
5.6
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020
Closest focusing distance
ⓘ
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
15 cm01500

Shift

Shift Capability
±7mm
Shift Type
Shift only (no tilt)

Focusing

Focusing Method
Manual focus
Maximum Magnification
0.4x

Physical

Width
80 mm (3.1 inches)
Construction
All-metal body
Lens weight
575 g
Lens length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
98.9 mm
Front filter size
ⓘ
Diameter of attachable filters.
77 mm
Maximum format
ⓘ
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
APS-C
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.
Sony E, Canon RF, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Leica L, Nikon Z

Features

Image Stabilization
None
Weather Sealing
Frog Eye Coating (FEC) on front element
Zoom Method
Rotary (internal)