Venus Optics reveals it Laowa 15 mm f/5 Cookie FFa goal ultra grand-angle manuel designed for full-frame hybrids. Compactit is distinguished by its designthicker than a “pancake” lens, hence its raw “Cookie”. A look back at its characteristics which could appeal to architectural photographersinterior, landscape and astronomy.
Venus Optics stands out for its atypical optical range. Under his brand Laowathe Chinese company offers classic lenses while specializing in unique optics : super macro, fixed focal lengths opening at f/0.95, tilt zooms (but not shift) and, for the moment, only one autofocus lens, the excellent 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF.
Today, the manufacturer returns with its 15 mm f/5 Cookie FFa very wide angle lens which could seduce wide field enthusiasts. With its f/5 aperture, it will be more relevant outdoors and under a beautiful light.
Here are the technical characteristics of the Laowa 15mm f/5 Cookie FF :
- focal : 15 mm (22.5 mm equivalent in APS-C)
- lens for sensor: plein format
- max opening : f/5
- min opening : f/22
- angle of view : 110°
- optical construction : 13 elements in 9 groups (2 aspherical lenses, 4 ED lenses, 2 UHR lenses)
- diaphragm : circular with 5 slats
- minimum focusing distance : 12 cm
- stabilisation d’image : non
- tropicalisation : non
- max magnification : 0,2x
- focus : manual
- filter diameter : ø 39 mm
- dimensions : ø 53 x 35,2 mm
- weight : 138 g
- compatible mount : Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L mount, Leica M
- price at launch : 489 €
A beautiful optical formula
The Laowa 15 mm f/5 Cookie FF has an optical formula composed of 13 elements divided into 9 groups. There are two aspherical lenses, two HR glasses and four low dispersion glasses. A quite complex optical formula for such a small lens – wide angle requires.
Laowa promises a excellent image qualitya good conservation of perspectivesdespite the field angle of 110°. The minimum focusing distance is set at only 12cm. The circular diaphragm has 5 blades.
The objective is “almost” fully manual. “Almost”, because for the Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, it integrates electronic connectors allowing transmit EXIF data andautomatically adjust aperture depending on the brightness and exposure time. However, don’t count on autofocus, there isn’t any.
In addition, on both Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, it is possible to adjust the aperture directly from the bodywithout going through a diaphragm ring.
Advanced ergonomics and a size varying depending on the frame
The name “Cookie” suggests a particularly compact lensand this is the case: only 3.6 cm long and 6 cm in diameter and a featherweight of 138 g (for Sony E version). The Nikon Z version, while similar, is slightly wider and heavier due to the larger mount.
The variation for Leica M is particularly small. Without electronic contactors and thanks to a smaller frame, it is only 2.6 cm long, 5.3 cm in diameter and above all a (small) weight of 104 g.
More compact, the Laowa 15 mm f/5 Cookie FF for M mount, but also L and RF mount, yet has more controls.
Indeed, in addition to the focusing ring (common to all versions although visually different), the “non-automated” models also recover a diaphragm control ring (f/5 – f/22).
The lens also incorporates a USB port near the mount for possible updates, but, surprising factit is a micro USB port, a somewhat anachronistic choice. Regardless, this feature remains a nice asset.
Here is a selection of photos captured with the Laowa 15mm f/5 Cookie FF (provided by the brand) :
Price and availability of the Laowa 15mm f/5 Cookie FF
The Laowa 15 mm f/5 Cookie FF is available for pre-order at a price of €489. It is available in gray and black, for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L mount and Leica M mounts.
The Laowa 15mm f/5 Cookie FF is available for pre-order from Digit-Photo, Photo-Univers and certain specialist resellers.
Our first review of the Laowa 15mm f/5 Cookie FF
With this wide-angle lens small sizeLaowa offers a interesting goal for fans of the genre. This type of lens will be easily forgotten on a body, ready to use at any time.
Of course, it will be necessary do without autofocusbut it is quite common among Laowa and quite not very annoying on such a wide-angle lens. The lens also seems well built and the possibility of being able to control the diaphragm from the body (on the Sony E and Nikon Z versions) is more than useful.
The big question remains about this microphone port: how does an already outdated socket end up on an optic launched at the end of 2024? Was it really relevant to integrate it, especially for a manual objective, which is rarely updated? So many questions that Laowa leaves unanswered. That said, this detail should not affect the overall performance of this “Cookie”.
