Marrying an ultra-compact form factor with an ultra-wide field of view, the silver Laowa 14mm f/4 FF RL from Venus Optics is a sleek prime lens with distinctly low distortion and rectilinear rendering to suit interior, architecture, astrophotography, nature, and landscape applications. The broad 114° angle of view is aided by an advanced optical design, which includes aspherical, high refractive index, and low dispersion elements, to realize well-corrected, sharp, and color-accurate imagery. The lens has a manual focus design and permits working with subjects as close as 10.6" away and its built-in petal-shaped hood helps to block stray light from causing unwanted lens flare.
Ultra-wide prime is designed for Leica M-mount rangefinder cameras.
Two aspherical elements and one ultra-high refractive index glass element help to control distortion and spherical aberrations for improved sharpness and accurate rendering.
Three extra-low dispersion elements are used to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to produce high clarity and color accuracy.
Impressively wide 114° angle of view pairs with a rectilinear design, which renders subjects with minimal distortion in order to suit landscape and architectural applications. This ultra-wide field of view will exceed that of a rangefinder camera's viewfinder; an external electronic viewfinder or live view method should be used for making accurate compositions.
Rangefinder-coupled for accurate focusing using the camera's viewfinder; despite the lens having a minimum focusing distance of 10.6", the lens/rangefinder is only coupled for accurate focusing to 2.3' and this distance is highlighted on the focusing distance scale. For working between 10.6" and 2.3', live view methods should be used for accurate focusing.
Built-in petal-shaped lens hood helps to prevent stray light from causing lens flare and also offers some physical protection to the lens's front element.
Front of the lens is threaded to accept optional 52mm filters. The lens is also compatible with an optional, dedicated 100mm filter holder.
Five-blade diaphragm produces distinct 10-point sun stars and specular highlights when stopped-down and photographing point light sources.