There are a lot of 7-8 mm lenses for the Micro 4/3 system available on the market but these are mostly fish eye constructions; that’s why they dominate our comparison chart. Constructing a fast, wide angle lens which would be also rectilinear is not that simple so Venus Optics should be praised for their bold project. What’s more, they tried to preserve small dimensions; these dimensions, however, make us apprehensive when it comes to the image quality on the edges of the field of view. Still, they also allow you to enjoy filters which are only 46 mm in diameter.
In the photo below the Venus Optics LAOWA 7.5 mm f/2 MFT is positioned next to the Olympus M.Zuiko 12–40 mm f/2.8 with the same mount. You have to admit the difference in size is huge.
The tested lens starts with a metal mount without any contacts; around it there is an inscription „MADE IN CHINA”. A rear element, less than 14 mm in diameter, is surrounded by dark, well-matted material. The element moves- its edge sticks above the casing with the focus set at infinity and when you pass to the minimum focusing distance it hides 2-3 mm deeper.
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The proper body of the lens is also made of metal; it starts with a narrow aperture ring. The word “narrow” might be understood negatively but, in reality, with such limited dimensions, every feature of this lens can be called small and narrow. The ring is ribbed on its edges and in the middle you find aperture marks from f/2.0 to f/22. The aperture can be changed smoothly but for integral values the ring indicates a specific position.
Next you can find an immobile part of the casing with a depth of field scale and marks at f/2.8, f/5.6, f/8.0 and f/11.0.
A focus ring, as wide as 19 mm, is the biggest part of the casing. Most of it is covered by fine ribbing under which you see a distance scale expressed in meters and feet. The ring moves evenly and is well damped – running through the whole distance scale needs a turn through an angle of about 110 degrees. Such a value might seem not so impressive for a manual lens but with the depth of field provided by the Laowa 2/7.5 it is more than enough for precise settings.
The ending of the lens consists of an immobile ring adorned by a blue stripe, and a mount for a metal hood which is added in the box. The front element, 23 mm in diameter, noticeably convex, is surrounded by the logo of the producer, a serial number, the name and parameters of the lens. The Laowa has also a non-rotating filter thread, 46 mm in diameter.
When it comes to the optical construction you deal here with 13 elements positioned in 9 groups. Among them you find three low dispersion ED glass elements and two aspherical ones. Inside you also find an aperture with seven blades which can be closed down to a value of f/22 at the maximum.
Buyers get two caps and a metal hood with the lens, everything inside a lightly coloured, stylish, carton case.
