A Wide Angle Lens That Does Macro! Laowa 15mm Review

If you need a wide angle or a macro lens you might take a look at this incredible 15mm that does both!
Laowa 15mm Macro Lens on Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us/NWZ41yx
Also available on B&H: www.bhphotovid...
In short, the Laowa 15mm F4 Macro lens is a wide angle lens that can shoot 1:1 macro AND has a shift mode for landscapes and architecture. This lens is fully manual with click less aperture settings and low distortion.
Pros:
Great wide angle with low distortion
Very short minimum focus distance
Smooth focus and aperture rings
Declicked aperture
Shifting mode for correcting tall distortion
77mm filter threads
Available in the following mounts:
Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE (e mount), Pentax K and others
Cons:
No autofocus
A somewhat heavy lens
Focus ring is at the rear of the lens
Heavy focus breathing near minimum focus
Do keep in mind there are two versions of this lens. Both seem to be identical but with different ascetics (newer model has a blue ring with different lens rings and shift button). I'm checking with Laowa to see what the differences are exactly.
DISCLAIMERS:
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
This lens was supplied to me from Venus Optics free of charge. This review and it's content was not reviewed or paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.

[@LaowaByVenusOptics]

Thank you so much for reviewing our lens!

[@unbroken1010]

So the email is built for full frame but if I use it on an a6000 it becomes a 30 does it hold up try to be honest

[@buyingonabudget1916]

Gotta give a big thumps up to Laowa, giving us some interesting unique lens. The price is not bad as well. One of the most innovative Chinese Lens Company imo.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

I would agree! They make some wild optics that do things I've never seen before.

[@Envisionenactenjoy]

Have you got hold of their 24mm probe lens?

[@BlackestBeard]

I can't say enough how amazing it is to find a new lens from a manufacturer you've never heard of it really does bring a new "angle" to any project you may have had in mind. Thanks for helping me fill up my camera bag with new unheard of (at least to me) gear and lenses . 🤘

[@RobbieMaynardCreates]

I have wanted this lens for a year or so now.. This made me want it more. Great comprehensive review!

[@thatjordandrake]

I adore this lens, so glad you featured it!

[@lunatic4861]

That lens is just... wow

[@tombuck]

I’ve never seen a lens like this, it’s awesome. I would LOVE an ultrawide macro.

[@AlessandroGrilliFilms]

OMG when you touched the white flower with the lens I started laughing like crazy, it just looked hilarious

[@TheCrowleyCrew]

On your notification squad. Love your Videos and Live Streams yours is the best channel for lighting. Thanks Caleb.

[@SkateEverythingProject]

This would be amazing for real estate photography/video for the viewing angle and ability to correct lines!!

[@tristanking6684]

Skate Everything Project exactly

[@tarasshevchenko8917]

Caleb, thank for acquainting us with this lens. Great review. This lens is definitely an amazing multi-purpose tool.

[@CJamesPhoto]

I am seriously wanting one of these, and seeing how it works with video is just awesome! Lucky you 😁

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Glad to have been of service!

[@GozaProductions]

I'll sell ya mine 450 bucks. Lol.

[@Superbustr]

It is very difficult to get diopters for wide angle lenses for close up shots due most wide angle lenses not having filter threads and having a protruding element. This lens essentially solves the issue of not being able to use diopters by building the close focus capability straight into the lens. I would say that this is Laowa's best lens they have made.

[@DroiMedia]

Been looking at this lens for a couple months now - great review!

[@serristori]

Thanks. Your video sold me on buying this lens.... ❤

[@Eat_More_Possum]

I almost bought this lens but went with a refurbished Tokina 10-17MM to save money. Both are recommended by Thomas Shahan and provide very similar results.

[@mangoldm]

Now I want to try extension tubes on my Rokinon 12mm.

[@ColinBloodworth]

This is insane. What a cool lens.

[@Albanez39]

Thanks for saying centimeter instead of 1/3 of an inch.

[@Solveiga555]

i love love looove your review videos :), thanks so much for that

[@gabrielmachadobsb]

Ok, you made me fall in love with this lens. I'll definitely pick one when I have the cash

[@jonathanmasters2178]

Probably buying this lens because of this review

[@oshead]

"When have you seen anything like this before." David Attenborough program about ants. It's pretty nice effect.

[@MrRobCampbell]

Great video Caleb! I’ve been wondering about this lens. Thanks for the review.

[@Blackbirddc]

This lens is insane! I never would have even given this lens a second look if you hadn't shared what it can do. Now I neeeed it! Haha

[@Ry311GP]

Awesome lens. I have the 12mm F2.8 Zero D. So glad you are reviewing this. Ry from Dubai.

[@bryanlittle4647]

Dude, I was sold on the first 10 seconds.

[@vegetablepolice]

Would love to see a vlog test with this lens, seems perfect ;)

[@jamskof]

not so great as this is a manual focus lens.

[@Bezstopy]

wow, flower touching the lens it so surreal :D thanks for insight.

[@ConstantinSPurcea]

Love the review but I have to say this little thing that bugs me... I hate when people complain about "lens breathing." If you know anything about what focal length means you'd know that 15mm is infinity focus (which is the distance from the sensor to the lens, or with correction optics it can be at a flange distance for SLR cameras) and the more you extend a lens the closer it focuses, thus you also changed the focal length which because of physics changes the field of view too. First world problems.

[@user-zu8nc9rc9k]

Focus breathing is a serious issue for filming as it becomes very distracting. This is why cinema lenses are designed to have little to no breathing.

[@NoahPetek]

Dude, Macro and Tilt shift? How???????? That‘s awesome (like your videos😊👍)

[@JamesN.Gillan]

Could be exactly what l need for architectural and interior photography. Excellent channel, thought I would leave you a comment, as I enjoy your informative videos. Look forward to the next one!

[@JoshuaFortuna]

Whoa! At 3:00 the flower touches the 4th wall! 🤯

[@frostvisto9610]

Great for architecture

I kinda can do the same with my rokinon 7.5mm f3.5. Bad thing is you really need good lighting.

[@sosomelodies659]

Awesome review! I'm definitely getting this lens.

[@NYC2SOCAL2024]

Guaranteed to be on backorder by tomorrow because Calib loves it. I'm still on the list at a few places to get that Apature F7 LED light.

[@bwashmedia]

I got so many ideas for perspective affects using this lens. Will have to see if it mounts on Canon to.

[@jamskof]

affects is effects and to is too. ;)

[@yudi.g9544]

Love the dope thumbnail

[@DRAMAFLS_official]

Always solid content

[@hoggif]

That's interesting one. If only it had more shift I'd grab one instantly for GH5 + speed booster. I find 6mm shift a bit limiting, you'd need 12mm to get level horizon in the middle of the frame to the bottom. If it had tilt, I could find the compromise reasonable but no tilt. I'm still looking for a wide angle tilt shift for GH5.

[@jacobc1567]

What a nice lens. I've been wanting to get a wide angle lens. I just might have to pick this one up.

[@καλέω]

What a great lens! I'm buying it right now. 😄😎

[@alantay9409]

Awesome review! Thanks for sharing.

[@tristanking6684]

Thanks for this I definitely will check it out and get it for my t6

[@AndreaLeganza]

Have one of them on my D810, couple with a 105 macro and is really fun!

[@CrazyAboutLife]

Wow thats just amazing!

[@Eightpspi]

Just added to my wishlist

[@TrailFeatures]

Oh man! That's so cool! Though, do you think this would be worth looking at for a GH5 + SB? I worry the crop factor would really diminish the impact of the wide view.

[@tomdchi12]

I was wondering the same thing. Does the tilt mode play well with a "speed booster" when tilted? Going from a 30mm equivalent on M43 to more like a 21mm equivalent gets you back into pretty darn wide angle with shift.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

I used it with a SB and had no issues!

[@TrailFeatures]

DSLR Video Shooter awesome! I'll have to keep an eye on this then. That could give me some AMAZING product and establishing shots.

[@Kelkschiz]

Groovy lens

[@colin_rootz]

Thanks Caleb!

[@Mafr0]

Whoa, I'm sold!

[@CRMayerCo]

Very interesting, Caleb. Thanks.

[@EddieBarba]

whats your opinion on this lens VS The Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D

[@lednewstudio]

That intro is even more amazing with earphones! Great lens, might be a great option.

[@ckmoon17]

Very Cool! Def getting one!

[@WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

I've trying to decide between the Laowa 12 and 15mm for my real estate photography work on my Sony a7iii. I think you just sold me on the 15mm. The lens seems insane and versatile!. Thanks

[@Painfulwhale360]

David Smith is this a good choice for real waste photography????

[@WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

@@Painfulwhale360 "Real waste"? lol. I just got the lens 3 days ago and did my first commercial real estate shoot with it yesterday. They were only exterior shots but they turned out very well. I'm happy with the lens and loving the pairing with the a7iii. Thanks again for your review. It really helped me.

[@Painfulwhale360]

David Smith Real Estate* haha I appreciate the feedback!

[@Pierrelager]

Another super great video :) Thanks !

[@TerenceKearns]

AMAZING! I want this.

[@hindesite]

At 0:53 you describe the lens as tilt/shift, this is AFAIK incorrect, this is shift only. I see also several comments similarly confused. While both tilt and shift are movements, they are used for totally different purposes.

[@12345stronger]

I have this lens! I love it sooo much!!😁

[@asandovalhatchet]

WOW. that's close lol Great video!

[@mike0rr]

I was a little disappointed on the tilt not being actual tilt shift, but I've never had an item shoot to the top of my, "to buy" list so fast. Getting this withing the next 2 weeks for sure. I don't really shoot video, mostly just a macro photographer and I mush have shouted, "This is INSANE" like 5 times at least. I love my Tokina 100mm but I want a different flavor of lens in my bag and this is it. I'm so excited, even if the bugs are mostly gone till spring... (Typing this mid November).

[@mike0rr]

I wont forget to use the link either : )

[@EpicDubstepManiac]

You can buy similar lens from Opteka, 15mm f4 macro, just without shift, for +-110 bucks new...

[@orelbitan]

So strange. Love it 🙂

[@c0pyimitati0n]

Killer video man. I wish this had AF 😑 I would love to pair this with my 5d mk4 & dual Pixel AF.

[@tonialarco1580]

This is one of the weirdest and more impressive lenses I've ever seen

[@NetvoTV]

What's the differences between this and the Laowa 15mm F4.5 dedicated shift lens that has a bulb lens in front, that one shift more? But I'm glad this macro version has shift too, I am just a hobbyist photo and videographer and just what to take creative shots, I think this one give more creative use for lower price too and more versatile! Right?

[@Splendiddddd]

looks nice, but for now i will keep my modified canon 10-18 stm on a speedbooster @ 12mm, f3.2 really wide, sharp and also does macro ;-) The most underated lens ever. did i mention its got IS? great review though! really like the shift function.

[@BittyVids]

Laowa lenses are great. I have the 15mm f2.

[@Quetzalcoatl0]

I have tha Tamron 15-30 and the canon 100mm l , and know i want this one :D

[@wesleychapman9001]

I want all three of those lenses. Great choices!

[@nikitagarin4168]

Nice Lens👍

[@bmecalgary]

Shift, no tilt!

[@FlyingJackalope]

Hey Caleb, just arrived. I think this is so cool. I cannot, for the life of me, get the shift to work. How hard should it be to make it work? I'm using it on a speedbooster on my GH5. BTW, any filters need to be darn clean to use the macro or you'll have a lot of stuff showing up in the shot. So much fun.

[@bwallace936]

Much obliged for the videos Caleb! But my brain and eyes are hurting from all my research, so could you just say if this in addition to a Fujifilm XT-3, as I researched is the lightest, would be a spectacular macro combo? Ultimately silence and weight being the most important factors. That thing looks minuscule!

[@ihcrenrut]

Holy smokes!!

[@EposVox]

This would be so cool, but out of my budget for now

[@LegionOfWeirdos]

VERY nice. I'd REALLY have to want a macro lens to spend five bills on it though 😀

[@mohitthapa2265]

I use the canon 500D closeup filter on my Nikon 17-35 for similar effect.. no shift though..

[@mfgonz]

Caleb!! please do a review on their top lenses, ive been struggling to choose between this or the 12mm zero d, and then ALL OF THE OTHERS!! they just seem so great but also very familiar to each other (as they have a few that are repeated lengths) any thoughts?

[@TheCrowleyCrew]

When is the M50 Guide coming?

[@GaryPopejr]

Man...I was just in the market for a wide E-mount lens and I went with the Sigma 16mm f1.4. I'd be all over this lens if it wasn't an f4, maybe down the line when I can get specialty lenses I may grab this.

[@peoplez129]

If it wasn't F4, it'd be bad for macro because of the depth of field.

[@Sronpop]

Great video, laowa have some super interesting lenses, lack of distortion is crazy. Have my Samyang 14mm which has me happy on the extreme wide end but I'm very tempted! Btw I always mean to ask you but what's the song at the top and tail of your videos?

[@QbaNH]

Hey Caleb quick question: what the f**k? This lens is insane... thanks for sharing!

[@DONDINO09]

Waow it looks awesome

[@selfishmuffin4793]

Is it bad that I prefer standard macro at 2:20?idk I hope it's just the type of photography that's in my mind and that I don't have a bad eye

[@TheMinuteman1964]

been looking at the 7.5mm f2 for MFT mount.

[@Q8Police777]

Holy shit this is insane. Im getting this

[@ericpaulgoldie]

New to the channel, epic video. Thank you! p.s. the lens is amazing! Tilt-shift and ma cro! WTF!

[@beckykuperstein]

Great review! I just purchased one for my full frame Sony. For the filters, will there be vignetting with a 77 mm filter? Or should I use and 82 with a step up ring?

[@MFGBorgi]

Love that you said "centimeter" at one point and not inches. Makes it easy for us Europeans! 😂 Also I.WANT.THAT.LENS!

[@palentier1]

Crazy, neat!

[@jeffbenjamin7986]

Very neat.

[@JosH-oo2en]

Its a beatiful lens, have you seen the mitakon’s looks ver y good too

[@TOKYObrah]

Does it work with a speedbooster and GH5?

[@snaprmedia1443]

TOKYObrah I am using it on my GH5 with Metabones Speed Booster -Cannon EF with no issues. I shoot interior wide angle shots, and the tilt-shift allows you to get more of the ceiling or floors in the frame given the client's shots most have ever seen before.

[@bohdandoval9621]

@@snaprmedia1443 got any sample footage?

[@iComplainer]

Wtf'ing awesome!

Gracias por el dato.

[@silver-gs8ne]

Wich is the best as sharp macro Laowa 15 mm Laowa 60 mm

[@FoodTechLife]

Now we can access your iPhone 😂

[@CodakChris]

your color and contrast changed when you put the lens on your sony ...