Crazy fast cine lenses (that don't suck) | LAOWA Argus

LAOWA have just launched their T1 Argus cine lenses, available in full frame, Super 35 and Micro Four Thirds. These all come with a crazy fast T1 aperture, but how do they hold up when wide open and how do they compare to other affordable lenses? Let's find out!
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro to the LAOWA Argus T1 cine lenses
01:30 - First impressions on the Argus lenses
02:46 - Image characteristics of the Argus lenses
03:56 - Controlled T stop test
04:41 - Side by side comparison 18-35 SIGMA Art
04:54 - Side by side comparison LOAWA S35 Ranger 17-50mm
05:27 - Side by side comparison 35mm SIRUI Night Walker
06:03 - Side by side comparison 35mm DZOFILM Vespid
07:06 - LAOWA Argus Chromatic abberation
07:53 - LAOWA Argus Focus Breathing
08:17 - LAOWA Argus Lens flaring behaviour
08:55 - LAOWA Argus Lens distortion
09:11 - Graded footage and discussion on the LAOWA Argus T1 lenses

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Absolutely great video. Thank you for making this and comparing with a bunch of other lenses. So useful!

[@kylewesson83]

Blaine, your last video kicked my ass into gear I want you to know that 🤣

[@EdProsser]

Thanks for stopping by dude, I think I'm due a big lens shoot out video soon!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

@@EdProsser you know I love lens tests!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

@@kylewesson83 I’m glad :)

[@nestorarranz3179]

My guy you show up everywhere It feels like you're trying to do some Avengers type of thing

[@nickalot]

Laowa reaaally makes beautiful lenses for the size and price mannn

[@EdProsser]

Yeah I absolutely can't keep up with how many releases they've had this year and they've all been great! So much choice now for us as the consumer

[@bertcano]

Great video as always! I am still kind of new to all this, and this was the first time I was really able to see a difference in sharpness between lenses. Never realized sharpness could vary as much as it did in this video. Thanks!

[@EdProsser]

No problem! When you really pixel peep you will see all sorts of differences... BUT the thing to remember is would you actually notice this stuff when watching well shot footage on an average sized screen, that's in a good edit? Probably not.

[@bertcano]

@@EdProsser yup that makes a lot of sense for sure 😁😎

[@keith-knittel]

So many new lenses to check out! Thanks for the comparisons man!

[@EdProsser]

yeah man, I just can't keep up!

[@Sneaky-Sneaky]

Thanks Ed! Very nice looking images !!

[@EdProsser]

Glad you like them!

[@nebukadnezzar3578]

Stunning vid, as always ;) But no L mount is a pity, really. Flange of EF and PL is too large to accommodate the design of the lenses, I am sure, but another mirrorless mount such as L mount should be feasible! Would amazing, if u could ask Laowa 😊

[@EdProsser]

I've asked them twice but no response on the issue 😞 will keep asking 🤣

[@cogmission1]

Just found this. Thank you for your hard work - this is very useful!

[@EdProsser]

You're welcome! Thanks for dropping a comment!

[@cogmission1]

@@EdProsser My pleasure! Thank you again!

[@DiodeFilms]

It's really nice to have more s35 options. It seems almost all the lenses that have been coming out the past few years have been large format, and that pushed me reluctantly into adopting full frame myself, which is a shame, because there are some really amazing s35 cameras like the fuji xh2s.

[@EdProsser]

Yeah S35 is not dead yet!

[@Deathbynature89]

Do you have a full frame RF mount camera to see how much vignetting the 18mm does on a FF sensor. Because the 7artisan 25mm T1.05 do kinda cover FF. As in it doesn’t have a strict, sharp, vignette shadow for the image circle. It actually has a gentle vignette shadow across the full frame with a bit of edge distortion which I think kinda looks cool. Basically, I want to film by moonlight with an A7siii as wide as I can go.

[@EdProsser]

I don't unfortunately, but there is a FF line of these lenses

[@adinbradic7092]

amazing video. I think I watched it at least 5 times. Mostly because it is very detailed and well done. But also because there is not a lot of reviews for this lenses, just a couple of them. I dont understand how is that possible. You were able to make this video a month ago, and now a month after a release of these lenses there are no new reviews.

[@EdProsser]

Thanks! Yeah I don't know, maybe they didn't have a huge campaign for them, they do seem to have slipped under the radar

[@ryancallahan2562]

How would you compare these to the Mitakon Speedmaster Cine lenses? Currently have the Nightwalker set but haven't been too impressed with their performance. Currently deciding between the Argus or Speedmasters

[@EdProsser]

These feel like they're slightly better built and have better performance wide open. The Mitakons are still lovely lenses tho

[@tyronetolentino]

While I understand the two may perhaps go hand-in-hand, when you say the Argus lenses look “cleaner” than the Vespids, do you mean cleaner from a strictly technical standpoint (chromatic aberrations, color accuracy, barrel distortion, etc.) or cleaner as in more “clinical” in terms of a more overall subjective look and feel? Fantastic video by the way!

[@EdProsser]

More from a technical stand point, sharper, less CA, I don't think they look that clinical.

[@Leapfilmuk]

Another great video Ed. Quick question. If you had £500 to buy a video interview lighting kit from scratch what pieces would you buy? (could be used?)

[@EdProsser]

I'd probably look at Zhiyun lights or Amaran lights they seem like good bang for your buck, you could get a 200-300w light as your key + softbox and then a small 60w as a backlight / hair light

[@Wildridefilms]

Unless they're planning to make AF versions of these lenses, any reason why they weren't designed for PL mount?

[@EdProsser]

Yes it is strange to me...

[@KannaGanga]

any interest in testing them for astrophotography? T1 seems fit for it!

[@EdProsser]

I know nothing about astrophotography and I'd imagine London would be awful for it

[@damiencooper]

Would loved to know if the set is color matched... But great video nonetheless

[@EdProsser]

Thanks man, love your channel. Yes one test I forgot to squeeze in!

[@damiencooper]

@@EdProsser Thanks! Let's collab sometime!

[@EdProsser]

For sure! Give me a shout if you're ever in London!

[@damiencooper]

@@EdProsser oh, haha.. how did I think you're in the netherlands?

[@nickalot]

argh. so beautiful. ❤

[@EdProsser]

thanks

[@shueibdahir]

Holyshit these lenses look gorgeous! They remind me of the sigma art lenses

[@EdProsser]

Maybe not quite as sharp or clean looking, but they've done a great job as they have a nice character to them!

[@d_FLDE]

I should not have watched this video :) Your review about the ranger s35 was the reason why I am now about to pull the trigger on the ranger s35 series by laowa. Seeing how soft it seem, specially around minute 5.23 is killing me :) I had the s35 ranger in hand and tested it for a wee bit. Did not realise it that much. Is it really that soft soft? They are not really on the market in Germany .. but I really need something longer than my sigma 18-35. Thank you for this great videos you put out Ed.

[@EdProsser]

Remember that is wide open on the rangers and no lens performs it's best wide open, and at 200%. The rangers are plenty sharp esp. once you stop down. You only noticed these diffs when doing side by sides, I have used the rangers on lots of pro work and they are perfect for me.

[@d_FLDE]

@@EdProsser Thank you !! Did you use the s35 rangers compared to the ooom and ff rangers? Color wise that would be great to see how they mix in. Well. I owe you a brew or slime anyhow already.

[@EdProsser]

@@d_FLDE I haven't had chance unfortunately. But I really like the S35 rangers, having such small zooms is really convenient, but you do have to stop them down a little, they are quite soft and fuzzy wide open.

[@d_FLDE]

@@EdProsserthe 18-55 will be my workhorse for sure. Thank you for reassuring. Going now to place an order. Sadly the EU prices are 500 Euros more expensive though :) There will be the Euro Cine Expo in a week though where I will compare what is best to mix in for a more tele version. I have this one client where I shoot food and my 18-35 was my go to lens by now. Close focus of the 50-100 sigma is sadly just absurdly far on it. And thank you again for the time to answer all of my annoying questions :)

[@chinitopinoy1726]

Have you tried using the Blazar Nero 1.5X adapter on these lenses wide open?

[@EdProsser]

No I think they're too large for the nero

[@chinitopinoy1726]

@@EdProsserjust try it man. We want to see. Get a step down /step up ring.

[@EdProsser]

@@chinitopinoy1726 I have some but what I mean is it'll be pointless as you'll just get a tonne of vignetting and light leak.

[@chinitopinoy1726]

@@EdProsser oh wait. I see. Do you have an MFT camera? Maybe it will cover. I have a 2/3 sensor camera (smaller than M4/3 and one inch) that uses MFT so I think the Nero will cover my setup.

[@birthright94]

Do you think full frame version of these lenses will have less CA?

[@EdProsser]

Really hard to know, I imagine it wouldn't be super different because it'll be the same glass and lens design

[@arunr4103]

Argus vs Arles which one has more cinematic look ?

[@EdProsser]

I cannot answer that question, you'll have to be more specific!

[@sagarkochar]

Can you make one video of these lenses with Fujifilm xh2s please 🙂

[@EdProsser]

Will you buy me a xh2s?

[@sagarkochar]

@@EdProsser 😅.......just waiting to make my first million, if it happens ya why not 😄

[@sagarkochar]

@@EdProsser I thought you had that cam saw in one of your videos or maybe I'm mistaken.....that's why I asked

[@EdProsser]

@@sagarkochar I've never laid my hands on one unfortunately - I have just bout an X100V for stills but not sure it's appeared in any videos yet!

[@sagarkochar]

@@EdProsser ok brother hope you get it one day !

[@koothka]

For me T.1 lens is very interesting for MFT.

[@EdProsser]

I think it'll be a great pairing for MFT systems!

[@CartyCantDance]

The lenses look great, but your footage (as always ) looks better! No L mount!?!? Again!!!!????

[@EdProsser]

Where the L love gone ?!?

[@CartyCantDance]

@@EdProsser shouldn’t it be an easy mount to add? THEY HAVE EVERY OTHER MOUNT 😂

[@area51pictures]

@@CartyCantDance It's available for the 18mm only

[@dollhausenx]

Two weeks? Sounds like a lifetime compared to how you long you had the Arles!

[@EdProsser]

I know totally, unfortunately I was travelling a lot during the 2 weeks I had them. Holding I'll get the Arles back in July

[@r.d.fodrek]

why no L mount???

[@EdProsser]

I honestly don't know!

[@filipmichalsaffray441]

I think the smart choice is PL mount... When buying lenses specially cine ones

[@r.d.fodrek]

@@filipmichalsaffray441 but there isn't a PL or EF mount so these can't be used on L mount

[@r.d.fodrek]

@@EdProsser given you connection with them - are you able to ask your contact if they will be coming out? I understand why there isn't a s35 version but no FF makes no sense!

[@EdProsser]

@@r.d.fodrek yeah I asked whilst making this vid but didn't get an answer in time - have chased again, will report back!

[@blakeronan]

I did a cupplie ..

[@EdProsser]

What is that?

[@metreweli]

Except L mount.. Meh

[@EdProsser]

I've requested them to release some in L mount - it's weird because most of their other lenses are avail. in L mount... but as they don't have EF / PL versions of these lenses it locks a whole set of users out.

[@JoshCameron]

First 🎉

[@EdProsser]

How did you get in so quick!?

[@JoshCameron]

I’m a die hard fan mate, you’ve found me out 😂

[@EdProsser]

your cheque is in the post

[@NetvoTV]

Hey director Prosser, my name is Johnny and I'm a freelance logo designer, are you interested to have a logo for your channel to have a memorable branding to increase your audience loyalty and views? I would love to have the honor to design a filmmaker inspired monogram logo of your vision! Let me know if you interested to make it happen! :-)

[@EdProsser]

Thanks so much for the offer but not looking for a logo at the moment!