The Lenses Filmmakers have Been Waiting For? First Look at the Laowa Cine Lenses on MFT

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Hey Yall, Laowa lists the price as 699 each on their website or 1259 for the set of two and which is a decent deal!

[@TheTechnoPilot]

I would love to see an image comparison to the Mitakon. I’ve been eying these super fast T/1.0 lenses to add to my BGH1 (and GH6)’s otherwise exclusively speed boosted kit. The character is so fun generally.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

There might be a video in the works but I can tell you I think these definitely have the ghosting under control so they appear sharper but I don’t want to confidently say that without a head to head comparison. Wish I still had my Voigtlanders too! That would be the ultimate fast lens comparison.

[@loiccardenas]

These look fun (and were unexpected) but quite limiting with only 18 & 25. The "new" Laowa cine MFT zoom on the other hand looks amazing!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Im hoping they will introduce more lenses even if they just adapt their full frame lenses. a 33 or 45 would help with the tele end and I recommend later in the video to pick up a Voigty 10.5mm because its really in a class of its own.

[@getfmlr]

Manufacturers usually start with a 3 lens set, which these are in the full frame versions also just released. I think with MFT it's always going to be a wait and see how many purchase. If response is good then you can bet the set will see more additions. That being said, if you are hoping for a full set then best to wait. At the rate new cine lenses are coming out, there's going to be other options..

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@getfmlr true. It’s just a shame if we don’t get more because these just might be the sharpest T1.0 lenses out there

[@ryanrbrowne]

Thanks for this review. How is it focus pulling off the barrel?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@ryanrbrowne the action is really smooth and the rotation isn’t TOO far to be difficult although I remember the gears being slightly sharper than others. Hope that helps!

[@DiversionScience]

Hi, thanks for the video! I don't know if you've reviewed these, but how do these Laowas compare color-wise(when they're closed down a bit) to the Viltrox 23/33/56 T1.5, the Sirui Nightwalkers or the Meike Mini Primes? I have the Viltrox set and I'm looking for a 16/17/18mm to complete it. I would love to see a comparison with some similar lenses that can be combined with these Laowas.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Would love to tell you but alas I haven’t used any of these lenses besides the Laowa ones of course. Would love to try those other ones out eventually but we will see if anyone else reaches out to me

[@LetsGoOutdoors]

Would you recommend for use on the GH9ii as a video lens

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Of course! They’re really good as long as you don’t need autofocus

[@EmberSkyMedia]

I'd love to test and compare agaist my other fast lenses I use with MFT. It cool they came out with MFT lenses as part of the line-up!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Stay tuned for a Mitakon Comparison!

[@EmberSkyMedia]

@@RhettThompsonFilm I have a Zhongi 17mm f0.95 and at 0.95 its interesting, but at f1/1.1 it could be an interesting comparison.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@EmberSkyMedia I’ll spoil my video, this 18mm is leagues better than the 17mm. The 25mm vs 25mm is definitely closer.

[@EmberSkyMedia]

@@RhettThompsonFilm not all that surprised, lenses are getting good recently!

[@chinitopinoy1726]

Are they they same optically as the Argus 0.95 lenses released a few years ago?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I mention that in the first 30 second I believe!

[@leafcatcherstudio]

Thanks for the detailed review!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Yea I was just going to do a first look but I got carried away

[@RedFrameTech]

I like ‘em. They seem a bit sharper than the Mitakon while still having lots of character. Limited set though. It’s only those two, correct?

[@RedFrameTech]

The end of the video answered my question 😅

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@RedFrameTech haha nice. And yea I suggested they simply adapt their 33, 35, or 45 from the larger formats to extend the range. Definitely sharper than the Mitakons and more consistent build but the price does reflect that as well being 699 USD. Very impressed by these though overall.

[@sebastienblanchetiere1323]

I have sirui T1.2 cine lenses. My only complaints with thoses lenses: The rings are a bit too loose and the 25 mm is too warm. Laowa lenses seem to be great cine lenses. The image quality seems to be really nice. The focus breathing is a bit disappointing though.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Yea it’s a bit average and the focus breathing department. Although it does seem better than some of their full frame lenses. The sharpness is genuinely impressive and seems to be among the best of these fully manual lenses even beating some lenses with slower apertures.

[@andresgonzalezcerda7635]

I wish to see more examples shots from you, but thanks.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I tried to include as many as I could!

[@DimitriFarkas]

I LOVED them.

[@pragmaticfilmmaking]

How do they compare against the Voigtlanders?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Less CA, better sharpness, worse technical flare performance, and maybe a worse close focus distance but better close up IQ

[@renato.reboucas]

Laowa says they weigh 950g. True? I thought it was a lot for a relatively small body.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I wish I could remember but I had to send them back. However they were pretty beefy for their size!

[@renato.reboucas]

@@RhettThompsonFilm no problem. thanks anyway.

[@Democratiser]

What are your favourite vintage lenses?

[@nepex20]

Still prefer the oldies Voigthlander :D

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Technically I think these in some way outperform the Voigtlanders but they also are more expensive.

[@nepex20]

@@RhettThompsonFilm would love to see some comparison between them.

[@mfjae]

Can we get a 10mm😢😭

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

For now I’ll be using my Voigtlander 10.5 with these!

[@MudbloodWizard]

Sad no L mount

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Don’t worry I complained about it to them haha. They did say that would look into it