The most UNIQUE lens I own... | Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Review

[@xAnnettee]

Cliff Notes 🤓 00:00 📸 Laowa 10mm f/2.8 is an extremely unique lens, offering an ultra-wide perspective with autofocus functionality. 01:14 🎥 Laowa 10mm f/2.8 is Laowa's first autofocus lens, maintaining its trademark rectilinear lines and exceptional close focus distance. 02:24 ⚖️ Autofocus performance of the lens is commendable for both photo and video purposes, although some noise is noticeable during aperture changes and focusing. 03:19 🎞️ The lens, despite its extreme wide-angle, could be suitable for vlogging when paired with dynamic active stabilization to reduce shakiness. 04:00 📷 Laowa 10mm f/2.8 produces unique and relatively clean images, with sharpness held well in the center throughout the aperture range. 05:10 💡 Chromatic aberration is well-controlled in the center but more noticeable in the corners, yet it doesn't detract significantly from the lens's creative impact. 06:06 🌀 Physical distortions are inevitable due to the lens's wide field of view, emphasizing the need for intentional shooting to minimize distortion effects. 07:00 📐 Laowa 10mm f/2.8 demonstrates excellent distortion control, maintaining straight lines even at very close distances, aligning with Laowa's zero-distortion philosophy. 07:29 ⚙️ The lens features a robust all-metal build with weather sealing, a distinctive blue shade, and a chunky, textured focus ring, offering a unique physical presence. 08:11 💰 Priced at $799, the Laowa 10mm f/2.8 autofocus lens offers exceptional value for its unique features and optical performance.

[@Dannymabley]

I don’t need this lens at all. But I want it 😂

[@DavidZhou]

Haha, that's me all the time 😂

[@RikMaxSpeed]

I’m trying to figure out what I would use this for. I tend to always want to use the long end of whatever zoom lens I have!! 😅

[@DavidZhou]

@@RikMaxSpeed Vlogging, Lanscapes, and Timelapses would be the easy answers, but you can get pretty creative with it 😂

[@leomachine23]

@@Dannymabley You represents me, my friend! 🤣

[@whatthefitt]

@@DavidZhou what about real estate and architecture?

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Finally someone used this lens as a portrait and vlog perspective!!! That why I watch you David... Never Dissapoint 👌

[@DavidZhou]

Haha, just my way of reviewing! 😁 thank you!

[@chungdha]

Think its interesting vlog lens but would need to be creatively switching between Full Frame and ASPC mode. So filming yourself use APSC and switch Full Frame if you want that wide angle.

[@DavidZhou]

Definitely a nice little way to make it 2 different focal lengths!

[@DavidZhou]

What kind of shots would you get with a 10mm lens?

[@robinlarabi]

I have been wanting a lens like this for a long time for real estate shots. I am an amateur photographer but I have a side hustle consisting of renting appartments and even renting a campervan 🚐. I am on the fence because I do not want to spend 799 😅. I know however that I could get amazing indoor shots with this lens.

[@DavidZhou]

@@robinlarabi I think it'd be good, but it may be just a tad too wide honestly! If anything I'd go with something like the 16-35 for real estate, just easier to capture the room without exaggerating the size too much! But regardless, this is a great lens.

[@robinlarabi]

Thanks for your reply! I have a 16-35 and lot of times, it isn't wide enough for real estate shots.

[@ryansulak]

@@robinlarabi i think wide lenses should be banned in real estate. they are so misleading for the size of rooms and are used all the time now

[@tvthegreek]

Love how creative and fun this lens is. great video thank you man!

[@DavidZhou]

Right?? And thank you! 🙏🏼

[@MarioSoMedia]

Wow 10mm without distortion and at f2.8. Very impressive. Thanks for the vid David!

[@DavidZhou]

It’s an insane lens in so many ways! And of course, my pleasure 😁

[@amadeudesign]

Fantastic, i Bought one of this to use in Blackmagic 6K FF. Despite it didn't have autofocus, it's dope when you using on open gate mode.

[@tacacepa5957]

If it performs that well at that close to your test chart, then it's really good as most lenses are calibrated to perform better for a further distance. I will buy it!!! Thanks David!!

[@DavidZhou]

Glad to help! 😁😁

[@lupe103344522]

Dude love the review on this! And also love the vlog aspect you showed too. Ultimately that sold me on the lens because I thought it looked really good when you vlogged and put on the dynamic stabilization.

[@DavidZhou]

What you saw was literally 2 minutes after I realized it’d make an awesome vlog lens 😂

[@robbycastillo7862]

We need more this type of reviews! Love your content!

[@DavidZhou]

Thank you! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@macrodeon]

Awesome review, awesome lens!!🎉

[@DavidZhou]

Thanks! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@8lec_R]

The issue with shooting charts at such a close distance is the plane of focus. The sides of the charts are substantially further away from the center. That is pretty much the issue with all ultrawides. The lens itself might be sharp but the plane of focus is so far apart that you can't keep the entire chart in focus

[@jeroenvdw]

Yeah was thinking the same, a test chart with a slight curve would give some better results I guess.

[@alzibaba]

Great review, thanks David. I'm curious about ways to add ND without a huge vignette. Did you try any filters? I've found with a 14mm I can add the Tilta Mirage 95mm filter holder without the matte box, and get it close enough to the front element for there to be no vignette. But I think at 10mm it would come into frame.

[@DavidZhou]

That is a fantastic question, I haven't tried throwing any filters on this yet but if you DM me on IG (@thegreatzhou), I'll try the ones I have when I get back from NAB at the end of this week to see if I have any suggestions!

[@Skapo]

Is the focus fly by wire? If so is it a consistent throw or is it logarithmic where it speeds up and slows down the quicker you accelerate your focus pull?

[@DavidZhou]

So… it’s definitely focus by wire but it’s pretty easy to use. At 10mm, there’s really just… close focus and pretty far focus 😂

[@Mikey_G]

I really appreciate this. FYI, I believe your adorama link is to the wrong lens. It’s taking me to the manual focus lens.

[@DavidZhou]

Ahh, thanks! I think it just takes it to the listing, you have to click on “Autofocus” and it’ll be available in Sony FE and Nikon Z mount

[@cinqo7]

Great video! Which LUT did you use for this video?

[@DavidZhou]

It's actually one I made that I'm still tinkering with!

[@MarcelGlas]

I'm never going to buy this but I love your reviews man 🔥

[@apichairiddiboot8492]

I'm a fan of Laowa because of their unique design and picture quality. I own a couple of their macro lenses (85mm f5.6 2x and 25mm f2.8 2.5-5x). I definitely will order this 10mm as it's such a unique lens. It will be a great addition to my lens collection. Thanks for the review, good one!!!

[@lane161]

You are brainwashed by marketing

[@apichairiddiboot8492]

@@lane161 You may be right, but from my experience, Laowa lenses are pretty good.

[@Keenonhang]

Ordered one. Can’t wait to try it out.

[@DavidZhou]

Lemme know what you think of it!

[@iamngkalon]

really an insane lens....

[@mrmonday42]

If you're going to vlog with dynamic active steadyshot, doesn't it make more sense to use an APSC lens since there's a 30% crop?

[@DavidZhou]

It depends* most APS-C lenses just cover the APS-C sensor, meaning you technically need a 1.4-1.5x crop on a FF camera to crop out the physical vignette. SOME APS-C lenses cover enough of a FF sensor where you may get away with the 30% crop from Dynamic Active Stabilization. But, if it doesn’t, you unfortunately can’t combine DAS with Clear Image Zoom. So, technically yes if you can find the right APS-C lens, I just don’t know which one(s) do that at around the 10mm focal length!

[@mrmonday42]

@@DavidZhou Makes sense, thanks for the detailed response :)

[@CozyEXPPlus]

Been looking forward to find more videos on this lens! Thanks!

[@DavidZhou]

My pleasure! It's a FUN lens to shoot with (kind of hard sometimes because of how wide it is, but when you get a good shot, it's a GOOD shot)!

[@stefancelmare21]

I wish you could compare it to a go pro. no one has done this while reviewing it.

[@BrianCatalano]

Great video, think you sold me... especially for my ZVE1! However, have you noticed any disparity with autofocus performance when compared to the A7Cii. I'm still finding some issues with third party lenses on the A7Cii that I'm not finding on the ZVE1. Ideally I'd love to use this with both...

[@DavidZhou]

Thanks Brian! And hmmm that’s weird… I wish I could provide some insight here but I haven’t run into that issue before, but I haven’t found any issues in this area. Only thing I can think of is double checking your AF speed settings since some faster settings can cause third-party lenses to freak out aha

[@BrianCatalano]

@@DavidZhou thanks for thinking on that, and I'm glad it hasn't been a noteworthy issue on your end. There have been notable problems with Samyang and some Sigmas on the A7Cii but the last firmwares (for both the camera and the lenses) have mostly ironed those matters out... Whereas, the zve1 has always been solid.

[@imranhusain1657]

Super Review. I have a Z and can’t wait to get it now. Thank you

[@DavidZhou]

Happy to help, it's a fun lens!

[@miked8121]

Ordered this lens from B&H a couple months ago in February. So far no updates on availability anywhere. There seem to be a lot of postings about it a month ago but nothing lately. It seems to be MIA.

[@DavidZhou]

I guess they must’ve only had so many in production and weren’t expecting the amount of demand for it, dang, sucks to hear you’re hasn’t shipped yet

[@spacekatze3958]

Love the review! definitely will get one!😄

[@DavidZhou]

Thanks 🙌🏼🙌🏼 lemme know how you like it!

[@leomachine23]

David, what a grate work, wow! I need this lens for my happyness! 😭❤️ And i need the A7C II (i have la A7C Mark I haha🥹)

[@DavidZhou]

It's a fun lens 😂

[@blainea7123]

Man, this is sooooo cool!! 10mm for FF with 2.8!????

[@DavidZhou]

RIGHT

[@thebogdan3]

Awesome video as always!

[@DavidZhou]

Thanks Bridget & Kevin! 🫶🏼

[@xile_hc]

Is it Apsc or Full Frame?

[@DavidZhou]

Full Frame!

[@KipJackson]

I actually need a lens like this

[@DavidZhou]

It’s pretty sweet!

[@johnbrunedigital1]

Thank you for this review. Excellent video and demonstrations. Nice to see this thing in action in practical circumstances before I buy it...and I will buy it for my Sony cameras when it's available.

[@kamchow1468]

Where I can get.

[@DavidZhou]

Check out the links in the description box below the video!

[@22welcome]

Thank you so much for this amazing video about awesome lens 👌👌👌

[@massa6784]

thx! will buy it for work. =)

[@DavidZhou]

Let me know what you think of it :)

[@josiahpetermann]

Trying to decide if its gold for real estate video or not!

[@DavidZhou]

It would give some solid shots, only fear is just how wide it is-it’ll make a small room large (distorting nearer objects) but it’ll make large rooms cavernous

[@JonathanPajakLensCulture]

Price is awesome! I can only imagine how much you had to move to get out of frame ahhaha

[@DavidZhou]

I had to DROP to the floor 😂

[@minimalchannel06]

Good video

[@LWJCarroll]

Fyi Leica L mount but manual focus. Laurie. NZ.

[@CodyMBM]

Sell me your LUT!!!

[@DavidZhou]

Coming soon 👀

[@aldillayonda]

Subscribed

[@DavidZhou]

Welcome aboard :)

[@benjhaisch]

Made it to here from threads ;)

[@DavidZhou]

Let’s go!! Threads gang 🤘🏼😁

[@wtfkurtis]

Get a Lumix. The IBIS is better than your camera.

[@chrisbanbury]

Hah. I was planning a shoot at that same location with that same lens tomorrow.

[@DavidZhou]

Haha, at UT?? 😂

[@chrisbanbury]

Yep. Plant Hall is perfect for that lens@@DavidZhou

[@chrisbanbury]

Unfortunately that lens is still on back order EVERYWHERE 😂

[@DavidZhou]

Yeah I think interest and demand in it was really high!

[@andrewlockwood6102]

It can't be the "most unique" lens you own ... because if it truly IS unique, then there can be no relative amount (ie. "most"), of unique-ness. It's either 100% unique - or it's NOT unique. 🤣

[@DavidZhou]

What if I was being facetious and it's the only unique lens I own and by default is the "most" unique?! 👀😂

[@andyxmunoz]

TOO wide

[@wethepeoplearethegovernmen8032]

Is this something widely available on other cameras than nikon too?

[@DavidZhou]

Unfortunately it’s just available on Sony E and Nikon Z at the moment!

[@markr041]

@@wethepeoplearethegovernmen8032 L mount, Z mount, but manual focus only.