After the Laowa 60mm f/2.8 Macro 2:1 and the Laowa 15mm f/4 Shift Macro 1:1 lenses, the Chinese company Anhui Changgeng Optical Technology Company Limited, better known as Venus Optics (see www.venuslens.net/about), will announce shortly a new 24x36 lens: the Laowa STF 105mm f/2 (T/3.2).
Update: the lens is now available for pre-order.
The Laowa STF 105mm f/2 is a portrait lens with an apodization filter that gives a more progressive and velvety bokeh than an ordinary lens (STF stands for Smooth Trans Focus). This is the same principle as for the Minolta AF / Sony 135mm f/2.8 [T/4.5] STF and close to that of the Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R APD. The Laowa has the advantage over the Sony of being one EV brighter. Hereafter its main features:
- 11 elements, including the apodization filter, 1 element made of glass with high refractive index and 3 elements made of low dispersion glass, in 8 groups
- Manual focus (the apodization filter is hostile for phase-detection autofocus)
- Minimum focusing distance: 90cm
Maximum magnification: 0.16x - Filter diameter: 67mm
- Dimensions: 76 mm (maximum diameter) x 98.9 mm (length) (depending on lens mount)
- Weight: 745 g (depending on lens mount)
- Available mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A and Sony E
- Available in black and silver
- Launch date: January 18, 2016
- Price in China: the equivalent of €500-550 (probably more in Western countries)
- Shipment should start in the summer of 2016
Laowa STF 105mm f/2 lens MTF chart:
Laowa STF 105mm f/2 lens design:
Few sample photos are available on flickr:
You can find more details and many pictures taken with the lens on two threads from the Chinese forum Xitek: link 1 | link 2.
Thanks for the tip Mistral75!
