Venus Optics released GFX & XCD mounts for the Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF zoom fisheye lens. Pre-orders are now open at B&H Photo. Additional information (see also this post):
- Dual fisheye effect (circular & full-frame)
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- Outstanding image quality
- Close focusing distance of 16cm
- Compact and portable design
- GFX: 101.2mm*Ø76.4mm/ XCD: 96.36mm*Ø76.4mm
Specification
| Product name | LAOWA 8-15mm F2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye |
| Format Compatibility | Full Frame |
| Focal Length | 8-15mm |
| Aperture | F2.8-22 |
| Angle of view | 175°-180° |
| Lens Structure | 13 elements in 9 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 9 |
| Focus Throw | 70° |
| Zoom Throw | 75° |
| Aperture Throw | 42° |
| Focus Scale | Dual Scale |
| Min. Focusing Distance | 16cm |
| Max. Magnification | 0.23x |
| Focus mode | Manual Focus |
| Dimensions | GFX: 101.2mm*Ø76.4mm XCD: 96.36mm*Ø76.4mm RF: 94.5mm*Ø76.4mm |
| Weight | ~650g |
| Mounts | E / Z / L / RF/ GFX/ XCD |
| Price | USD699 |
Venus Optics Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF zoom fisheye lens officially announced (E/Z/RF/L)
Overview of the Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens
The Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye is a full-frame lens designed to deliver exceptional creative flexibility through its dual fisheye capabilities. Offering both a 180° circular fisheye and a diagonal fisheye effect, users can effortlessly switch between two distinct visual styles to suit their artistic vision. With a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, the lens performs brilliantly in low-light environments and enables faster shutter speeds—ideal for capturing dynamic scenes such as sports or action shots. Its close 16cm (6.3″) minimum focusing distance empowers photographers and videographers to get up close and personal with their subjects, producing dramatic compositions with bold fisheye distortion and immersive visual impact. Previously available in full-frame mounts including Sony E, Nikon Z, L mount, and Canon RF, the lens is now expanding its compatibility with the addition of GFX and XCD mount options for medium-format users. Despite the new mounts, the lens remains lightweight and compact, measuring 101.2mm × Ø76.4mm (GFX) and 96.36mm × Ø76.4mm (XCD), with a weight of approximately 650g.
Performance on Medium Format Cameras
When paired with medium-format systems like Fujifilm GFX or Hasselblad XCD, the Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye delivers a unique visual experience—producing a bold circular fisheye image at 8mm and a broader diagonal fisheye effect at 15mm. As the lens was originally designed for full-frame cameras, its image circle doesn’t fully cover the larger medium-format sensor, resulting in a circular or partially cropped frame. Photographers can embrace this dramatic aesthetic or crop the image to suit their desired composition, unlocking fresh opportunities for playful framing and creative exploration on medium-format platforms.
Creative Cropping Possibilities
In addition to its distinctive fisheye rendering, the Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye opens up a world of creative cropping options for medium-format users. One standout choice is the XPan-style 65:24 panoramic crop, a favorite among GFX and XCD shooters for transforming circular fisheye images into cinematic, widescreen compositions. Photographers can also experiment with classic aspect ratios like 4:3, 1:1, and 16:9—each offering a unique interplay of scale, framing, and perspective. Thanks to the high-resolution capabilities of modern medium-format sensors and the lens’s superb optical performance, these crops retain remarkable detail while inviting fresh interpretations of fisheye photography. Whether aiming for dramatic panoramas or balanced square frames, users can craft visuals that are both technically sharp and artistically bold.
