Venus Optics Unveils Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 MFT, 25mm f/0.95 APS-C

Venus Optics today announced two new ultra-fast Laowa lenses in the Argus lineup. They are the Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 APO lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras and the Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO lens for APS-C crop sensor cameras.

Both lenses are designed to provide a 35mm-equivalent field of view on their respective sensor formats. The focal length is “extremely versatile due to the semi-wide but comfortable images produced,” Venus Optics says. “Apart from portrait photography, it also works for landscape, street photography, and as an everyday lens.

“Pair with the ultra-fast aperture and the short minimum focusing distance of Argus lenses, photographers can create some really unique shots.”

Both lenses feature a 9-blade aperture that opens up to f/0.95, which allows for creative wide-angle photography with pleasing bokeh.

“From an eye-catching portrait to stunning low-light photography, an f/0.95 ultra-fast aperture is perfect for creating impactful images with its shallow depth of field,” the company says. “Creating great background separation for the main subject so that the viewers can focus on the essence of your images.

“The lenses are built to offer an incredible low-light shooting performance. Both lenses can create excellent contrast from center to corner. Perfect when you get limited time at dark sites or wants to increase the shutter speed.”

Both lenses feature Venus Optics’s apochromatic (APO) design that improves image quality by reducing aberrations and increasing sharpness.

The Apochromatic Optical Design “suppresses longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration across in-focus & out-of-focus areas,” Venus Optics says. “Purple fringing is controlled to the minimum even wide open. The APO design reduces the post-editing time substantially, giving photographers and videographers the best image performance.”

The lenses are also designed to be video-friendly thanks to the Aperture Ring Click Switch that allows them to be switched between clicked and de-clicked apertures for photography and videography situations. There is also a low amount of focus breathing, ensuring that there is minimal distraction from angle of view shifts when focus changes.

Another nice feature shared by both lenses is the internal focusing, which “maximizes the optical performance in both infinity focus and minimum focusing distance,” the company says. “Also, it prevents dust from getting into the lens. And [it’s] compatible with accessories designed to be set to a specific position like polarizers.”

Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 APO for MFT

The Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 APO features a minimum focusing distance of 7.87 inches (20cm). It weighs 1.1lbs (500g), has a 62mm filter thread, and has a design featuring 14 lens elements in 8 groups.

Here are sample photos captured with the lens:

The lens is available immediately with a price tag of $449 through the Venus Optics website and authorized resellers.

Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO for APS-C

The Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APO, which was previously launched for Micro Four Thirds, features a minimum focusing distance of 13.39 inches (34cm). It weighs 1.26lbs (575g), has a 62mm filter thread, and features 14 lens elements in 9 groups.

Here are sample photos captured with the lens:

The lens is available immediately for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fuji X, and Canon EF-M mounts with a price tag of $549 through the Venus Optics website and authorized resellers.