Laowa update ‘world’s widest’ 14-blade shift lens

The new and improved Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift promises more artistic freedom for photographers.

Under their manufacturing arm ‘Laowa’, Venus Optics has launched the updated 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift Lens. While the original 15mm already champions the TIPA-award-winning title of ‘world’s widest shift lens’, the updated f/4.5R could render greater flexibility with perspective and light bursts. It has been released in both ‘Blue Ring’ and ‘Red Ring’ editions, with architectural, cityscape, and interior photographers in mind.

An impressive start, but let’s go deeper. The new Red edition of the 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift offers the cutting-edge 14-blade aperture, which promises stunning – yet more subtle – 14-point sunbursts. A particularly useful tool, especially when it comes to the challenge of a window reflection or a strong light source.

The f/4.5R is medium and full format-ready, with bokeh so smooth that night-view city scenes become visually stunning. Perspective distortion has been worked on (see: Zero-D), and there is greater control over chromatic aberration, flaring and ghosting effects.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects is how the +11mm Shift (full frame) delivers the ability to stitch multiple images together, expanding the room compositions and creating extraordinary perspective. This means crooked images are corrected by the lens itself (saving that precious space on memory cards!), and straight and sharp edges can be captured effortlessly.

Both Blue and Red versions are great options for close focusing distance with their user-friendly 360° rotation and special design lens support (but this is sold separately), while the new Fujifilm G mount allows greater accessibility for most cameras without the need for any adapters. The weight is 579g; dimensions are about Ø 79mm * 103mm.

The price point for both the Red and Blue ring versions of the Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift is $1,199 – although this may vary in other countries.

To read more on the product, head over to the Venus Optics website.