Photozone reviews the Laowa 7.5mm f/2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252786400483?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

only $299 with $50 instant rebate

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If you don't get older and wiser, than you just get older.

That is a good price. It seems you can get a deal from Kowa IF you show some pics you have shot so they think you are worth it.

But a mediocre lens at that price is a waste of money, we can't expect excellence either at 300 dollars so we an hope it is good or something like a shapr centre and not so sharp corners that get better stopped down.

From this I expect the Laowa F2 to be at least 500 dollar but 650 dollar/euro somehow is what I think it will actually cost...

Astrotripper said:

peppermonkey said:

I don't do astrophotography but want to, and if the lens is good enough (doesn't have to be stellar) this lens would be perfect for me (assuming it is reasonably priced).

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Well, that was my main reason for looking forward to this lens. But judging from this review, it's not the best choice for astro. That vignetting is simply massive. Both Oly and Pana 7-14 as well as Oly 9-18 all loose significantly less light. So yeah, with vignetting like that, this f/2 looses a lot of it's charm.

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Yep, right on. That's a bummer. I was hoping the Laowa would be a great lens for astro.

Now, I am left a little bit clueless. I wanted to buy the Panny 7-14 f4 for wide angle (landscape) shooting and the Laowa for astro.

The Olympus 7-14 f2.8 isn't a good alternative either. I consider f2.8 too slow for m43 astrophotography. My D800 + 14mm f2.8 beats my GH4 + Oly 8 f1.8 hands down.

Still, I prefer the GH4 combo because of the lighter weight. Not a fan of the fisheye look, though. So, the Oly 7-14 could be a (rather poor) option. But with the upcoming GH5 the weight advantage has been obliterated. If it would not be for the far superior video features (at least on paper), I would move to a Sony + wide angle combo:

GH5 + Oly 7-14: 1.26 kg

Sony 7 S/R II + Samyang 14 f2.8: 1,13 kg

Sony 7 S/R II + Sony 16-35 f4: 1,15 kg

So, I'll probably stick with the Oly 8 f1.8 and get the Panny 7-14, because I really want that GH5.

And maybe the upcoming Panny 8-18 f2.8-4 is a stellar performer wide open AND weights around 300g

jeffharris said:

DDWD10 said:

FYI the Venus Optics Laowa Facebook Page is alluding to some lens updates/announcements at CP+ tomorrow...

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LINK…?

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Albert Valentino said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252786400483?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

only $299 with $50 instant rebate

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Plus $50 shipping. So much for the rebate.

smrlabs said:

Bhima78 said:

smrlabs said:

now let's see if they hit it.

The Panasonic 7-14mm f4 is $800 these days so it kind of has to go up against that.

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Yeah, if it doesn't come in at around $500, it will likely be a bit too high since you can get the Panny used for around $650, and it is more flexible and has AF.

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My thoughts exactly.

Anything before f4 doesn't look great so the 7-14 would work fine, too. Small lens, as well.

Filters on ultrawides, blow so I don't care about not being able to put one on the 7-14.

I'd probably do $500ish. Much beyond that and I'd probably get the panny.

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I think you probably right. They've just disclosed the price in their FB page.

adrian1988 said:

adrian1988 said:

I'd probably do $500ish. Much beyond that and I'd probably get the panny.

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I think you probably right. They've just disclosed the price in their FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/venuslaowa/

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Good news on price. Next question, when?

--
If you don't get older and wiser, than you just get older.

adrian1988 said:

smrlabs said:

Bhima78 said:

smrlabs said:

now let's see if they hit it.

The Panasonic 7-14mm f4 is $800 these days so it kind of has to go up against that.

Click to expand...

Yeah, if it doesn't come in at around $500, it will likely be a bit too high since you can get the Panny used for around $650, and it is more flexible and has AF.

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My thoughts exactly.

Anything before f4 doesn't look great so the 7-14 would work fine, too. Small lens, as well.

Filters on ultrawides, blow so I don't care about not being able to put one on the 7-14.

I'd probably do $500ish. Much beyond that and I'd probably get the panny.

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I think you probably right. They've just disclosed the price in their FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/venuslaowa/

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At that price they'll get my money.

Spiridakis Michael said:

The only thing that they made wrong for me is the filter's diameter, a proper 52mm would be the ideal to use an ND or Var.ND, and the original hood, at 46mm simply there are not any serious choices in filters.

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Well the Pana 20/1,7 has 46 mms diameter too, and there are step-rings to adapt your 52 or 58 mms filters.

Jorginho said:

I hope a 9 mm f1.7 Panny will come sooner or later. No sign yet but why not??

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Would love that too - but what gives you any hope?

adrian1988 said:

smrlabs said:

Bhima78 said:

smrlabs said:

now let's see if they hit it.

The Panasonic 7-14mm f4 is $800 these days so it kind of has to go up against that.

Click to expand...

Yeah, if it doesn't come in at around $500, it will likely be a bit too high since you can get the Panny used for around $650, and it is more flexible and has AF.

Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.

Anything before f4 doesn't look great so the 7-14 would work fine, too. Small lens, as well.

Filters on ultrawides, blow so I don't care about not being able to put one on the 7-14.

I'd probably do $500ish. Much beyond that and I'd probably get the panny.

Click to expand...

I think you probably right. They've just disclosed the price in their FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/venuslaowa/

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Oh, nice!

Yeah, I'll almost certainly buy one at that price. Now the question is when is it going to arrive?

h2k said:

Jorginho said:

I hope a 9 mm f1.7 Panny will come sooner or later. No sign yet but why not??

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Would love that too - but what gives you any hope?

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Not real hope nor fear. It seems to be a lens that is in line with a bunch of others and it has no competition yet. So. Why not? I am not going to wait, Laowa seems to have said the 7,5 mm f2.0 will be sold for less than 500 dollars. That clinches it for me.