A year with the Laowa 65/2.8 Apo Macro

Hi,

This is my take on the MF Laowa 65mm f2.8 2:1 Apo Macro lens, which I’ve owned for well over a year. If you’re not into short teles, macro or manual focus, please pass.

It's one of Laowa's suite of five apo macro lenses made for sensors from MFT to FF. The APSC version is the 65mm. Judging by the lab test site reviews, they're all good and the 65mm may well be the pick of the bunch. It is in any case if you're Fuji user. Shot on my XT4 – so 26mpx.

Where does it 'fit' in the range of options? The Laowa weighs 335g, about 100g more than the Fuji XF 60mm - this gains you greater magnification but it remains a relatively light lens. It still weighs less than half the ponderous weight of the Fuji XF 80mm. It will focus to 2:1, so significantly closer than either.

I find the lens very versatile. It really is optically excellent. If you like macro, landscape, still life, etc, you like the short tele FOV, and you value portability, this is a great lens. It’s well-made, robust, small, light, and very sharp across the frame from infinity to macro. The apo design is the icing on the cake whether you shoot macro or not. CAs and distortion are practically eliminated. It does have some susceptibility to flare, though not excessive. The supplied hood is neat and effective. The rendering is variable depending on the situation.

IMO the US$399 is a fair price for the BQ and IQ. If any OEM made it, it would cost double. Compliments to Laowa for the design and offering it as an APSC-specific lens.

I’ve posted some images below. My regulation ten. Apart from macro, I find myself using it for the occasional long landscape, but more for narrowing in on subjects.  I’ve tried to include a range of shots to show its versatility. All XT4 fine j-pegs, tripod except where indicated, no filter, timed release, minor refinements in PP.  CC welcome.

Regards, Rod

XT4, Laowa 65, f8 from memory

XT4, Laowa 65, f8 from memory, handheld

XT4, laowa 65. Rock climber at play. Left my 70-300 at home that day.

XT4, Laowa 65/2.8 @f2.8. Not the prettiest model. My family long ago barred me from posting any of their images. So, if one wants an example of a portrait image, one occasionally has to step up.... Me at one of my other pastimes. Taken by my son.

XT4, Laowa 65/2.8 @f11.

XT4, Laowa 65/2.8, probably f8 or f11. Bromeliad flower.

XT4, Laowa 65/2.8. King Spider Orchid in the nearby national park - maybe a candidate for stacking next time....

XT4, Laowa 65/2.8. Copper wire artwork detail.

XT4, Laowa 65/2.8 - probably f5.6 or f8

XT4, Laowa 65/2.8. Probably f8. Detail from the Australian $50 note.