DPReview TV: The Laowa Argus 35mm F0.95 is a crazy fast lens for full-frame

Because there are tons of decent, auto focusing 1.4 out there.

Sep 16, 2021permalink

FrancoPhoto

I really like the results coming from this lens. Some Silver Efex love would make really interesting images. Great video Chris and Jordan!

Sep 13, 2021permalink

D135ima

Unique lens. These pictures have some old-fashioned character, but the truth is that even 35 1.4 were very rare. I'ts like this laowa refers to some non-existent classical lens. Very exited about 45 0.95.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

WastingTime

One for the the bokeh fiends

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Greg Ohio

It's no shallower than a 50/1.2 or an 85/1.4, both of which have far better options, even with AF.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

AvailableMight

...but are not as wide as 35mm or as fast as f0.95.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

@Greg A 35mm f0.95 allows a shallower depth of field than a 50mm f1.2... Don't forget to take into account that with a 35mm you'll have to be closer to your subject than with a 50mm

Sep 13, 2021permalink

mosc

Yes, this is true. But 35mm vs 85mm has a lot of telescopic compression difference in backgrounds. I can hardly think of a situation that would matter so much that I'd want a big expensive manual focus lens in my bag but hey, it is a small difference. Maybe if I made my living as a studio photographer with limited space (city real-estate?) It might be something to make some cool shots with, maybe stand out a bit more.

Sep 14, 2021permalink

@mosc The 85mm for classic portrait, the 35mm for environmental portrait.... However, In order to iisolate a standing person from the background, you need a faster lens than for a head and shoulders portrait...

Sep 14, 2021permalink

Greg Ohio

@IdM, Which is why the Canon 85/1.2 has been the standard for portraiture for so long.

Sep 14, 2021permalink

Phil Flash

Gotta say, I fail to see why anyone would buy this over the Nikon Z 35mm 1.8. Yes, the Lowa is faster, but it seems too soft to use in its "faster" range.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

mosc

cause out of focus areas that a) you want in your final product (so no substantial cropping) and b) are intentionally blurry so who cares about their sharpness?

It's a weird niche but it is a niche. Easier to get the same background isolation out of an 85mm lens that's half as fast but the telephoto compression vs a 35mm would be pretty different.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

its_a_knife

Most people in this comment section “if the lens isn’t as sharp as my favorite bread knife, how can i satisfy my wife?!!!!!!”

Sep 13, 2021permalink

arbeterfroyen

"i am being divorced by my wife of twenty five years, laowa how could you"

Sep 13, 2021permalink

its_a_knife

I told my wife I was a super fast Laowa but she just wanted a G master :/

Sep 13, 2021permalink

adengappasami

Good set but would request decent alignment of horizontal and/or vertical lines. Some pictures were poorly aligned for both horizontal lines and vertical lines . Crooked

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Jordan Drake

I was definitely paying more attention focus than my horizon. Easy to fix, but we only post uncropped images for lens tests. I'll do better next time, I swear!

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Mac McCreery

Sharp this, sharp that.................how sterile photography would be if that were the only concern.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

You can't really enjoy bokeh without a sharp subject

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Steppenw0lf

Yeah, crazy. Still I prefer the noctilux.

Sep 12, 2021*permalink

Is there a 35mm noctilux?

Sep 12, 2021permalink

GT2RS

For those who asked if there is a Leica M 35mm 0.95. Answer is not yet. I can’t say more than that.

Sep 14, 2021permalink

We already have sigma 35mm 1.2 which is razor sharp full open AND can nail the AF on moving subject. Why do we need soft MF 0.95 lens at all?

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Read this reviewers opinion, he compared them https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-35mm-0-95-the-worlds-fastest-35mm-lens/

Sep 12, 2021*permalink

Thank you @phouphou.

There are two major problems with evaluating such a thin DOF lens.

1. It is VERY hard to use it. So, it is VERY hard to make good example images.

2. It is VERY hard to evaluate it if you do not understand what it is. This can be seen in this thread. Several her seems to believe that it is broken, has some aberrations, that it is unsharp, or something. But it isnt. It is a very well made F0.95 lens. This is how such a lens looks.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

I have absolutely no problem at all using my 35mm 1.2 with AF. 99% of images are sharp and contrasty. I can use it full open to take picture of my son running around with confidence.

On the other hand using a fast MF lens requires a lot of patience even on static subject (both the photographer and the subject). In addition this lens shows softness, glow, flare, contrast drop at wide aperture.

Sep 12, 2021*permalink

blse59

If you don't know then it's not for you. The short answer is we (meaning the marketplace) need this lens because it's not the same lens as the Sigma 1.2. Duh.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

The Sigma 35mm f1.2 is sharp, but generates too much distortion... I therefore didn't buy it...

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Distortion can be corrected for, but the lens will then be less wide, and maybe also less sharp in the corners.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Yes, you loose a part of the image...

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Mk82

Talks about "Crazy fast lens" and then fails by going to present its thin DOF limitations instead capabilities to provide a crazy fast exposure times by allowing to use crazy fast shutter speeds.

The common problem that people have in their thinking is that "Fast" means "Thin DOF" and it means "Blurry background".
Of course some people try to argue that "Blurry background" allow them to "Separate/Isolate the subject" that is not otherwise possible, but that really is lack of understanding of the composition that is the factor with utilizing perspective, framing and lighting, and when it comes to people photography that what is the timing.

At least this lens gives Small Format users a change to experience some of the Medium Format users problems, but they are still far from what Large Format users suffers from with their thin DOF when wanted to get fast subject on low level lighting to be frozen.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Is there a medium format 0.95/35mm equivalent (honest question)?

Sep 12, 2021permalink

It should be 70/1.9 maybe?

Sep 12, 2021permalink

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4550384

Look a bit down and you will find a list

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Orsonneke

As it isn’t sharp wide open, this lens does not make sense!

Sep 12, 2021permalink

TheLinguist

Because dpr shill for the Chinese now

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Look at picture #3, the boy in blue hat. How sharp is it? You can make it rather large and still be satisfied with the sharpness, where it is sharp. The normal enlarged view is perfectly fine. And, you can make it larger (even 100%) and like the unsharpness. Because the unsharpness is smooth without ugly aberrations.

I think this picture shows the potential for the lens.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Also, take a look at the test charts at the end. Sure, the F1 sample is soft, very low contrast. But, it does not really lose sharpness all that much. And it is equally soft all over the image. Quite impressive actually.

It has some vignetting though. The corners are darker.

Sep 12, 2021*permalink

Picture #3 is not sharp at all. Zoom in to his eye and it almost looks like it is out of focus

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Look closer. There are some sharp texture on his lower lip. There are some few sharp eye lashes in the inner corner of the nearest eye. There are sharp parts. Not extremely sharp, but sharp if you do not make too large prints. But, as the DOF is leaf thin, most is out of focus, of course.

But, what I think is most impressive and most important, everything that is out of focus is smooth. There is a smooth transition between sharp and not sharp and all the way to totally unsharp. All over the image. It is beautiful.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

TheLinguist

Roland, it’s not sharp at all

Sep 12, 2021permalink

I think you guys are confusing sharpness with micro contrast. Yes, the contrast is low, like for a soft focus lens. And 99.9% of the image is OOF. Of course, as the object has depth and the DOF is leaf thin.

Look around and you will find sharp parts, of his hair, his eye lashes, his clothes, etc. Not with high contrast, but sharp. Not razor sharp, but sharp.

Sep 12, 2021*permalink

Look at the Husky garage/petrol station. The text on the pump is sharp. Low contrast, but sharp.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

TheLinguist

Again, Roland, you are wrong.

In all fairness if you like the lens go ahead and buy it, I’ll skip but shall wait for you to post some shots.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Uh.. you really think the text is sharp?

It looks like a picture taken with my old AI-S 50mm 1.4 wide open.

Maybe still sharper than 50mm 1.0L....

Sep 12, 2021*permalink

I still think you misunderstand. There are very sharp lenses. This is not one of them. It is not very sharp. There are much sharper lenses than this one. Cheaper also if the lens is not so fast.

But, this lens is not unsharp. It is sharp enough for many purposes. It is not like a piece of junk that is totally unsharp or have ugly aberrations. Its not like a cheap Holga lens. It is sharp, but not extremely sharp.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

nerd2 - yes the text on the pump is sharp. It is soft, due to an overlay of the soft focus effect by peripheral rays through the lens. But it is sharp and soft. It has a sharp core. Not extremely sharp though.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

aris14

There are specialty lenses which are truly good for a purpose and quite idiosyncratic for practically any other job, there are lenses full of character which give -at least in the eye of the beholder- this extra something.
I think this lens "opens" the niche of lenses with "special character", which combines both of the above for quite special occasions given the fact that its user is a really insisting photographer or videographer having the skill and the stamina to squeeze out the best of it.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Manfred

Something I have wondered a while: "Special character" seems to be newspeak for "poor iq". - Strange times in photography.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

badi

@Special character" seems to be newspeak for "poor iq"

hehe.... well, sometimes yes, I totally agree.
But often it is "that something different" that could work in specific works (especially creative works). For instance, i was pretty wow-ed at the look of the video of Chris shot at F2.0 - 4. Sure, if you buy an 0.95 lens you want it for that, not shoot it closed down, however that smoothness of the transitions seemed pretty great to me.
Also, even it is not cheap, it is very affordable as an "extra trick" for any level of professional who would be interested in that.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

lnsmr

Laowa is truly great in making unique and differentiating products. For more bokeh in still pics, longer and sharper lenses probably make more sense. But at 35/0.95, this could be a great video lens.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

dpkoop

All I want is F0.5 1-1000mm macro pancake (with tilt-shift)

Sep 12, 2021permalink

lighthunter80

What about out of focus control?

Sep 12, 2021permalink

heiner71

dpkoop, for $50 and below 10g weight. With integrated lens mounts and electrical contacts for all makes and formats. 10 stops stabilized and water proof to 100m. Integrated ND, polarizer and UV filters. Self cleaning glass.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

zxaar

Throw in lens hood too.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

santiagoelmarino

It looks quite nice in its own way. Very pleasant out of focus areas and very nice bokeh balls at f1.4 and f2. At 0.95 is soft and glowing, while after f4 it's quite sharp in the central part. That makes it a very versatile lens IMHO. If you are looking for absolute image quality, sharpness blablablah you can always get the Nikkor Z 35, or equivalent in your ecosystem.

Sep 11, 2021permalink

blse59

Can I use this lens to shoot scenes lit solely by candlelight depicting people in 18th century dress playing card games?

Sep 11, 2021permalink

lighthunter80

Yes you can!

Sep 11, 2021permalink

TheGrammarFairy

Yes but there’s a trick to it; you use lights to lay a base exposure, like two stops below your shooting aperture then you use the candles to bring your exposure up where you want it.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

AndroC

I think @blse59 is referring to Barry Lyndon? A wonderful film.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

darinb

If you use three-wick candles...

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Djehuty

With modern sensors you dont need extra bright candles

Sep 12, 2021permalink

IamJF

But you can also use Sigmas F1.2 lens or Sonys 35GM. Light transmission will not be THAT different ...

Sep 13, 2021permalink

TheGrammarFairy

I was mistaken. They used no lights. Read all about it.
https://ascmag.com/articles/flashback-barry-lyndon

Sep 14, 2021permalink

papajohnny

If you like low contrast out of focus pictures then this lens is so you.

Sep 11, 2021permalink

AbrasiveReducer

I think it's kind of cool although a bit steep for the novelty. That said, if people will pay $350 for LensBaby, this Laowa seems almost like a bargain. On the bright side (no pun intended) you won't hear any pros commenting "maybe you got a bad copy."

Sep 11, 2021permalink

the samples show how hard it is to nail focus. many of them are not in focus

Sep 11, 2021permalink

Puppy2007

Because the lens is never sharp :-)

Sep 12, 2021permalink

Mk82

It is always sharp. It is question that what is your final image size and viewing distance that what YOU consider to be sharp or what not.
If you go pixel peeping a 100 x 70 size print nose 20 cm from it, everything will be unsharp. But step back a meter and everything is sharp. Or take it down to a A4 size and everything is sharp.

Lens sharpness is not measured by a expensive test bench, but simply producing the final image and examine it by looking it as it would be looked in normal conditions.
If you produce a large prints to interiors, then you are likely looking them from multiple meters away from middle of the room or opposite side of the room.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

More dedicated reviewers seem to have no problem getting sharp photos wide open
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-35mm-0-95-the-worlds-fastest-35mm-lens/

Could also be sample variation. But I'm pretty sure that with the limited time the dpr staff have they just don't get enough samples where they nail focus on the main subject(s eye). This lens needs dedication. Which ofc for many might be a downside.

Sep 12, 2021*permalink

Puppy2007

@phouphou Indeed, it looks much better! Significant sample variance seems to be issue of cheap manual lens. I had to return my first Samyang 24/F2.8 because it was unsharp in the center, the second sample was much better.

Sep 12, 2021permalink

IamJF

It's way harder to focus a "hazy" lens compared to a sharp one.
Watched in small format on a screen ... sharpness is way less important as most of us think.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

badi

"More dedicated reviewers seem to have no problem" - well, it seems that the shared images are small format. If you look at DPR images about same size, they are equally sharp.

Though the sharpness on that lens in center at around F2 seems much better than what DPR reports, so sample variation might be indeed significant.

Sep 13, 2021permalink

@badi, you can find fullres images here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/181621809@N02/albums/72157719744787074

Sep 13, 2021permalink

Mk82

Need to remember as well that softer lens has narrower DOF, as less is acceptably in focus.

Sep 14, 2021permalink