That's a nice assessment of the lens, Gary. You're always upbeat, even when going over the negative aspects. My on copy, whenever I install the lens cap, it can come in contact with the lettering on the front of the lens. One day I looked at the front and the lettering on some parts is worn off. At first I wondered if I received a used copy, but then I figured it out. Other than that, it is a fine lens, as you indicate. Thank you for the video.
I agree with most of your pros and cons. My copy of the 7.5mm is super sharp. The only other thing I would mention about a negative is the flare and ghosting. When shooting into a bright source, it's pretty bad and can lose a lot of contrast.
I forgot to mention about the flare and ghosting, thank you for adding! I haven't been too bothered by them too much, but I remember there are a few occasions of some flares and ghosting. However I haven't encounter any lost contrast when shooting into a bright light source.
I see you have the manual aperture version. It's worth mentioning that they have a version (has "AE" in its part number) that has automatic aperture. That by itself wouldn't be so useful, but it also reports proper EXIF data to the camera. This in VERY USEFUL if you have more than one manual lens, and you like to be able to search and sort by lens info. Also worth mentioning is that Laowa also has a 6mm ƒ/2.0, and it also has electrical contacts for auto aperture and reporting EXIF info.
I haven't bothered to buy that lens yet, but I should, but I have another option that I'm sure you've never heard of. I have an older Sigma 10-20mm for Nikon DX. It works well with Metabone's Speedbooster, and then gives about 7-14mm with m43. Slightly dark corners at 7mm with at 9 completely usable, especially if you stop down to f:8. That Laowa 7.5mm f/2 is very small and light, and I think it's the perfect companion with my Oly 12 f/2 and Pana 15 f/1.7 and a small tele.
Im struggling between Laowa C-Dreamer 7,5 mm F2 A (new model with Auto Apeture & EXIF), the Panasonic Lumix 9mm or the 7-14mm....they are all approx same price. Dont know which one.
If you are okay with no AF, Laowa 7.5mm is good. If you need AF and you would like to have large aperture (lower light capabilities, slightly more bokeh) then Lumix 9mm. If you need AF and want something flexible that can zoom in a bit, then Lumix 7-14mm. Hope this helps 😁
My Laowa 7.5mm lens has some play on the MTF mount of my BMPCC4K. It makes small noises when rotating in either direction, causing the picture center to shift. Has anyone else experienced this?
It is an interesting option as well, I'd love to try it in the future! It is slightly heavier though, so maybe not as convenient as the 7.5mm for travel.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, this lens is so wide that you can see the edge of any filter attached to it at 46mm....by expanding the size of that filter, you are only seeing the glass and not the edge.
I feel this segment fast ultrawide angle lens is lacking for m4/3 system. There is not many option meet both faster than f2.8 and wider than 10mm. Actually seems there are only 3 lens meets this segment. Panasonic 9mmf1.7, laowa 7.5mm f2.0 and laowa 6mm f2.0. If there are other lens, let me know.
If it has to be f2.0 or faster, then yes, all the three lenses you mentioned are the ones that met the criteria. There are some f2.8 manual prime lenses, but not a lot.
I wrote a blog post long time ago, featuring a Milky Way shot using the Laowa lens, you can read it here bejophotographyblog.blogspot.com/2017/08/laowa-75mm-f2-mft-for-astrophotography.html
Some copies of this lens can't reach infinity focus and Laowa won't help you if you bought it used. You can google for a hack to address this problem, which involves some minor disassembly.
Yes I forgot to mention that, mine had this problem also. I am also the one who wrote on that blog post on how to repair this lens. I want to make a video about it in the future.
It's not that it's negative, maybe I put it in a wrong way, but what I tried to say is that not having autofocus could make operating the lens a bit more difficult.
@@Gary_W I know what you meant my friend. It's just that us humans put too much emphasis on negativity. Let us use our brains more and stop believing technology will make us more intelligent.
@GaryW, I like your reviews, but some reason, it always feels your "in my face". I think its because you are too close to camera when you create videos. Have you had other feedback to pull back a few cms....
![LAOWA 7.5mm F2 long term review [2021 - samples - tips]](/img/1.gif)
That's a nice assessment of the lens, Gary. You're always upbeat, even when going over the negative aspects. My on copy, whenever I install the lens cap, it can come in contact with the lettering on the front of the lens. One day I looked at the front and the lettering on some parts is worn off. At first I wondered if I received a used copy, but then I figured it out. Other than that, it is a fine lens, as you indicate. Thank you for the video.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I didn't know about the lens cap rubbing the lettering issue, thanks for letting me know!
I agree with most of your pros and cons. My copy of the 7.5mm is super sharp. The only other thing I would mention about a negative is the flare and ghosting. When shooting into a bright source, it's pretty bad and can lose a lot of contrast.
I forgot to mention about the flare and ghosting, thank you for adding! I haven't been too bothered by them too much, but I remember there are a few occasions of some flares and ghosting. However I haven't encounter any lost contrast when shooting into a bright light source.
I see you have the manual aperture version. It's worth mentioning that they have a version (has "AE" in its part number) that has automatic aperture. That by itself wouldn't be so useful, but it also reports proper EXIF data to the camera. This in VERY USEFUL if you have more than one manual lens, and you like to be able to search and sort by lens info.
Also worth mentioning is that Laowa also has a 6mm ƒ/2.0, and it also has electrical contacts for auto aperture and reporting EXIF info.
Thank you for adding some important information! Yes I am aware of the Laowa 6mm, it seems very interesting.
I haven't bothered to buy that lens yet, but I should, but I have another option that I'm sure you've never heard of. I have an older Sigma 10-20mm for Nikon DX. It works well with Metabone's Speedbooster, and then gives about 7-14mm with m43. Slightly dark corners at 7mm with at 9 completely usable, especially if you stop down to f:8.
That Laowa 7.5mm f/2 is very small and light, and I think it's the perfect companion with my Oly 12 f/2 and Pana 15 f/1.7 and a small tele.
Im struggling between Laowa C-Dreamer 7,5 mm F2 A (new model with Auto Apeture & EXIF), the Panasonic Lumix 9mm or the 7-14mm....they are all approx same price. Dont know which one.
If you are okay with no AF, Laowa 7.5mm is good. If you need AF and you would like to have large aperture (lower light capabilities, slightly more bokeh) then Lumix 9mm. If you need AF and want something flexible that can zoom in a bit, then Lumix 7-14mm. Hope this helps 😁
My Laowa 7.5mm lens has some play on the MTF mount of my BMPCC4K. It makes small noises when rotating in either direction, causing the picture center to shift. Has anyone else experienced this?
Wow never heard of such issue before. Hopefully you can get it fixed!
How about the Laowa 6mm f2?
It is an interesting option as well, I'd love to try it in the future! It is slightly heavier though, so maybe not as convenient as the 7.5mm for travel.
@@Gary_W The difference in weight is negligible.
Why put a 67mm filter adapter and not a 46mm one directly?
In case you haven't figured it out yet, this lens is so wide that you can see the edge of any filter attached to it at 46mm....by expanding the size of that filter, you are only seeing the glass and not the edge.
enjoy your review
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Is this lens has hard stop it's focus ring?
The focus ring is analog, so it does stop at the closest focusing distance and at infinity, if that's what you mean by hard stop. Hope this helps 😁
Tht helps thank u
I feel this segment fast ultrawide angle lens is lacking for m4/3 system. There is not many option meet both faster than f2.8 and wider than 10mm. Actually seems there are only 3 lens meets this segment. Panasonic 9mmf1.7, laowa 7.5mm f2.0 and laowa 6mm f2.0. If there are other lens, let me know.
If it has to be f2.0 or faster, then yes, all the three lenses you mentioned are the ones that met the criteria. There are some f2.8 manual prime lenses, but not a lot.
Nice video, is there any way to see your astro photos?😁
I wrote a blog post long time ago, featuring a Milky Way shot using the Laowa lens, you can read it here bejophotographyblog.blogspot.com/2017/08/laowa-75mm-f2-mft-for-astrophotography.html
@@Gary_W oh wowwww amazing shot! Cheers!
Some copies of this lens can't reach infinity focus and Laowa won't help you if you bought it used. You can google for a hack to address this problem, which involves some minor disassembly.
Yes I forgot to mention that, mine had this problem also. I am also the one who wrote on that blog post on how to repair this lens. I want to make a video about it in the future.
What's so negative about a manual focus lens not having auto focus?
It's not that it's negative, maybe I put it in a wrong way, but what I tried to say is that not having autofocus could make operating the lens a bit more difficult.
@@Gary_W I know what you meant my friend. It's just that us humans put too much emphasis on negativity. Let us use our brains more and stop believing technology will make us more intelligent.
@motebike agree with what you said, I will keep it in mind. Thanks 😁
@@Gary_W 😁
Someday, Laowa will figure out to do autofocus, and still keep prices affordable.
I hope so! This will be really nice!
@GaryW, I like your reviews, but some reason, it always feels your "in my face". I think its because you are too close to camera when you create videos. Have you had other feedback to pull back a few cms....
Yes, check out my newer videos, I am now not as close to the camera as before.