Thank you Beyo! Yes size is something a lot of people seems to ignore when purchasing a lens, but that's what stop them from actually carrying and using it to take photos if it's too big and heavy
I would like to try a tilt-shift lens but not going to buy a real one cause I don't live on photography. So I bought this Laowa 14mm DSLR with a tilt-shift adapter for my Sony A6700 which makes it a 21mm equivalent tilt-shift lens. The image quality is good enough for an enthusiast. Its filter thread is 67mm which is exactly the same as all my other lenses including the Tamron series, NISI 9mm 2.8, and Sigma 100-400. But do remember to choose the Nikon F version as the EF version doesn't have a mechanical aperture control ring -- unless you are not going to use a tile shift adapter but only with a normal E-adapter on a mirrorless body, then in this case EF version with electric contacts is a better choice for you.
I am looking at the similar set up for my tilt shift solution. 14mm with tilt shift adapter to my fuji x body. How does it work for you after so many months? I am doing some part time shooting for interior architecture project and do you think the image quality is good for actual professional portfolio?
Looks great! That flare control is very impressive. I love my 9mm f/5.6, and in fact it was one of the reasons I went mirrorless, but this 14mm seems like a very capable, sensible wide angle at a reasonable price. It’s $50 cheaper than the mirrorless version, in fact!
Regarding the infinity focus, not sure about this particular Laowa lens but most "dummy" lenses (7artisans, Zonlai, Kamlan...) can be user calibrated to match the hard stop at infinity. Since the lenses are available for multitude of mounts, they just bolt a different mount on the uniformly made lens body. I've removed the mount and shimmed it (it's really a fraction of mm so sometimes even stuff like a printer paper is too thick). This is possible only if the lens allows, by default, focusing past infinity - because the lens group gets closer to the sensor than it needs to be, so this closest point needs to be moved by a tiny bit. Then you can adjust the scale on the laowa lens to match it and et voila :)
great reveiw! Will you advise to use it on a mirrorsless camera with a metabones adapter to take advantage of the close focusing distance and in-camera aperture control or could there be some problems? the mirrorless version of this camera seems to have a different optical design and lacks these features..
Hi there I haven't use the metabone F to Z adaptor so can't answer. But one thing for sure is the size would be quite a bit bigger than the mirrorless version once you add the adapter
I only use Nikon lenses. I own 14-24mm f.8 S for my Nikon Z6 to landscape and cityscape. Wondering if it is going to be challenging to use this manual lens if it does not communicate with my camera. How do we know we are in focus when we take pics with Laowa? Will the green box to confirm in-focus flash on the display if it is in focus?
It takes a bit of practice if you have never use a manual focus lens before. Some people relies on the peaking feature, but i myself like to use the "zoom in" feature to check the focus as i found it more accurate. Btw, this lens is designed for DSLR, so while you can still use it with a FTZ on your Z6, i would suggest you look at one of their mirrorless lens instead.
Hi Richard, thanks for another great video. Are you able to confirm if the manual aperture control on the (Nikon version) of this lens will still work with a "dumb" adapter like the Magic Shift Converter? Or does it rely on electronic contact back to the body in order to be manipulated? Cheers,
@@waydownsouth Hi Barry! Have you managed to make the lens work with your adapter? I’m about to buy one to use with Shift adapted and Fuji-X. And I wonder if the fact that it keeps the aperture wide open before the shoot will keep me from using it properly. Thank you in advance!
How was the sharpnes at f8 - f11? i got copy of this lens for my nikon d750, but sharpness was bad, like focus to infinity was out of focus. its like factory calibration issue. Also focus adjastment didn't worked like in your video. i had to use force to make it match focus to infinity mark... i had to return my copy for replacement... But other thinks were great, love how small and compact it was. Also filter thread was exellent addition to this lens.
f/8 should still be good, but after that diffraction should start to soften the image. How do you focus on infinity? with the factory settings, if you turn all the way to the "far end", it actually focus beyond infinity (just like most other lenses) and it won't be sharp. So you have to dial it back a bit and probably use the liveview and zoom in to check focus.
@@TheRealRichardWong i went from f8-f11 which should be sharpest aparture of lens but even that didnt give me much sharpeness. Talking about infinity focus i did on live view since my DSLR don't have fancy focus assistent future but even there where i tried my best get sharp infinity focus and it wasn't there. I compared result with sigma 14-24mm and it felt bit out of focus .. I guess it's manufacturing issue of lack tuning or calibrating. It's common issues from China lens manufacturers. So it am wait for replacement and hope it will functioning properly 🤞🤞🤞
@@TheRealRichardWong Great. I did pick up the ttartisans apsc fisheye after your review. I have a need for a circular image. It will have to wait until I get back to usa as I am on India now
How is still shooting with DSLR camreas? Would a small ultra wide angle manual focus lens like this Laowa be something you would be interested in?
Thanks for the review. I love how compact this lens is, hate bringing huge lenses.
Thank you Beyo! Yes size is something a lot of people seems to ignore when purchasing a lens, but that's what stop them from actually carrying and using it to take photos if it's too big and heavy
I would like to try a tilt-shift lens but not going to buy a real one cause I don't live on photography. So I bought this Laowa 14mm DSLR with a tilt-shift adapter for my Sony A6700 which makes it a 21mm equivalent tilt-shift lens. The image quality is good enough for an enthusiast. Its filter thread is 67mm which is exactly the same as all my other lenses including the Tamron series, NISI 9mm 2.8, and Sigma 100-400. But do remember to choose the Nikon F version as the EF version doesn't have a mechanical aperture control ring -- unless you are not going to use a tile shift adapter but only with a normal E-adapter on a mirrorless body, then in this case EF version with electric contacts is a better choice for you.
I am looking at the similar set up for my tilt shift solution. 14mm with tilt shift adapter to my fuji x body. How does it work for you after so many months? I am doing some part time shooting for interior architecture project and do you think the image quality is good for actual professional portfolio?
Great review thank you! Does the lens accept circular filters?
yes it does! 67mm filter
Very nice review, i love the sunstars of this lens!, also love the 9mm 2.8 zero-d for aps-c also a beautiful lens
Looks great! That flare control is very impressive. I love my 9mm f/5.6, and in fact it was one of the reasons I went mirrorless, but this 14mm seems like a very capable, sensible wide angle at a reasonable price. It’s $50 cheaper than the mirrorless version, in fact!
"sensible wide angle" haha, i think after shooting with the insanely wide 9mm f/5.6, any UWA lens is sensible :D
Very helpful indeed, thanks.
Regarding the infinity focus, not sure about this particular Laowa lens but most "dummy" lenses (7artisans, Zonlai, Kamlan...) can be user calibrated to match the hard stop at infinity. Since the lenses are available for multitude of mounts, they just bolt a different mount on the uniformly made lens body. I've removed the mount and shimmed it (it's really a fraction of mm so sometimes even stuff like a printer paper is too thick). This is possible only if the lens allows, by default, focusing past infinity - because the lens group gets closer to the sensor than it needs to be, so this closest point needs to be moved by a tiny bit. Then you can adjust the scale on the laowa lens to match it and et voila :)
great reveiw! Will you advise to use it on a mirrorsless camera with a metabones adapter to take advantage of the close focusing distance and in-camera aperture control or could there be some problems? the mirrorless version of this camera seems to have a different optical design and lacks these features..
Hi there I haven't use the metabone F to Z adaptor so can't answer. But one thing for sure is the size would be quite a bit bigger than the mirrorless version once you add the adapter
I only use Nikon lenses. I own 14-24mm f.8 S for my Nikon Z6 to landscape and cityscape. Wondering if it is going to be challenging to use this manual lens if it does not communicate with my camera. How do we know we are in focus when we take pics with Laowa? Will the green box to confirm in-focus flash on the display if it is in focus?
It takes a bit of practice if you have never use a manual focus lens before. Some people relies on the peaking feature, but i myself like to use the "zoom in" feature to check the focus as i found it more accurate. Btw, this lens is designed for DSLR, so while you can still use it with a FTZ on your Z6, i would suggest you look at one of their mirrorless lens instead.
Hi Richard, thanks for another great video. Are you able to confirm if the manual aperture control on the (Nikon version) of this lens will still work with a "dumb" adapter like the Magic Shift Converter? Or does it rely on electronic contact back to the body in order to be manipulated? Cheers,
Barry, let me check and get back to you soon!
I checked with the guys from laow and was told yes the magic shift adaptor should work fine with this laowa lens
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks for the effort Richard!
@@waydownsouth Hi Barry! Have you managed to make the lens work with your adapter? I’m about to buy one to use with Shift adapted and Fuji-X. And I wonder if the fact that it keeps the aperture wide open before the shoot will keep me from using it properly. Thank you in advance!
How was the sharpnes at f8 - f11? i got copy of this lens for my nikon d750, but sharpness was bad, like focus to infinity was out of focus. its like factory calibration issue.
Also focus adjastment didn't worked like in your video. i had to use force to make it match focus to infinity mark... i had to return my copy for replacement... But other thinks were great, love how small and compact it was. Also filter thread was exellent addition to this lens.
f/8 should still be good, but after that diffraction should start to soften the image.
How do you focus on infinity? with the factory settings, if you turn all the way to the "far end", it actually focus beyond infinity (just like most other lenses) and it won't be sharp. So you have to dial it back a bit and probably use the liveview and zoom in to check focus.
@@TheRealRichardWong i went from f8-f11 which should be sharpest aparture of lens but even that didnt give me much sharpeness. Talking about infinity focus i did on live view since my DSLR don't have fancy focus assistent future but even there where i tried my best get sharp infinity focus and it wasn't there. I compared result with sigma 14-24mm and it felt bit out of focus .. I guess it's manufacturing issue of lack tuning or calibrating. It's common issues from China lens manufacturers. So it am wait for replacement and hope it will functioning properly 🤞🤞🤞
Awesome lens, super cool pics 😉😉😉
Haha thanks! Yeah I like those portrait photos the most 😁
Thanks Richard. I have the 14 -30 Nikon and the 14mm 2.8 for z from rokinon. I don't need a dslr, but it looks like a great landscape lens
Hey Barry thanks for watching! I have a few Z mount lenses review coming soon :)
@@TheRealRichardWong Great. I did pick up the ttartisans apsc fisheye after your review. I have a need for a circular image. It will have to wait until I get back to usa as I am on India now
Oh enjoy the new lens! Wow you are traveling!!
I just bought this lens and the sunstars are amazing but poor quality control at Laowa because the calibration ring is stuck and unusable . . .
Oh that's not good. Have you try contact the guys from Laowa and see what they say?
Did he even mention "distortion?" That's what I was wanting to hear about.
Yes i did! Check the index please