I am about to get this lens so I can do videos for work because we own alot of TV truck style trailers and my 17-40mm was not wide enough to get action shots inside the trucks. Can't wait and thanks for this video!
Whether it's the best is debatable. The problem with this lens (and more so with the new 10mm) is that it produces an image that makes the space look too... spacious. Wouldn't your work be better served with a 17 and 24 TS-E?
So glad i stumbled upon this review. I'm currently building my real esrate photography business and have been looking into the sony 12-24mm f4 and f2.8. Although they seem like great options, the f4 just dodgy get me excited, and the f2.8 made my wallet cringe. This seems like a good option to go with and now makes it so i can go w with the Sony PZ 16-35mm f4 I've been wanting instead. Thanks again
Perfect review, my experience with the 7.5 MFT on my gh5s has been the simlar! never, ever has the lens let us down during shoots. We just moved to s5miix and thinking of getting one FF laowa again. Love this company for the price and ultra sharp image render. Have your tried the 9mm f5.6 and 11mm f/4.5 ?
Thanks Chris! I think 16mm can definitely be wide enough in the right space, I just prefer to go wider since I shoot so much in tight spaces. Plus, I do have an affinity for primes over zooms. Just personal preference.
@@MattJackson_RUclips outside of RE, any other use cases for this lens? I shoot weddings and thought that a 16-28 sigma would be more versatile but o shoot lumix s1h which has a super 35 crop in 4K 48 fps or 60 fps
@@ChrisFlores22 that’s a really good point - the crop on a lot of cameras in anything other than 24fps makes for a slightly different use case for these lenses. I really think 12mm is great for architecture/street photography as well as Astro photography. For weddings and events, I think 24mm is the optimal wide focal length. That’s in FF of course. I could see this lens getting a lot of use for weddings in crop mode - in FF I think it’s a little too wide to really get a sense of where the eye should settle.
@@MattJackson_RUclips what fps do you shoot your RE stuff in? Sorry for all the questions but I’m just glad you’re back lol I’m tired of gear review channels who don’t actually shoot professionally. I want to learn from people in the field with real world experience
@@ChrisFlores22 always happy to help - and I completely appreciate your perspective. I’m so bored with YT “filmmakers” who take the best gear in the world out and shoot their friends under a bridge for their reviews. Haha. That said, I always shoot 10-bit 60 fps from my a7SIII to the Ninja V in ProRes 4:2:2 for real estate work. S-Log 3 when I have time to color grade and want great dynamic range for a killer property, otherwise I’ll use S-Cinetone.
Thank you! I’m at infinity focus and centered with the kind of framing you would do for a solid real estate photo. At 60fps slowed to 24 there’s no softness in a negative way in my opinion. If anything, it creates a focal point and only adds to the artistic element of the piece.
i have no experience in using a manual focus lens. Please release a video tutorial on how to manual focus with this lens in a real estate job pleaseeeeeee
Have you ever had clients complain that it is too wide and looks unrealistic? Currently use 16-35 and prefer the look of the 12mm. Just don't want to give the wrong impressions of a property! Thanks!
@@primepropertymediaI don’t think it would be good for vertical at all. I don’t do vertical for houses ever - it’s the least awesome way to show a space. Since we want “wide” and spacious in these shoots, may as well just use your phone for anything vertical that the client wants.
Thank you! No, I don’t use any filters at all on this. My work with this lens really only requires shooting at f8-f22 and doesn’t require any kind of filter. But you can get one that fits direct from Laowa.
@@MattJackson_RUclips, спасибо вам за ответ! Понял вашу позицию. Просто небо на некоторых снимках выглядит невыразительно, дело не в диафрагме, а именно в фильтре. Только заказал эту линзу, новая у нас обошлась в 808 долларов США. Крепление для фильтров от производителя объектива не очень удачное, заказал стороннее, их сейчас выпускают несколько фирм. Ещё раз спасибо!
Unfortunately you can’t unless you use a clamp-style matte box. But as wide as it is that wouldn’t be advisable. I never have need for any filters on it due to the kind of work I do, however.
How do you feel about no auto focus just manual focus for Real estate photo and video? do you run into any issues with your work flow using only manual focus
I prefer manual focus, even when I was using an AF lens. I’m set to infinity in probably 99% of the shots, so manual works perfectly for me and my workflow.
@@patrickgilmour1221 on a lens as wide as this there’s not much use case within my workflow to focus on anything up close or specific. I want the entire room as sharp as possible in both photo and video.
@@MattJackson_RUclips yeah me too, I'm just used to using auto focus haha, makes shooting the rooms faster and with such a short shoot time usually half hour or 90 mins, there is little margin for error focus wise.
Sorry dude. Didn't mean to rattle your cage. I enjoyed your video, believe it or not. Can't say the same for this conversation. Cheers.@@MattJackson_RUclips
I don’t really require any filters in the work that I do. Typical ranges of f-stop are f8-f22, so I use shutter speed to affect the light in photo and base ISO in camera for video.
@@MattJackson_RUclips If you're at ISO 50 or 100, and it's still very bright outdoors for video how high is a safe number for your F-stop? Just got this lens and so far I love it!
@@secretsauce1073 in photo mode I’ll go to f22 and adjust with the shutter. Same f stop in video mode and since I usually shoot in 60p, 1/125 on the Sony a7sIII always gives me the right balance of light.
I’ve not yet used the 15mm but I can say I love having the wider option, especially if your camera has a crop in certain frame rates. You can always punch in or crop in if you start wide.
OK Yes I forgot about that part I’m gonna go with the 12mm thank you for replying! I am also shooting real estate and the Samyang has too much of a warp
Interesting. I do know that there are variations of the lens that can impact its sharpness. Maybe renting one and comparing side by side would get you to an answer as to why.
@@MattJackson_RUclips It's a little on the heavier side because I'm a realtor as well as a photographer. Houses here in Singapore are mostly on the smaller side so 12mm is a must for me. And I need minimal gear that I can get away with. So during shoots, I typically bring my Sony A7IV with the 12-24 F2.8, Sirui ST-125 Tripod, and my Ronin RS 3 and sometimes an AD200 Pro. Kept my gears in the car so weight is not much of a factor, more of convenience.
Tripod, longer shutter speed..more light, iso can remain native low. Use 5,7, or 9 shots in bracket instead of 3x for more dynamic range & greater detail. Tripods can stand on one leg & other two legs can rest on walls, use a shutter release cable / remove or shutter delay timer.
nope.Too wide.and creates unrealistic space. Eye can't appreciate the background. Not because your clients accept it means is the best option. 15 is the best. I will use it only in very small bathrooms.
Best video on YT about this lens, amazing work!
Thanks so much!
I just ordered mine today. This review sealed the deal for me, great video thanks.
Appreciate that! Thank you! Happy shooting!!!
I am about to get this lens so I can do videos for work because we own alot of TV truck style trailers and my 17-40mm was not wide enough to get action shots inside the trucks. Can't wait and thanks for this video!
Thanks! Good luck!
Whether it's the best is debatable. The problem with this lens (and more so with the new 10mm) is that it produces an image that makes the space look too... spacious. Wouldn't your work be better served with a 17 and 24 TS-E?
Opinions tend to be debatable, I suppose.
Insightful. Thanks for your thoughtful response.@@MattJackson_RUclips
I just ordered one from B&H. Your video clinched the deal for me. Thanks!
So glad i stumbled upon this review. I'm currently building my real esrate photography business and have been looking into the sony 12-24mm f4 and f2.8.
Although they seem like great options, the f4 just dodgy get me excited, and the f2.8 made my wallet cringe.
This seems like a good option to go with and now makes it so i can go w with the Sony PZ 16-35mm f4 I've been wanting instead.
Thanks again
Thank you for the complete video. Do you mind sharing what filter system you are using?
Top notch content. RUclips is lucky to have you! Great review and quality production.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it greatly!!!
I've been using the Canon RF 15-35 which is really good, but some rooms are very small and I think this 12mm would be perfect going forward.
Yeah, getting that extra bit of wide-angle with such a beautiful lens is a great way to work!
Perfect review, my experience with the 7.5 MFT on my gh5s has been the simlar! never, ever has the lens let us down during shoots. We just moved to s5miix and thinking of getting one FF laowa again. Love this company for the price and ultra sharp image render. Have your tried the 9mm f5.6 and 11mm f/4.5 ?
Thanks for the great video. Would you suggest it also today in 2024?
@@manfredifronzoni absolutely. I use it five to six times a week still. Great lens.
@@MattJackson_RUclips thanks a lot! Have you used it also in non-real estate contexts? My doubt in other contexts would be the manual focus…
@@manfredifronzoni you know, I haven’t. Just exclusively real estate or architectural stuff.
@@MattJackson_RUclips great, thanks again!
@@manfredifronzoni of course!
Hey man. New here. Definitely a follower now. Would you recommend this lenses on a Sony a7II?
Good evening.total awesome ~ Matt-))
Thinking about purchasing this lens! What tube lights are you using in your background?
It’s a great lens! Those are the Godox TI60
Welcome back man! Enjoyed your pass content and looking forward to some new stuff!
So you think 16-35 isn’t wide enough sometimes?
Thanks Chris! I think 16mm can definitely be wide enough in the right space, I just prefer to go wider since I shoot so much in tight spaces. Plus, I do have an affinity for primes over zooms. Just personal preference.
@@MattJackson_RUclips outside of RE, any other use cases for this lens? I shoot weddings and thought that a 16-28 sigma would be more versatile but o shoot lumix s1h which has a super 35 crop in 4K 48 fps or 60 fps
@@ChrisFlores22 that’s a really good point - the crop on a lot of cameras in anything other than 24fps makes for a slightly different use case for these lenses. I really think 12mm is great for architecture/street photography as well as Astro photography. For weddings and events, I think 24mm is the optimal wide focal length. That’s in FF of course. I could see this lens getting a lot of use for weddings in crop mode - in FF I think it’s a little too wide to really get a sense of where the eye should settle.
@@MattJackson_RUclips what fps do you shoot your RE stuff in? Sorry for all the questions but I’m just glad you’re back lol I’m tired of gear review channels who don’t actually shoot professionally. I want to learn from people in the field with real world experience
@@ChrisFlores22 always happy to help - and I completely appreciate your perspective. I’m so bored with YT “filmmakers” who take the best gear in the world out and shoot their friends under a bridge for their reviews. Haha. That said, I always shoot 10-bit 60 fps from my a7SIII to the Ninja V in ProRes 4:2:2 for real estate work. S-Log 3 when I have time to color grade and want great dynamic range for a killer property, otherwise I’ll use S-Cinetone.
Thanks for sharing, very helpful. Where do you focus on in a room when you are on 2.8? Doesn’t a part of the image become soft?
Thank you! I’m at infinity focus and centered with the kind of framing you would do for a solid real estate photo. At 60fps slowed to 24 there’s no softness in a negative way in my opinion. If anything, it creates a focal point and only adds to the artistic element of the piece.
Hi, I am considering the 12mm Laowa or the laowa14mm for both photography and videography. Which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance!
If you're working small spaces much like I am, then the 12mm is the best bet.
@@MattJackson_RUclips thank you very much！
I just found your answer, thank you
How do you keep focus using a manual lens to video a whole building walking through the building
With it being as wide as it is, set to infinity focus and everything from center out will be in focus.
i have no experience in using a manual focus lens. Please release a video tutorial on how to manual focus with this lens in a real estate job pleaseeeeeee
Is it on full frame? Thank you.
Have you ever had clients complain that it is too wide and looks unrealistic? Currently use 16-35 and prefer the look of the 12mm. Just don't want to give the wrong impressions of a property! Thanks!
Never. In fact, the photos always go over incredibly well. Never had one ask for change or adjustment!
Awesome. What about vertical video? I shoot alot of that as well. Would the 12mm be viable?@@MattJackson_RUclips
@@primepropertymediaI don’t think it would be good for vertical at all. I don’t do vertical for houses ever - it’s the least awesome way to show a space. Since we want “wide” and spacious in these shoots, may as well just use your phone for anything vertical that the client wants.
Спасибо! Интересно! Вы не используете Cpl фильтр на этом объективе?
Thank you! No, I don’t use any filters at all on this. My work with this lens really only requires shooting at f8-f22 and doesn’t require any kind of filter. But you can get one that fits direct from Laowa.
@@MattJackson_RUclips, спасибо вам за ответ! Понял вашу позицию. Просто небо на некоторых снимках выглядит невыразительно, дело не в диафрагме, а именно в фильтре. Только заказал эту линзу, новая у нас обошлась в 808 долларов США. Крепление для фильтров от производителя объектива не очень удачное, заказал стороннее, их сейчас выпускают несколько фирм. Ещё раз спасибо!
How do you use a cpl filter with this lens?
Unfortunately you can’t unless you use a clamp-style matte box. But as wide as it is that wouldn’t be advisable. I never have need for any filters on it due to the kind of work I do, however.
How do you feel about no auto focus just manual focus for Real estate photo and video? do you run into any issues with your work flow using only manual focus
I prefer manual focus, even when I was using an AF lens. I’m set to infinity in probably 99% of the shots, so manual works perfectly for me and my workflow.
@@MattJackson_RUclips so you would say infinity focus really does help? I don't use too many lenses with it, so it's a new concept for me.
@@patrickgilmour1221 on a lens as wide as this there’s not much use case within my workflow to focus on anything up close or specific. I want the entire room as sharp as possible in both photo and video.
@@MattJackson_RUclips yeah me too, I'm just used to using auto focus haha, makes shooting the rooms faster and with such a short shoot time usually half hour or 90 mins, there is little margin for error focus wise.
@@patrickgilmour1221 agreed. I think we’re achieving the same results with a different approach. The beauty of art!
Thank you for this video
Thank you for watching!
How doest it perform on sony apsc? Like a6400
What f stop are you using for interior and exterior shots with the Laowa?
f22 on exteriors and f8-11 interior
@@MattJackson_RUclips f22?! Why?
@@stevesmede3165 just to annoy you
Sorry dude. Didn't mean to rattle your cage. I enjoyed your video, believe it or not. Can't say the same for this conversation. Cheers.@@MattJackson_RUclips
@@stevesmede3165 haha no one’s rattled. Been doing this for a long time, and it takes more than a YT comment to rattle a cage. Hope you’re well!
i use the Samyang 14mm F2.8 and is amazing, I will say is better like the loawa 12 mm
How do you deal with the fact you can’t put any filters on it?
I don’t really require any filters in the work that I do. Typical ranges of f-stop are f8-f22, so I use shutter speed to affect the light in photo and base ISO in camera for video.
@@MattJackson_RUclips If you're at ISO 50 or 100, and it's still very bright outdoors for video how high is a safe number for your F-stop? Just got this lens and so far I love it!
@@secretsauce1073 in photo mode I’ll go to f22 and adjust with the shutter. Same f stop in video mode and since I usually shoot in 60p, 1/125 on the Sony a7sIII always gives me the right balance of light.
@@MattJackson_RUclips Thank you for the reply. Very helpful!
@@secretsauce1073 you got it!
Gah I hope you see this comment! I am struggling to choose between the 12mm and the 15mm is it only the wideness difference?
I’ve not yet used the 15mm but I can say I love having the wider option, especially if your camera has a crop in certain frame rates. You can always punch in or crop in if you start wide.
OK Yes I forgot about that part I’m gonna go with the 12mm thank you for replying! I am also shooting real estate and the Samyang has too much of a warp
@@sannyboi851 agreed - I found that with my Rokinon it was to curvy. Haha. Good luck with the new lens! You’re going to absolutely love it!
@@MattJackson_RUclips You got yourself a new fan! THANKS FOR BEING A LIFE SAFER!
@@sannyboi851 oh, thank you so much! Very much appreciated!!!
Hi Matt. Not sure why but I don't seem to get the sharpness and crispness you do with this lens on my Canon eos R.
Interesting. I do know that there are variations of the lens that can impact its sharpness. Maybe renting one and comparing side by side would get you to an answer as to why.
@@MattJackson_RUclips It does a lot better in 4K but it seems to lose a lot in 2K. I'll look around for a comparison. Thanks.
hi matt there is a diffrence between venus optics Laowa 12mm and Laowa 12mm? in my country there is a venus optics version for laowa 12mm.
Venus Optics is the company; Laowa is the brand.
Have you tried the Sony 12-24 F2.8 GM?
I haven’t. Do you love it?
@@MattJackson_RUclips It's a little on the heavier side because I'm a realtor as well as a photographer. Houses here in Singapore are mostly on the smaller side so 12mm is a must for me. And I need minimal gear that I can get away with. So during shoots, I typically bring my Sony A7IV with the 12-24 F2.8, Sirui ST-125 Tripod, and my Ronin RS 3 and sometimes an AD200 Pro. Kept my gears in the car so weight is not much of a factor, more of convenience.
@@Slipsch that’s a great way to do it. I have a full video coming out about all of my real estate gear soon.
Tripod, longer shutter speed..more light, iso can remain native low.
Use 5,7, or 9 shots in bracket instead of 3x for more dynamic range & greater detail. Tripods can stand on one leg & other two legs can rest on walls, use a shutter release cable / remove or shutter delay timer.
💯
nope.Too wide.and creates unrealistic space. Eye can't appreciate the background. Not because your clients accept it means is the best option. 15 is the best. I will use it only in very small bathrooms.