Dedicated to extreme close-up imaging, the Sony E-mount Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro from Venus Optics is a specialized macro lens for photographing subjects at magnifications greater than life-size. Operating within a 2.5:1 to 5:1 range, this lens has a minimum focus distance of just 6.8" at the 5:1 magnification along with a comfortable 1.6" working distance. This range is benefitted by the wide-angle focal length, too, in order to achieve greater depth of field compared to long focal length macro lenses. Complementing the close-up capabilities, the optical design incorporates one extra-low dispersion element to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for a high degree of clarity. Additionally, distinguishing itself from other macro lenses, this 25mm f/2.8 is characterized by its notably sleek and lightweight design for easier handling and more room to work with artificial lighting.

E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format    Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/16    One Extra-Low Dispersion Element    2.5:1 to 5:1 Magnification    6.8" Min. Focus, 1.6" Working Distance    Manual Focus Operation    Slim Lens Barrel Design    8-Blade Diaphragm

Prime 25mm f/2.8 is designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras but can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 37.5mm equivalent focal length.

Specifically developed for macro photography, this lens is designed for use within a 2.5:1 to 5:1 magnification range for producing greater-than-life-size imagery. This lens does not offer infinity focus.

When at 5:1 magnification, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 6.8" along with a working distance of 1.6", which affords sufficient room for illuminating your subject. At the 2.5:1 position, a minimum focusing distance of 9.2" is possible along with a working distance of 1.8".

Wide-angle design benefits the high magnification design by providing greater depth of field compared to telephoto or long lens designs.

Manual focus operation for precise control over focusing distance when working with close-up subjects.

One extra-low dispersion element greatly reduces chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color accuracy.

Eight-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out of focus quality when using shallow depth of field.

Especially slim and lightweight physical design is easier to use handheld and offers more room for illuminating close-up subjects.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can you increase the brightness in the View finder for this iens in canon r6? i have heard that when you increase magnification it turns very dark and difficult to see your subject.with a normal and not electronic view Finder

A: The viewfinder brightness on the Canon EOS R6 could be adjusted in the settings menu.

Q: 2. Will it still be a 2.5-5x magnification when adapted to a Fujifilm X-T3?

A: The Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens for Canon EF will still be in most cases 2.5x-5x magnification with a lens adapter to convert to Fujifilm X mount. But it does depend on the specific lens adapter if it has some options.

Q: 3. With the appropriate adapter, how good is the image quality on a micro 4/3 camera? Thanks

A: The image quality is very good on a mft camera.

Q: 4. Does it come with a tripod collar?

A: There is no tripod collar designed to work with this lens.

Q: 5. Can this lens be adapted with a smart adapter to shoot on the Fujifilm GFX?

A: A smart adapter would have no benefit for use with the Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens for Canon EF. Smart adapters are designed for lenses that have electronic contacts and allow communication to remain between the camera and lens to assist with transmitting autofocus, automatic metering, automatic exposure, and image stabilization features. The Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens for Canon EF is a fully manual lens and has no electronic contacts and would have no benefit from a smart adapter. I would instead recommend either the Vello Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Fujifilm X-Mount Camera Lens Adapter with Aperture Control, B&H # VELAFXCEFA, or the FotodioX Canon EF Pro Lens Adapter with Built-In Iris Control for Fujifilm X-Mount Cameras, B&H # FOPFXACEI, for your usage needs. As your lens has a built-in aperture ring, if you are looking for a more economical adapter, the Vello Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Fujifilm X-Mount Camera Lens Adapter, B&H # VELAFXCEF, would work for your usage needs, but the first adapters I listed would allow you to adjust the aperture on Canon lenses that do not have aperture rings. Unfortunately, there are no Smart Adapters designed for maintaining communication between Canon EF lenses and the Fujifilm X-mount lens mount.

Q: 6. Is there a focus ring on this lens to manually focus? I'm seeing confusing statements about the requirement of moving the camera to focus.

A: Yes this lens has a manual focus ring.

Q: 7. How can this lens be used on a Canon EF mount e.g. 90D - I see only mirrorless mounts listed?

A: The Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens for Canon RF is only compatible with Canon RF mirrorless camera's mount. For your Canon EOS 90D DSLR Camera, you can use the following version: https://bhpho.to/2GfHTA7

Q: 8. Can I use this lens with Panasonic GH5?

A: Panasonic GH5 has a micro 4/3 lens mount. You can only connect the Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens for Canon EF if you use a lens adapter for Canon EF lenses to micro 4/3.

Q: 9. The specs state "full frame" but I see a "DX" stamp on the lens - is this actually a full frame lens, or do I need to be in DX / APSC mode (on my Z6II)?

A: The label on the Laowa 25mm mm Ultra Macro Lens says "2.5-5.0X" and I was confused at first too, but it says .0X and not DX. This is absolutely a FX-lens.

Q: 10. Do you also sell the tripod collar?

A: The only tripod collar for Venus Optics we have is for 100mm f2.8