Pairing an exceptionally wide field of view with the ability to correct for perspective distortion, the Canon EF-mount Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift from Venus Optics is an ideal lens for architecture and interior applications. The broad 110° angle of view is complemented by an impressive +/- 11mm shift range to compensate for unwanted converging lines and keystone distortion. This shift control is further complemented by a 360° rotation mechanism applying the movements in various directions for to suit both horizontal and vertical orientation shooting. Additionally, as part of the Zero-D lens series, this 15mm f/4.5 also renders scenes with a high degree of accuracy and very low distortion.

In terms of optics, two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements are featured, which reduce both spherical and chromatic aberrations for high sharpness and clarity. An anti-reflective coating also helps to control flare and ghosting for heightened contrast and color rendering. The lens uses a manual focus design for working with subjects as close a 7.9" away and has a five-blade diaphragm for producing distinct 10-point sun stars.

EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format    Aperture Range: f/4.5 to f/22    +/- 11mm of Shift, 360° Rotation    Two Aspherical Elements    Three Extra-Low Dispersion Elements    Anti-Reflection Coating    65mm-Diameter Image Circle    Manual Focus Design, 7.9" Min. Focus    5-Blade Diaphragm

Ultra-wide lens is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount cameras but can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 24mm equivalent focal length.

As part of the Zero-D series, this lens has a rectilinear design that renders subjects with minimal distortion in order to suit architectural, interior, and landscape applications.

Integrated +/- 11mm of shift adjustment helps to correct perspective distortion and eliminate keystone distortion.

Large 65mm-diameter image circle easily covers full-frame sensors without any vignetting. Additionally, this lens can also be adapted to medium format mirrorless cameras (44 x 33mm sensor), where up to +/- 8mm of shift is available.

The shift control works in conjunction with 360° of rotation for applying the shift in various directions, benefitting switching between vertical and horizontal shooting orientations, and the rotation mechanism has click stops at 15° increments for intuitive handling.

Two aspherical elements limit spherical aberrations and distortion for improved sharpness and accurate rendering.

Three extra-low dispersion elements reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for increased clarity and color neutrality.

Updated anti-reflective coating suppresses flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy when working in strong lighting conditions.

Manual focusing design and a minimum focusing distance of 7.9" suits working with close-up subjects.

Five-blade diaphragm produces distinct 10-point sun stars and specular highlights when stopped-down and photographing point light sources.

Compatible with optional Shift Lens Support for more balanced mounting and to better enable using the lens for shift-type stitched panorama shooting without parallax error.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How would using an optical shift lens (like this one) compare to using perspective crop in photoshop with a wider lens like the Laowa 11mm? I'm asking because they're about the same price but the 11mm could be more versatile and I don't trust myself to perfectly frame photos in the field.

A: Though the 11mm would be a wider view, the distortion would be an issue and harder to work with in post. I would recommend the 15mm Zero-D especially if you are doing interiors due to the fact that if you need a wider view, you can stitch two images and it would still be easier than using the 11mm and trying to correct properly.

Q: 2. Is there a hard stop at infinity? If so, how accurate is "infinity"? (Nikon-Nex)

A: yes there is

Q: 3. Is this lens compatible with the Canon teleconverter?

A: No, this is not compatible with a teleconverter. Typically by design, teleconverters only fit on super-telephoto lenses and not wide-angle/ultra-wide lenses.

Q: 4. What is the difference between the 14 blade and 5 blade versions (aside from number of blades)?

A: The 14 blade version of the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift Lens for Leica L Mount would allow for 14 point sunstars versus 5 point sunstars in the 5 blade version. Otherwise, they are identical in every other way.

Q: 5. Can this lens be used with the Laowa Magic Format Converter for Canon EF to Fuji GFX?

A: Yes, the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens for Canon EF would be compatible for use with the Venus Optics Laowa Magic Format Converter for Canon EF to Fuji GFX.

Q: 6. Is this lens adaptable to a GH5?

A: Unfortunately, this lens cannot be adapted to the Panasonic GH5.

Q: 7. This lens is listed as a zero-D shift lens, but the specs say tilt/shift of 8mm. Does this lens tilt in addition to shift?

A: The Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift Lens only has +/- 8mm of Shift. However, the shift control works in conjunction with 360° of rotation for applying the shift in various directions.

Q: 8. (15mm Shift) Is the red line the version within 15 blades?

A: The Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift for Canon EF with the red ring on the lens has the aperture with 14 blades.

Q: 9. It appears from the description that this lens is not a true tilt/shift lens, only a shift lens. How is this even useful?

A: This Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift lens does not offer tilt options; it is, as the name implies, a shift lens only. It's a specialty lens used for certain effects.

Q: 10. I am very curious about the final bullet in the lens overview: "Compatible with optional Shift Lens Support for more balanced mounting and to better enable using the lens for shift-type stitched panorama shooting without parallax error." Is there an additional shift option?

A: The shift lens support (https://bhpho.to/36d359d) doesn't offer any additional shifting of the lens plane, but allows mounting via the lens, allowing for an easier time with parallax correction during multi-stitch panoramas.