Laowa 8-15mm Fisheye Full-Frame Lenses Introduced – Circular and Rectangular Fisheye in One Lens

Venus Optics has introduced two unusual fisheye zoom lenses for full-frame sensors that offer a uniquely dual fisheye effect in a zoom design. The Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 is designed for photographers and content creators, while the Laowa 8–15mm T2.9 Cine is intended for filmmakers. Both cover the same focal range and deliver pronounced distortion, moving from a circular fisheye effect at 8mm to a full-frame rectangular fisheye at 15mm. However, each lens is tailored to either a photo or cine user, so let’s have a look at both of them.

Laowa recently released a few other interesting full-frame lenses, including the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5X Macro, which features an ultra-wide focal length, and a Probe Zoom Macro lens series with up to 8 configurations. With the new 8-15mm fisheye zoom lenses, we now have a fisheye lens with optics that offer both a circular and a rectangular image – two optics in one lens!

Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 Zoom Fisheye Cine

The Laowa 8–15mm T2.9 fits into the tradition of fisheye lenses used in cinema, not just for wide establishing shots, but also to distort space on purpose or to tilt the viewer’s sense of orientation. At 8mm, it’s suitable for VR or 360° capture; at 15mm, it can be used in more straightforward scenes, when a bit of distortion helps heighten the atmosphere or skew the viewer’s sense of space.

The Laowa 8–15mm T2.9 weighs approximately 590g (1.3 lbs), making it one of the lighter full-frame cine zoom options available. Its compact build allows for use on gimbals, drones, and handheld rigs, and is practical for situations where space or weight is limited.

The lens default comes with a PL mount. Optional mirrorless mounts are available for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Fuji X and L Mount. (Please note that according to Laowa, when using the Fuji X mount (Super 35 sensor), the field of view will be narrower due to the crop factor.)

Laowa 8–15mm T2.9 Cine – key specs:

• Format Compatibility: Full-Frame (FF)
• Mounts: PL (optional E, RF, Z, L, X)
• Focal Length: 8–15mm
• Aperture Range: T2.9 to T22
• Angle of View: 180° (8mm)
• Optical Design: 13 elements in 9 groups, 9 aperture blades
• Focus Throw: 70°
• Zoom Throw: 75°
• Aperture Throw: 42°
• Focus Scale: Dual scale (metric and imperial)
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 16 cm
• Maximum Magnification: 0.23×
• Focus Mode: Manual focus
• Follow Focus Gear Pitch: 0.8 MOD
• Dimensions: 62.5 mm length × Ø84.8 mm diameter
• Weight: Approx. 590 g/ 1.3 lbs (excluding caps)

Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 Zoom Fisheye

Besides the unique optical abilities of this fisheye, the lens features a fast f/2.8 aperture, which should make it especially useful for more creative shots in low-light conditions or when working with shallow depth of field up close. With a minimum focus distance of just 16 cm (6.3 in), it’s capable of tight close-ups while still capturing quite a sweeping background. It has a 180° field of view, so it is a practical tool for 360° panoramas and wide environmental shots in tight spaces.

Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 – key specs:

• Mounts: Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L
• Focal Length: 8 to 15mm
• Aperture: f/2.8 to f/22
• Format Coverage: Full-Frame
• Angle of View: 180° (8mm) to 175° (15mm)
• Minimum Focus Distance: 6.3″ / 0.16 m
• Magnification: 1:4.3 ratio / 0.23x
• Optics: 13 elements in 9 groups, 9 aperture blades
• Focus Type: Manual focus only
• Image Stabilization: None
• Dimensions: 94.5 mm length × 76.4 mm diameter
• Weight: 650 g / 1.4 lbs

Price and availability

The Laowa 8-15mm Fisheye Zoom lenses are available now for pre-order. The Laowa 8-15mm Fisheye is priced at $699, and the Cine version is $1399.

What’s your take on these unusual fisheye zooms? Do they open up creative possibilities for you? Let us know in the comments.