Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Review
We've aggregated 6 high-signal reviews and 3 live retailer prices below.
Our editorial take on the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro
The Laowa 25mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro is not a lens for casual photography. It is a highly specialized scientific instrument designed to reveal worlds hidden from the naked eye. Its defining feature is a magnification range that starts at an impressive 2.5x and extends to a staggering 5x life-size. For its intended purpose, its performance is exceptional, delivering outstanding sharpness and well-controlled chromatic aberrations in a compact and robust metal housing. This lens successfully makes the esoteric realm of extreme macro photography accessible and affordable, foregoing the complex and often expensive setups previously required.
Be prepared for a steep learning curve and a deliberate, methodical workflow. As a fully manual lens, it demands complete control over both focus and aperture. The physics of such high magnification result in a razor-thin depth of field, making focus stacking almost mandatory for any subject with three-dimensional depth. Furthermore, the very short working distance between the lens and the subject presents significant challenges for lighting and for photographing live, skittish creatures. This is a tool that rewards patience and skill with truly extraordinary images, but it is not a simple point-and-shoot solution by any means.
- Incredible 2.5x to 5x magnification range for extreme detail
- Excellent image sharpness and overall optical quality
- Accessible price point for a specialized optic
- Compact, lightweight, and durable all-metal construction
- Good control over chromatic aberration
- Strictly a macro lens; no infinity focus or 1:1 magnification
- Extremely short working distance complicates lighting
- Fully manual operation has a steep learning curve
- Razor-thin depth of field necessitates focus stacking
Synthesized by Geared editors from early expert reviews.
Best reviews
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Editorial reviews
This looks like an interesting lens for hardcore macro photographers. It's an ultra-macro lens, with macro capabilities from 2.5X to 5X life-size, which will allow you to capture an incredible amount of detail that is usually missed by the human eye.
AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2X-5X Macro lens offers an extended working distance of 37.5-45mm between the front element and the subject. This fully manual full-frame lens will be available for Sony E, FUJIFILM X, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Leica L mount cameras and will cost $249.
If you are looking for a compact, relatively lightweight, and affordable extreme macro lens, then the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is certainly worth looking at.
I do enjoy macro photography and always feel as though I should do more of it and, with this lens, I definitely will be doing more. The lens has a great feel and is, by far, not the strangest-looking macro lens out there.
I like this lens a lot and after years of singing the praises of reversed primes for macro, I actually grab this lens for most of my high-magnification work now. Any lens that allows people to get closer than ever in an affordable, accessible package, is a huge leap forward and I support it.
The Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro lens offers a magnification range from 2.5:1 to 5:1, designed with eight elements in six groups, including one low-dispersion element, to ensure outstanding image sharpness and reduced chromatic aberrations.
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About this product
The Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens is a specialized macro lens for Canon EF-mount DSLRs, designed for extreme close-up imaging at magnifications from 2.5:1 to 5:1. It features a wide-angle focal length for greater depth of field and an optical design with one extra-low dispersion element to reduce aberrations.
Specs
- Weight
- 14.11 oz / 400 g
- Aperture
- Maximum: f/2.8Minimum: f/16
- Dimensions
- ø: 2.56 x L: 3.23" / ø: 65 x L: 82 mm
- Focus Type
- Manual Focus
- Lens Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal Length
- 25mm
- Magnification
- 5:1 Macro Reproduction Ratio5x Magnification
- Optical Design
- 8 Elements in 6 Groups
- Image Stabilization
- No
- Aperture/Iris Blades
- 8
- Lens Format Coverage
- Full-Frame
- Minimum Focus Distance
- 6.81" / 17.3 cm
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