Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D Lens Review:
If you’re looking for an ultra wide angle lens, there are plenty to choose from, especially if you’re a Fujifilm X Series shooter. For instance, if you want something extremely wide…I mean like something that really pushes the limits, you might be interested in what Venus Optics Laowa has up their sleeves: the 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens. Yes, I said 9mm :). On the Fujifilm camera or any other APS-C camera for that matter, this equates to a 13.5mm lens. I have never shot with anything this wide before (non-fisheye at least), so I was definitely looking forward to testing this lens out. Here’s what I think of it.
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Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D Lens Build Quality:
The 9mm f2.8 is actually the second Venus Optics Laowa lens that I’ve tested so far, and I have to say, I’m quite impressed, especially when it comes to the build. This lens currently retails for $499, which isn’t cheap but still a pretty fair price considering it’s such a wide focal length with a pretty large maximum aperture. In addition, the build is fantastic for the price. This is an all metal design that feels very solid in the hands. There’s an aperture ring, which clicks nicely as you rotate it. It turns in full stops though as opposed to say third stop or half stop increments like a lot of other lenses out these days. This isn’t a huge issue but I think it would’ve been nice, if it rotated even by just half stops. Lastly, in addition to Fuji X mount, the 9mm f2.8 comes in Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony E mount. So, if you’re not a Fuji shooter, chances are pretty good that you can still give this lens a try.
↑ Here’s the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens attached to the Fujifilm X-T3.
As you probably know, the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens is a manual focus lens, and I’m happy to say that the focus ring is very smooth with nice tension for added feel as you rotate it. I used focus peaking with my Fuji X-T3 to aid in focus throughout the time I had this lens, and for the most part, the it’s very easy to focus. It’s just that since this lens is so wide, even when you magnify with the viewfinder to see more detail, I felt like I was just never zooming in enough. Things just seemed so far away. However, it’s still easy to focus because you really only need to ballpark the focus. The depth of field is quite large given that this is a 9mm lens.
As for size and weight, the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens is totally manageable, and can be used all day without feeling fatigue. The dimensions of this lens are just 2.09 x 2.36″ / 53 x 60 mm, which makes this ultra wide angle very compact. This is easily something you can leave in your bag permanently, if you wanted to for those “just in case” moments because it’s just that small. The 9mm f2.8 also weighs 7.6 oz / 215 g, so it’s light and easy to handle. I had this lens mounted on my X-T3 the entire time, and the combo was very balanced. There was no front heaviness or anything like that at all. I had no issues in terms of ergonomics; in fact, it was a pleasure to use this lens with the X-T3.
It’s worth noting that the 9mm f2.8 also comes with a lens hood that matches the Laowa 9mm f2.8 quite well in terms of ergonomics. It’s a compact petal shaped hood that can be mounted in reverse, so you can store the lens with the hood. It’s small enough that it really doesn’t get in the way much. It’s a simple twist on type that locks into place, although I felt that it could’ve locked on a bit tighter.
↑ Here’s the lens hood attached to the 9mm f2.8.
Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D Lens Image Quality:
Let’s now jump over to the image quality that the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens produces. I really enjoyed using this lens, and given the lens’ ultra wide capabilities, I feel it scores quite high in terms of image quality. I was really impressed with the results.
↑ This was taken using f8 and 200 ISO.
↑ Here’s a photo taken with f5.6 and 640 ISO.
↑ This was taken using the wide open aperture of f2.8 and 160 ISO.
Let’s start with sharpness, which is fantastic for this kind of a lens. Images come out very crisp and three dimensional. All the lines in say an image with architectural features look so clean. At f2.8, center sharpness is excellent with outer edges being softer. As you stop down to just f4, the entire image sharpens up a bit. Corner sharpness gets better as you stop it down naturally but they never fully sharpen. They come close though, and it’s not something that I would worry about. For a wide angle like this one, I think the performance here is quite high. If you want optimum sharpness, I would say f5.6 to f11 are your best bet. As you stop down further, diffraction will kick in a bit though, so keep that in mind.
↑ Here’s a photo of the WTC taken with f8 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
↑ This was taken with f8 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
↑ Here’s another photo taken using f8 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
Of course, sharpness isn’t the only quality that makes for a great lens. Other features include very nice color and contrast. Since this is a Zero-D lens, it means it has zero or at least close to zero distortion (as Venus Optics Laowa says). I tested the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens and found that for the most part, distortion is handled quite well. There’s still some barrel distortion but overall, it’s very well controlled here considering its ultra wide angle capabilities, and therefore, I really think Venus Optics Laowa succeeded here. As for vignetting, there is quite a bit of it. Stopping down does help a lot but I don’t think you can ever really get rid of it all. It’s also worth mentioning that flare is very well-controlled, at least from the photos that I took during my review. Lastly, while the Laowa 9mm f2.8 does have a large maximum aperture, it’s still an ultra wide angle lens, so don’t expect to produce very shallow depth of field. It’s just not that type of a lens.
↑ Here’s a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge that I took using f11 and 160 ISO. I was under the FDR Drive when I took it.
↑ This was a photo taken using f5.6 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s a photo taken using f2.8 and 160 ISO.
Pros And Cons:
Pros:
- Build quality is excellent.
- Compact and light making it great for travel.
- Ultra wide angle makes for fun and interesting photos.
- Excellent image quality.
- Comes in several different mounts.
Cons:
- Aperture ring rotates only in full stops.
- I feel the lens hood could snap on a bit tighter.
- Quite a bit of vignetting.
Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D Lens Verdict:
Overall, I feel the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens is a great option for those who want something ultra wide. It has a lot going for it like the build, and ergonomics. It also doesn’t hurt that the optics are equally as good. Lastly, the entire package is priced at $499, which to me, isn’t outrageous. I think it’s pretty fair given what you’re getting here.
↑ This was taken using f11 and 320 ISO.
↑ This was taken using f8 and 160 ISO.
The Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens, like all lenses isn’t perfect, of course. For one, I kind of wish the aperture ring didn’t rotate only in full stop increments. Also, there is quite a bit of vignetting at the wider apertures. But to me, these aren’t huge issues and certainly no deal breaker. I was still able to get perfect meter measurements, and in terms of the vignetting: the worse case scenario is I do a simple fix in Photoshop but it didn’t really bother me.
↑Here’s a photo taken using f5.6 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s one last photo of the Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Zero-D lens attached to my Fuji X-T3.
I like to look at a piece of gear as a whole when I review it, and me, this is a fantastic little ultra wide. It matches the APS-C bodies that it was designed for ergonomically, and the image quality is truly excellent for something as wide as this lens. Lastly, I feel the Laowa 9mm f2.8 is priced reasonably enough that a lot of photographers can give this a try. So, if you’re looking for one of the widest lenses currently out, this is an excellent lens to consider.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review! If you’re considering purchasing the Laowa 9mm f2.8, and my review helped you decide, please help support this site by purchasing from the links below or any mentioned in this review. It will not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your support!
Hello Patrick,
I’m very pleased that after your review of the Laowa 65mm lens you decided also to review this 9mm Laowa, since I have both of them. In fact, it was my satisfaction with the 9mm that caused me to add the 65mm to my collection of Fuji primes for my X-Pro3. And I also was glad that you included the particular B&W interior architecture image, as you have used this location before as a good test for this type of lens. It appears to me that this 9mm Laowa did a very commendable job handling this subject matter. In fact all of the images you used served to display the qualities that I have found in this quite capable ultra wide. I agree that the vignetting issue is either one that can be easily remedied in editing software, or works in certain types of imagery to just leave it alone, rather than using the editing software to put some in.
As of now the stay at home situation has prevented me from using this 9mm in ways I had planned. But I am heading out for the first time to an urban location that will offer up many indoor or outdoor possible uses for it. Your review reaffirms my thinking to include this lens in my bag next week. Many thanks for this & the many other reviews you have done of Fuji gear. Take care & stay healthy.
Jed