Laowa Expands Tilt-Shift Options with New 17mm Lenses
Venus Optics has announced the release of two new wide-angle lenses: the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift and the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D Shift. Designed for full-frame and medium-format mirrorless cameras, these lenses aim to fill a gap in the market, particularly for Canon and Nikon mirrorless users who haven’t seen native tilt-shift options.
Addressing a Market Need
Historically, Canon and Nikon offered tilt-shift lenses for their DSLR systems, but have yet to bring that functionality to their mirrorless mounts. Venus Optics, along with other third-party manufacturers, has stepped in to address this demand. The Laowa 35mm f/2.8 Zero-D Tilt-Shift 0.5x Macro, released last November, demonstrated this commitment to providing creative control for photographers.
Technical Specifications and Design
Both the 17mm lenses share a 104-degree field of view, a 14-bladed aperture, and an optical design comprising 18 elements in 12 groups. Venus Optics promises excellent image quality and minimal distortion, a crucial feature for architectural photography. Close-focusing distance is 25 centimeters (9.8 inches). Both lenses are manual focus only.
The lenses are remarkably similar in size and weight. The Tilt-Shift version weighs 810 grams (28.6 ounces), while the Shift version is slightly lighter at 770 grams (27.2 ounces). Both measure 111 millimeters (4.4 inches) in length and accept 86mm front filters. They likewise include a tripod foot with Arca-Swiss support and a rotating collar with 15-degree clicks.
Tilt-Shift vs. Shift: What’s the Difference?
The key distinction lies in functionality. The Tilt-Shift lens offers both tilting and shifting capabilities, providing greater creative control. It can tilt +/- 10 degrees and shift +/- 12 millimeters. The Shift-only lens offers a shift of 11 millimeters but lacks the tilting function.
Tilting allows photographers to manipulate the plane of focus, useful for achieving broader depth of field in macro work or creating a miniature effect. Shifting, corrects converging lines when photographing architecture, maintaining parallel lines without tilting the camera itself.
Compatibility and Availability
The Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift and 17mm f/4 Zero-D Shift are available for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-Mount, Fujifilm GFX, and Hasselblad XCD cameras. However, L-Mount users should note that the Tilt-Shift lens is not compatible with the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, S5 IIX, S1 II, S1 IIE, or S1R II. When used with medium-format cameras, the shift function is limited to 8mm on both lenses due to the image circle.
The Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift is priced at $1,249, while the Zero-D Shift version is available for $999.
FAQ
What is the difference between tilt and shift?
Tilt adjusts the plane of focus, while shift moves the lens parallel to the image sensor. Tilt is useful for controlling depth of field, and shift is used to correct perspective distortion.
Are these lenses autofocus?
No, both lenses are manual focus only.
What camera mounts are supported?
Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-Mount, Fujifilm GFX, and Hasselblad XCD.
What is “Zero-D”?
“Zero-D” refers to zero distortion, meaning the lenses are designed to minimize distortion, particularly significant for architectural photography.