Venus Optics have announced the US SRP of the new Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens. This unique manual-focus lens has an integrated apodisation filter that promises to deliver "superior bokeh rendering and crystal sharp images." The full-frame Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens features 11 elements in 8 groups with a 14-bladed diaphragm and a minimum focus distance of 0.9m. The STF abbreviation stands for Smooth Trans Focus, a reference to its special optical system, which is intended to deliver smooth transitions between crisp in‐focus areas and a defocused background or foreground. Weighing in at 745 grams, the Laowa 105mm F2 STF will be available from April for $699. In the UK, the lens will be priced at £649.99, with first shipments expected later this month.

Press Release

Venus Optics Announces the Laowa 105mm f/2 (t/3.2) Smooth Trans Focus Lens, ‘the Bokeh Dreamer’

An apodization element is incorporated to produce images with smooth and creamy bokeh while maintaining excellent sharpness at the focal plane.

Anhui China, Mar 10, 2016 – Venus Optics, the Chinese camera lenses manufacturer who had launched the world’s Widest 1:1 Macro lens last June, has just released another extraordinary lens, Laowa 105mm f/2 (t/3.2) Smooth Trans Focus Lens for DSLR cameras.

The new Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens incorporates an unique optical design with an apodization (APD) element next to the aperture. The APD element resembles the function of an ND filter which becomes thicker towards the perimeter, gradually reducing the amount of light transmission towards the periphery to produce a soft, natural and beautifully diffused out-of-focus rendition (or called bokeh).

The new Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens offers two separate diaphragms. The stepless 14-bladed perfectly circular aperture, in conjunction with the apodization element gives this lens the ability to produce smooth and pleasing bokeh. It is also useful for videographers to control the amount of light passes through the lens. The 8-bladed aperture is to determine the effective aperture opening (f-number) and the depth-of-field formed.

The lens houses with 11 elements in 8 groups with 1 piece of High Refractive elements, 3 pieces of Low Dispersion elements and 1pc of Apodisation element. This optical design is proven to deliver images with extreme sharpness and limit the chromatic abberations at its lowest. Floating design is also adopted to ensure a superb performance even in close focusing distance. The enclosure of the lens is fully made of metal to strengthen its durability. Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Sony Alpha and Pentax K mounts are available. Sample photos can be found in our official website (http://www.venuslens.net)

Pricing and Availability

The Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus lens will be available at authorized resellers and at the English official website (http://www.venuslens.net). The recommended retail price without tax is USD 699. Free shipping will be provided during the promotion period. Pre-order starts from today and shipping for Canon EF / Nikon AI / Sony FE mounts will start from April. Delivery for Sony A / Pentax K mounts will start from May.

Specifications

Lens descriptions 105mm F/2.0 (T/3.2)
Focal Length 105mm
Maximum Aperture (Fno) F/2.0
Maximum Aperture (Tno) T/3.2
Angle of view 23°16″
Elements/ Groups 11/8
Aperture Blades F-stop: 8 T-stop: 14
Format Compatibility Full Frame
Minimum Aperture F/22
Minimum Focus distance 0.9m
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 0.16x
Focusing Manual Focus
Filter Thread Φ67
Dimensions(DxL) Φ76×98.9mm
Weight 745g
Mounts Canon EF / Nikon AI / Sony A / Pentax K / Sony
FE

About Us

Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics) is a new Chinese camera lens manufacturer based in Hefei, Anhui. We currently manufacture and distribute camera lenses under the brand name of ‘Laowa’.

For more information about Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited and our products information, visit http://www.venuslens.net/

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