We've written about Venus Optics' affordable and fast Laowa lenses before, which include primes and zooms. The company has now revealed four new Laowa Argus prime lenses at a ridiculously fast f/0.95 for three different camera formats. These include full-frame (2 lenses), APS-C (1 lens), and micro four-thirds (1 lens).
The Argus 35mm and 45mm f/0.95 prime lenses are for full-frame cameras, with support for Canon RF, Sony E, and Nikon Z mounts. Both lenses feature a minimum focusing distance of 19.7 inches (50 cm) and has 72 mm front filter thread.
The 35mm is 3 inches (diameter) x 4 inches (length) and weighs 1.66 pounds (76.88 mm x 103 mm, 755 g), plus features 14 elements in 9 groups and a 15-blade aperture diaphragm. It'll be available in quarter 2 of 2021 and priced at about $910 (£667).
The 45mm also has a 15-blade aperture, but 13 elements in 9 groups. The lens isn't much bigger than the 35mm: 3 in. x 4.3 in. and weighing 1.87 lbs. (76.8 mm x 110 mm, 850 g). The lens also ships in Q2 of 2021, but a price hasn't been revealed.
The APS-C Argus 33mm f/0.95 prime lens has 14 elements in 9 groups, a 9-blade aperture diaphragm, a minimum focusing distance of 1.4 inches (35 mm), and a 62 mm front filter thread. It's small, weighing 1.3 lbs. (590 g), and is 2.8 in. x 3.27 in. (71.5 mm x 83 mm). Supported camera mounts include Fujifilm X, Sony E, Canon EF-M, and Nikon Z. Pricing will be around $530 (£388) and will ship in Q2 of 2021.
Finally, the Argus 25mm f/0.95 prime lens for M4/3 is very similar to the APS-C Argus 33mm, but has 14 elements in 8 groups and an 8-blade diaphragm. Minimum focusing distance is 9.8 inches (25 cm), weighs just 1.26 pounds (570 g), and measures 2.8 in. x 3.4 in. (71 mm x 86 mm). The price is about $530 (£388), and like the other new lenses, will ship in Q2 of 2021.
Check back with Venus Optics' site as these and other lenses are officially unveiled, following a presentation by the company that produced quite a few leaks and rumors.
Big hat tip to DPReview, who waded through the rumors and got confirmations from Venus Optics.