Laowa 90mm F/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO

Specifications01

MountCANON RF

Focal length90mm

Max aperturef/2.8

TypeCinema · Macro · Telephoto · Prime

Weight619 g

Filter size67 mm

Physical length120 mm

Min focus distance0.2 m

Aperture blades13

Optical elements13

Groups10

Lens hoodbarrel-shaped (bayonet mount, supplied)

Additional Info02

Category["Canon","Canon RF"]

Keywords["Laowa","macro","Prime","R-mount"]

Review AuthorKlaus

Review Rating7.5

Review VerdictThe Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO is another attractive macro lens in their arsenal. As of the time of writing this article, it's their 9th (true) macro lens - a release frequency and variety that is putting original manufacturers to shame in this market segment. And like most of its in-house cousins, it is capable of delivering very good results … with just a few caveats. Image sharpness is very decent at f/2.8 and superb at medium aperture settings. The native image distortions are absent. Lateral CAs are well controlled and axial CAs are negligible. The vignetting is only moderately high at f/2.8. The quality of the bokeh is a bit of a mixed bag. Out-of-focus highlights are nicely rendered but the general out-of-focus blur can be a little nervous in the image background. The lens is also quite prone to flare thus you should always use the supplied lens hood. The RSAs aren't ideal in extreme close-up scenarios. It is a fully manual lens which may or may not be a showstopper for some users. There is no AF, the aperture has to be controlled on the lens and there's no EXIF data. On the positive side, the build quality is great thanks to a tightly assembled full-metal body and a super smooth focus ring. Like most Laowa lenses, the 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO is also comparatively compact. There is no weather-sealing but the inner focusing system should help to protect it against the elements to some degree at least. A big selling point for macro enthusiasts is certainly the maximum object magnification of 2:1 - even Canon doesn't offer this. And finally, let's not forget the pricing. At $499USD, the Laowa lens is very reasonably priced for such an extreme macro lens, especially when taking its apochromatic design into account. It's not a lens for everybody but it'll surely find its friends out there.

Review Criteria{"Build Quality":8,"Optical Quality":7.5,"Price / Performance":8}

Review Published2022-06-04T02:34:00+00:00

Optical Construction13 elements in 10 groups inc. 3x ELD elements

Summary02

Laowa 90mm F/2.8 manual-focus macro lens for Canon RF, designed for ultra-close photography with up to 2x magnification and an APO correction for reduced chromatic aberration.

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Specifications from opticallimits

Where can this lens be adapted?

The Canon RF mount has a flange distance of 20 mm. A plain adapter fits a camera whose flange distance is at least 1.46 mm shorter. How lens adapters work

Native lenses set the aperture, and often the focus, electronically. On a plain adapter they do not work. Use an electronic adapter made for this pair; for many pairs nobody makes one. Fully manual lenses are the exception.
RF-S lenses cover APS-C only.

Sony EAdapter · 2 mm
The camera mount (46.1 mm) is narrower than the lens mount (54 mm). A large rear element can darken the corners.
Canon RFNative
Nikon ZAdapter · 4 mm
Fujifilm XAdapter · 2.3 mm
Canon EF-MAdapter · 2 mm

No plain adapter reaches infinity focus on: L-Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Fujifilm G (GFX), Canon EF, Nikon F.