Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D Review

Laowa 15mm f/2 ZERO-D FE Performance

Looking at central sharpness results are simply excellent from f/2 right the way through to f/16. Even f/22, where diffraction would be expected to bite, is very good. This is a fantastic result and bodes well for sharpness at longer, more usual distances than a flat test chart.

Edge sharpness is also excellent from f/2 to f/16, remaining very good at f/22. The actual figures are very close to the values for central sharpness, showing an amazing evenness across the frame.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) also fares very well. Centrally, values are closely controlled and even at the edges fringing barely exceeds the 1 pixel point. In reality, this is almost invisible in the field and as always if more correction should be needed then software can be used to do so.

The ZERO-D designation of the lens suggests zero distortion, but the test result shows -0.93% of barrelling. To be fair, this is a very good result for a 15mm lens and most lenses this wide, especially zooms, are far worse than this one. Software can correct any residual distortion if required, but probably will not be needed most of the time.

Flare does not seem to be a problem and is not easy to induce at all. This is probably a good thing as the loose lens hood is something that tempts us not to bother with it.

Bokeh is hardly the raison d'etre of the ultra wide lens, but given the f/2 aperture it does have a place for consideration. Happily, the bokeh is smooth and pleasant, something that may well be appreciated when shooting close.

Value For Money

The Laowa D-Dreamer 15mm f/2 ZERO-D FE lens is guaranteed for 5 years and is priced at £899. There is nothing else quite like it, so that unique f/2 aperture carries the day. There are some alternatives, that come close, such as:

Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Super Wide Heliar VM / E-Mount, £649
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art, £1679
Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 T* Distagon, £1800
Zeiss Milvus 15mm f/2.8, £2159
Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone, £568, Firefly, £428

For Sony FE mount there is little choice, but put in perspective with what users of other systems might have to pay then the new Laowa lens looks rather better value than most. For more options have a look at the Top 15 Best Sony E / FE Mount Lenses, or look at the Top 28 Wide-angle Landscape Lenses.

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