Introducing the LAOWA 8-15mm T2.9 FF Zoom Fisheye Cine Lens for Filmmakers

A New Era in Cinematic Lenses

On July 18, 2025, Sightron Japan will unveil the LAOWA 8-15mm T2.9 FF Zoom Fisheye Cine, a groundbreaking cinema lens designed specifically for filmmakers and compatible with full-frame cameras. This innovative lens provides remarkable flexibility by allowing users to achieve two distinctive fisheye effects with a single lens, seamlessly adapting to various shooting scenarios.

Dual Fisheye Effects in One Lens

Fisheye lenses are frequently viewed as niche tools for eccentric visual storytelling, yet they have historically played a pivotal role in the art of filmmaking. The LAOWA 8-15mm lens showcases this potential brilliantly. When set to 8mm, it offers a 180-degree field of view, making it ideal for VR content, 360-degree panoramics, or surreal imagery. On the other hand, the 15mm setting covers the entire sensor with a diagonal fisheye effect, delivering a practical yet dynamic perspective. This adaptability equips filmmakers with a powerful tool for creative expression.

Outstanding Brightness Across Zoom Range

One of the lens's noteworthy features is its constant T2.9 aperture throughout the zoom range of 8mm to 15mm. This consistent brightness allows for exceptional performance in low-light settings, enabling vibrant night scenes or stunning time-lapse shots of celestial bodies. Moreover, the shallow depth of field achievable with T2.9 enhances subject isolation, lending immediate impact to visual storytelling.

Versatile Zoom Range with Easy Adjustability

Equipped with an adjustable zoom that offers precision control over fisheye effects, the LAOWA lens features a 75-degree zoom mechanism for smooth transitions between different angles of view. This functionality eliminates the need for constant lens swaps, fostering greater creativity and expediency on set, from dynamic action scenes to intimate music videos.

Impressive Close-Focus Capabilities

The lens allows for a minimum focusing distance of 16cm, providing a maximum magnification of 0.23x. This unique capability makes it possible to capture impactful close-up shots while still incorporating a broad background, enhancing the subject's presence in the frame and creating evocative visual expressions.

High Optical Quality for Professionals

Optimized for full-frame sensors, the optical design of the LAOWA lens guarantees sharp images from corner to corner. The lens's performance shines in high-resolution cinema shoots, VR content production, and panorama recordings, meeting the demanding expectations of professional applications.

Compact and Lightweight Design

Measuring just 62.5mm in length and weighing around 590g, this lens is among the most compact and lightweight full-frame cinema zoom lenses available. This makes it an ideal companion for gimbals, drones, and handheld rigs, offering exceptional mobility for run-and-gun style shooting or documentary work in dynamic environments.

Professional-Grade Housing

With a solid metal casing and LAOWA’s proprietary Frog Eye Coating—which offers waterproof and anti-fouling properties—this lens maintains performance even in challenging shooting conditions. It is designed to accommodate 0.8 MOD gears for focus, zoom, and aperture rings, allowing for seamless integration with follow-focus systems. Initially featuring a PL mount, it can also adapt to various camera systems, including E, RF, Z, L, and X mounts, providing versatility across a range of professional-grade setups.

Note: For users of FujiFilm X mount, please be aware that the angle of view may be narrower due to sensor size constraints.

Key Specifications

- Format Supported: Full Frame (FF)
- Focal Length: 8-15mm
- Aperture Range: T2.9-T22
- Max Angle of View: 180°
- Lens Construction: 9 groups and 13 elements
- Aperture Blades: 9 blades
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 16cm
- Max Magnification: 0.23x
- Focus Mechanism: Manual Focus
- Dimensions: φ84.8mm × 62.5mm
- Weight: Approximately 590g (excluding front and rear caps)

Once the lens hits the market, it is expected to retail around 297,000 JPY. Orders will begin on July 18, 2025. This innovative lens, built with functionality, creativity, and versatility in mind, is a game-changer for filmmakers aiming to elevate their visual narratives.

For more details, visit the official LAOWA website.