Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF

Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF

Ultra-wide zoom lens f/3.5-5 designed for landscape, architecture, astrophotography, street.

Wide-angle zoom lens f/3.5-5 Sony E
Landscape
Landscape
Architecture
Architecture

Lens Review: Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF

The Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for full-frame cameras. Covering an expansive focal range from 8mm to 16mm with a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5, this lens is ideal for capturing dramatic landscapes, architectural interiors, astrophotography, and street scenes. Its optical design incorporates 16 elements in 12 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and 2 extra-low dispersion elements, which effectively minimize distortions and chromatic aberrations while delivering sharp, high-contrast images across the entire zoom range. Despite its professional-grade optics, the lens maintains a compact and lightweight form factor at just 463 g, making it an excellent choice for photographers who need wide-angle coverage without the bulk of larger professional zooms.

Specifications

Focal length
8-16 mm
Maximum aperture
f/3.5-5
Minimum aperture
f/16
Number of diaphragm blades
5
Optical construction
16 elements / 12 groups (2 aspherical elements, 2 extra-low dispersion elements)
Minimum focusing distance
0.2 m
Maximum magnification
0.125x
Filter size
86 mm
Lens mount
Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M
Dimensions
88.53 x 88.4 mm
Weight
463 g
Lens type
Wide-angle zoom lens
Image stabilization
No
Max Format size
Full Frame
Aperture ring
No
Weather sealing
No
Usage
landscape, architecture, astrophotography, street