The Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens, developed by Venus Optics, is a short telephoto prime lens tailored for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. This lens is engineered to offer extensive control over out-of-focus characteristics and to enhance bokeh effects. Its distinctive optical configuration features an apodization (APD) element along with two distinct diaphragms—comprising 8 and 14 blades—allowing for independent adjustments of bokeh, exposure, and depth of field. The APD element acts as a radially graduated neutral density filter, restricting light transmission to a T-stop value of 3.2 while maintaining the depth of field and selective focus attributes typical of a genuine f/2 lens.
In addition to the unique properties of the APD element, the lens is equipped with three low dispersion elements and one extra refractive index element, which work together to minimize chromatic aberrations and color fringing, thereby enhancing overall clarity and sharpness. Furthermore, the lens features a manual focus and manual aperture design, granting photographers significant control over focus and exposure, particularly when utilizing the APD element.
- Short telephoto prime designed for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras, this lens can also be used on APS-C models where it provides a 157.5mm equivalent focal length.
- Optical design incorporates an apodization element that helps to improve the quality of bokeh. This element, which resembles a radially graduated ND filter that tapers from clear in the center to more dense around the edges, produces more circular out-of-focus highlights for more pleasing selective focus and shallow depth of field effects.
- To control the effect of the apodization element, two separate diaphragms are incorporated in the lens' design: a 14-blade diaphragm that works mainly in conjunction with the APD element to control bokeh, as well as a standard 8-blade diaphragm at the rear of the lens design to control the overall light transmission and affect depth of field.
- Due to the incorporation of the APD element, the lens offers an effective light transmission value of T3.2, while the f/2 designation relates mainly toward the potential for selective focus and depth of field control.
- Beyond the APD element, the lens also features three low dispersion elements and one extra refractive index element, which combine to limit chromatic aberrations throughout the aperture range and contribute to a high degree of sharpness and clarity.
- A manual focus design permits fine-tuned control for focusing as closely as 3' away with a maximum magnification of 0.16x.
- Two manual aperture rings enable you to adjust both the exposure-affecting diaphragm as well as the APD-affecting aperture.
