Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5X Wide Angle Macro (Canon RF)

Reviewers find the centre sharp from f/4.5, and best between about f/5.6 and f/11; edges and corners are weaker and stay so even stopped down, and close-up shots need f/8 to f/16 for sharpness beyond the centre. Distortion is very low, though one tester notes in-camera profile correction contributes on the electronic versions; longitudinal colour fringing is absent, and lateral fringing is modest. Vignetting is well controlled for an ultra-wide, down to about 1 EV by f/8.

Flare resistance is much improved over the old 15mm macro, and sunstars look good from about f/5.6 despite only five blades. The weak points are coma that only clears near f/16, noticeable focus breathing, and a short focus throw that makes precise manual focusing at 0.5x fiddly; in practice the working distance can be shorter than the official figure, so the lens can shade the subject. Build is solid all-metal and the price is considered competitive.