Laowa 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe (L-Mount)

Reviewers value it for shots other lenses cannot get: deep in undergrowth, among insects or in rock pools and shallow water, with deep depth of field at close range. The all-metal build and smooth, long-throw focus ring are praised, and it is light for its length. Sharpness is acceptable at macro distances and better on Super 35 than on full frame, but it is not crisp by normal macro standards: it is soft wide open, improves when stopped well down, and as a regular wide-angle it is soft at the edges with visible barrel distortion. Chromatic aberration is mostly well controlled, with some fringing in hard light.

Contrast is low, flare comes easily and background blur can look muddy or harsh. One test measured the ring light at about 4000K with poor colour rendering and very bright at close range. At f/14 it needs a lot of light even outdoors, every speck of dust or water on the tiny front element shows, and the long, light tube flexes and moves in the wind, so a tripod or ground support is essential.