Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount)

Reviewers found it sharp across the frame from f/2.8, with the best results around f/4 to f/5.6 and detail holding up well at small apertures, which matters for macro depth of field. Lateral and axial colour fringing are minimal and distortion is effectively zero. Out-of-focus highlights are smooth and round thanks to the 13-blade aperture, though one test found background blur slightly rough compared with foreground blur.

The drawbacks are vignetting of about 1.5 EV at f/2.8, a tendency to flare without the supplied hood, a slight focus shift when stopping down, and fully manual operation with no camera control of the aperture and no EXIF. The metal build is solid but unsealed, and the $499 launch price is widely seen as good value for an apochromatic 2:1 lens.

The one owner review read rates the rendering and handling highly, and says the APO design delivers the image quality expected, with nothing optical to complain about.

The complaints are about manual use at high magnification: although the barrel does not extend, exposure shifts noticeably as you focus closer, so compensation and slow shutter speeds are needed, dust becomes visible at small apertures, and portability scored only 3 out of 5 because of the size and weight.