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Register/Sony E-mount/Laowa/Ultra-Wide
Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom FF — Side view
Side view© Venus Optics (LAOWA)
Laowa

Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom FF

FE · ZOOM
12-24mm
APERTURE
1:5.6
MFRING

Launch MSRP

$649
Weight
497g
Filter
⌀77mm
Min focus
0.15m
Max mag.
0.40×
Formula
15E / 11G
Released
2022
AlternativesCompare with…
01

Specification sheet

Optical construction

15
Elements
11
Groups
3 LD · 2 ASPH
5 rounded blades
  • 2x Aspherical
  • 3x ED
  • Frog Eye Coating
Aperture range
f/5.6 — f/22

Physical & ergonomics

16842
Weight
497g
⌀ × length
69.4 × 93.6mm
Filter
⌀77mm
Weather sealed
No
Aperture ring
Yes

Autofocus actuator

Manual Helicoid
Manual Focus
Stabilisation
Body IBIS
Teleconverter
Not supported
AF speed score
—

Close-up performance

Min focus distance
0.15m
Max magnification
0.40× (1:2.5)
0.40×
0×0.25×0.5× half macro1.0× macro
02

Optical character

Laowa's C-Dreamer 12-24mm is a constant-f/5.6 ultra-wide zoom that still takes 77mm screw-in filters, through a bayonet filter ring that doubles as a hood. At about 500g it is a compact, all-metal manual alternative to bulbous 12-24mm zooms that need large filter holders.

The slow aperture keeps it small and suits landscape, architecture and travel work at f/8 to f/11. Close focus is 0.15m across the range, giving near-macro framing at 24mm, and five straight blades produce 10-point sunstars even at 12mm wide open.

Reviewer consensus

Reviewers found it good to very good across the frame throughout the range, especially at f/8 to f/11, with better coma correction than the older 10-18mm. Distortion is wavy barrel at 12mm and mild pincushion from 18mm, so a profile helps.

The drawbacks are very high vignetting at 12mm (about 3.6 EV wide open), a green corner cast at the wide end, longitudinal colour fringing in high-contrast scenes, and some rainbow flare at 12mm. Testers rate Sony's FE 12-24mm f/4 G as sharper but note it cannot take screw-in filters.

Owner sentiment

Owners appreciate the solid build, the evenly spaced aperture clicks, and being able to use standard 77mm filters on a 12mm lens. Many pair it with a fast standard prime as a light landscape kit.

Common complaints are the lack of EXIF, which makes lens profiles tedious, the heavy wide-end vignetting, and sample variation at some focal lengths. Some find f/5.6 limiting indoors or at night.

03

Strengths, weaknesses & performance

Strengths

  • +77mm screw-in filters at 12mm
  • +Constant f/5.6, compact 497g
  • +Good sharpness at f/8-f/11
  • +0.15m close focus
  • +Sunstars from f/5.6 at 12mm

Weaknesses

  • −Heavy vignetting at 12mm (3.6 EV)
  • −Green corner cast at the wide end
  • −No electronic contacts or EXIF
  • −Wavy distortion at 12mm

Six-axis rating

SHARPBOKEHAFFLAREBUILDVALUE
Sharpness
8.0
Bokeh Rendering
5.8
Autofocus Speed
MF
Flare Resistance
6.8
Build / Sealing
8.4
Value / Size
8.0

Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.

04

Technical specifications

Optics
MountSony E (FE) · full frame
Focal length12–24mm
CategoryUltra-Wide
Maximum aperturef/5.6
Minimum aperturef/22
Construction15 elements in 11 groups
Special elements2x Aspherical · 3x ED · Frog Eye Coating
Aperture blades5
Focus
Focus typeManual Focus
DriveManual Helicoid
Minimum focus0.15m
Max magnification0.40×
StabilisationNone (uses body IBIS)
TeleconvertersNot supported
Body
Weight497g
Diameter × length69.4 × 93.6mm
Filter thread⌀77mm
Weather sealingNo
Aperture ringYes
De-clickable apertureNo
Release year2022
Launch MSRP$649 USD
05

Sources

Specifications

  • venuslens.net/product/laowa-12-24mm-f-5-6-zoom/
  • photorumors.com/2022/07/07/announced-venus-optics-laowa-12-24mm-f-5-6-zoom-
  • alphashooters.com/venus-optics-announces-laowa-12-24mm-f5-6-lens
  • phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-12-24mm-5-6/
  • bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1717124-REG/venus_optics_ve1224fe_laowa_12_24mm_f
06

Similar focal length alternatives

  • VS12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom FF vs FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM
  • VS12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom FF vs FE 12-24mm F4 G
  • VS12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom FF vs AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE
  • SonyG Master

    FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM

    Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM
    12–24mmF2.8
    WT
    847g
    FLT
    —
    MFD
    0.28m
    MSRP
    $3,000
    AFWR
  • SonyG

    FE 12-24mm F4 G

    Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
    12–24mmF4
    WT
    565g
    FLT
    —
    MFD
    0.28m
    MSRP
    $1,700
    AFWR
  • Samyang/RokinonAF

    AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE

    Samyang AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE
    14–24mmF2.8
    WT
    445g
    FLT
    ⌀77mm
    MFD
    0.18m
    MSRP
    $1,199
    AFWR