Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
Launch MSRP
$1,199- Weight
- 597g
- Filter
- —
- Min focus
- 0.20m
- Max mag.
- 0.18×
- Formula
- 17E / 11G
- Released
- 2020
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Aspherical
- 3x ED
- Aperture range
- f/4.5 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 597g
- ⌀ × length
- 79.0 × 103.0mm
- Filter
- —
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- —
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.20m
- Max magnification
- 0.18× (1:5.6)
Optical character
This was the widest shift lens made for full frame at launch: 15mm with ±11mm of shift and a 65mm image circle large enough for medium format at ±8mm. The whole shift unit rotates through 360°, with clicks every 15°, so you can correct verticals or stitch panoramas in any direction.
The Zero-D design keeps unshifted distortion close to zero. It has no tilt, no electronics and no filter thread because of the bulbous front element. This original version has a blue ring and a five-blade aperture that makes sharp 10-point sunstars.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers rate it as a strong architectural tool. The centre is very sharp wide open, shifted corners hold up surprisingly well, and testers compare it favourably with Canon's TS-E 17mm while it is wider, smaller and about half the price. There is no focus shift, and sunstars are crisp from f/5.6.
The drawbacks are heavy shading in shifted corners (about 3.6 EV wide open), some barrel distortion and harder-to-correct lateral colour when shifted, and a stiff shift ring. There is no tilt and no EXIF.
Owner sentiment
Architecture and interior photographers like being able to keep verticals straight at 15mm without a tilt-shift budget, and value its compactness against Canon and Nikon PC lenses. The 360° rotation makes stitched panoramas easy.
Common complaints are the lack of filter options without a dedicated holder, the stiff shift action, and vignetting in shifted frames. Some owners upgraded to the later 15mm f/4.5R for its 14-blade aperture.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +15mm with ±11mm shift
- +360° rotation with 15° clicks
- +Near-zero distortion unshifted
- +No focus shift
- +Crisp 10-point sunstars
Weaknesses
- −No filter thread
- −Heavy vignetting when shifted
- −Stiff shift ring
- −No tilt and no electronic contacts
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- 5.5
- Autofocus Speed
- MF
- Flare Resistance
- 7.4
- Build / Sealing
- 8.3
- Value / Size
- 8.4
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 15mm |
| Category | Ultra-Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 17 elements in 11 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Aspherical · 3x ED |
| Aperture blades | 5 |
| Focus type | Manual Focus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Manual Helicoid |
| Minimum focus | 0.20m |
| Max magnification | 0.18× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 597g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 79.0 × 103.0mm |
| Filter thread | None |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,199 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- laowa.jp/cat1/aa2b738c8fac2c15897edfed251a2c5b1aa5325e.html
- newsshooter.com/2020/10/30/laowa-15mm-f-4-5-zero-d-shift-lens/
- phillipreeve.net/blog/review-laowa-15mm-4-5-zero-d-shift/
- laowa.de/15mm-f-4-5-zero-d-shift/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift vs 15mm F4
- VS15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift vs 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D
- VS15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift vs 15mm f/4 Wide Angle Macro
- 7Artisans
15mm F4
15mmF4- WT
- 536g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
- $359
MFRING - LaowaZero-D
15mm f/2 FE Zero-D
15mmF2- WT
- 500g
- FLT
- ⌀72mm
- MFD
- 0.15m
- MSRP
- $849
MFRING·DC - Laowa
15mm f/4 Wide Angle Macro
15mmF4- WT
- 470g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.12m
- MSRP
- $499
MFRING·DC
