Laowa 15mm f/4 Wide Angle Macro

Reviewers find it strong where it is meant to work: close up, the centre is sharp with good contrast and pleasant background blur, and longitudinal colour fringing is well controlled. Results at 1:2 are usable even wide open.

As a general ultra-wide it is weaker. Corners stay soft at distance, vignetting is over 3 EV at f/4, distortion is strong and wavy, and flare and ghosting are easy to provoke even stopped down. Testers treat it as a specialist lens.

Owners enjoy the creative wide-macro perspective for bugs, flowers, food and product shots, and like the price and solid build. The very short working distance needs care with lighting, since the lens can shade the subject; many use a small LED or flash diffuser.

Complaints include the lack of electronic contacts, a clickless aperture ring that is easy to knock, and flare in backlit scenes. Several note the shift feature has little use on full frame.