Laowa Aksen 1-5x Ultra Macro Apo review: Up to 5x magnification for when ‘full’ macro just doesn’t cut the mustard
The Laowa Aksen 1-5x Ultra Macro Apo comes in a wide variety of mount options, enabling you to dive into the tiniest details with almost any camera
Venus Optics, known for its unique lens offerings, recently released the Laowa Aksen 1-5x Ultra Macro Apo. This lens boasts up to 5x magnification, surpassing the capabilities of traditional macro lenses. The lens maintains a fixed 1.0x macro magnification and zooms from 1x to 5x without changing its physical length or fixed focus distance. This feature simplifies the use of high-power macro lenses, like the now-defunct Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro.
Compared to other macro lenses, the Laowa Aksen 1-5x Ultra Macro Apo comes with a higher price tag of $749 / £799. However, it is a fully manual 'dumb lens' with no electronics, including autofocus and image stabilization. The lens consists of 13 elements in 9 groups and has an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/11. Its working distance is 41.35mm / 1.63in, and its macro magnification ranges from 1x to 5x.
The lens' sturdy metal barrel houses an internal zoom mechanism that enables the magnification range of 1.0x to 5.0x. The fixed focus distance and parfocal zoom mechanism ensure that focus remains locked on the subject as the magnification changes. A macro focusing rail is highly recommended for effectively using this lens, as the working distance is specified to a precise tolerance.
The Laowa Aksen 1-5x Ultra Macro Apo is available in several mount options, including Canon EF, RF, Nikon Z, F, Sony E, L-Mount, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
