{
  "id": 1194156,
  "title": "Laowa Aksen 1-5x Ultra Macro Apo review: Up to 5x magnification for when ‘full’ macro just doesn’t cut the mustard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/laowa-aksen-1-5x-ultra-macro-apo-review-up-to-5x-magnification-for",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-16T03:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Digital Camera World",
    "slug": "digital-camera-world",
    "url": "https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/lenses/laowa-aksen-1-5x-ultra-macro-apo-review"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nCompared 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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "summary": "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",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Digital Camera World",
        "title": "Laowa Aksen 5-10x Ultra Macro Apo review: Forget 'full' macro – this lens ramps up magnification all the way to 10x more",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/laowa-aksen-5-10x-ultra-macro-apo-review-forget-full-macro-this-lens",
        "published": "2026-08-16T03:20:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}