Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 STF Aperture Series: Storm Clouds Over Kolob Canyons Peaks (Sony A7R III)
Related: concussion, optics, Sony, Sony A7R, Sony A7R II, Sony A7R III, Sony mirrorless, State of Utah, Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2
Get Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 STF at B&H Photo and see my Sony mirrorless wish list.
The about $699 Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus offers fast lens speed with an apodization element for ultra smooth bokeh. At f/2, its light transmission is T/3.2.
Lenses aiming for similar special effects include the Sony 100mm f/2.8 STF, the Nikon 105mm f/2 DC, but the Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 is the only lens I know of that uses dual apertures (8 and 12 blades) along with control of spherical aberration for tuning the desired bokeh effects.
This aperture series evaluates it for it far-distance sharpness, not using the STF features. Available for Sony full frame, as well as Canon, Nikon, Sony A, Pentax K mounts, it might fill a gap for Sony or Pentax K users looking for a manual focus special effects lens. Particularly for Pentak K, where lens options are much more limited.
Evaluated here on the Sony A7R III for far-distance sharpness, not using the STF features.
Aperture Series: Storm Clouds Over Kolob Canyons Peaks
Includes up to full resolution images from f/2 through f/5.6.
A storm rolled in overnight, leaving 4 inches (10cm) of snow on my Mercedes Sprinter photography adventure van as I slept, along with dense fog which. I waited things out until the heavens lifted a bit. Here later in the day, most of it had melted off and late in the day the sun broke out (see April 20 concussion log entry).
Sony A7R III + Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2
[low-res image for bot]
