Experience using the Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom lens in Hong Kong

During my short trip to Hong Kong last month, I've managed to get a loan unit of Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE Zoom lens (made by Venus Optics) from International Camera Service Sdn Bhd.  At first glance, the lens is really small when paired with the SONY a7III, belongs to my friend, Dr. Shaharudin Abdullah.

The images below have been edited with Skylum Luminar 3 plugin from Adobe Photoshop CC 2019. 

SONY a7III + Laowa 10-18mm @ 10mm, f/8, 5.0 sec, ISO 50, single exposure image, unedited. Converted from RAW.

SONY a7III + Laowa 10-18mm @ 10mm, f/8, 5.0 sec, ISO 50, single exposure image. Edited with Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 with Skylum's Luminar 3 plugin.

​Specifications:

• The world's widest rectilinear full-frame zoom lens
• Manual focus lens with aperture & zoom ring
• The manual aperture ring can be mechanically 'de-clicked' for smooth, silent rotation throughout the aperture range for video applications.
• Frog Eye Dust & Water-Repellent Coating
• Focal length range: 10-18mm
• Aperture range: (f/4.5-f/5.6)-f/22
• Maximum magnification: 0.25x
• Minimum focus distance: 5.91"
• 14 elements in 10 groups
• Two Aspherical Elements, 5 diaphragm blades & One Extra-Low Dispersion Element
• Dimensions: 3.6" by 2.76"
• Weight: 1.1 lbs (496 g)
• 37mm rear filter

What I love about the lens is its size, weight and sharpness.  The lens feels well balanced with the SONY a7RIII. The're some flaring issues but no noticeable chromatic aberrations on this night shots.  The starburst from the light source are just great with well defined stars. Distortion is also well controlled, depending on the angle of the lens, with minimal perspective correction on Photoshop.  NiSi produced a filter holder for this lens which uses normal 100mm square filters.  This is a plus point since you don't need to invest on the larger (and more expensive)  150mm system.  By the way, we didn't have the opportunity to use the 37mm rear filter. This lens is also compatible with the optional Laowa Magnetic 100mm Filter Holder, by NiSi.  Venus Optics says that “It is a welcome relief for landscape, adventure or travel photographers that are traveling over long distances and struggling to find a compact wide-angle zoom to pair up with their cameras.”.  I couldn't agree with them more.

Apart from the flaring, the other downside is the lens cap.  Like most of the Laowa lenses, the lens cap need to be slightly modified to prevent it from coming off easily.  This can be done easily by putting a layer of sellotape on the lens cap for added friction.  Maybe Laowa can look into this matter in the future.  On the overall, it is still a formidable ultra-wide angle lens to satisfy the landscapers' need for UWA lens.

SONY a7III + Laowa 10-18mm @ 10mm, f/8, 5.0 sec, ISO 100, single exposure image, unedited. Converted from RAW.

SONY a7III + Laowa 10-18mm @ 10mm, f/8, 5.0 sec, ISO 100, single exposure image. Edited with Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 with Skylum's Luminar 3 plugin.

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This Laowa 10-18mm zoom lens can be purchased at:
International Camera Service Sdn Bhd,  Lot 1.99, Pertama Shopping Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-26986610 or 016-3286982.