Laowa Full-Frame Expander and Anamorphic Adapter for the OOOM Cine Zoom

Laowa OOOM 25-100mm T/2.9 Cine Zoom Lens

We already reported a few times about the Laowa OOOM 25-100mm T/2.9 Cine Zoom lens. As a quick reminder, this lens covers Super35 sensors, it features a constant T/2.9 aperture (with nine aperture blades), and a generous four times zoom.

As the Laowa OOOM is a Cine Zoom lens, the aperture, zoom, and focus ring have standard 0.8 mod/32 pitch gears. That way, you can easily use a manual or motorized FIZ system to take control of your lens. The focus barrel has a rotation of 270 degrees. The Laowa OOOM 25-100mm T/2.9 Cine Zoom lens will be available in either PL and Canon EF mount.

At IBC 2019, we had a chance to talk with Kevin from Laowa about this much anticipated Cine Zoom lens and get an update. In the previous prototype, the Cine Zoom was heavy at around 2.6kg, but they are now trying to improve the lens design to make it lighter. Also, there is now a new switch on the lens. If you press it, you can rotate the aperture and focal length marks. This switch is specially designed to see the correct aperture and focal length readings if you are using the OOOM lens with the Laowa 1.4x expander adapter.

Laowa 1.4x Full-Frame Expander Adapter

We were able to get a first look at the new Laowa 1.4x full-frame expander adapter. This rear adapter is made specifically for the Laowa OOOM Cine Zoom lens, but it should also be compatible with other lenses. This full-frame expander adapter allows you to expand the Super35 image circle of a lens so it can cover a full-frame sensor.

With the Laowa 1.4x full-frame expander adapter you get a focal length multiplier of 1.4x, and you also lose one stop of light. If you pair it with the Laowa OOOM Cine Zoom lens, the focal lengths will transform from 25-100mm to 35-140mm with a constant T/4.0 aperture. This is why the new “switch” button on the glass is useful.

Laowa 1.4x Full-Frame Expander Adapter. © cinema5D

Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter

Another interesting rear adapter is the Laowa 1.33x anamorphic adapter. This rear anamorphic adapter is different from a more “traditional” front anamorphic adapter like the ones from SLR Magic for example. With the Laowa rear anamorphic adapter, you will get less “streak” lens flares, and the bokeh will also be less oval-shaped. Also, there will be a half stop light loss when using it.

This anamorphic adapter is made specifically for the Laowa OOOM 25-100mm T/2.9 Cine Zoom lens, but it can be, in theory, be used with every glass. The unit you can see is a PL to PL adapter, but Laowa also plans to release a Canon EF to the Canon EF version.

Pricing and Availability

The Laowa OOOM 25-100mm T/2.9 Cine Zoom lens should be available before the end of this year for around $6500.00. The two Laowa adapters are still very early prototypes, but they should “cost no more than a few hundred dollars” according to Laowa. They should be available next year.

What do you think of the Laowa OOOM 25-100mm T/2.9 Cine Zoom lens? Do you believe rear adapters are an excellent option to make a lens more versatile? Let us know in the comments!