Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 Lens for Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras Released

Lens News

by Jakub HanMarch 29^th, 2023

The Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 is a new, ultra-fast manual prime lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. It offers a click-less or clicked aperture ring, a 62mm front filter thread, and has a minimum focusing distance of 50cm (19.69″). The lens is available now for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L mount and the price is $599.

With the Laowa Argus line, Chinese lens manufacturer Venus Optics offers a line of ultra-fast manual primes for mirrorless cameras. Back in 2021, we reviewed the full-frame Argus 35mm f/0.95 on the Sony a7S III. Now, Venus Optics releases another lens in the Argus line.

If I am not mistaken, the newly released Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 is the widest f/1.2 (or faster) full-frame mirrorless lens on the market (beating the SIGMA 35mm f/1.2 and Venus’ own Argus 35mm f/0.95). Let’s take a quick look at the details.

Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2

The new Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 lens has a 75.4° angle of view on a standard 3:2 full-frame sensor. This lens, with its fast aperture and slightly wider angle than 35mm, makes it possible to separate objects from a wider background. You can use the 13-bladed aperture at f/1.2 to f/16. The aperture ring has a switch that allows you to choose between clicked and smooth (click-less) operation.

The optical structure of the lens is composed of 13 elements in 7 groups. There are two UHR and two ED elements, so the lens provides good sharpness and contrast even wide-open at f/1.2, according to Venus Optics. The maximum magnification is 0.073x.

It is a fully manual lens with an internal manual focusing mechanism, so it does not change its length when the focus ring rotates. It also prevents dust from falling into the lens. The minimum focusing distance is 50cm (19.69″) from the sensor plane.

Physically, the new Argus 28mm weighs 562g (19.82oz), has a diameter of 68.5mm (2.7″), and is 106mm (4.2″) long, so it is fairly compact. The lens features a 62mm front filter thread and comes in four versions with different mirrorless lens mounts – Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L mount.

Price and availability

The Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 lens is now available for purchase at $599 (around €635 plus VAT in Europe). The price is the same for all lens mount versions, and the lens comes with the distinct Argus lens hood.

Do you use any of the Laowa Argus lenses for your work? How do you like the look? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.