Laowa has introduced the 16-30mm T2.9 to their Ranger set of affordable, compact, and full-frame cine zoom lenses. The 16-30mm features a constant T2.9 without any ramping throughout the entire zoom range. Together with the 28-75mm T2.9 and the 75-180mm T2.9, these lenses give a cinematographer fairly complete focal length options, from a wide 16mm all the way to 180mm.
Laowa Ranger 16-30mm T2.9 Cine Zoom Lens (PL/EF)
all prices excluding sales tax/VAT
Laowa unveiled the Ranger line-up of affordable, compact, and full-frame cine zoom lenses back in June 2023, followed by the Lite versions in November. Here’s my colleague Nino’s review of the original pair of Laowa Ranger lenses in case you missed it. Now, they’ve finally added the Laowa Ranger 16-30mm T2.9 Full-Frame Compact Cine Zoom Lens to the set, featuring a wide-angle design that complements the two other lenses. These affordable, full-frame cinema zoom lenses are built for cameras featuring a full-frame sensor, something that can be considered a rarity since most are made for S35 sensors.
Laowa Ranger 16-30mm T2.9 – features
The Laowa Ranger 28-75mm T2.9 and 75-180mm T2.9 both feature a balanced, sharp look without a digital appearance, as reviewed by my colleague, Nino. The 16-30mm T2.9 should be the same. All three lenses are under 7.5 inches (20cm) and weigh 3+ pounds (1.4 kg) or less, making them easy to use and carry. The Lite versions of the Laowa Ranger Cine Zooms feature a magnesium design (in space grey), making them around 10% lighter and more durable.
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Laowa Ranger 16-30mm T2.9 Full-Frame Cine Zoom Lens in Standard. Source: Laowa
A detailed look at the features
- Wide 16-30mm with an angle of view (AoV) of 107°.
- Constant T2.9 throughout the entire zoom with no ramping (T2.9-T22).
- 11x zoom range and 1.875x zoom ratio.
- 13″ close focusing distance (33.02cm), focus throw of 100°. Focus markings in Metric and Imperial.
- 77mm filter thread.
- 0.8 MOD focus, aperture, and zoom rings, allowing for a follow focus system to be added.
- Parfocal design allows focus to remain constant while zooming in and out.
- 18 elements in 12 groups with 11 aperture blades.
- Excellent color rendition and contrast.
- Low distortion.
- Laowa says there is no noticeable focus breathing.
- Lens mounts include ARRI PL (default), EF mount bayonet included, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Sony E.
- Lightweight at 799g (28.18 oz.).
- 80mm x 107.4mm (3.15″ x 4.22″), making it compact and easy to carry and use.
Price and availability
The Laowa Ranger 16-30mm T2.9 Full-Frame Compact Cine Zoom Lens is available now. It comes in two options: Standard (black lens body), which retails for $2,999 / €3,057.02, or Lite (space grey lens body), which is priced higher at $3,499 / €3,569.42. Keep in mind that the default mount is ARRI PL (EF bayonet included). An additional fee of $100 applies for other mounts (RF, E, Z).
A three-lens set featuring the Laowa Ranger 16-30mm T2.9, 28-7mm T2.9, and 75-180mm will cost $8,699 ($10,199 for the Lite versions). Considering what you’re getting, these prices won’t break the bank, and you’ll be adding three full-frame cinema zoom lenses at T2.9 that cover a nice focal range to your bag.
Visit Laowa’s website to learn more about the new Ranger 16-30mm T2.9 lens.
A note about the zoom ratio: It is used to measure the distance between the widest focal length and the narrowest. You calculate it by dividing the longest focal length by the shortest, in this case 30/16 = 1.875x.
What do you think of the third lens in the Laowa Ranger Full-Frame Compact Cine Zoom Lens line? Will you be adding the wide 16-30mm T2.9 to your lens bag, and do you already own the 28-75mm T2.9 and 75-180mm T2.9? Let us know in the comments below!
