Venus Optics has unveiled four new Laowa wide-angle cine lenses designed specifically for Vista Vision format cameras. Released on March 18, 2025, the new lineup includes the 9mm T5.8 VV Cine, 10mm T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine, 12mm T2.9 Lite Zero-D VV Cine, and 14mm T2.6 Zero-D VV Cine.
Laowa 9mm T5.8 Zero-D VV Cine Lens (ARRI PL)
all prices excluding sales tax/VAT
The number of new lenses being announced by specifically Chinese companies is staggering, and Venus Optics – which sells lenses under the Laowa brand – is one of them. They’ve built a strong reputation for their wide-angle lenses, and with this launch of four new cine lenses, they’re leaning into that strength once again.
Technical specifications of Laowa wide-angle 9mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm cine lenses
The 9mm T5.8 claims the title of widest rectilinear full-frame lens in the cinematography market with a 134.8° angle of view, while the 10mm T2.9 is positioned as the widest rectilinear full-frame lens offering “Zero-Distortion” capability with a 130.3° angle of view.
All four lenses feature Vista Vision coverage with image circles of Ø46.31mm (9mm, 10mm, 12mm) and Ø46.5mm (14mm), making them compatible with larger-format cameras, including the Red Raptor 8K VV and Alexa LF Open Gate.
The Secrets of Optics
Ever been confused by focal length? Lens breathing? How about crop factors? What is the “Cooke Look”? In this course you’ll learn the basics of lenses - what they do, how they do it and what types of lenses there are.
The lenses share several key characteristics:
- Compact and lightweight design (520-640g/1.15-1.41 lbs)
- Close focusing capabilities: 12cm for the 9mm and 10mm, 14cm for the 12mm, and 20cm for the 14mm
- Standard 0.8M gear mod
- Multiple mount options across various camera systems
The 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm models feature 77mm front filter threads, while the 9mm does not support front filters.
Zero-Distortion technology
Three of the four lenses (10mm, 12mm, and 14mm) incorporate Laowa’s “Zero-Distortion” design, which aims to eliminate the need for post-production correction when shooting architecture, interiors, or scenes with straight lines. That’s one of the reasons why their wide angles are so popular and also one of the reasons why I love to use them – having no distortion is a big deal.
12mm Lite version – a redesign
The newly introduced 12mm T2.9 Lite Zero-D VV Cine is a redesigned version of Laowa’s existing 12mm T2.9 Zero-D Cine. The Lite version offers improvements in chromatic aberration and sharpness, with a more compact and lightweight form factor (560g vs 675g). It features a closer minimum focusing distance of 14cm compared to 18cm on the original model.
However, users should note that the PL mount of the new 12mm T2.9 Lite protrudes further toward sensors, potentially limiting compatibility with certain cameras and filters.
Pricing and availability of the new Laowa wide-angle cine lenses
All four lenses are now available for pre-order. The 9mm T5.8, 12mm T2.9 Lite, and 14mm T2.6 are priced at $1,499 each, while the 10mm T2.9 is priced slightly higher at $1,699.
Laowa has also expanded their Nikon Z mount offerings across their entire cine lens lineup, making them compatible with RED camera Z mount options.
What do you think of Laowa’s new wide-angle lenses – is there one in particular that you’re interested in? Let us know in the comments below.
