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Laowa is going big with its 180mm F4.5 1.5x macro lens
DPReview News |
| Image: Laowa |
Laowa has announced the 180mm F4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO, a full-frame telephoto macro lens that provides greater-than-life-size reproduction. The company says it's "one of the smallest and lightest options in its class," and is offering an autofocus version for Sony E, Nikon Z and Canon EF mounts.
The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m (11.8"), allowing for up to 1.5x magnification. Its optical formula uses 12 elements in 9 groups, and while the company doesn't mention whether it's using any kind of special glass types, it does say the lens has an apochromatic design to reduce chromatic aberrations. It has a nine-bladed aperture.
The E-mount version of the lens is 134mm long and weighs 522g. It can accept 62mm filters and has a function button and USB Type-C port for firmware updates.
Laowa doesn't specify what kind of autofocus motors the AF versions of the lens use, but the system is capable of focusing on subjects that are as close as 1.5m (4' 11") away; for closer subjects, you'll have to use manual focus. It has an internal focusing design.
The 180mm F4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO's specifications bear striking similarities to the company's Sword 180mm T4.6 1.5X Macro cinema lens, but it's nice to see this lens in a more photo-friendly package. For one, this option is much cheaper and lighter, and includes autofocus if you happen to have the right lens mount. While it's not particularly surprising that the RF mount version is manual-focus only, the fact that the L-mount version also lacks AF is a little confusing.
The lens will be available today, and costs $499.
Press release:
Laowa Launches the 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO Lens
Macro Tight, Feather Light
Anhui China, September 16, 2025 – Laowa announces the launch of the 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO lens, the brand's first tele-macro lens designed to revolutionize telephoto, macro, and portrait photography. Combining a 1.5X ultra macro magnification, advanced apochromatic (APO) optics, a remarkably compact and lightweight design, and versatile functionality, this lens empowers photographers to capture intricate details with unparalleled clarity in both close-up subjects and distant scenes. With its robust lens build and innovative features, including autofocus on selective mount options, it's a handy yet powerful tool for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Key Features:
- 1.5X Ultra Macro Magnification
- Extended Working Distance
- Compact & Lightweight Design
- APO Design
- Outstanding Corner-to-Corner Sharpness
- Auto-Focus Function (E, Z, EF)
- Durable, Well-Built Lens Housing
1.5X Ultra Macro Magnification
The Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO lens delivers an impressive 1.5:1 magnification ratio, capturing life-size subjects with extraordinary detail. Every intricate texture and pattern is rendered in stunning high resolution, perfect for macro photography of small subjects like insects or flowers. With a minimum focusing distance of 30cm and a minimum working distance of 14.7cm in manual mode, this lens excels at enabling breathtaking close-up shots with unmatched clarity and precision, while providing ample space between the lens and subject for comfortable shooting.
Extended Working Distance
With a 180mm focal length, the lens offers a generous minimum working distance of 147.6mm, surpassing shorter macro lenses like the 58mm or 100mm options. This longer reach provides photographers with ample space for shooting and lighting setups, enhancing framing flexibility and precision in macro photography. The most important thing is reducing the chance of scaring the subject away.
A 180mm focal length creates a natural compression effect, making the background appear closer to the subject. This feature provides photographers with enhanced creative flexibility, enabling them to skillfully manipulate the perceived relationship between subject and background for compelling compositions.
Compact & Lightweight Design
Despite its powerful 180mm telephoto reach and 1.5X ultra-macro capabilities, the lens maintains a remarkably compact and lightweight form factor, enhancing portability for photographers on the go. Weighing just 484g (Canon EF) and 522g (Sony E) with dimensions of Ø67.6mm x 88.4mm and Ø67.6mm x 134.4mm, respectively, it stands out as one of the smallest and lightest options in its class. This makes it the ideal choice for professionals and enthusiasts seeking high performance without the bulk, perfect for handheld, field, or travel use.
APO Design
Utilizing an apochromatic (APO) design, this lens effectively eliminates both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations. The result is exceptional sharpness, true-to-life color accuracy, and minimal fringing across the entire image, even in challenging lighting conditions. This makes it an ideal tool for precision-dependent macro and telephoto photography.
Outstanding Sharpness
The Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO delivers exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness, even at high magnifications, for stunning image quality. Featuring an advanced optical design with 12 elements in 9 groups. It provides consistent, razor-sharp performance for macro photography. This configuration excels at capturing subjects with extreme detail, making it ideal for intricate close-up shots and professional-grade results across the frame.
AF Function In Selective Mount Options
The lens features autofocus (AF) functionality for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF mounts, enabling focusing on subjects from 1.5m to infinity. To switch to AF mode, simply rotate the focus ring to the infinity point until a distinct “click” — manual focus remains available for subjects within 1.5m for precise macro control. For Canon RF users, pair the EF mount with an EF-to-RF adapter to unlock AF capabilities. This easy-switch design enhances workflow efficiency for telephoto, portraits, wildlife, and macro shooting.
Durable, Well-Built Lens Housing
The Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO lens is crafted with a durable, robust housing design for challenging shooting conditions. It incorporates internal focusing to prevent lens extension during use, ensuring balanced handling and dust protection. Enhanced with practical features, the lens includes a dedicated function button for swift adjustments, a Ø62mm filter thread for versatile filter use, electronic contacts on AF versions for EXIF data recording, and a Type-C port for firmware updates.
Pricing & Availability
LAOWA 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO lens is available for purchase via the Venus Optics official website (Home - LAOWA Camera Lenses) and authorized resellers starting September 16, 2025. The US price is USD 499, with pricing varying by country.
