Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f/2.8 – A Non-Landscape Photographer’s Review

The Laowa looks amazing with the exception of its horrible blue band

Introduction

Guest Post by The Overrated Photographer instagram / website

A couple of months back I was offered pre-release Laowa 9mm for review by the local distributor in Australia. At the time I was fairly busy with work and I’m not a big landscape person, so I ended up turning it down and waiting for my own copy. The release took longer than expected, so in hindsite I probably should have taken them up on it.

For those who don’t know, the Laowa 9mm is an ultrawide manual lens available in Fujifilm mount. It’s a rectilinear lens so you don’t have the same level of distortion experienced with a typical fisheye. I’ll be completely honest and say I don’t know a lot about Laowa. According to the website, it’s made by Venus Optics who have been around since 2013 and are based out of China. Having never tried any of their gear before this, I can’t comment on any of their previous gear.

I still haven’t had a chance to take many photos, hence the lack of landscape photos, probably made worse by having kids which means it’s hard to get up for sunrise shoots when you’re helping get kids to school in the morning. I will update the missing landscapes as I get out for more landscape photography.

Thanks to Adam from the Laowa distributor in Australia for getting me my lens so quickly.

Laowa 9mm F2.8: Venus Optics, BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Pricing

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Fujifilm X-T2 ver. 4.10 and Fujifilm X-H1 ver 1.10 Firmware Tests and Reviews

NEW FIRMWARE

We already shared ZedProMedia’s X-H1 old vs. new firmware comparison here, as well as feedback coming from our fantastic X-H group and X-T group… and it’s all very positive feedback :)

Mostly we noticed a drastically improved AF in video as well as no exposure flickering in video anymore.

But of course it doesn’t stop here, so here are a few more:

Chinese Fujiflm X-Mount Glass Reviews: 7Artisans 35mm F1.2 and 25mm F1.8, Laowa 9mm F2.8, Kamlan 28mm F1.4

Chinese Fujifilm X Mount lenses

The market of (more or less) affordable Fujifilm X-mount glass is growing quickly, especially thanks to Chinese lens manufacturers such as Laowa, 7Artisans, Meike, Mitakon and Sainsonic.

One of the latest entries is the Neewer 35mm f/1.2, which costs $119 and we reported about it here. But to have a complete overview, just check out this forum post about all available X-mount lenses.

Let’s say it clearly first: if you want the best IQ possible (and autofocus), get Fujinon glass and look no further.

But some of these Chinese lens options might be worth a try, hence, here on FujiRumors we will continue to collect reviews and share them with you.

Today we are going to share reviews and samples of the following lenses

Feel free to check out the reviews and samples down below:

Other Chinese lenses for Fujifilm X mount are

Fujifilm Bayer Sensor Roundup: X-T100 First Looks, X-A5 Best IQ for $600 and a Great Fujifilm Tattoo

Fujifilm Bayer Sensor Roundup

We start this roundup with a mandatory mention of mototeacher instagram‘s page, since he just tattooed an X-T20 on his arm… a nice way to show his Fuji love :)

But then there is more, especially reviews about the brand new Fujifilm X-T100. This camera is great value for money, and Fujifilm is pushing it strongly, even by launching a dedicated fujifilm-xt100 page.

Let’s add to this roundup today also the Fujifilm X-A5, which is the other Bayer sensor APS-C camera in Fujifilm’s line-up.

Fujifilm X-T100: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, FocusCamera
Fujinon XC15-45: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama
Fujifilm X-A5: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

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Facebook User Groups for Fujifilm X-T, GFX, X-H, X-Pro, X-E and X100 line

Fujifilm X-H1 Old Vs. New Firmware Test: Mindblowing Autofocus, No Exposure Flickering, and Any Bugs to Report?

Fujifilm X-H1 Old Vs. New Firmware Test

ZedProMedia compared the old Fujifilm X-H1 fimrware ver.1.02 with the brand new firmware 1.10, also using a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens with Fringer smart adapter

He notices that:

  • the AF improvement during video recording is massively improved with lenses like the XF56mmF1.2 and better also with XF10-24. Smooth and accurate AF.
  • with the Fringer with the Sigma 18-35mmF1.8 more jumpy AF
  • Auto ISO exposure not flickering anymore, very smooth
  • this update will make a lot more people happy

You can see the video at ZedProMedia here and don’t forget to follow the dedicated Fujifilm X-H facebook page.

Fujifilm X-H1: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

Mindblowing AF

ZedProMedia is not the only one, who thinks Fujifilm got it right. Our Fujifilm X-H facebook group is starting to fill with enthusiastic comments as well as Keno’s video demonstrations here.

“I was super close switching to Sony … I couldn’t use the X-H1 on a gimbal with AF. Had to use my X-T2s […] Now I can sell my X-T2s finally and buy a second X-H1 ?”

It does look blazing fast indeed… and if it’s too fast and not smooth enough, you can set the a different AF transition speed :) .

Fujifilm X-H1: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

Firmware: The Good and The Bug

Here is some more firmware feedback, but it’s still from the previous firmware version (X-T2 ver. 4.00 and X-H1 ver. 1.02). The current versions are 4.10 for the X-T2 and 1.10 for the X-H1.

The Good…

… and the Bug

  • x-man – Fujifilm – Critical Bug – No more numbers for photos

 Bugs Reports Anyone

Did you notice any bugs? Tell us in the comments… Fujifilm is reading you and can make good use of your feedback.

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