Laowa 85mm f/5.6 - Full-Frame 2:1 Macro Review

The team at Laowa has released yet another precision optics lens with the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO. While you may hear 85mm and imagine a mid-sized and heavy portrait lens, the new Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is far smaller and lighter than you will at first believe. It is, in fact, the world's smallest 2:1 macro lens fit for full-frame cameras. With a premium enthusiast or professional digital mirrorless camera, you'll capture stunning macro shots in glorious full-frame detail. Beyond that, the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO is available in four lens mounts, including Sony FE, Nikon Z, Canon RF, or Leica M. 

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 - The World's Smallest Full-Frame 2:1 Macro

The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO lens takes up next to no room in your full-frame kit bag as it measures a teeny 71.53 x 83mm. The 2X ultra-macro lens is light as a feature at just 252g and takes a 45mm filter thread - to give you an idea of size. You read that correctly; a full-frame lens small enough to fit in your back pocket while out on a shoot. 

The lens features a solid alloy build typical of Laowa's high standard of engineering precision. The lens features a manual-only manual focus system perfect for enthusiasts and pro macro photographers wanting fine control of focus stacking. The manual focus ring is broad and provides just the right amount of glide and resistance. It also features distance measurements - as does the aperture ring with clearly marked stops. It's worth pointing out that the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO lens features internal focusing. 

Laowa's Optical Purity

Laowa has a solid reputation for developing high-precision lenses with pure and accurate optical systems. What's more, Laowa is renowned for creating niche application lenses for various photography and videography genres. The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO is no exception to this detailed engineering level and faultless optical system. The lens features a maximum f/5.6 aperture to manage the fine depth of field achieved at proximity to subjects. It has a minimum focus distance of just 16.3cm, yet working at such a distance results in no aberrations or distortions. The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 boasts Apochromatic (APO) characteristic to compress chromatic aberrations while in or out of focus. 

The 85mm full-frame focal distance delivers a pleasing 28.55-degree field of view with a great 2:1 magnification. You'll fill your sensor with glorious detail at twice the size of life every time. It's also worth noting that the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO can be focused to infinity for portrait and product photography at greater distances. On the inside, the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 features 13 elements in 9 groups and a 7 bladed aperture for pleasing depth of field effects. 

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 on Georges Cameras TV

In our latest Georges Cameras TV Video, Olivia takes a hands-on look at the all-new Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO lens. It's the world's smallest 2:1 macro lens for full-frame, and it's an absolute stunner. Olivia is astounded by the quality, build, size and tiny weight of the full-frame 2X Ultra Macro lens. When paired with the Sony A7C, Olivia captures a range of high-resolution macro shots where image quality, sharpness and clarity are evident. If you love macro, portrait or product photography, then the world's smallest 2X macro lens for full-frame could be for you.

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 Specifications

• 85mm Full-Frame Focal Distance
• F/5.6 Maximum Aperture 
• F22 Minimum Aperture
• 7 Aperture Blades
• 13 Elements in 9 Groups
• 2:01 Reproduction Scale
• 28.55-degree Angle Of View
• Manual Focus
• Minimal Focus Distance 16.3cm
• 45mm Filter Thread
• Dimensions 71.53 x 83mm
• Weight 252g

Fit For Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO lens is the ultimate compact, full-frame macro lens for digital mirrorless cameras. The 2:1 magnification ratio, stunning optical construction and tiny size are sure draw-cards for enthusiasts and pro-full-frame photographers needing a maco kit. What's more, the size and minimal 252g weight of the Laowa 85mm means that it can live permanently in your kit bag and take up no room or add unwanted bulk. 

Beyond that, the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO is a future-proof 2:1 macro lens, thanks to it being available for the three key players in full-frame photography. The Laowa 85mm f5.6 is available for the ever-popular Sony FE mount. As a result, you can pair the tiny lens with Sony digital mirrorless camera bodies such as the full-frame Sony A7 IV or the enthusiast-friendly Sony A7C.  

The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is also available for the pro-level Canon R digital mirrorless camera range. Pair the RF Mount Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO with the full-frame Canon EOS R5 or the equally impressive Canon EOS R6. Likewise, the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is available for the hugely popular Nikon Z mount digital mirrorless camera system. The Z-mount ready Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO pairs perfectly with full-frame camera bodies such as the Nikon Z6 II or the enthusiast-ready Nikon Z5.

The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO lens is also available for Leica M Mount for those of you with a love of aesthetically and optically stunning Leica cameras. Leica M cameras are stylish and slick and look even better with the attached minimal Leica 85mm Ultra Macro lens. 

Final Thoughts On The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO lens 

Laowa is world-renowned for developing class-leading lenses for niche genres and applications. Any enthusiast or pro photographer dabbling in macro photography, ultra-wide landscapes or astrophotography should check out the Laowa lens range. Full-frame photographers now have the opportunity to add a genuinely compact, full-frame macro lens to their kit. And when it comes to full-frame macro photography for your Sony FE, Nikon Z, Canon RF, or Leica M mirrorless camera, it's hard to go past the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO lens. 2X Ultra Macro photography is now within your grasp so take the next step and head in-store or online at Georges Cameras to order your lens today.