Don Libby
Well-known member
I recently ordered this lens about a week ago and have been testing it since it arrived a couple days ago. I have an excellant copy of the Fuji GF23mm however there are times when it just isn't wide enough. I didn't order the Laowa thinking it would solve world hunger or magically make me a better photographer; I ordered it to go super-wide. The Laowa 17mm GFX equally close to 13mm on my GFX100 whereas the 23 is closer to 18.
I have no issues with it being a manually controlled lens as I still have control of the ISO and shutter from the camera. Sizewise the 23 and 17 are similar with the filters being 82 and 86 respectfulluy. The Laowa feels good in my hands while handholding with the GFX100 and yes that a subjective thing; some might think differently. The lens is slightly longer than the 23; long enough to get a good grasp on.
Filters. This is where there's a slight issue. This is a super-wide lens that happens to have a filter thread attached to it. That's the good news. I've reciently switched to using the H&Y system and they happen to offer an 86mm filter attachment ring that I just picked up. The bad news is that there is vignetting when using the H&Y system (something I had expected). Not a huge deal as I'm thinking I might be able to crop the file while keeping the majority of the subject making it more a panorama. I'm also thinking a thin-ring screw on filter might work and to that end have ordered one.
Without filters the lens produces excellant files, files I can use full fram without worries.
The following is a test from last night; slight post in C1-12 without vignette correction...
Same file after vignette correction
I'm pleased with the lens overall. I hope the screw on filter corrects the majority of the vignette, however the files are crisp, and clean. $1,200 spent on the lens and so far no buyers remorse.
Don
I have no issues with it being a manually controlled lens as I still have control of the ISO and shutter from the camera. Sizewise the 23 and 17 are similar with the filters being 82 and 86 respectfulluy. The Laowa feels good in my hands while handholding with the GFX100 and yes that a subjective thing; some might think differently. The lens is slightly longer than the 23; long enough to get a good grasp on.
Filters. This is where there's a slight issue. This is a super-wide lens that happens to have a filter thread attached to it. That's the good news. I've reciently switched to using the H&Y system and they happen to offer an 86mm filter attachment ring that I just picked up. The bad news is that there is vignetting when using the H&Y system (something I had expected). Not a huge deal as I'm thinking I might be able to crop the file while keeping the majority of the subject making it more a panorama. I'm also thinking a thin-ring screw on filter might work and to that end have ordered one.
Without filters the lens produces excellant files, files I can use full fram without worries.
The following is a test from last night; slight post in C1-12 without vignette correction...
Same file after vignette correction
I'm pleased with the lens overall. I hope the screw on filter corrects the majority of the vignette, however the files are crisp, and clean. $1,200 spent on the lens and so far no buyers remorse.
Don