Get larger than life with Laowa’s new 58mm 2x macro for mirrorless

Spiderweb close-up made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
© Alberto Ghizzi Panizza/Venus Optics

It’s been a busy year for Venus Optics. With new releases numbering in the double digits, ranging from compact ultra-wides to shift lenses, the Anhui, -based brand is building a reputation for its well-priced, specialized glass. And this latest release, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO “CA-Dreamer” looks to be a solid addition to the brand’s catalog.

Who’s the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x macro for?

The new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro
The Laowa 58mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer is a fully mechanical lens. Venus Optics

Related: Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is the world’s smallest 2x macro for full-frame

Available for RF, Leica/Panasonic/ L, Nikon Z, and Sony E-mount, the new Laowa 58mm f/2.8 macro is priced at $499. An all-manual, full-frame lens, it should appeal to camera owners hoping for magnification in their macro photography. More specifically, this is for macro shooters who want to include some sense of a scene or background in their shots.

Bug close-up made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
Expect dreamy out-of-focus renditions. © Alberto Ghizzi Panizza/Venus Optics

If 58mm is too wide for your macro uses, consider the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x macro. It’s the price. Crop sensors mirrorless shooters, on the other hand, will experience an 87mm equivalent field of view with the Laowa 58mm, which is much closer to a “standard” macro focal length.

Again, there are no electronic contacts to speak of and certainly no image stabilization. For those reasons, it’s likely best used on a tripod or with an image-stabilized body. Ultimately, if you’re cool sacrificing autofocus capability in the name of savings and portability, and you’re for a wide-ish 2x macro, this may be your jam.

Optics & construction

The Laowa 58mm macro has an optical construction consisting of 14 elements arranged in 11 groups, including three ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, and three Ultra-High Refractive Index elements. And the lens’ apochromatic (APO) design should neutralize chromatic aberrations across the frame, a major plus for macro shooters.

The Laowa sports a 13-blade diaphragm with a range of f/2.8 to f/22. And judging from the sample photos, see below, it should be capable of producing out-of-focus renditions.

The new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro
An all-metal construction contributes to the lens’ heft. Venus Optics

The Laowa 58mm is just 2.9 inches in diameter and four inches long. But with a weight of 21 ounces, it’s certainly not spry chicken. Focusing is internal, so the dimensions of the lens don’t change as you adjust it. Up front is a 67mm filter .

Venus Optics makes no mention of weather-sealing, though the lens mount and housing are both metal (and initial reviews suggest a solid build quality overall). The barrel offers a large-sized manual focus ring at the front and an aperture ring with a hyperfocal scale at the rear.

Price & availability

The new Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO CA-Dreamer can be purchased right now for $499. It ships with a reversible, plastic, petal-style lens hood.

Sample photos

The following sample photos were provided by Venus Optics.

Portrait made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
© Wes Perry/Venus Optics

Photo of money made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
© Richard Wong/Venus Optics

Photo of butterflies made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
© Alberto Ghizzi Panizza/Venus Optics

Bug close-up made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
© Alberto Ghizzi Panizza/Venus Optics

Portrait made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
© Wes Perry/Venus Optics
Bug close-up made using the new Venus Optics 58mm f/2.8 2x macro.
© Alberto Ghizzi Panizza/Venus Optics

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