Venus Optics Unveils the World’s First 2x Ultra Macro Lens for MFT

Venus Optics, purveyor of some fan favorite (and sometimes quite strange) ultra macro lenses, has just released its newest creation: the world’s first 2x macro lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Meet the new Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO.

As the lens’ tagline implies, what makes the Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro special is the fact that it offers 2:1 maximum magnification ratio, which is reached at a minimum focusing distance of 5.3-inches (13.5cm). That’s a first for a native MFT lens.

In real world terms, that means you can go from 0.25x:

To 0.5x:

To 1x:

All the way to 2x magnification:

Otherwise, it’s like most of Laowa’s ultra-macro lenses for other mounts: manual focus, but capable of recording EXIF data and allowing you to adjust the aperture from within the camera.

Optically, the Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO inherits its design from the popular 65mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO, which was designed for APS-C sensors. In other words: the new lens features 14 elements in 10 groups–including three Extra-Low Dispersion elements that promise to keep both lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberration in check–and uses a 7-blade aperture that can be set anywhere between f/2.8 to f/22.

Given its 100mm full-frame equivalent field of view, the lens should also be useful for portraits.

Here’s a closer look at the new macro lens:

And a selection of sample images captured with the new glass:

The Venus Optics Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO for Micro Four Thirds cameras is available to order starting today for an MSRP of $400. Shipping should start “immediately,” according to VO, and you can learn more about the lens at this link.

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Image credits: All sample photos credited individually, used courtesy of Venus Optics