Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL – Canon R | Ultra-wide 126° rectilinear coverage
The Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL for Canon R is an ultra-wide rectilinear lens built for full-frame mirrorless cameras. It provides a 126° angle of view, which suits expansive landscapes, architecture, interiors, and dramatic environmental portraits. The lens balances ultra-wide coverage with a compact and lightweight design, making it practical for travel, street, and everyday creative photography.
Why choose this lens
The Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL delivers distortion-minimizing rectilinear performance while remaining portable. You get edge-to-edge sharpness and faithful color rendering thanks to its optical design. At the same time, the small, metal-bodied lens weighs only 254g, so you can carry it for long shooting sessions without added bulk.
Key features
- Ultra-wide 11mm Rectilinear Lens: Captures an expansive 126° field of view for dramatic wide-angle compositions.
- Rectilinear (RL) Optical Design: Produces minimal distortion to preserve straight lines, which is essential for architectural accuracy and interiors.
- Advanced Optical Construction: Consists of 14 elements in 10 groups to deliver high image quality across the frame.
- Two Aspherical Elements: Help control spherical aberrations and improve sharpness toward the edges of the image.
- Three Extra-Low Dispersion Elements: Reduce chromatic aberration and help maintain true-to-life colors.
- Compact and Lightweight (254g): Easy to carry for travel and street photography without compromising optical performance.
- Minimum Focusing Distance (19 cm): Allows creative close-up foregrounds and dramatic perspective effects.
- Manual Focus and Aperture Control: Offers precise, tactile control for deliberate composition and exposure choices.
- Robust Metal Construction: Provides durability and reliable performance across varied shooting conditions.
Optical construction and performance
The lens uses Laowa’s Rectilinear (RL) optical approach to keep lines straight and reduce distortion. The 14-element, 10-group layout includes two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements, which together minimize chromatic aberration and deliver reliable color accuracy. As a result, you can rely on consistent image quality from center to edge for both wide scenic shots and architectural work.
Handling and use cases
With a minimum focusing distance of 19 cm, this lens lets you place subjects close to the front element for exaggerated perspective and striking foreground detail. Manual focus and aperture control give you direct, precise adjustment for creative work and careful compositions. Because the lens is compact and weighs 254g, it fits well in travel kits and setups where low weight and portability matter.
| Specification |
Value |
| Mount |
Canon R |
| Angle of view |
126° |
| Optical construction |
14 elements in 10 groups |
| Aspherical elements |
2 |
| Extra-low dispersion elements |
3 |
| Weight |
254g |
| Minimum focusing distance |
19 cm |
| Focus control |
Manual focus |
| Aperture control |
Manual |
| Construction material |
Metal |
What's in the box
- Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL Lens
- Front Lens Cap
- Rear Lens Cap
- Lens Hood
- Lens Pouch
FAQ
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Question: Is this lens suitable for architectural photography?
Answer: Yes. The Rectilinear (RL) optical design minimizes distortion and preserves straight lines, making the lens well suited for architectural and interior work.
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Question: How does the lens handle chromatic aberration and color accuracy?
Answer: The optical construction includes three extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements. These elements work together to reduce chromatic aberration and help maintain true-to-life colors across the frame.
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Question: Can I create dramatic foregrounds with this lens?
Answer: Absolutely. The minimum focusing distance of 19 cm lets you place subjects close to the lens for strong foreground perspective and dynamic compositions.
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Question: Is the lens portable for travel and street photography?
Answer: Yes. At 254g and with a compact metal construction, the lens is lightweight and durable for travel, street, and everyday use while still offering high image quality.