Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (Auto Focus) Sony FE

Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (Auto Focus) Sony FE – 1.5× macro with 180 mm focal length

The Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO is an impressive macro lens that combines a true telephoto length with high magnification macro capabilities, making it ideal for both amateur and professional photographers. With a focal length of 180 mm, this lens offers a generous working distance, perfect for capturing details of insects and product features, while 1.5× magnification reveals micro-details that would otherwise remain invisible. Its lightweight construction makes it practical to carry during longer shooting sessions and fieldwork.

Optical construction and image quality

The lens is equipped with an apochromatic (APO) optical design that effectively minimizes both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations. This results in outstanding color reproduction and sharp detail clarity from the center of the image to the corners, ensuring that every image is of the highest quality. The sophisticated optical construction, consisting of 9 elements in 12 groups, guarantees consistent sharpness across the entire image surface, making it an excellent choice for both macro photography and general photography.

With a maximum aperture of f/4.5, the lens offers a good balance between sharp rendering and subject separation. Even when the aperture is stopped down to increase depth of field, it continues to provide effective subject isolation, allowing your subject to truly stand out in the image.

Main features

• 1.5× macro magnification: Allows capturing details beyond life size.
• Minimum focusing distance: 30 cm, enabling close and detailed photography.
• Working distance: 147.6 mm for easy lighting and composition of images.
• APO design: Minimizes color fringing in both sharp and blurred areas.
• Optical construction: 9 elements in 12 groups for consistent sharpness across the entire image surface.
• Weight: Relatively lightweight, approx. 484 g (Canon EF) / 522 g (Sony E), making it comfortable to use during long shooting sessions.
• Autofocus support: Supports autofocus for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF from 1.5 m to infinity.
• EF to RF adapter: Enables autofocus on Canon RF cameras.
• Full-frame transfer: Narrow field of view of 13.7° for strong subject compression.
• Aperture: 9-blade diaphragm and Ø62 mm front filter thread.
• Build quality: Robust body with functional button, electronic contacts, and USB-C port.
• Dimensions: EF Ø67.6 × 88.4 mm; E-mount Ø67.6 × 134.4 mm.

Autofocus and compatibility

This lens offers autofocus support for several different camera mounts. Autofocus is specifically available for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF for focus distances from 1.5 m to infinity. To activate autofocus, turn the focus ring to the infinity mark according to the manual. For use with Canon RF cameras, an EF to RF adapter is required to enable autofocus functionality.

Handling, build quality, and applications

With a focal length of 180 mm, this lens has the advantage of creating distance to easily startled subjects like insects, providing more flexibility in lighting setups when photographing small products. It is particularly suitable for fieldwork in macro photography where both reach and working distance are important factors. Its compact dimensions and lightweight make it a practical tele-macro lens to take on location, making it an excellent tool for photographers looking to capture details in all types of environments.

What’s included in the package

Frequently asked questions

What type of macro magnification does the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO offer?
The lens offers 1.5× macro magnification, allowing you to capture details beyond life size.

What is the minimum focusing distance of the lens?
The minimum focusing distance is 30 cm, providing close and detailed photography.

What type of optical design does the lens have?
The lens features an apochromatic (APO) optical design that effectively minimizes both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations.

How many elements and groups are included in the optical construction?
The optical construction consists of 9 elements in 12 groups for consistent sharpness across the entire image area.

Does the lens support autofocus?
Yes, the lens supports autofocus for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF from 1.5 m to infinity.