Laowa brings the world’s first 35mm f/2.8 1:1 with autofocus to full-frame cameras
Laowa has announced a 35mm f/2.8 Macro lens for full-frame cameras with true 1:1 magnification, meaning subjects can be reproduced at life size on the sensor. It will be offered in autofocus and manual-focus versions, giving photographers a choice between convenience and deliberate focusing. The combination is notable because 35mm is considerably wider than the standard and short-telephoto focal lengths commonly associated with macro work. That wider view can place a close subject within its surroundings rather than isolating it against a narrow background. For photographers working with insects, plants or small objects, the lens’s defining benefit is therefore not simply magnification: it is the ability to make life-size close-ups while retaining more of the scene.
Laowa says its new 35mm F2.8 macro lens is the first of its kind
The new Laowa 35mm F2.8 macro is described as a full-frame mirrorless lens offering autofocus and up to 1x reproduction. A 1:1 ratio gives photographers genuine macro capability rather than the 1:2 reproduction offered by some other 35mm options. The wider focal length changes the visual task: instead of relying mainly on working distance and background compression, photographers can include more of the surroundings in the composition. That makes the lens suited to close-ups where place and subject need to remain connected. Autofocus should also make it more adaptable for moving or quickly changing subjects, while the manual-focus version preserves the controlled approach often preferred for macro work. Its practical appeal lies in combining life-size reproduction with a broader storytelling frame.
Laowa Launches World’s First Full-Frame AF 35mm 1:1 Macro Lens
Venus Optics has launched the Laowa Acris 35mm f/2.8 1x Macro APO, identified as the first full-frame 35mm macro lens with autofocus and 1:1 reproduction. The autofocus version is available for Sony E, Nikon Z and Canon EF cameras, while a manual-focus version is offered for Canon RF and L-Mount. Its 35mm field of view is wider than that of typical 90mm or 105mm macro lenses, so close subjects can be shown alongside their surroundings. That comes with a different working perspective: the lens is designed for environmental context rather than the tighter, more isolated look of longer macro optics. Photographers choosing a mount should therefore confirm whether they need autofocus or manual focus before buying.