Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO 100mm
Combining a 1:1 macro capability with ±10° tilt and ±12mm shift, this 100mm f/2.8 lens uniquely merges perspective control with life-size reproduction on full-frame and medium-format cameras. Its 15-blade diaphragm produces exceptionally smooth bokeh, while the manual focus design and fast aperture offer precise creative control for shallow depth-of-field effects. This specialized optic is best for product and jewelry photographers who need to correct perspective and control reflections in-camera without extensive post-processing.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong aperture (84th percentile) 84th
- Strong bokeh (82nd percentile) 82nd
Cons
- Below average macro (14th percentile)
- Below average build (16th percentile)
- Below average social proof (30th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 2 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Macro |
| Focal Length Min | 100 |
| Focal Length Max | 100 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 10 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
Build
| Mount | Sony FE, L Mount, Nikon Z, Canon RF |
| Weight | 1.2 kg / 2.7 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Max Magnification | 1:1 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO 100mm | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 100mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 16-28mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Mount | Sony FE, L Mount, Nikon Z, Canon RF | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 1215 | 544 | 450 | 450 | 320 | 495 |
| AF Type | - | RXD | Stepping Motor | Stepping AF Motor | linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | macro | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO 100mm | 53.8 | 82 | 16.2 | 13.5 | 56.9 | 84.4 | 33.3 | 29.6 | 37.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 87.2 | 69.8 | 85.9 | 91 | 84.4 | 89.3 | 85.2 | 83.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.4 | 87.2 | 76.1 | 85.9 | 88 | 84.4 | 67.3 | 69.2 | 37.8 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.4 | 87.2 | 76.1 | 77.8 | 97.2 | 84.4 | 67.9 | 63.2 | 37.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98.1 | 87.2 | 84.6 | 51.7 | 91 | 84.4 | 93.1 | 68.2 | 83.4 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87.4 | 24 | 72.9 | 80 | 86.2 | 21 | 76.8 | 89.3 | 98.6 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
