Laowa VE5028MFT 50mm
Offering a rare 2:1 maximum magnification, this manual focus lens doubles the reproduction ratio of typical macro lenses for extreme close-up detail on Micro Four Thirds cameras. Its apochromatic design with 14 elements minimizes chromatic aberration, while the compact 240g build and built-in CPU for EXIF data transfer add practical precision. This lens is best for macro photographers who need beyond-life-size reproduction and prioritize manual control over autofocus convenience.
Focal length 50mm
Aperture f/2.8
Mount Micro Four Thirds
Weight 240 g
af type manual focus only
lens type macro
63 Overall Score
Price €0
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong aperture (84th percentile) 84th
- Strong build (82nd percentile) 82nd
- Strong bokeh (82nd percentile) 82nd
Cons
- Below average af (13th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Macro |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 10 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
Build
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | micro-four-thirds |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 49 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 135 |
| Max Magnification | 2:1 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Laowa VE5028MFT 50mm | 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 | 50mm | 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 | Micro Four Thirds | 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) | 240 | 544 | 450 | 450 | 320 | 495 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | 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 | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laowa VE5028MFT 50mm | 12.8 | 81.9 | 82 | 95.6 | 60.1 | 84.3 | 33.3 | 37.7 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.7 | 87.1 | 69.8 | 85.8 | 91 | 84.3 | 89.3 | 83.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.4 | 87.1 | 76.1 | 85.8 | 88 | 84.3 | 67.3 | 37.7 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.4 | 87.1 | 76.1 | 77.8 | 97.2 | 84.3 | 67.9 | 37.7 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98.1 | 87.1 | 84.6 | 51.7 | 91 | 84.3 | 93.1 | 83.3 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87.4 | 24 | 72.9 | 80 | 86.2 | 21 | 76.8 | 98.6 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
