Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D 15mm
Its zero-distortion optical design and bright f/2 aperture deliver a 110° angle of view with full-frame coverage, making it the widest rectilinear f/2 autofocus-less prime available. The lens weighs just 500g, accepts common 72mm filters, and includes a weather-sealed build with a bundle of UV and CPL filters for immediate outdoor use. This manual-focus lens is best for architectural and astrophotography shooters who need sharp 15mm shots in low light, not for travelers requiring lightweight automation.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (90th percentile) 90th
- Strong optical (79th percentile) 79th
- Strong build (70th percentile) 70th
Cons
- Below average bokeh (4th percentile)
- Below average af (14th percentile)
- Below average social proof (16th percentile)
- Below average aperture (23rd 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.
- Q2 202250/100
Buyers praise zero distortion, sharpness, and compact size for astro/landscape, but note softness at F2 and lack of autofocus.
- Zero distortion and sharpness praised for astro and landscape.
- Compact size and filter compatibility valued for travel.
- Soft at F2; manual focus only disappoints some users.
- Vignetting present but correctable; acceptable for wide angle.
- Q1 2019100/100
Buyers praise this wide-angle lens for its clarity, zero distortion, and suitability for astrophotography. It is described as a heavy but high-quality manual focus lens.
- Excellent image clarity and zero distortion.
- Great for astrophotography and wide-angle shots.
- Solid build quality, heavy but reassuring.
- Manual focus is appreciated by users.
Based on 25 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 15 |
| Focal Length Max | 15 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Frog Eye Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 5 |
Build
| Mount | L-Mount |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 150 |
| Max Magnification | 1:4 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D 15mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 15mm | 17-28mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Mount | L-Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF |
| Stabilization | false | false | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 500 | 450 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 495 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | Stepping Motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D 15mm | 13.9 | 4.4 | 69.6 | 90.3 | 78.8 | 22.6 | 33.6 | 16.4 | 38 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87 | 88.1 | 73.7 | 86.3 | 87 | 85.8 | 68.1 | 64.5 | 38 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88.1 | 67.3 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.8 | 78.2 | 83 | 38 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 54.6 | 83.5 | 87.4 | 93.3 | 81.6 | 85.8 | 69.1 | 68.7 | 38 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88.1 | 83.2 | 50.4 | 90.2 | 85.8 | 93.1 | 63.4 | 83.2 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87 | 26 | 70.2 | 80.4 | 85 | 22.6 | 77.2 | 87.8 | 98.5 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
