Laowa 4.5-10mm f2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye Lens for Nikon Z
The Laowa 4.5-10mm f/2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye is a compact APS-C fisheye zoom lens designed for creator...The Laowa 4.5-10mm f/2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye is a compact APS-C fisheye zoom lens designed for creators who want unique ultra-wide perspectives in both photography and video. Featuring a 4.5-10mm zoom range, constant f/2.8 aperture, and parfocal zoom capability, this lens delivers creative flexibility for landscapes, action sports, astrophotography, travel content, and cinematic video production.From a circular fisheye effect at 4.5mm to a diagonal fisheye perspective at 10mm, the lens offers multiple visual styles in one compact body while maintaining portability for handheld, gimbal, and drone setups.Dual Fisheye EffectCapture two fisheye styles with a single lens. At 4.5mm, the lens creates a dramatic 180-degree circular fisheye image, while 10mm produces a full-frame diagonal fisheye look. This flexible design reduces the need for lens changes during shoots and opens creative possibilities, including de-fishing images, crystal ball effects, 360° panorama effects, exaggerated perspectives, and natural framing compositions.Constant f/2.8 ApertureThe constant f/2.8 aperture maintains consistent exposure throughout the zoom range. This allows smoother video recording while providing improved low-light performance for night scenes, indoor shooting, and astrophotography. It also gives creators more flexibility with shutter speed and ISO settings.10cm Minimum Focusing DistanceGet extremely close to subjects while still capturing the surrounding environment. The 10cm minimum focusing distance helps create strong foreground emphasis and exaggerated spatial depth, making it suitable for close-up creative shots, dynamic compositions, and immersive storytelling.Parfocal AbilityDesigned with parfocal zoom capability, the lens maintains focus while zooming in or out. This feature is especially useful for video creators who need smooth zoom transitions without refocusing, improving workflow efficiency during filming.Compact and Lightweight DesignBuilt for portability, the compact and lightweight construction makes the lens easy to carry for travel, outdoor shooting, and daily creative use. Its balanced design also supports handheld shooting and compatibility with gimbals and drone setups for more flexible production options.
The Laowa 4.5-10mm f/2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye Lens is designed for APS-C camera users, particularly photographers and videographers seeking unique, ultra-wide perspectives. Its key benefit is the versatility of offering both circular and diagonal fisheye effects within a single, compact, parfocal zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture. A potential caveat is that the extreme fisheye distortion may not be suitable for all types of photography, and users will need to embrace or correct for this characteristic. This lens features a 4.5-10mm zoom range, a constant f/2.8 aperture, and parfocal zoom capability for creative flexibility in landscapes, action sports, astrophotography, travel, and cinematic video.
All features
Brand
Laowa
Extended Product Information
FAQs
What type of cameras is this lens designed for?
This lens is specifically designed for APS-C sensor mirrorless cameras with the Nikon Z mount.
Can I use this lens on a full-frame Nikon Z camera?
While it might physically mount, the lens is designed for APS-C sensors and will result in significant vignetting or a circular image on a full-frame camera, effectively acting as a very tight circular fisheye.
What does 'parfocal' mean for this lens?
Parfocal means that the lens maintains focus when you zoom in or out. This is highly beneficial for video recording, as you can zoom without needing to refocus.
How do I achieve both circular and diagonal fisheye effects?
At the 4.5mm end of the zoom range, you will get a full 180-degree circular fisheye image. As you zoom towards 10mm, the field of view narrows, and the distortion changes to a diagonal fisheye effect that fills the APS-C frame.
What is the minimum focusing distance?
The minimum focusing distance is 10cm (approximately 3.9 inches) from the front of the lens. This allows for very close-up shots with dramatic perspective.
Is this lens autofocus or manual focus?
This is a manual focus lens. You will need to manually adjust the focus and aperture rings to achieve your desired settings.
What kind of creative effects can I achieve?
You can achieve exaggerated perspectives, dramatic wide-angle landscapes, crystal ball effects (by de-fishing the circular fisheye image), and unique close-up compositions due to the extreme field of view and close focusing distance.
Troubleshooting
Lens not focusing properly
Ensure the lens is securely attached to the camera body. Manually adjust the focus ring to its furthest or closest setting and then re-attempt focus. Check if your camera's focus mode is set to manual.
Image appears soft or blurry
Confirm that the focus is accurately set for your subject. For optimal sharpness, avoid shooting wide open at f/2.8 in very bright conditions if depth of field is critical; consider stopping down slightly if necessary. Ensure lens elements are clean.
Exposure not consistent during zoom (video)
Verify that your camera is set to manual exposure mode (M) or aperture priority (A) with the aperture set to f/2.8. The constant aperture should maintain exposure as you zoom, but automatic camera settings might attempt to adjust.
Lens mount feels loose
Gently detach and reattach the lens, ensuring it clicks securely into place. If the issue persists, inspect the lens mount and camera mount for any visible damage or debris. Contact customer support if damage is suspected.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Offers two distinct fisheye perspectives (circular and diagonal) in one lens.
Constant f/2.8 aperture is beneficial for low light and video work.
Parfocal zoom capability simplifies video shooting and zooming.
Compact and lightweight design enhances portability.
Close minimum focusing distance allows for creative close-up shots.
Cons
Extreme fisheye distortion requires intentional use or post-processing.
Primarily designed for APS-C sensors, limiting full-frame use.
Manual focus operation requires user attention, especially for video.
The unique perspective may not be suitable for all photographic genres.
Setup, Compatibility & Care
This lens is designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras with the Nikon Z mount. Ensure your camera body is compatible with Nikon Z-mount APS-C lenses. The lens features manual focus and manual aperture control. To set up, simply attach the lens to your camera body by aligning the mounting marks and twisting until it clicks into place. For care, avoid touching the lens elements directly. Clean the front and rear elements with a soft lens brush or a microfiber lens cloth, using a lens cleaning solution if necessary for stubborn smudges. Store the lens in its protective pouch when not in use to prevent dust and damage. Always mount and dismount the lens carefully to avoid stressing the camera mount or the lens itself.