Laowa Nikon F Mount>24mm f/14 Probe Lens (Standard) – Nikon F

Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens (Standard) – Nikon AI

Described as “weird but genius,” the Nikon F-mount Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe is a truly unique lens designed for close-up shooting. Distinguished by its long, slender lens barrel, this macro lens offers 2:1 maximum magnification with a 1.5′ minimum focusing distance and a close 0.8″ minimum working distance. Despite the close working distance, the lens measures 1.3′ long, allowing you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subjects. Additionally, as a wide-angle lens, it provides greater depth of field compared to traditional telephoto macro lenses, enabling more background detail with less subject isolation.

The optical design includes both extra-low dispersion and extra refractive index elements, which help to suppress chromatic and spherical aberrations for a high degree of clarity, colour accuracy, and sharpness. Manual focus control permits focusing from 1.5′ to infinity, and the front of the lens has a built-in LED ring light to aid in focusing at close distances. The slim 0.8″ diameter of the front of the lens barrel also offers greater opportunities for lighting subjects from the front. Additionally, the front portion of the lens is waterproof, and permits working with subjects just beneath the surface of water or in other dusty or trying environments.

Wide-angle prime is designed for FX-format Nikon F-mount cameras, however can also be used with DX models where it will provide a 36mm equivalent focal length.

Unique macro lens design offers a greater-than-life-size 2:1 maximum magnification along with a minimum focusing distance of 1.5′ and a working distance of just 0.8″.

The long, tubular lens barrel contributes to producing a distinct bug-eye perspective and, despite the short working distance, the length of the lens barrel places the camera at a comfortable shooting distance.

Wide-angle 24mm focal length affords greater depth of field and more surrounding detail than traditional telephoto macro designs, which tend to isolate subject matter with shallow depth of field.

Optical design includes two extra-low dispersion elements that control colour fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to produce greater clarity and colour accuracy. One extra refractive index element is also featured, which reduces spherical aberrations and distortion for improved sharpness and accurate rendering.

Slim 0.8″ front diameter allows performing unique “slide-in” shots as well as affords a greater range of close-up, inconspicuous shooting opportunities. The smaller front diameter also makes it easier to illuminate close-up subjects from the front.

The front of the lens is waterproof, allowing you to comfortably work just under the surface of water or in dusty environments.

The front of the lens also features a built-in LED ring light, which is powered via a micro-USB port on the barrel, to provide some illumination on close-up subjects for easier focusing.

Designed for use as a close-up, macro lens, the manual focus operation also lets you focus at infinity.

Seven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.