Laowa launches 24mm F2 Zero-D tilt-shift lens

Laowa has expanded its manual-focus tilt-shift lens range with the 24mm F2 Zero-D Tilt-Shift, which the company describes as the fastest lens of its type.

It has also announced Hasselblad XCD-mount versions of its existing 55mm and 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro lenses.

Designed for full-frame cameras, the new 24mm lens offers up to ±10° of tilt and ±12mm of shift. Tilt allows photographers to adjust the plane of focus, while shift provides perspective control and can be used to capture images for stitching.

However, the two movements cannot be used to their full extent simultaneously. Increasing the amount of tilt reduces the available shift, and vice versa. Laowa also notes that the available range of movement varies between camera mounts, particularly when focusing at infinity.

As part of Laowa's Zero-D range, the lens is designed to minimise optical distortion and keep straight lines straight across the frame.

This makes it a potential option for architectural photography, where controlling converging verticals is important, as well as landscape work.

The optical construction comprises 13 elements in 10 groups, including extra-low dispersion (ED) and aspherical elements. The lens has a 67mm image circle, allowing it to cover the larger sensors used in Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad X-series cameras. Mount options include Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-mount, Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD.

Laowa has opted for an all-metal construction, with a 77mm filter thread and a 14-blade aperture. Minimum focusing distance is 25cm, with maximum magnification of 0.194x.

Despite its relatively wide maximum aperture, the lens is not particularly small. It measures 93mm in diameter and 119mm in length, and weighs 860g.

Alongside the new 24mm, Laowa is expanding its medium-format offerings with Hasselblad XCD versions of the 55mm and 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro lenses.

Both combine tilt-shift movements with 1:1 macro capability, providing additional options for Hasselblad photographers working in product, still-life and close-up photography.

The Laowa 24mm F2 Zero-D Tilt-Shift is priced at US$1,249 ($1,819 AUD), with versions available for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-mount, Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD.

It's worth noting L-mount buyers should check compatibility before purchasing, as Laowa lists several Panasonic camera bodies as unsupported.

The Hasselblad XCD versions of the 55mm and 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro lenses are also available now.

You can also see our feature about using tilt shift lenses from earlier this year, here.