Laowa has broadened the accessibility of its potent 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO optic, making it available to photographers utilizing Micro Four Thirds systems. This expansion offers OM System and Panasonic camera owners an exciting new avenue to explore the minute intricacies of their subjects with unparalleled clarity and magnification.
Originally introduced in 2022 for full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO garnered significant attention for its impressive 2:1 magnification capabilities. On Micro Four Thirds cameras, however, the inherent crop factor elevates its effective magnification to an extraordinary 4:1. This enhanced capability allows photographers to delve into a microscopic world, capturing details and textures that remain imperceptible to the unaided human eye, a boon for both nature enthusiasts and scientific imaging professionals.
The Micro Four Thirds rendition of this lens retains the superior optical construction of its predecessors. It features 13 elements arranged in 10 groups, incorporating an apochromatic (APO) design to meticulously suppress chromatic aberrations, thus ensuring consistently sharp and vivid imagery. The lens boasts a nine-bladed aperture, a finely tuned manual focus ring for precise adjustments, and a manageable weight of 540 grams (19 ounces). Its internal focusing mechanism ensures the lens's physical dimensions remain constant during operation. Furthermore, this new version integrates electronic contacts, enabling seamless aperture control directly from the camera body and comprehensive EXIF data communication. Set to be released in late February at a price point of $499, it offers the same exceptional value as its counterparts for other camera mounts.
The introduction of this advanced macro lens to the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem signifies a valuable enhancement for the photographic community, particularly for those passionate about capturing the unseen beauty of the micro-world. It empowers creators to push the boundaries of visual exploration, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the intricate details that enrich our natural surroundings.