Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 Ultra Macro APO Lens for Leica M

Compact 2x Macro Lens for Leica M

The Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 Ultra Macro APO Lens is built for Leica M mount cameras and delivers 2x magnification with a 28.55-degree angle of view on full-frame sensors. Its apochromatic design uses 13 elements in 9 groups, including 3 ED glasses, to minimise chromatic aberration across the frame. Weighing 289 g or 10.2 oz, it is the smallest 2x macro lens available for this system. Photographers who need autofocus or electronic aperture control will not find those features here.

Manual Focus Design with Internal Focusing

The lens focuses from 2:1 magnification to infinity with a minimum focusing distance of 6.4 inches (16.3 cm), allowing both macro and portrait work. Its internal focusing mechanism prevents the barrel from extending, reducing the risk of disturbing subjects and keeping dust out of the optical path. The fixed f/5.6 aperture balances depth of field and light transmission without an iris mechanism. Builders using other mounts or requiring zoom flexibility cannot use this optic.

Consistent Sharpness at High Magnification

Under sustained close-up use the APO correction maintains clarity and colour fidelity from centre to edges, limiting the fringing that often appears at 2x reproduction ratios. The optical formula suppresses aberrations at both in-focus and out-of-focus areas, reducing post-processing time for detail-heavy subjects. The compact barrel handles well during extended handheld sessions. Shooters needing wider apertures for low-light macro or faster shutter speeds will find the fixed aperture limiting.