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Laowa CF 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom-Shift
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Laowa · f/5.6 · Nikon Z mount

Laowa CF 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom-Shift

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Mount
KEY FACTS
BrandLaowa
Release Year2024
Production StatusIn Production
Lens MountNikon Z
SystemNikon Z APS-C
What We Like
+World's first wide-angle zoom shift lens combining 2x zoom with ±7mm shift capability
+Exceptional shift functionality for architectural photography with straightened vertical lines and perspective control
+Compact and lightweight at 575g with all-metal construction and premium build quality
+Constant f/5.6 aperture throughout entire zoom range ensures consistent exposure
+Exceptionally short 15cm minimum focusing distance with 0.4x magnification for creative close-up work
+Good distortion control and sharpness when stopped down to f/8-f/11, suitable for landscape and architecture
Worth Knowing
−Soft at f/5.6 wide aperture; optimal sharpness requires stopping down to f/8 or f/11
−Corner softness becomes more pronounced at full shift range, particularly at wider apertures
−Manual focus only with no autofocus capability, requiring deliberate, methodical operation
−Shift functionality limited to APS-C; on full-frame cameras, only 3mm shift possible at 12mm before vignetting

General

Brand
Laowa
Release Year
2024
Production Status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Lens Mount
ⓘ
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Nikon Z
System
ⓘ
Indicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to.
Nikon Z APS-C
Maximum Format
ⓘ
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
APS-C
Read our notes on general
The Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift CF is the world's first zoom shift lens, specifically designed for mirrorless cameras with the extraordinary ability to shift up to 7mm, allowing photographers to capture images with precise perspective control. Weighing only 575g, the lens offers exceptional performance in a compact and lightweight package, making it perfect for photographers on the move. Wide open at f/5.6 it's a bit soft but stop it down to f/8, f/11 & f/16 and performance improves significantly.

Physical

Lens Weight
575 g
Lens Length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
98.9 mm
Front Filter Size
ⓘ
Diameter of attachable filters.
77 mm

Optics

Focal Range
ⓘ
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
12–24 mm
Aperture Range
ⓘ
Largest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end)
5.6
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020
Zoom Lens
ⓘ
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
Yes
Closest Focusing Distance
ⓘ
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
15 cm01500

Tilt Shift

Tilt Range
N/A
Shift Range
N/A
Tiltshift Rotation
N/A
Lens Rotation
N/A