CameraReview
Laowa FF II 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro Tilt-Shift
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Laowa · 55 mm · f/2.8

Laowa FF II 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro Tilt-Shift

From $1,249 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandLaowa
Announcement dateOct 2024
Released2024
Production started2024
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+True 1:1 macro magnification combined with tilt-shift control for creative depth-of-field manipulation
+Fast f/2.8 aperture with excellent optical performance—overengineered for full-frame for medium-format compatibility
+Exceptional tilt (±10°) and shift (±12mm) range among full-frame tilt-shift lenses, with 360° mount rotation
+Unique tripod collar/foot for superior balance and panoramic stitching capabilities
+Pristine image quality with low chromatic aberration and minimal vignetting across aperture range
Worth Knowing
Heavy (1345g) and complex with seven adjustment mechanisms, requiring tripod use and significant learning curve
Mechanical tilt-shift controls reported as difficult to operate—shift knob too small and tilt mechanism requires manual assistance
Manual focus only with no electronic aperture reporting in EXIF data
Tripod collar attachment quality concerns and sketchy mechanical implementation of shift/tilt movements

General

Brand
Laowa
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Oct 2024
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2024
Production started
2024
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
Laowa's first tilt-shift macro lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras combines precise tilt of ±10°, shift of ±12mm, and 1:1 magnification to enable creative focal plane control and life-size detail capture. At 1345g and $1249 USD, it is one of the finest lenses Laowa has made optically, with overengineered optics for the full-frame image circle enabling use on medium-format cameras. However, the tilt-shift mechanism requires significant effort to operate, with shift that falls when unlocked and a tiny tilt knob that is almost impossible to turn without manual lens assistance.

Optics

Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Construction
14 elements in 11 groups
Angle of View
62.7° diagonal
Magnification
1:1
Min focal length
55 mm
Max focal length
55 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
55 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
2.8
Max aperture zoom
2.8
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
27 cm01500
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
15020

Tilt shift

Tilt Range
±10°
Shift Range
±12mm
Tilt Rotation
90°
Mount Rotation
360° in 15° increments

Build

Focus Drive
Manual focus
Image Stabilization
None

Mounts

Full Frame
Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Leica L
Medium Format
Fujifilm GFX, Hasselblad XCD

Physical

Lens weight
1345 g
Lens length
How long the lens is from front to back.
168.5 mm
Lens diameter
Width of the lens at its widest point
85 mm
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
77 mm