At IBC 2025, we met with Jimmy from Laowa to check out the company’s latest autofocus prime, a 200mm f/2 built for full-frame cameras. Despite its size, the lens weighs around 1.7kg (3.75 lbs) in Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, or 1.5kg (3.3 lbs) for Canon EF, making it lighter than it looks. Laowa has been steadily building out their lens lineup, and in recent months, we’ve seen releases like the 8–15mm Fisheye Full-Frame and the 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF for mirrorless cameras. Now, with the 200mm f/2, we have a longer focal length with what may be one of their most ambitious AF lenses yet, one that bridges the gap between specialty glass and practical, everyday use. Distinctive blue finish. Image credit: CineD What it looks like, how it works The lens is finished in Laowa’s distinctive blue, first seen on earlier autofocus models. The idea was to stand out from the usual black or white lenses on the market. Autofocus was a big part of the development process, and Jimmy described it as one of the best performers you’ll find at f/2 in this price range. The lens is flexible: portraits with strong background separation, indoor sports like basketball or dance, astrophotography, and events or weddings where light is limited. For video, there’s a de-click option on the aperture for smoother exposure changes, and the barrel has five programmable buttons so the same function is always within reach, no matter how you’re holding the camera. Five...
Published By: CineD - Today