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Laowa has introduced a pair of new ultra-wide lenses designed specifically for architecture and landscape photography. The new Laowa 17mm F/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift and Laowa 17mm F/4 Zero-D Shift offer advanced perspective control for both full-frame and medium-format mirrorless cameras.
One version includes both tilt and shift movements, while the other offers shift-only functionality for photographers who mainly need perspective correction.
Interestingly, the announcement comes shortly after TTArtisan released its own budget-friendly TTArtisan TS 17mm F/4 ASPH tilt-shift lens. With major camera manufacturers releasing few tilt-shift options for modern mirrorless systems, third-party brands appear to be filling the gap.
Designed for Minimal Distortion
While the new Laowa lenses are more expensive than the TTArtisan option, they carry Laowa’s “Zero-D” (Zero Distortion) designation, which is particularly valuable for architectural photography where straight lines are critical.
The tilt-shift model offers ±12mm of shift and ±10° of tilt, providing greater movement range than many comparable lenses.
The optical design includes 18 elements in 12 groups, incorporating extra-low dispersion, ultra-high refraction, and aspherical elements to help maintain sharpness and clarity across the frame.
Both lenses feature a 14-blade aperture diaphragm, designed to produce smoother out-of-focus areas when shooting wide-angle scenes.
Manual Focus with Wide Field of View
Like most tilt-shift lenses, both models are manual focus only.
They can focus as close as 0.25 meters, allowing for creative close-up perspectives despite the ultra-wide focal length. The lenses also deliver a 104-degree field of view, making them suitable for expansive architectural or landscape compositions.
The tilt-shift version weighs 810 grams, while the shift-only version weighs slightly less at 770 grams. Both lenses measure 111mm in length and use 86mm front filters.
Built for Precision
A sample image using the perspective control on the Laowa 17mm F/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift.
Both lenses include a rotating tripod collar that can turn 360 degrees with 15-degree click stops for precise adjustments. The tripod foot also features Arca-Swiss compatibility, making it easier to mount the lens directly onto compatible tripod heads.
The tilt-shift model provides ±10° tilt and ±12mm shift, while the shift-only version offers ±11mm of shift movement.
Tilt allows photographers to manipulate the orientation of the focal plane, which can extend depth of field for close-up work or create the well-known miniature effect. Shift movements, on the other hand, help keep vertical lines straight when photographing tall buildings or architectural subjects.
Pricing and Availability
The Laowa 17mm F/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift and Laowa 17mm F/4 Zero-D Shift are now available for pre-order from B&H Photo.
The tilt-shift version is priced at $1,249, while the shift-only model costs $999. Both lenses will be available for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Leica L, Fujifilm GFX, and Hasselblad XCD mounts.
There are a few compatibility notes to be aware of. The L-mount version of the tilt-shift lens is not compatible with several Panasonic cameras, including the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX, Panasonic Lumix S1 II, Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE, and Panasonic Lumix S1R II.
Additionally, while the lenses can be used on medium-format mirrorless cameras, the image circle limits shift movements to 8mm when mounted on those systems.
Buy the Laowa 17mm F/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift New on B&H Photo
Buy the Laowa 17mm F/4 Zero-D Shift New on B&H Photo
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