Laowa Nanomorph ZOOMs First Look: 28-55 and 50-100 T2.9 Set

by Jose PradaFebruary 22^nd, 2024

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Venus Optics, the cine lens manufacturer, has officially announced the release of their compact and affordable Laowa Nanomorph ZOOM anamorphic lenses in an Indiegogo campaign. The set consists of two T2.9 zoom lenses, a 28-55mm and a 50-100mm. We had the chance to talk with Laowa during the BSC Expo 2024 in London, so let’s delve into what they shared with us!

A few days ago, we covered the upcoming Venus Optics Indiegogo campaign for the Laowa Nanomorph ZOOM lens set designed for Super35 sensors. This offers an affordable and compact option for those seeking the anamorphic aesthetic while aiming to maintain a minimal footprint in their kit. With a weight of 3.31 lbs (1.5kg) each, the Laowa Nanomorph ZOOM lenses are a flexible option that covers almost the entire focal length range with a constant T2.9 aperture, giving us visual consistency in our projects and saving us time by avoiding lens changes. 

Compact and affordable anamorphic zooms

Although Laowa initially established their brand in the wide-angle and macro lens niches, they soon expanded their catalog with anamorphic and spherical lenses like the Laowa Ranger. This time around, they managed to create these compact anamorphic lenses by minimizing the weight and size of the glass, all while maintaining sharpness across the entire range.

According to the Chinese company, the Nanomorph ZOOM lenses offer outstanding image quality with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. Their 1.5x squeeze fits 16:9 sensors, and the optional 1.33x Laowa front adapter gives us a 2x anamorphic squeeze. Both lenses feature a 77mm front diameter and are available in PL-Mount. Also, thanks to interchangeable bayonet options, users can adapt the lenses to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fuji X, and L-Mount making them a versatile choice for those using different camera ecosystems. 

By applying different coatings to the lenses, Laowa has achieved three flare options with the Nanomorph ZOOM: silver (neutral), amber, and blue. The neutral version reflects the light source color, which is harder to achieve with filters.

The Nanomorph ZOOM lenses’ minimal focus distance is 40cm, which, along with the T2.9 constant aperture, should easily deliver the anamorphic bokeh many cinematographers look for. 

Price and availability

The regular price for the Laowa Nanomorph ZOOM is $2,999 for one lens and $5,799 for the two-lens set. Laowa offers ten perks in this campaign with 5% to 30% discounts for single lenses or the complete set, respectively. There is also a 10% discount on a customized edition of the set for fans and supporters. Additionally, Laowa offers their backers the chance to win a Nanomorph ZOOM lens for $1. Remember that only one lucky backer will get this opportunity. 

The pre-launch campaign page is now live on Indiegogo, whereas the official launch will begin on March 1st, 2024. Laowa invites all those interested to sign up and become a part of the Nanomorph community, with access to early-bird perks and exclusive offers.

At the end of every crowdfunding-related article, we remind you to be aware of the risks when backing a project on a crowdfunding platform. Also, please read the platform’s use, and remember there can be significant delays when delivering the product. Some projects don’t get delivered at all. That said, Laowa is an established and trustworthy company in our industry. 

For more information, please visit the campaign website.

What do you think of the Nanomorph ZOOM set? Would you use this kit in your productions? Let us know in the comments below!