Nikon Venus Optics Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens Review

The Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 is a lens built around one spectacular number: f/0.95. That puts its maximum aperture in the 99th percentile, meaning it lets in more light than almost any other lens you can buy for your Nikon Z APS-C camera. In practical terms, that's a full-frame equivalent of 37.5mm, making it an ultra-fast normal prime that's perfect for isolating subjects with a razor-thin depth of field.

It's a manual focus-only lens, which is a big part of why it hits that f/0.95 mark. At 575 grams, it's got some heft, and you won't find image stabilization or weather sealing here. This is a tool for photographers and videographers who prioritize optical performance and that unique shallow-focus look above all else.

This lens is all about the optics, and it delivers. Its bokeh quality scores in the 97th percentile, which means the out-of-focus areas are creamy and smooth, a critical feature for a lens this fast. The overall optical performance is strong too, landing in the 81st percentile. You're getting a 14-element design that's sharp even when you're shooting wide open at f/0.95.

But the trade-offs are clear in the numbers. The lack of autofocus puts it in the 47th percentile for AF, and no stabilization means it's in the 39th percentile there. You have to be comfortable with manual focus, especially when shooting video. Its minimum focus distance of 340mm is decent but not exceptional, placing its macro capability around the 57th percentile.

At $519, the Laowa Argus sits in a unique spot. You're paying for that exceptional f/0.95 aperture and the high-end optical performance that comes with it. Compared to autofocus lenses from brands like Viltrox or Meike, you get less convenience but potentially higher optical purity. It's a value proposition based entirely on how much you need that extra stop of light and that specific look. If you don't need f/0.95, there are cheaper and more versatile options.

Let's talk numbers. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Z is a direct competitor with autofocus, a wider focal length, and a much lower price. You lose over a full stop of light (f/1.7 vs. f/0.95) and likely some bokeh quality, but you gain AF and a lighter package. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is a full-frame AF lens with stabilization, offering more versatility for a similar price, but it's a different focal length (a short telephoto on APS-C) and, again, significantly slower. The Laowa wins on pure aperture and bokeh, but loses hard on autofocus and stabilization compared to these others.

The Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 is a brilliant, one-trick pony. If your primary goal is achieving the absolute shallowest depth of field and shooting in the darkest conditions on an APS-C Nikon Z camera, and you're comfortable with manual focus, this lens is nearly peerless. Its 99th-percentile aperture and 97th-percentile bokeh back that up. But if you need autofocus for moving subjects, stabilization for handheld video, or a more versatile walk-around lens, the numbers don't lie—look at the Viltrox or Meike options instead.