Laowa Venus Optics Argus 18mm f/0.95 MFT APO Lens (Micro Review
The Laowa 18mm f/0.95 creates stunning, cinematic bokeh on Micro Four Thirds cameras, but its manual-only design makes it a specialist's tool, not an everyday lens.
Overview
This lens is a beautiful, ridiculous piece of glass. The one thing you need to know is that it's an f/0.95 monster on a Micro Four Thirds body, giving you a crazy shallow depth of field that makes everything look like a dream. But it's a specialist's tool, not a walk-around lens. It's manual focus only, heavy, and demands you slow down. If you want to create cinematic, low-light, or artistic portraits with a unique look, this is your magic wand. For anything else, it's probably overkill.
Performance
The f/0.95 aperture isn't just a number here, it's the whole show. Shooting wide open gives you that buttery, 97th-percentile bokeh that makes backgrounds just melt away, which is wild for a 36mm equivalent wide-angle. The surprise is how sharp it can be in the center when you nail focus, but that's the catch. With no autofocus and a razor-thin depth of field, you'll miss more shots than you'd like until you get the hang of it. It's a high-risk, high-reward kind of performance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That f/0.95 aperture creates absolutely stunning, cinematic bokeh. 99th
- Build quality feels solid and premium for the price. 97th
- Incredible for low-light shooting without cranking the ISO. 79th
- Offers a unique, artistic look you can't get from most kit lenses. 73th
Cons
- Manual focus only, and at f/0.95, it's brutally unforgiving.
- It's a chonky boy at 499g, which feels huge on a small MFT camera.
- No weather sealing means you're not taking it out in the rain.
- Not versatile at all. This is a one-trick pony, and its travel score (47th percentile) shows it.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 18 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 8 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/0.95 |
| Min Aperture | f/11 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 62 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 200 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
Value & Pricing
At $449, it's a niche bargain. You're paying for that exotic f/0.95 aperture, which usually costs over a grand. If that specific look is what you're after, it's worth every penny. If you just want a sharp, fast wide-angle, there are cheaper and easier options.
vs Competition
Don't compare this to autofocus lenses like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. That's a different world. This Laowa is for manual control and maximum bokeh. A closer competitor is something like the Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro, which has autofocus and is more versatile, but it's a different focal length and can't touch the f/0.95 light gathering. The Laowa is in a class of its own for sheer aperture speed on MFT. You choose it because you want that look, not because it's the most practical.
Verdict
This is a hard recommendation for most people, but an easy one for a specific photographer. If you shoot controlled portraits, artistic street photography, or low-light scenes and you love the process of manual focus, buy it. The images you can create are special. If you need autofocus for chasing kids or pets, or you just want a general-purpose lens, look elsewhere immediately. This lens demands a specific skillset and vision.