Venus Optics unveils four Laowa Argus fast primes

We've written about Venus Optics' affordable and fast Laowa lenses before, which include primes and zooms. The company has now revealed four new Laowa Argus prime lenses at a ridiculously fast f/0.95 for three different camera formats. These include full-frame (2 lenses), APS-C (1 lens), and micro four-thirds (1 lens). 

The Argus 35mm and 45mm f/0.95 prime lenses are for full-frame cameras, with support for Canon RF, Sony E, and Nikon Z mounts. Both lenses feature a minimum focusing distance of 19.7 inches (50 cm) and has 72 mm front filter thread.

The 35mm is 3 inches (diameter) x 4 inches (length) and weighs 1.66 pounds (76.88 mm x 103 mm, 755 g), plus features 14 elements in 9 groups and a 15-blade aperture diaphragm. It'll be available in quarter 2 of 2021 and priced at about $910 (£667).

Argus 33mm f/0.95 prime lens.

The 45mm also has a 15-blade aperture, but 13 elements in 9 groups. The lens isn't much bigger than the 35mm: 3 in. x 4.3 in. and weighing 1.87 lbs. (76.8 mm x 110 mm, 850 g). The lens also ships in Q2 of 2021, but a price hasn't been revealed.

The APS-C Argus 33mm f/0.95 prime lens has 14 elements in 9 groups, a 9-blade aperture diaphragm, a minimum focusing distance of 1.4 inches (35 mm), and a 62 mm front filter thread. It's small, weighing 1.3 lbs. (590 g), and is 2.8 in. x 3.27 in. (71.5 mm x 83 mm). Supported camera mounts include Fujifilm X, Sony E, Canon EF-M, and Nikon Z. Pricing will be around $530 (£388) and will ship in Q2 of 2021.

Argus 25mm f/0.95 prime lens.

Finally, the Argus 25mm f/0.95 prime lens for M4/3 is very similar to the APS-C Argus 33mm, but has 14 elements in 8 groups and an 8-blade diaphragm. Minimum focusing distance is 9.8 inches (25 cm), weighs just 1.26 pounds (570 g), and measures 2.8 in. x 3.4 in. (71 mm x 86 mm). The price is about $530 (£388), and like the other new lenses, will ship in Q2 of 2021. 

Check back with Venus Optics' site as these and other lenses are officially unveiled, following a presentation by the company that produced quite a few leaks and rumors.

Big hat tip to DPReview, who waded through the rumors and got confirmations from Venus Optics.