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| Image: Laowa |
Laowa has announced that it will be bringing its 90mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens to a new mount: Micro Four Thirds. The lens was originally made for full frame cameras, and it's been around for RF, Z, E and L mount systems for a few years now, but it's still exciting to see a manufacturer bringing out a new lens for Micro Four Thirds.
The lens, which will have a 180mm equiv. field of view on the new mount, has a design with 13 elements in 10 groups with 3 ED lenses. It can minimum working distance of 20.5cm (8.1"), allowing for 2:1 reproduction.
Its design is fully manual focus, but the lens has contacts that Laowa says will support EXIF data communication and electronic aperture control (which is, in fact, the only kind of aperture control for the lens; unlike the full frame version, there's no manual aperture ring). And while it's still a full frame lens at heart, the Micro Four Thirds version is a bit smaller and lighter than the versions made for other mounts, coming in at 540g (19oz) and measuring 115mm (4.5") long. It accepts 67mm filter threads.
Laowa says the lens will be available starting on February 29th, for $449.
Press release:
Laowa Expands Ultra Macro Lineup: The Acclaimed 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Now Available for Micro Four Thirds
Anhui, China – January 29, 2026 – Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Laowa) is pleased to announce that the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO is now available in Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount.
Previously released for full-frame mirrorless systems, this specialized lens now brings its industry‑leading 2x magnification and Apochromatic (APO) performance to the MFT community, with the added benefit of an Auto Aperture mechanism. Thanks to the 2x crop factor of the MFT sensor, photographers can now enjoy an impressive 4x equivalent magnification without sacrificing resolution, making it a highly precise tool for exploring the microscopic world.
Unprecedented 2x Magnification and Reach
The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO allows photographers to capture subjects at twice life-size. When paired with the 2x crop factor of the Micro Four Thirds sensor, this lens delivers an incredible 4x full-frame equivalent magnification. This enables the capture of microscopic details and textures that are often invisible to the naked eye, providing a powerful advantage for nature and scientific photographers.
Superior Sharpness and Rendering
Designed for the most demanding imaging tasks, the lens features a sophisticated optical formula of 13 elements in 10 groups. As a dedicated Apochromat (APO), it is engineered to suppress both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration to nearly zero. This ensures that high-contrast edges remain crisp and free of color fringing, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8.
Beyond its technical precision, the lens utilizes 9 aperture blades to produce a soft, creamy background fall-off, making it a versatile tool for compressed, cinematic portraits with a 180mm equivalent field of view.
Optimized for the MFT Workflow
This new MFT-specific version is built for modern digital integration, featuring electronic contacts that allow for seamless aperture control directly from the camera body. This integration ensures that all EXIF metadata is recorded and better supports image stabilisation. To further enhance usability in the field, the lens employs an internal focusing design. By maintaining a constant lens length, photographers can work confidently at the minimum working distance of 205mm without the risk of the lens barrel extending into skittish subjects or interfering with lighting setups.
Compact and Portable Design
Despite being originally designed for full-frame cameras, the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 remains remarkably compact on Micro Four Thirds. Weighing approximately 540g and measuring 115mm in length, it is still significantly smaller and lighter than equivalent macro setups. This compact form factor, combined with its robust build quality, makes it an ideal companion for handheld field work and long days of exploration in the natural world.
Pricing & Availability:
The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO MFT Mount will be available for purchase starting February 29, 2026, through the Venus Optics official website (https://www.venuslens.net/) and authorized resellers. The U.S. retail price is USD 449.
English (US) ·