Key Take-Aways:

The Laowa FF 15mm f/4.5 Wide Angle Macro 1:2 is a full-frame manual-focus ultra-wide with 0.5x magnification at a 129 mm minimum focus distance, 308 g and $399. It is a different lens from the f/4 1:1 Laowa 15mm. As of Oct 2026, two written reviews and two videos are linked. Digital Camera World calls it brilliant for shooting tiny objects against a sweeping background, praising the all-metal build and wide choice of mounts, but warns that it needs precise manual focusing and has a very short working distance. Phillip Reeve finds centre and close-up sharpness excellent, calls it mainly a wide-angle macro lens, and says it beats the older f/4 1x lens optically and costs less.

From Laowa:

Introducing the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5X Wide Angle Macro lens, covering full-frame sensors to provide a versatile and compact lens option for capturing stunning wide angle macro shots. The 1:2 Macro function, along with excellent sharpness and color fringing control, ensures that your images are crisp and clear. Its lightweight and compact design of 0.68lb/ 308g along with the detachable lens hood also makes this lens easy to carry and use on the go. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, architecture, or for regular content creation, the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5X Wide Angle Macro is a versatile option that can cover it all.

Official Website

Reviews:

• Phillip Reeve: REVIEW/COMPARISON: Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Macro 0.5x (vs. 15mm f/4 1x), Martin, May 2025
• Digital Camera World: Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro review: get ultra-close and ultra-wide with this intriguing prime lens, Matthew Richards, Jun 2025

YouTube:

• Stewart Wood: Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5X Wide Angle Macro Lens – Full Review!, May 2025
• Jamie Spensley: Wide Angle Macro Photography (Laowa 15mm F/4.5 0.5x Review), May 2025