Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

The Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL is a M-mount lens for Leica rangefinder cameras. Leica price index ↗

Reference maintained by Thomas Boots

Focal Length: 11mm

Aperture: 𝑓/4.5

Release Year (from): 2020

Diameter: 63 mm

Length: 58 mm

Minimum Focus Distance: 0.19m

Elements in Groups: 14/10

Aperture Blades: 5

Mount: M

Material Weight: Metal, 254g

Colors: Black

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Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL

When Venus Optics introduced the Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL in August 2020, it was marketed as one of the smallest and lightest 126-degree ultra-wide rectilinear primes available for full-frame mirrorless cameras, and notably the widest lens of its kind fitted with a conventional 62mm filter thread [1][3]. The model name encodes its design intent: FF stands for full frame and RL for rectilinear, distinguishing it from fisheye projection [1]. Among rangefinder lenses it is unusual, since most lenses this wide are designed for mirrorless mounts only; the Leica M version adds genuine rangefinder coupling, a feature absent on the maker's even wider 9mm sibling [3].

The optical formula uses 14 elements in 10 groups, including two aspherical elements, one ultra-high refractive index element, and three extra-low dispersion elements to control distortion and chromatic aberration [2][1]. The barrel feels like all-metal construction with engraved, paint-filled markings, and weighs about 254 grams [3]. A focus tab sits on the focus ring, which travels roughly 120 degrees from the 0.19m minimum focus distance to infinity, while the five-blade aperture clicks in full stops from f/4.5 to f/22 [3]. On Leica M bodies the lens is rangefinder coupled, but the coupling is calibrated only to about 0.7m rather than the full close-focus distance, so the manufacturer notes the rangefinder cannot confirm focus at the closest settings, where live view or an electronic viewfinder is recommended [2]. The lens has no electronic contacts, so it transmits no aperture or distance data, and a built-in petal-shaped hood is permanently fitted, which complicates the use of screw-in filters and rules out generic slot-in filter holders [2][3].

The 11mm sits in the middle of a trio of compact Laowa ultra-wides launched around the same time, between the record-breaking 9mm f/5.6 and the lower-distortion 14mm f/4 [3]. It was offered across several mounts, including Leica M, Leica L, Sony FE, and Nikon Z; the Leica M version was the most expensive at launch, listed at 799 US dollars against 699 for the other mounts [1]. For collectors and buyers the most relevant variation is finish: the M-mount lens was sold in both a black version and a silver version, catalogued by Venus Optics under separate model codes [1][2].

Optical qualities

Rendering Reviewers describe a competent, modern ultra-wide rendering rather than a vintage signature. The lens shows good cross-frame results stopped down, with some midzone softness wide open and corners that lift on stopping down [3].

Sharpness At infinity the center and midframe are strong, with a slight midzone dip at the widest apertures and best overall cross-frame sharpness around f/8; corners are good from wide open but show some astigmatism and coma. At the 0.19m close distance the center and midframe remain good while the corners suffer from astigmatism and field curvature [3].

Distortion and vignetting The lens exhibits wavy distortion that becomes noticeable on straight lines crossing the frame, and Laowa's own correction profile does not fully clean up the corners [3]. Vignetting is significant, with roughly 3 EV of corner light falloff wide open on a 42-megapixel sensor and little improvement on stopping down, accompanied by a slight color cast in the corners typical of small ultra-wide designs [3].

Aberrations A trace of coma is visible in the corners at maximum aperture but largely clears by f/5.6; the parameters do not make it an obvious astrophotography choice [3].

Flare resistance Flare is rated as average. With the sun near a corner it can produce ghosting and rainbow artifacts, though small changes in framing usually clear them, and shooting straight into the sun often causes few problems [3].

Collector and user notes The aperture click stops are reportedly not equidistant, a minor handling quirk noted in testing, and between f/8 and f/22 the lens produces well-defined ten-point sunstars [3].

History

Development and Launch Venus Optics, based in Anhui, China, announced the Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL on 28 August 2020 as a super-compact ultra-wide rectilinear prime for full-frame mirrorless and rangefinder cameras [1]. It was positioned as among the smallest and lightest extreme wide-angle lenses for full frame at the time, and was released alongside other compact Laowa wide-angles, with the 11mm sitting between the wider 9mm f/5.6 and the 14mm f/4 in the lineup [1][3].

Special editions No major factory special variants beyond the standard finishes are widely documented. The principal recorded variation for the Leica M mount is the choice of a black or a silver finish, each sold under its own Venus Optics model code [1][2].

Collector Notes Buyers should confirm the mount, since the lens was produced in Leica M, Leica L, Sony FE, and Nikon Z versions, and only the M version carries rangefinder coupling [1][2]. Note that the M-mount coupling is calibrated to roughly 0.7m, not to the 0.19m close-focus limit, so focus confirmation through the rangefinder is limited at close range [2]. The permanently attached petal hood and the absence of electronic contacts are normal features rather than defects, and the 62mm filter thread is partly obstructed by that fixed hood, which is worth checking against any intended filter setup before purchase [2][3].