Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens
The Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8 is a 4mm f/2.8 lens designed for Micro Four Thirds mount cameras. Used copies start from $144.84 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens
Used Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8
Key Features — Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8
4mm Fisheye Prime: Delivers a characteristic fisheye perspective with strong barrel distortion and an expansive field of view on Micro Four Thirds cameras.
f/2.8 Maximum Aperture: Reasonably bright opening for a fisheye lens, allowing use in lower light conditions without relying on extremely high ISO settings.
Micro Four Thirds Mount: Designed specifically for the MFT system, making it directly compatible with cameras from Olympus and Panasonic without adapters.
135g Lightweight Build: Compact and light enough to carry without noticeably adding to the weight of a travel or everyday Micro Four Thirds kit.
Manual Focus Only: Focus is set entirely by hand, which suits the deliberate, creative shooting style typical of fisheye and specialty lens work.
No Filter Thread: The extreme curvature of the front element prevents standard filter attachment, which is common across fisheye lens designs.
Lens Specifications — Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Astrophotography, Travel, Studio, Fashion, Creative Effects |
| Lens Type | Fisheye |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds (MFT) |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 4mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Camera System | Mirrorless |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Weight | 135g |
Description — Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8
The Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye is a prime lens built for the Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera system, offering a 4mm focal length in the ultra wide-angle fisheye category. With a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it delivers a reasonably bright opening for creative fisheye work. At just 135g, this lens is remarkably light, keeping your mirrorless setup nimble whether you're shooting on location or traveling.
Focus is manual, putting full creative control in the photographer's hands — well-suited to the deliberate framing that fisheye photography often demands. The lens has no filter thread and no image stabilization, so it is best used with steady hands or a stable platform. Designed specifically for the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens format and Micro Four Thirds mount, it integrates cleanly with compatible MFT bodies.
For photographers drawn to the fisheye perspective and working within the MFT ecosystem, this compact, lightweight lens is a dedicated and straightforward tool.
Pros — Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8
- ✓Ultralight at just 135g, making it easy to carry alongside other Micro Four Thirds gear
- ✓f/2.8 maximum aperture offers a reasonably bright opening for a fisheye prime
- ✓4mm focal length delivers a distinctive fisheye perspective in the ultra wide-angle range
Cons — Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support for faster or more spontaneous shooting
- ✗No image stabilization, which can be a limitation in lower light situations
- ✗No filter thread, preventing use of standard screw-on filters
Videos — Venus Optics 4mm f/2.8
King of Crazy Fisheye - 7Artisans 4mm f/2.8 vs Laowa 4mm f/2.8 vs Meike 3.5mm f/2.8 (M43/APSC) — Richard Wong