So, I did a quick test with my new wide angle lens. While there are certainly better ultra wide angle lenses out there for MFT cameras, the Venus Optics Laowa 7.5mm MFT Lens is a great start if you don't already have one. At under $500 dollars, with an F/2.0 aperture, and the ability to accept threaded filters, there's a lot of value. Otherwise I'm also a big fan of the 7-14mm lens (seen here).
Although it's more than twice the price of the SLRMagic 8mm, I find this lens is far better in every way, and worth saving up for. With it's tiny size and weight, it's a perfect lens to use on the new Pansonic GH5 when flying a single handed gimbal.
While the Laowa 7.5mm lens performs ok at F/2.0 which will help you in dim lighting, you'll achieve better results as you begin to stop down. My video example was shot outdoors on a bright day and this allowed me to stop down past F/8. And by shooting 60p, I was able to increase my shutter to 1/125th and shoot without an ND Filter. Just in case you're wondering I was experimenting with the GH5 CinelikeD Profile and then added color in FCPX.
Venus Optics Laowa 7.5mm F/2.0 MFT Wide Angle Lens Ultra Light
Dan Winckler
Emm, did you ever do a side by side comparison of this lens with the SLR Magic 8mm? I've had the 8mm for a couple of years but would like to take a step-up in image quality -- if the sharpness and CA is definitely better, I'd love to hear it.
digrevlb
Nice lens. What transition pack did you use for this video?
Cheesycam
Post author@Apostolos - The Olympus 7-14mm is an F/2.8 and the Panasonic 8-18mm is an F/2.8-F/4 and both are much sharper than the Laowa.
Apostolos
When you say "this is not the best lens in this category, but it's pretty good" what other lens is better in this category, fast wide angle m4/3?
Cheesycam
Post author@Taz - Haven't yet, but it's been on my radar. I really like everything about that lens.
Taz
Cool Em - have you shot with Panasonic's new 8-18 wide angle zoom yet? I'm hearing good things about it so far.