Author Topic: Questions about the Venus Optics Laowa Smooth Trans-Focus 105mm f/2 (T/3.2)  (Read 1392 times)

Michael Erlewine

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I am a sucker for this kind of specialty lens. It’s not that I like gimmicks, but that I just have to see for myself, and often send it back if it is not “special.” The new Venus Optics Laowa Smooth Trans-Focus 105mm f/2 (T/3.2) is such a lens, having within it two separate apertures, one with a “14-blade diaphragm [T-stop] that works mainly in conjunction with the APD (apodization) element to control bokeh, as well as a standard 8-blade diagram at the rear of the lens to control the overall light transmission and affect depth-of-field.” The quote is what their advertising states.

However, in a personal e-mail with the company, they state the following:

“When you take stills, please use the f-stop. When you take videos, please use the t-stop. When you are using one of them, the other one should be left wide open.”

Now, this does not relate to all kinds of other statements floating around, many of which say the two are used in conjunction with one another to achieve the effects. And the email does not comport with the statement in their advertising. So which is it?

I have tried taking photos both ways, using either of the apertures, with the other left wide open. Perhaps some of you who understand the theory of this lens can point out which of these two apertures is the right one for the great bokeh. Both methods produce identical results IMO.

However, in order to shoot close, I have had to use some extension, so that may have destroyed the effect? Any ideas?
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Michael Erlewine

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OK. I have used the Venus Transfocus 105mm lens and it is not as complicated (or magical) as I thought (hoped). You don’t use the two apertures together, but one or the other. And basically, it (at least so far for me) is a one-trick pony.

Mostly you leave it wide open and wait for the bokeh to pour in. Here are a few shots taken with the Nikon D810 and the Venus 105mm just out in our back yard. No attempt at much composition or anything, just some quick shots to see what in fact this lens does. And what it does is make bokeh in the background. Not sure if I like it well enough to keep it, yet it is VERY sharp. Whether I like what it does to color, I don’t know yet.

But this may satisfy some little bit of curiosity for those who have any. I needed to know what it does. Now I know.
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Tristin

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How is the lenses field curvature?
-Tristin

Michael Erlewine

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How is the lenses field curvature?

I don't know. Here is their page, if that helps.

http://www.venuslens.net/
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Akira

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The bokeh in the second image is pleasing, but is not so in the first image, at least to me.  DC Nikkor 135/2.0 or 105/2.0 would be a better choice, I guess?
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

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