Laowa has just introduced two new cinema lenses that are a pretty big deal if you’re working with architectural, interior, or wide-format cinematography. The Laowa Shift Cine series now includes the 15mm T4.8 Zero-D Shift Cine and the 20mm T4.1 Zero-D Shift Cine—two wide-angle primes designed to keep your verticals straight, even when you’re shooting skyscrapers or elaborate interiors.
These are the first cine lenses from Laowa to combine wide-angle coverage, a shift mechanism, and an oversized image circle that plays well with some of the most demanding cameras in high-end production.
Laowa 15mm T4.8 Zero-D Shift Cine
The 15mm T4.8 version gives you an ultra-wide field of view paired with a ±11mm shift (±9mm on Vista Vision). Its optical design sticks to the Zero-D philosophy, which means distortion is kept low, even before you engage the shift. Whether you’re composing epic wide shots or capturing interiors with clean, vertical lines, Venus Optics promises that this lens delivers what you need straight out of the camera.
Despite being so wide, it also has a close focusing distance of just 20cm, allowing for dramatic foregrounds or creative close-ups that still feel immersive and natural.
Here are the key specs:
- T-stop: T4.8
- Shift range: ±11mm (±9mm on Vista Vision)
- Close focus distance: 20cm
- Image circle: Ø65.2mm
- Mounts: EF, RF, E, Z, L (interchangeable)
- Geared rings: Focus, aperture, and shift all use 0.8 mod cine gears
- Design: Zero-D (zero distortion), geared for follow focus
Laowa 20mm T4.1 Zero-D Shift Cine
Slightly less wide but a little faster, the 20mm T4.1 strikes a balance between extreme field of view and more light-gathering potential. It shares the same ±11mm shift capability and Zero-D optical design, so you’re still getting distortion-free frames without reaching for the post tools.
It focuses a bit farther than its 15mm sibling—at 25cm—but that’s still plenty close for macro-esque shots or foreground-driven compositions. Like the 15mm, it covers massive sensors, making it an option for high-end productions working on RED Vista Vision or ARRI Alexa 65 systems.
Key specs:
- T-stop: T4.1
- Shift range: ±11mm (±9mm on Vista Vision)
- Close focus distance: 25cm
- Image circle: Ø65.2mm
- Mounts: EF, RF, E, Z, L (interchangeable)
- Geared rings: Focus, aperture, and shift with standard cine gears
- Design: Zero-D (zero distortion), compatible with follow-focus systems
Venus Optics promises impressive edge-to-edge sharpness and low chromatic aberration in both Laowa Shift Cine lenses. So, other than the straight lines, you’ll get clean, high-contrast images straight from the sensor. And with standard 0.8 mod gears and multi-mount support, they’re built to integrate smoothly into your workflow.
Price and availability
The Laowa 15mm T4.8 Zero-D Shift Cine and 20mm T4.1 Zero-D Shift Cine lenses are available now through authorized Laowa dealers. Each lens is priced at $1,999.
