Laowa has just announced a new lineup of high-speed T1 cinema lenses: the Argus series. The Argus lineup comprises eight lenses: three for full frame, three for Super35, and two for MFT cameras. All lenses have 0.8mod gears on the focus and aperture rings and an outside diameter of 80mm. Many lens mounts are available from Sony E, FUJIFILM X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and MFT mount. So, let’s take a closer look at these!After introducing three compact Super35 zoom lenses during NAB 2024 less than two months ago, namely the Laowa Ranger 11-18mm, 17-50mm, and 50-130mm, all with a maximum T2.9 aperture, Chinese lens manufacturer Venus Optics is already back with eight new prime lenses in a new lineup: the Argus T1 cine series.Laowa Argus T1 Cine Series – featuresAccording to the company, the Laowa Argus T1 Cine series is “the world’s first T1 aperture cine series available in Full Frame with a wider 28mm and 35mm.” ZY Optics released a Mitakon full-frame 50mm T1 lens a couple of years ago, but they have yet to complete the lens set with wider options.Back to our topic, the Argus T1 lineup consists of eight lenses:Full-frame: 28mm, 35mm, and 45mm. Available in Canon RF, Sony E, and Nikon Z mount.Super35: 18mm, 25mm, and 33mm. Available in Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, and FUJIFILM X-mount.MFT: 18mm and 25mm.The Laowa Argus T1 35mm and 45mm full-frame lenses. Image credit: LaowaLaowa mentions that the color rendition and lens performance will be consistent across the lens set, with low chromatic aberration, while maintaining contrast and sharpness even at maximum aperture.The lenses have 0.8mod gears on the focus and aperture rings. Image credit: LaowaAll lenses’ housings are entirely made of metal. They have 0.8mod gears on the aperture and focus rings, and a large focus throw that ranges from 210 to 270 degrees.The Laowa Argus T1 Super35 lenses. Image credit: LaowaAll Laowa Argus T1 lenses have a 77mm filter thread and an 80mm front diameter for matte boxes. The technical specifications for each lens are below.Price and availabilityThe Laowa Argus T1 Cine full-frame lenses retail for $1,499/€1,527 per lens and $3,999/€4,081 for the three-lens set. The Super35 lenses retail for $899/€916 each or $2,399/€2,444 for the three-lens set. Lastly, the MFT version is $699/€708 per lens and $1,259/€1,280 for the bundle of two.For more information, please visit Laowa’s website here.What do you think about these new Argus T1 cine series lenses? Would their T1 aperture be helpful for the kind of projects you shoot? Have you already shot with Laowa lenses? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!
