Laowa 200mm f/2.0 FE review by Alex Phan

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The new Laowa 200mm f/2.0 FE  at Venusstore (wordlwide shipment).

Alex Phan posted this review of the new Laowa 200mm f/2.0 FE lens:

I want to extend a big thank you to the Laowa team for giving me the opportunity to use this lens over the past four weeks. After nearly a month of testing this lens in both Z and FE mounts, here are my observations. *Please note that this is still a pre-production lens, and Laowa is continuously working on the firmware based on user feedback to improve the product*
Initially, I received the native Z mount lens. When mounted on my Z9, I found that the autofocus (AF) was decent; however, there were a few instances where it missed focus or was not as fast as it is with the FE mount using the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+. To compare, I requested the FE mount lens to determine if the issue was with the lens or the camera.
When the 200mm f/2 FE mount arrived, the performance was significantly better. Subject acquisition was super fast, and the focus transition from minimum focus distance to mid-range and infinity was rapid and accurate. The stick rate was also impressive. The lens is sharp, and the bokeh is smooth. I tested the lens in various shooting scenarios, including portraits, models, sports, airshows, macro photography, landscapes, and daily activities, and it performed flawlessly.
In video mode, there was no hunting when moving from foreground to background. The autofocus speed was good. Additionally, during some challenging tests (which most of us wouldn’t do in reality)—such as focusing on a pitch-black subject—the Laowa lens had no trouble locking onto the item, whereas the Sigma 200mm f/2 struggled.
One feature I appreciate about this lens is its build quality. It’s solidly constructed and well-balanced when held. There are multiple customizable buttons, and unlike other lenses where the buttons are positioned far from the ring, Laowa has placed an additional button near the aperture ring for easier access. It also utilizes a rear filter, and the lens foot is Arca-style ready, so you won’t have to spend extra on a foot. Priced at $1,999, I believe it’s a great value.
However, there are some areas for improvement. I recommend adding a lock button to the aperture ring. I lost count of how many times I accidentally bumped the aperture, accidentally changing it because the ring moved when my hand touched the area. The hood feels a bit plasticky, and the lens foot ring lacks markers and does not provide a hard “click” when rotating to the 45/90/180-degree marks.
When comparing this lens to the Sigma 200mm f/2, the Sigma employs a mirrorless optical design, making it lighter and sharper. Sigma’s lens offers a modern sharpness that some might not prefer, while Laowa uses a DSLR optical formula. Sigma utilizes a linear motor, whereas Laowa adopts a lightweight design structure for its focus group, using an STM motor instead. Both lenses exhibit some chromatic aberration, but the Laowa appears to handle it slightly better.
Also, if you choose the Sony FE mount version, you will be limited to a maximum of 15 frames per second due to restrictions on third-party lenses imposed by Sony. However, if you’re Nikon shooter, you can purchase the FE mount version and pair it with the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ to bypass this frame rate limitation OR just buy it in native Z mount.
As for the legendary Nikon 200VRII, while Laowa’s sharpness is comparable, if you’re searching for that buttery, smooth, creamy bokeh and magical color rendering, I must say that the 200VRII remains the benchmark lens.
Laowa has been around for a while, and this is their first foray into a big prime lens. I’m very pleased to see that they have done a great job with the 200mm f/2. The Laowa team is proactive in listening to feedback, and their presence on social media allows them to identify and resolve issues quickly. I am looking forward to seeing them produce even larger prime lenses in the future.
In conclusion, if you already own the 200VRII, you’re set. For everyone else, this lens is a fantastic alternative for entering the 200mm f/2 range. I will be returning my Sigma 200mm f/2 and opting for the Laowa instead.

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New Viltrox 85mm f/2.0 FE lens is coming on October 20

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Viltrox has been on a wild lens-release streak lately! 🚀
Today, they will officially launch the 50mm f/1.4 PRO FE (more about that tomorrow), but the excitement doesn’t stop there — another announcement is already set for October 20, and it’s almost certainly the 85mm f/2.0 EVO.
Let’s hope the long-awaited 85mm f/1.2 FE LAB lens, teased earlier this year, isn’t far behind!

Here are the rumored Viltrox 85mm f/2.0 FE lens specs:

  • minimum focusing distance of 0.74m
  • 58mm filter mount
  • metal body
  • aperture ring
  • manual/automatic switching
  • STM stepping motor
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Sony France manager on the future A7V: “Our philosophy is major innovations in each generation.”

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The French magazine Phototrend published an interview with Fabrice Abuaf, Senior Product Manager IP&S at Sony France. A couple of interesting points:

  • Sony Alpha 7 IV and Sony Alpha 7 III are the best-sellers for Sony. In Asia, the bestseller is the Sony A7C II.
  • The French market share in the Full Frame segment is around 35 %.
  • The APS-C market share remains significant, with strong sales of the Sony A6400.
  • About the future Sony A7V: “Our philosophy is not to renew at all costs every year. We build sustainable ranges, with major innovations in each generation.”
  • On the new Nikon Zr competition for the Sony FX2: “The FX2 focuses on reliability and workflow consistency more than on the race for specifications. Most video and broadcast users have clearly understood the interest and logic of this range.”
  • About the Sony RX1R III: “There have been many orders, proof that it meets a real need.”
  • He has no information about a possible Sony RX100 VII successor.
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September 2025 Digital Camera Sales Ranking from Japanese Retailers

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The September 2025 rankings from Japanese retailers reveal that Sony’s momentum in the mirrorless market has slowed slightly compared to Fujifilm and Canon.Let’s see if the Sony A7V will bring back some proper WOW effect!

Best selling cameras at Mapcamera:

  1. Ricoh GR IV
  2. Fujifilm X-M5
  3. Fujifilm X-E5
  4. Ricoh GR IIIx
  5. Canon EOS R6 Mark II
  6. Sony a7C II
  7. Sony a7IV
  8. Hasselblad X2D II 100C
  9. Canon EOS R5 Mark II
  10. Nikon Z f

Best selling cameras at Kitamura:

  1. Sony a7C II Zoom Lens Kit
  2. Fujifilm X-T5 XF16-50mm Lens Kit
  3. Fujifilm X-E5 XF23mm Lens Kit
  4. Sony VLOGCAM ZV-E10 II Power Zoom Lens Kit
  5. Fujifilm X-H2 Lens Kit
  6. Sony a6700 High-Power Zoom Lens Kit
  7. Canon EOS R50 Double Zoom Kit Black
  8. Nikon Z50II Double Zoom Kit
  9. Fujifilm X-M5 XC15-45mm Lens Kit
  10. Sony a7 IV

Best selling lenses at Kitamura:

  1. Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary (Fuji X-mount)
  2. Sigma 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG Contemporary (Sony E-mount)
  3. Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary (Sony E-mount)
  4. Canon EF50mm F1.8 STM
  5. Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (Sony E-mount)
  6. Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
  7. OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO
  8. Fujifilm XF70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
  9. Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
  10. Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Canon RF Mount)
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New image of the Tamron 25-200mm FE lens!

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Our reader “MaBoCado” sent me this:

I sighted the Tamron 25-200 today at Imaging World fair in Nuremberg, Germany.
Unfortunately, It wasn’t possible to check it or to make use of it for testing purposes.

All I’ve learned so far is that the new lens might launch this week at the same price as the 28–200mm did when it was first released ($699 pre-tariff)— though that model is now discounted.

Thanks MaBoCado!

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