Venus Laowa 10 mm f/2.8 Zero-D AF Review: A Year of Real-World Use
First Impressions and Why I Bought It
I’ve spent most of my recent career shaping my style through the unique character of Venus Laowa lenses. Their 15 mm f/2.0 has been a workhorse for me with manual focus, manual aperture, and perfect for focus stacking. So when the 10mm version was released, I was immediately interested.
There are two versions of this lens: manual focus and autofocus. Normally I’d go with manual, but I had been needing an autofocus super wide-angle for video work. This one fit that need perfectly. It also uses a different aperture blade count, which produces the kind of sunstars that have become part of my photography signature.
What’s Great in Practice
Ultra-wide, compact build: At 420g, it’s light and easy to carry compared to larger zooms.
Autofocus that works: For Laowa’s first AF lens, it’s smooth, quiet, and accurate even in low light.
Distinctive sunstars: The 5-blade aperture produces crisp stars that stand out in landscapes.
Close focusing: Get just centimeters from your subject while keeping the full 10 mm field of view.
Real-world usability: Even with quirks, the images have a natural, immersive feel.
What "Could" Be Better
Soft corners wide open: Noticeable at f/2.8 but sharpens by f/5.6.
Heavy vignetting: Strong at wider apertures but easy to correct in post.
Flare with sunstars: Strong rays can bleed into the frame at extreme angles.
Distortion quirks: Perspective can get odd at this width if framing isn’t deliberate.
In the Field: Commercial Photography
For my commercial work with glamping resorts and short-term rentals, this lens has been a game-changer. Many of these spaces are compact, and the 10mm allows me to capture an entire interior in a single frame without stitching images. It keeps distortion low enough that rooms still feel natural while giving potential guests an accurate sense of space.
The ability to work close to my subject also makes small details pop. It’s ideal for showcasing both the feel of a room and the surrounding environment in one shot.
Under Dark Skies
In astrophotography, f/2.8 isn’t the fastest option, but the lens still holds its own. For nightscapes and time-lapse work, the wide field of view means I can almost fit an entire Milky Way arch without panning! Under the dark skies of West Texas, that kind of coverage is worth the trade-off in aperture speed. I recently shot a holy-grail timelapse at Cosmic Ashtray and could not have gotten the angle I did without the 10mm.
Landscapes and Sunstars
This lens delivers some of the most striking sunstars I’ve seen. They add drama to landscapes and work beautifully for sunrise and sunset compositions. There is some trailing along the edges when the sun is in extreme corners, but it’s a manageable quirk. The extra width also opens creative opportunities my 15mm simply can’t match.
On Paper vs. In the Real World
Specs and lab tests will tell you this lens has flaws, flare, distortion, corner softness. But once you start shooting, those details matter less. The images feel big, immersive, and full of character. For my work, that’s what counts.
Why I’m Still in Love
The Laowa 10mm isn’t perfect, but it’s become one of my most-used lenses for my commercial business. It’s tough, handles well, and delivers the kind of images that make me want to keep shooting. For interiors, landscapes, and nightscapes, it’s a tool I trust. I still overwhelming use the 15mm more often for landscapes - but I find it very hard to take off the 10.
Final Thoughts
It’s built tough and ready for real-world use.
It matches my style perfectly - natural light, real spaces, wide open skies.
It inspires me to get out and create.
I’ve built much of my photography around the unique character of Venus Laowa lenses, and this one keeps that tradition alive. It may not win every lab test, but in the field, it delivers exactly what I need.
Keep Exploring:
Venus Optics is always releasing new and exciting lenses, it's worth a look at their website!
Tony Maples
Tony is a Texas-based photographer, creator, and marketing strategist. He spends much of the year on the road capturing dramatic scenery, unique stays, and authentic moments from remote places. With experience as a creative director, general manager, and long-time builder in the automotive world, Tony blends fine art vision with real-world marketing expertise to create images and content that connect. He also teaches photography workshops across the U.S. and works with destinations, hotels, and brands that share his love for craftsmanship, authenticity, and the outdoors.
Leave a comment