Laowa

180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount)

$999~
MSRP (prices vary)
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Released: August 1, 2024
180mm
Focal Length
f/4.5
Max Aperture
Full-Frame
Coverage
Stabilized
670g
Weight
67mm
Filter

Who the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) is for

The Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) is a full-frame 180mm f/4.5 manual-focus macro prime for L-Mount.

Best for

  • Macro and close-ups — 1.5x magnification.
  • Outdoor and travel use — a weather-sealed build.

Keep in mind

  • Aperture tops out at f/4.5 — less low-light headroom and background blur than faster lenses.
  • Manual focus only — no autofocus.

How the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) compares to other L-Mount Full-Frame macro lenses

Every figure below is measured against the 6 L-Mount Full-Frame macro lenses in the catalogue, so you can see where this lens actually sits rather than reading its spec sheet in isolation.

SpecThis lensWhere it lands
Weight670g (1.48 lb)3rd heaviest of 6
Price (MSRP)$999joint 3rd most expensive of 6
Maximum aperturef/4.5the narrowest of 6

What 180mm at f/4.5 actually gives you

180mm reaches well past what the eye picks out, compressing distance between near and far subjects.

f/4.5 is a slow maximum aperture, so this leans on good light or on a stabilised body.

Size, close focus and filters

At 670g (1.48 lb) it sits in the middle for handling: substantial enough to feel planted, light enough not to dominate the kit.

Maximum magnification is 1.5x, meaning the subject can be projected onto the sensor at life size or larger — true macro rather than a close-focus marketing claim. It focuses as close as 22cm.

Filters are 67mm — worth checking against what you already own, since polarisers and ND filters at this size are reusable across any other lens sharing the thread.

Manual focus, stabilisation and weather sealing

Focus is manual only. That suits deliberate work — landscapes, macro, video pulls — and rules it out for anything that moves unpredictably.

There is no optical stabilisation in the lens, so handheld steadiness depends on the body having IBIS, or on keeping the shutter speed up.

The barrel is weather-sealed, so rain and dust are a manageable risk rather than a reason to pack up.

Full Specifications

Optical Design

Focal Length180mm
Lens TypePrime
Optical Elements12
Optical Groups9

Aperture & Iris

Maximum Aperturef/4.5
Minimum Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades7
Rounded ApertureYes

Coverage & Angle

Format CoverageFull-Frame
Lens MountL-Mount
Angle of View14°
35mm Equivalent

Focus

AutofocusNo
Focus Motor
Focus LimiterNo
AF/MF SwitchYes
Min Focus Distance22 cm
Max Magnification1.5x

Stabilization & Video

Optical StabilizationNo
Aperture RingNo
Declickable ApertureNo
ParfocalNo
Internal ZoomNo

General

Price (MSRP)$999
Filter Size67mm
Diameter82mm
Length214mm
Weight670g (1.48 lb)
Weather SealedYes
Tripod CollarNo

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