Overview
The Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens for Sony E is a unique short telephoto prime lens designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. Combining a bright f/2 aperture with a specialised apodization (APD) element, this lens is engineered to produce exceptionally smooth, natural-looking background blur while maintaining the shallow depth of field characteristics of an f/2 design. The APD element acts similarly to a graduated neutral density filter within the optical path, delivering softer, more rounded out-of-focus highlights and a highly refined bokeh quality that portrait photographers will appreciate.
Beyond its distinctive rendering capabilities, the lens features an advanced optical construction with three low dispersion elements and one extra refractive index element to minimise chromatic aberrations and maintain excellent sharpness throughout the frame. A fully manual design provides precise control over focus and exposure, while the innovative dual-diaphragm system allows independent adjustment of depth of field and bokeh characteristics. Whether capturing portraits, fine art imagery, or creative shallow-focus compositions, the Laowa 105mm f/2 STF offers a distinctive visual signature rarely found in conventional telephoto lenses.
Core Features
- The integrated apodization element enhances bokeh quality by producing smoother transitions and more circular out-of-focus highlights.
- A bright f/2 aperture delivers shallow depth of field control while maintaining an effective light transmission rating of T3.2.
- Dual diaphragm systems with 8- and 14-blade designs allow separate control of exposure and bokeh characteristics.
- Three low dispersion elements help reduce chromatic aberrations and colour fringing for cleaner image quality.
- An extra refractive index element contributes to improved sharpness and optical performance.
- Manual focus operation enables precise focusing control down to 90 cm.
- Designed for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras and provides a 157.5mm equivalent field of view on APS-C bodies.
Exceptional Portrait Rendering
The combination of the APD element, long focal length, and wide aperture creates beautifully smooth subject isolation with gradual focus falloff. This unique rendering style helps subjects stand out naturally against softly blurred backgrounds, making the lens especially well suited to portraiture and artistic photography.
Independent Bokeh and Exposure Control
Unlike traditional lenses, the dual-aperture design gives photographers greater creative flexibility. The 14-blade diaphragm works alongside the APD element to influence bokeh appearance, while the conventional 8-blade diaphragm controls exposure and depth of field, enabling more refined control over the final image aesthetic.
Optical
| Focal Length | 105mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 23° 16' |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 90 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.16x |
| Macro Reproduction Ratio | 1:6.25 |
| Optical Design | 11 Elements in 8 Groups |
| Aperture/Iris Blades | 8 |
General
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
Physical
| Filter Thread | 67 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions | Diameter: 76 mm, Length: 98.9 mm |
| Weight | 745 g |
What's Included
- Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens for Sony E
- Front Lens Cap
- Rear Lens Cap
- Barcode: 28881
- UPC Barcode: 6940486700138
- Supplier Code: VE10520SFE