Venus Optics has released a new Laowa 24mm f/2 tilt-shift lens in China, and it is expected to reach the rest of the world soon. Sony Alpha Rumors reports that the full-frame Sony E-mount version is coming shortly, and the lens is also listed for Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-mount, Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD.

The f/2 maximum aperture is the big news. Most 24mm tilt-shift lenses, including Canon’s long-standing TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II, are a stop and a half slower. A brighter aperture makes it easier to focus accurately and compose through the viewfinder, which matters with a lens that is typically used on a tripod for architecture and interiors.

Near-zero distortion and a rotating mount

Laowa says the lens has near-zero distortion, in keeping with its Zero-D branding, which is exactly what architectural photographers want when they’re keeping verticals straight. The optical design uses 13 elements in 10 groups, including five ED, two aspherical and four high-refractive-index elements, and a 14-blade aperture.

There’s ±12mm of shift and ±10° of tilt. A rotating mount lets you switch between landscape and portrait orientation without re-levelling the tripod, and a detachable bracket helps with stitched panoramas. Tilt also opens up the miniature effect, where a sliver of focus makes a real scene look like a model.

At 860g it isn’t light, but that’s in line with other full-frame tilt-shift lenses. The official Chinese price of RMB 7,650 suggests it could undercut the big names when it arrives here, though PetaPixel notes that US pricing may be affected by tariffs.

Laowa 24mm f/2 tilt-shift specifications

Laowa 24mm f/2 tilt-shift price and availability

The lens is on sale in China at an official price of RMB 7,650. UK pricing and a global release date haven’t been confirmed yet.