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Laowa 12mm Zero-D

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Laowa 12mm T2.9 Zero-D

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Laowa 12mm Zero-D

Prime - Spherical - Full Frame

product details

The Laowa 12mm T2.9 Zero-D is a full-frame ultra-wide cine prime offering extreme field of view with minimal distortion, offering one of the widest rectilinear fields of view available for cinema. Its 12mm focal length makes it a unique tool for expansive environments, architectural filming, and dramatic perspective-driven shots. The wide angle preserves straight lines, making it ideal for tight interiors or immersive action shots – or in any situation where exaggerated perspective is desired without fisheye distortion. Available for rental or sub-rental at Cine Visuals.

Focal Length
T-Stop
Type
Format
Front Diameter
Lens Mount
Metadata
Iris Blades
Image Circle

Era / Generation
Contrast & Tonal Character
Sharpness & Resolution
Focus Fall‑Off / Transition
Iris & Bokeh Quality
Flare & Highlight Behavior
Handling & Ergonomics
Build & Modifications
Cinematic Heritage & Credits

*Refer to Technical Specifications table. Not the same for all focal lengths.

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Technical Specs Table

T-Stop

Type

Format

Front Diameter

Lens Mount

Metadata

Close Focus (ft)

Close Focus (m)

Weight (lbs)

Weight (kg)

Length (in)

Length (mm)

Iris Blades

Image Circle

Front Filter

Rear Filter

Horizontal Angle of View (Full Frame)

Horizontal Angle of View (S35)

Focus Rotation

T2.9

Spherical

Full Frame LF/VV

102 mm

–

0.18 m

–

43.3 mm

–

270°

Laowa 12mm Zero-D

Image Fidelity & Focus

Like the 9mm, the 12mm Zero-D has minimal barrel distortion. Straight lines remain natural even at the edges of the frame, a rare achievement in ultra-wide optics. The lens is impressively sharp across its full-frame image circle, with high, natural contrast and neutral color reproduction. Depth of field is deep, but close-focus capability allows for dramatic foreground-background layering. Aberrations are handled well, though slight edge fringing can appear wide open.

Handling & Adaptability

The 12mm is larger and heavier than the 9mm, but still compact compared to most cine ultra-wides. It features a professional housing with gears, smooth focus, and consistent mechanics, and adapts across PL, EF, and mirrorless mounts. Its versatility makes it equally useful on gimbals, drones, and handheld rigs.

Flare & Bokeh

Flare behavior is cinematic, producing sunbursts, dramatic highlights and controlled veiling when pointed toward light sources. Bokeh is minimal due to the deep depth of field inherent in ultra-wide lenses, but smooth in close-focus work.

Image Circle

With a Full Frame image circle of 47mm, 12mm Zero-D covers large-format sensors, as well as Super 35 (with even more apparent width).

Cinematic Heritage

Released in the late 2010s, the 12mm expanded Laowa’s Zero-D line into the full-frame market. It quickly gained popularity for its distortion-free rendering at an extreme focal length, a capability few other lenses can match.