Venus Optics Creates Two Parfocal Ultra-Macro Lens

2026.07.31

Today, Venus Optics took the wraps off their new Laowa Aksen series of parfocal ultra-macro lenses with the introduction of two unique primes. The specialty optics manufacturer already has a long lineup of ultra-high magnification lenses yet these are their first with variable magnification at a fixed focus-distance.

The new lens duo is unique in numerous ways. Primarily, there is an optical design which they call parfocal, a word which technically only applies to zooms. Although the two lenses launched today are not actually zoom lenses, they provide an equivalent effect without changing focal-length!

The Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm F/2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro lens has a set 45mm focal-length and a fixed focus distance of 18cm. It has a mechanical standard aperture ring to close down its 11-blade iris from F/2.8 to F/11. Instead of a focus-ring, since focus-distance is fixed, it has a unique ring that sets magnification between 1X and 5X, similarly to a 5X optical zoom lens. While magnification is adjusted, the lens maintains a constant 4cm working distance without changing length.

The other family member is the Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro prime. This one has a much shorter focal-length and a tighter 16.8cm fixed focus-distance. The magnification ring on this model has a 5-10X range. This is ultra-macro lens is equivalent to a 2X optical zoom. Just like its sibling, the barrel of this prime lens always remains the same length, leaving a 2.5cm working distance.

©2026 Venus Optics

Its ultra-bright F/1.7 maximum aperture makes this lens the brightest macro lens every made. Virtually all other macro lenses are F/2.8, so Venus Optics managed to boost brightness by more than a full-stop! 10X is also the highest magnification currently available on a camera lens.

The Aksen optics lineup start a premium series of lenses with durable all-metal barrels. They sport mechanical aperture and magnification rings that must be used to control these lenses directly. Like the vast majority of Venus Optics lenses, both models are completely manual without any electronic contacts to communicate with the attached camera. Ultra-Macro lenses are always Manual-Focus only with a depth-of-field so shallow that aperture is very rarely set automatically. Each lens weighs 750-600g, has a 7cm diameter and is 12-13cm long. Both accept small screw-on filters at the front.

The new series launches along several unique accessories. There are adjustable tripod collars for each lens with optional 15mm rods that can be used to drive magnification. The Laowa Aksen 17.5mm F/1.7 5-10X Ultra-Macro all come with an 8mm Coaxial Light Adapter. This is used with the an optional coaxial light that provides oblique illumination to bring out ultra-fine textures.

Venus Optics is launching these lenses in 7 photography mounts, plus Arri PL Cine mount that can be adapted to the same set of photography mounts: Canon EF, Canon RF, Fuji X, Leica L, Micro Four-Thirds, Nikon Z and Sony E. The new lenses are designed to project a Full-Frame imaging circle. Logically, on X-mount or Micro Four-Thirds cameras, images will be captured with the crop-factor of the camera sensor.

Venus Optics is making these lenses available immediately, directly from their website. The Laowa Aksen 45mm F/2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro is priced at $750 USD, while the Laowa Akesen 17.5mm F/1.8 5-10X Ultra-Macro goes for $1500. For an extra $100 USD, the 5-10X models come with the Coaxial Light. There is also a bundle to get both lenses or both lenses plus the optional light. Dual lens bundles save $100, compared to buying both lenses separately. For information about the Photography versions of these lenses, follow this link. Those interested in the Cine versions should go here instead.

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