Laowa 200mm f/2.0 FE review by Alex Phan

The new Laowa 200mm f/2.0 FE  at Venusstore (wordlwide shipment).

Alex Phan posted this review of the new Laowa 200mm f/2.0 FE lens:

I want to extend a big thank you to the Laowa team for giving me the opportunity to use this lens over the past four weeks. After nearly a month of testing this lens in both Z and FE mounts, here are my observations. *Please note that this is still a pre-production lens, and Laowa is continuously working on the firmware based on user feedback to improve the product*
Initially, I received the native Z mount lens. When mounted on my Z9, I found that the autofocus (AF) was decent; however, there were a few instances where it missed focus or was not as fast as it is with the FE mount using the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+. To compare, I requested the FE mount lens to determine if the issue was with the lens or the camera.
When the 200mm f/2 FE mount arrived, the performance was significantly better. Subject acquisition was super fast, and the focus transition from minimum focus distance to mid-range and infinity was rapid and accurate. The stick rate was also impressive. The lens is sharp, and the bokeh is smooth. I tested the lens in various shooting scenarios, including portraits, models, sports, airshows, macro photography, landscapes, and daily activities, and it performed flawlessly.
In video mode, there was no hunting when moving from foreground to background. The autofocus speed was good. Additionally, during some challenging tests (which most of us wouldn’t do in reality)—such as focusing on a pitch-black subject—the Laowa lens had no trouble locking onto the item, whereas the Sigma 200mm f/2 struggled.
One feature I appreciate about this lens is its build quality. It’s solidly constructed and well-balanced when held. There are multiple customizable buttons, and unlike other lenses where the buttons are positioned far from the ring, Laowa has placed an additional button near the aperture ring for easier access. It also utilizes a rear filter, and the lens foot is Arca-style ready, so you won’t have to spend extra on a foot. Priced at $1,999, I believe it’s a great value.
However, there are some areas for improvement. I recommend adding a lock button to the aperture ring. I lost count of how many times I accidentally bumped the aperture, accidentally changing it because the ring moved when my hand touched the area. The hood feels a bit plasticky, and the lens foot ring lacks markers and does not provide a hard “click” when rotating to the 45/90/180-degree marks.
When comparing this lens to the Sigma 200mm f/2, the Sigma employs a mirrorless optical design, making it lighter and sharper. Sigma’s lens offers a modern sharpness that some might not prefer, while Laowa uses a DSLR optical formula. Sigma utilizes a linear motor, whereas Laowa adopts a lightweight design structure for its focus group, using an STM motor instead. Both lenses exhibit some chromatic aberration, but the Laowa appears to handle it slightly better.
Also, if you choose the Sony FE mount version, you will be limited to a maximum of 15 frames per second due to restrictions on third-party lenses imposed by Sony. However, if you’re Nikon shooter, you can purchase the FE mount version and pair it with the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ to bypass this frame rate limitation OR just buy it in native Z mount.
As for the legendary Nikon 200VRII, while Laowa’s sharpness is comparable, if you’re searching for that buttery, smooth, creamy bokeh and magical color rendering, I must say that the 200VRII remains the benchmark lens.
Laowa has been around for a while, and this is their first foray into a big prime lens. I’m very pleased to see that they have done a great job with the 200mm f/2. The Laowa team is proactive in listening to feedback, and their presence on social media allows them to identify and resolve issues quickly. I am looking forward to seeing them produce even larger prime lenses in the future.
In conclusion, if you already own the 200VRII, you’re set. For everyone else, this lens is a fantastic alternative for entering the 200mm f/2 range. I will be returning my Sigma 200mm f/2 and opting for the Laowa instead.