'From Kickstarter beginnings to Hollywood sets, the Laowa 12mm T2.9 Zero-D Cine has quickly become a cult favorite among filmmakers worldwide.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Mr. Dayong Li — Founder and Chief Optical Technician of Laowa — to uncover the story behind one of the most groundbreaking ultra-wide cine lenses on the market. He shares the challenges of engineering a compact, distortion-free 12mm, the surprising response from the filmmaking community, and what’s next for the Zero-D series.'
Can you explain the "Zero-D" (Zero Distortion) design? What sets it apart from other wide-angle cinema lenses on the market?
A key technological breakthrough in our lens lies in its innovative focus design. Unlike conventional wide-angle lenses that typically rely on a single focus group—often leading to noticeable distortion during focusing—our lens employs a multi-group floating focus mechanism. This advanced system enables multiple lens elements to move independently, dramatically minimizing distortion throughout the entire focus range.
In addition, cutting-edge advancements in optical design and manufacturing have allowed us to incorporate two large-diameter aspherical elements. Paired with high-grade glass materials, this modern engineering approach delivers superior distortion control, elevates overall image performance, and enables a significantly more compact form factor. These innovations distinguish our lens from legacy designs and redefine what’s possible in ultra-wide-angle optics.
How challenging was it to engineer such a sharp, low-distortion 12mm lens while keeping it compact and affordable?
In contrast, the newer mirrorless (and later cine) versions benefited from a much shorter flange distance, allowing us to position the glass closer to the sensor. This opened the door to a more compact and lightweight optical design. The challenge with the cine version was...
