ENGLISH VERSION -->
First deliveries expected from around mid-August 2026.
Venus Optics · LAOWA Aksen Series
LAOWA Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5–10X Ultra Macro APO with Coaxial Lighting
Parfocal ultra macro lens with integrated beam splitter
Five to ten times life size, a constant physical length, APO design – and light that travels exactly along the optical axis onto the subject. The coaxial version of the Aksen 17.5mm is built for flat, highly reflective subjects.
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22.48 mm
Working distance
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Coaxial
Integrated lighting
Ultra macro from 5X to 10X – parfocal and internally zoomed
The LAOWA Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 covers a magnification range from 5X to 10X and reveals structures that conventional 1:1 macro lenses simply cannot reach. The zoom works entirely internally: the physical length stays constant across the whole range, nothing extends and nothing shifts the balance on a tripod or macro rail.
Because the optics are parfocal, focus is maintained while zooming. You can change the framing without repositioning camera, subject or lighting – a real advantage with diffuser setups, focus stacking sequences and video work.
💡 Parfocal means: focus is retained while zooming. In the ultra macro range, where depth of field is a fraction of a millimetre, this saves a great deal of time in everyday studio work.
Practical in the field and in the studio
At roughly 570 g and approximately 70.2 x 127.5 mm the lens stays manageable despite its performance. The all-metal barrel, the clicked aperture ring and the long-throw manual focus are built for precise, repeatable work.
The integrated beam splitter projects light directly along the optical axis onto the subject. Shadows, reflections and glare are noticeably reduced – ideal for flat, highly reflective surfaces such as microchips, circuit boards, coins or polished metals, where even the finest structures, scratches and defects become visible. The light adapter screws onto the M18 x 0.5 thread and is designed for coaxial light sources with an 8 mm diameter.
Ideal for
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Insects & micro faunaCompound eyes, wing scales and the finest hairs in a level of detail 1:1 macro lenses cannot deliver.
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Minerals, jewellery & watch movementsDocument inclusions, settings and engravings frame filling – without a microscope.
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Science & documentationReproducible imaging of specimens, samples, pollen and plant structures.
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Electronics & quality controlInspect circuit boards, microchips and polished surfaces free of glare and with minimal shadows.
APO optical design
17 elements in 12 groups with apochromatic correction suppress chromatic aberration even at ten times magnification. Colour fringing along hard contrast edges is reduced to a minimum, edges stay clean and structures are resolved precisely – the prerequisite for clean focus stacking results.
Manufacturer data from Venus Optics
Venus Optics positions the Aksen series as the world’s first parfocal macro zoom and as the first commercially available lens with a zoom range beyond 5x magnification; the series holds a TIPA World Award. Coaxial lighting is offered exclusively for the 17.5mm 5–10X – and that is exactly where it makes the most sense.
The reason sits in the data sheet: minimum working distance is 22.48 mm versus 41.35 mm on the 45mm 1–5X. With barely two centimetres between front element and subject there is hardly any room left for side lighting. Coaxial injection sends light along the optical axis via a beam splitter – Venus Optics describes the result as shadow-free with full definition. The matching USB light is specified with an Ø8 mm light guide and a 3 W LED.
Further official figures: 17 elements in 12 groups, 11 aperture blades, Ø42 mm front diameter, Ø70.2 × 127.5 mm, 570 g. The fast f/1.7 aperture is a necessity rather than a luxury at 10x: it keeps ISO values low so noise does not bury the finest structures. The usable range ends at f/5.6, beyond which diffraction limits resolution.
Accessories specified by the manufacturer: Venus Optics lists a tripod collar with rods, the Leofoto MP-180S macro focusing rail and the WeMacro electronic slider bundle for the Aksen series. The collar is explicitly recommended because mounting on the lens instead of the camera body clearly reduces vibration and accidental focus shifts.
Technical data
| Focal length |
17.5 mm |
| Sensor format |
Full frame |
| Maximum aperture |
f/1.7 |
| Minimum aperture |
f/5.6 |
| Aperture blades |
11 |
| Aperture control |
manual, clicked aperture ring |
| Optical design |
17 elements in 12 groups |
| Focusing |
manual |
| Working distance from front element |
22.48 mm |
| Magnification |
5X – 10X |
| Front diameter |
42 mm |
| Filter thread |
– |
| Dimensions (D x L) |
approx. 70.2 x 127.5 mm |
| Weight |
approx. 570 g (Arri PL approx. 609 g) |
| Material / colour |
metal, black |
| Lighting |
coaxial via integrated beam splitter, light port M18 x 0.5 for 8 mm light sources |
| Mounts |
Sony FE, Canon RF, Canon EF, Nikon Z, Nikon F, Leica L, Fuji X, MFT, Arri PL |
| In the box |
lens, front cap, rear cap, coaxial light adapter |
| Coaxial light (manufacturer) |
USB, Ø8 mm light guide, 3 W LED |
| Award |
TIPA World Award (Aksen series) |
| Manufacturer |
Venus Optics (LAOWA) |
Compatible accessories
Tripod collar with 15 mm rods – the matching Aksen-series tripod collar transfers the weight directly onto the tripod, relieves the camera mount and holds accessories such as follow-focus systems or lighting solutions via the two included 15 mm rods (RRP 99,– €, included with the Cine versions).
Interchangeable bayonet mounts for the Arri PL version – matching interchangeable mounts are available for Sony FE, Canon EF, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Nikon F, L-Mount, Fuji X and MFT (RRP 65,– € each).
Why MJKZZ?
✓ Extreme macro specialists: we work with focus stacking systems every day and advise you from hands-on experience.
✓ Shipping from within Europe – no customs handling, no surprises on delivery.
✓ Matching accessories from one source: macro rails, tripod collars, lighting and stacking controllers.
First deliveries expected from mid-August 2026. Subject to technical changes and errors. Product images are representative; scope of delivery may vary.
