Laowa 200mm f/2 Autofocus Lens Introduced – Speed, Reach, and Custom Control

by Alexandra ThompsonSeptember 16^th, 2025

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At IBC 2025, we met with Jimmy from Laowa to check out the company’s latest autofocus prime, a 200mm f/2 built for full-frame cameras. Despite its size, the lens weighs around 1.7kg (3.75 lbs) in Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, or 1.5kg (3.3 lbs) for Canon EF, making it lighter than it looks.

Laowa has been steadily building out their lens lineup, and in recent months, we’ve seen releases like the 8–15mm Fisheye Full-Frame and the 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF for mirrorless cameras. Now, with the 200mm f/2, we have a longer focal length with what may be one of their most ambitious AF lenses yet, one that bridges the gap between specialty glass and practical, everyday use.

What it looks like, how it works

The lens is finished in Laowa’s distinctive blue, first seen on earlier autofocus models. The idea was to stand out from the usual black or white lenses on the market. Autofocus was a big part of the development process, and Jimmy described it as one of the best performers you’ll find at f/2 in this price range.

The lens is flexible: portraits with strong background separation, indoor sports like basketball or dance, astrophotography, and events or weddings where light is limited. For video, there’s a de-click option on the aperture for smoother exposure changes, and the barrel has five programmable buttons so the same function is always within reach, no matter how you’re holding the camera.

Laowa 200mm f/2 – filters and mounts

Up front, the lens takes 105mm filters. In the back, a 44mm rear filter adapter with rotation makes polarizers or variable NDs easier to use without a matte box. The only exception is the EF version, where the shorter flange distance rules out the rear filter option. Mounts at launch include Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF, with the EF version adaptable to RF bodies while keeping autofocus. The lens is full-frame only.

Price and availability

The EF version will sell for $1,799, while the Sony E and Nikon Z are set at $1,999. Laowa is aiming for an October 2025 release, though the exact date is still open.

Does the rear filter system and programmable buttons make this lens feel more practical for real-world use, or would you stick with a more traditional telephoto? Let us know in the comments!