Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO (CI) Lens Nikon Z

Key Features

• ikon Z mount ultra macro lens with dedicated Coax Illumination port
• Continuous 5x to 10x magnification
• Compatible with the supplied Coax Illumination adapter
• Internal parfocal zoom with fixed 22.48mm working distance
• Bright f/1.7 maximum aperture
• APO optical design reduces chromatic aberration
• Ideal for electronics inspection, scientific imaging and focus stacking
• TIPA World Award-winning Aksen ultra macro series

Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO (CI) Lens Nikon Z Summary

The Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO (CI) Lens for Nikon Z is a manual-focus ultra macro lens combining continuous 5x to 10x magnification with Coax Illumination capability for precise, shadow-free lighting. Compatible with the supplied Coax Illumination adapter, it projects light directly along the optical axis, reducing shadows and reflections on highly reflective or finely detailed subjects for more consistent inspection and documentation.

An apochromatic optical design suppresses chromatic aberration for greater contrast, colour accuracy and finer detail, while internal parfocal zoom, a fixed 22.48mm working distance and manual focus support repeatable high-magnification workflows. The lens suits electronics inspection, watch components, forensic imaging, scientific research and precision engineering, where accurate illumination is as important as magnification.

Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO (CI) Lens Nikon Z In More Detail

Coax Illumination for specialist macro imaging

The dedicated Coax Illumination port allows the supplied adapter to project light directly along the optical axis rather than at an angle, providing even, shadow-free illumination while reducing reflections from flat or highly polished surfaces. Unlike conventional side lighting, this allows surface defects and fine textures to be recorded without glare obscuring important details. It reveals scratches, defects, textures and fine surface detail more clearly, making the lens well suited to circuit boards, microchips, coins, watch components, polished metals, forensic evidence and precision industrial inspection.

Continuous 5x to 10x magnification

The lens delivers continuous 5x to 10x magnification on full-frame Canon RF cameras. At 5x the image area measures approximately 7.2 × 4.8mm, reducing to around 3.6 × 2.4mm at 10x, revealing detail in insects, minerals, electronic components, biological specimens and other extremely small subjects. A fixed 22.48mm working distance and internal parfocal zoom allow magnification to be adjusted without moving the camera or subject, making repeatable focus stacking, measurement and inspection workflows easier.

APO optical design

The optical formula comprises 17 elements in 12 groups with apochromatic correction to minimise chromatic aberration throughout the 5x to 10x magnification range. This helps delivers higher contrast, improved colour accuracy and finer detail, while maintaining the clinical sharpness required for scientific imaging, technical documentation and precision macro photography.

Bright f/1.7 aperture

The bright f/1.7 maximum aperture, adjustable to f/5.6 via an 11-blade diaphragm, provides a brighter view for composition and manual focusing before stopping down to increase depth of field where required. At these magnifications, focus stacking is often used to maximise sharpness across deep or three-dimensional subjects.

Native Nikon Z mount

The native Nikon Z mount provides direct compatibility with Nikon Z mirrorless cameras without an adapter. Measuring Ø70.2 × 127.5mm and weighing 570g, the lens remains compact for a specialist 5x to 10x ultra macro optic suited to laboratory imaging, industrial inspection, technical photography and advanced focus stacking workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of Coax Illumination?

Coax Illumination projects light directly along the optical axis, reducing shadows and reflections when photographing reflective, translucent or finely detailed subjects. It is particularly useful for inspecting polished metals, electronic components, glass, wafers and other surfaces where conventional lighting can produce unwanted glare.

When should I choose this version instead of the standard lens?

Choose the CI version if you regularly photograph reflective, highly detailed or technical subjects where even, on-axis illumination is important. For general ultra macro photography of insects, plants and other non-reflective subjects, the standard version offers the same magnification and optical performance without the Coax Illumination system.

Is the Coax Illumination adapter included?

Yes. The lens is supplied with a dedicated Coax Illumination adapter, which connects to the built-in CI port and accepts compatible external lighting for specialist imaging applications.

Does the CI version have different optical performance?

Both versions deliver the same 5x to 10x magnification range and APO image quality. The CI version uses a different optical construction and incorporates a dedicated Coax Illumination port and adapter to provide on-axis lighting for reflective subjects.

Does this lens require focus stacking?

Not always. Single-frame images are possible, particularly for relatively flat subjects, but focus stacking is commonly used at 5x to 10x magnification where depth of field becomes extremely shallow.

Is it compatible with APS-C Nikon Z cameras?

Yes. Although designed for full-frame Nikon Z cameras, it can also be used on APS-C Nikon Z DX models. The smaller sensor crops the image, providing a tighter field of view while maintaining the same optical magnification.

Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO (Coax Illumination) Specifications

What’s in the Box

• Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO (CI) Lens Nikon Z
• Front lens cap
• Rear lens cap
• Lens pouch