Makes one question buying (all) Sony, Nikon, or Canon lenses for your Sony/Nikon/Canon camera. Laowa: great build, great optics, GREAT affordability. Sending in my Sony 24-70 and Nikon 70-200 to get fixed as the contacts aren’t “contacting” anymore. Expensive lenses requiring costly fixing. Thanks for another informative and enjoyable presentation! Now, need to “Go Create.”
You're welcome Thomas! Well, with macro lenses I think going fully manual is fine, no need for electronics in these. It's an excellent lens, and no doubt one of the best macro lenses I've ever tried!! Yes, let's go create!
Hey Phil! Been of comments for a while, just wanted to complement on that cinematic short film you posted a couple days (weeks?) ago! Really good stuff!
Well, I use this on the a7R3, a73 and a7S3, all are great. On a crop body it'll be a touch longer, which is fine and will mean that you'll just get that little bit closer!
Hello, Phillip! Very good way to present this lens. It seems to be a very good one. I love macro photos. Do you know if there is any to apsc cameras? What do you recommend? Keep going with your great job! 🔥
Hello Luis!! Thank You. Oh yes, I love them a lot too, so much fun and so creative! I'm afraid not Luis, this will be a little longer on your aps-c camera, which isn't a bad thing, and you'll have a future proof lens if you want to upgrade to full frame.
Well! So I’ll need to wait! I need to learn a lot of things and earn more experience before give the next step to a full frame! And I need also to plant a money tree to buy all the gear I wish to get! 🤣🤣
Thank You Maciej! The RS 2 handles this with no problems, I had it on the other day, but it's quite hard to use due to the manual focus, so you'd need to focus pull or get a focus puller. If you however want it on a gimbal for macro work, that's fine too, the RS 2 can move very, very slowly much like the Zeapon or Slypod sliders.
Yes, I think the Canon version is the only one without a clicked aperture. Fantastic lens though, mind you, I'm searching for a used Sony 90mm at the moment as I kind of want the AF for portraits.
@@PhillipSkraba I understand. Personally I wanted a dedicated macro lens just for insane closeups but I love that I can also use it for amazing portraits.
Looks like an awesome lens ! For the price.. take it and 🏃♂️!!! I personally own the 90mm from Sony and I must say it is a phenomenal lens. I think you nailed when stated you don’t need auto focus ..99.9999% of the time it’s all manual… auto focus hunts forever .Great review looks super sharp !
I‘m really in love with laowa lenses and am highly into the idea of buying this particular stunning macro lense, but I want to use it with my bmpcc 6k and lacking in stabilization in both camera and lense can be an issue. I‘m not really sure that will even make sense without using at least a monopod for macro filming (not sure that would be comfortable). Another option would be canon 100 2.8 for its stabilization only, although I‘m way more excited with the laowa lense. Since I’m not that experienced like you, what would you recommend? Thank you in advance :D
Thank You! Damn, it's hard to hit that sweet spot, I'm still working on it, in my earphones it's good, on my Macbook, good, but sometimes on the tv the trebles drop, no idea. Thanks for the heads up!
I have a variety of interests in photography... from macro to astrophotography. I know what to expect from this incredible macro lens, but what about astrophotography? Astrophotographers also exclusively use manual focus, so this Laowa lens should be able to focus on the stars. But the question I need answered is, "Coma and other distortions... How does the Laowa 100mm 2.8 handle Milky Way images?
You made me buy an mini 2, and now this?! ;) Sadly swedish prices seems closer to 600$ since the european amazon stores aint got it. Although great tip, never heard of Laowa before
Jonas, this thing is awesome!! Laowa is an excellent company, they are know for lenses no one else made, or lenses no one else wanted to make because they were too complicated and too much work. Superb lenses. Here is a link if you need - amzn.to/3nKImRp I buy most of my stuff from Amazon Germany as they have good prices and deliver for free across most of Europe, so that's an option.
@@PhillipSkraba Ah great 👍 Yeah I use the German store most of the time as well, although we recently got the .se one in sweden^^ but it's just a translated domain hehe. Gonna check this lens out, might be a good next one. Macro seems sweet, not really tried it out alot. Keep up the great vids!
@@Gute88 We have the same in Poland, we recently got Amazon too but it's not too great, so I use the German one still. Macro is awesome! I love macro, always have, so much creative fun with a lens like that!
I was thinking of going with this lens just because of the x2 magnification. I have some macro extension tubes coming in the mail today for my 50 mm. Would love your input !
Здравствуйте Филипп! Мне понравился ваш обзор. У меня не было никогда макрообъектива, но очень люблю макросъемку (телефон + на него объектив), мечтаю об макро объективе. Вопрос у меня в том, не имея опыта с мануальными объективами, справлюсь ли я с ним? Или лучше покупать Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105mm f2.8. Для камеры nikon d810. Буду очень Вам благодарна за ответ и совет. 🙏🏻🙂
Great video, nice work! Do you think that the Canon EF version can be adapted to both Sony E mount and Panasonic m43 mount, each with specific adapter? I have Sony a73 and Panasonic Gh5 and i was thinking to buy the Canon EF version and grab the right adapters to use the Laowa lens on both systems. I saw in the video that you used an adapter from EF to E mount. Was the simple adapter, without electronic contacts? In this case, can you control the aperture only from the ring on the lens? And if the body does`t get information about the lens, will the IBIS still work? Looking forward for your opinion. Keep up the good work, you make great content!
Hey Philip. Stumbled on to your channel and subscribed. Love the review. What were those macro sliders that you mentioned in the video? I didn't quite catch them. Thanks!
If you need auto focus, get a native lens, but if it’s solely for video macro work, get this. Macro auto focus doesn’t know where you want focus, it’s something I’ve done manually for over 25 years.
@@PhillipSkraba thanks! Last question if you don’t mind.. I see deals where I can get the rf version for $50 cheaper then the ef version.. is it worth it to pay a bit more for the extra electronics in the mount?
You mentioned that you needed a converted for the Canon to be able to mount the lens to the body. Do you need a converter to put this lens on a Sony a7ii? Or is it out of the box ready to be mounted onto the Sony?
I had both versions, but I kept the Sony mount, as that's what I have personally. It's excellent, a lens that I use very often. It'll work with Sony right out of the box.
Oh you'd love it Karol! I've done macro for so long, and I love the Takumar 50mm for macro, but this 100mm just has this classic, clean look about it, and for such a great price!
I'm very new to photography so being this is a full frame lens does that mean I couldn't use it on my Canon rebel t7 cause I think the t7 is a crop frame camera
Hey, can you fly DJI Mini 2 or Air 2S from indoors or from inside a car or does the remote need to be outdoors with the drone pointing at it. Like if it’s a really cold or bright sunny day, can you fly the drone from inside a building or a car?
Nice review and great photos. btw is there a macro full frame lens which does f/2 with at least 1:1 macro, af or not? I havent found it. theres the voigtlander lanthar 110mm f2.5 1:1. not exactly f2. the 65mm voigtlander is f2 but has 1:2 macro.
Sure, mind you, this at f2.8 on portraits is pretty shallow, at 100mm that's wafer thin. I usually don't shoot portraits that wide open, I like when the whole face is in focus anyhow.
Are you using a gimbal with the Sony to film this? I’m having a ton of difficulty nailing the focus manually holding this lens. When getting 1:1 or 2:1 the dof is razor thin and when I move back and forth it just misses focus. Probably a practice thing but damn! Haha
genuinely debating selling my 90mm macro for this. (Mostly because i never use it in automatic anyways) but I’m scared that once i do, ill regret selling my only lens out of 9 that actually has auto features. I know they are 2 different beasts as one is 2x but will i regret it. (Sony)
I've used macro for about 20 years, maybe a tiny bit more, and I've never turned AF on, well I did a couple of times, but it just didn't know what I wanted to focus on, so I always, always use it on manual. So a manual macro lens, and a 2x at that is heaven. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't regret it.
@@PhillipSkraba Thanks! One more question Phillip. When filming macro outside during daytime, do you still need a heavy light just like in macro photography?
I just ordered one, I'm concerned about having no in-body stabilisation, is it okay? Or is it aided enough by increasing shutter speeds (flash a requirement?)
@@PhillipSkraba i changed my mind to get the newer 85mm, have you tried it yet? Seems there's a minimal drop in quality for an insane reduction is size and weight.
@@TreyyDaMenaceFan I wouldn't invest in a Neewer lens to be honest, if you want to go third party, I'd stick with Tamron, Sigma, Laowa, Viltrox, those are affordable and good quality.
Awesome review as always bro! The photos and videos were really stunning man! really enjoyed them. by the way I just posted a video on how to take macro photos without a macro lens in my channel :) If you had time, I'll be glad if you check it out dude! cheers.
Hello! Sorry for the question, have you compared these 2 lenses in terms of photo quality, Canon and Laowa? I can’t decide on a choice for macro photography
"That's my controller. It's filthy."
Lol! Love it!
It actually looks clean until you 2x macro it 😂😂
I own one and I love it! It's build like a tank and razor sharp! Took some really nice shots with it! 😍
Yes!! It's an incredible lens!! I am blown away by its sharpness, even at f2.8!! Stunning lens!
Wow Phillip exquisite work on this one. Really beautiful shots.
Thank You Jarah, great lens, and I'm a huge fan of macro shots so this was a fun one.
Makes one question buying (all) Sony, Nikon, or Canon lenses for your Sony/Nikon/Canon camera. Laowa: great build, great optics, GREAT affordability. Sending in my Sony 24-70 and Nikon 70-200 to get fixed as the contacts aren’t “contacting” anymore. Expensive lenses requiring costly fixing.
Thanks for another informative and enjoyable presentation! Now, need to “Go Create.”
You're welcome Thomas! Well, with macro lenses I think going fully manual is fine, no need for electronics in these. It's an excellent lens, and no doubt one of the best macro lenses I've ever tried!! Yes, let's go create!
@@PhillipSkraba I appreciate your take on using macro for videography. Provides perspective. Hey! Maybe macro on Mavic 3? LOL
You’re welcome! haha!
"This is it filming it" - love it.
It's a really nice one!
Hey Phil! Been of comments for a while, just wanted to complement on that cinematic short film you posted a couple days (weeks?) ago! Really good stuff!
Thank You Andre! Doing my best to keep them coming, lots in the works at the moment 🔥
That intro... was truly inspiring! So well executed!
Thank You!
Just what i"ve been waiting for! A video about your opinion on body's would be so epic!
Well, I use this on the a7R3, a73 and a7S3, all are great. On a crop body it'll be a touch longer, which is fine and will mean that you'll just get that little bit closer!
Hello, Phillip! Very good way to present this lens. It seems to be a very good one. I love macro photos. Do you know if there is any to apsc cameras? What do you recommend? Keep going with your great job! 🔥
Hello Luis!! Thank You. Oh yes, I love them a lot too, so much fun and so creative! I'm afraid not Luis, this will be a little longer on your aps-c camera, which isn't a bad thing, and you'll have a future proof lens if you want to upgrade to full frame.
Well! So I’ll need to wait! I need to learn a lot of things and earn more experience before give the next step to a full frame! And I need also to plant a money tree to buy all the gear I wish to get! 🤣🤣
Great Video! Thank You Phillip.
Thank You Doug!
This is becoming art. I wonder myself how it looks like on a gimbal. The rs2 should handle the focal lenght without a doubt, but the others?
Thank You Maciej! The RS 2 handles this with no problems, I had it on the other day, but it's quite hard to use due to the manual focus, so you'd need to focus pull or get a focus puller. If you however want it on a gimbal for macro work, that's fine too, the RS 2 can move very, very slowly much like the Zeapon or Slypod sliders.
What a beauty
It's such a hot one 🔥
I think this video sold me on this lens. Thanks! Amazing video
It is an excellent, excellent lens I use just about everyday. Love it! You're welcome.
Just bought the RF version of this lens and it also has clicked aperture!
Yes, I think the Canon version is the only one without a clicked aperture. Fantastic lens though, mind you, I'm searching for a used Sony 90mm at the moment as I kind of want the AF for portraits.
@@PhillipSkraba I understand. Personally I wanted a dedicated macro lens just for insane closeups but I love that I can also use it for amazing portraits.
Looks like an awesome lens ! For the price.. take it and 🏃♂️!!! I personally own the 90mm from Sony and I must say it is a phenomenal lens. I think you nailed when stated you don’t need auto focus ..99.9999% of the time it’s all manual… auto focus hunts forever .Great review looks super sharp !
It's an excellent lens! Yes, I've done this for half of my life and AF is the worst thing in macro 😂 Thank You, yes, sharp as a razor!
Dude!
That is one amazing cinematic video!
I am so tempted to buy this lens now :D
Thank You Stefan! This is an awesome lens, I use it a lot and the results are just stunning! Super sharp wide open.
VERY VERY USEFUL THA K YOU 😭
You're welcome!
I love the narration on the Broll! its like a NatGeo video haha
haha, I'm working hard on making that better and better, thanks Son!
I‘m really in love with laowa lenses and am highly into the idea of buying this particular stunning macro lense, but I want to use it with my bmpcc 6k and lacking in stabilization in both camera and lense can be an issue. I‘m not really sure that will even make sense without using at least a monopod for macro filming (not sure that would be comfortable). Another option would be canon 100 2.8 for its stabilization only, although I‘m way more excited with the laowa lense.
Since I’m not that experienced like you, what would you recommend?
Thank you in advance :D
Great video! I think your voice gets waaaay to soft and low, to the point that i cannot hear it over the music :/
Thank You! Damn, it's hard to hit that sweet spot, I'm still working on it, in my earphones it's good, on my Macbook, good, but sometimes on the tv the trebles drop, no idea. Thanks for the heads up!
I have a variety of interests in photography... from macro to astrophotography. I know what to expect from this incredible macro lens, but what about astrophotography? Astrophotographers also exclusively use manual focus, so this Laowa lens should be able to focus on the stars. But the question I need answered is, "Coma and other distortions... How does the Laowa 100mm 2.8 handle Milky Way images?
Thanks for the presentation. I have one of this for sony. Just want to know how to attain 2X magnification during macro photography.
It is what it is, you can’t change the magnification. It is a 2:1 magnification macro.
You made me buy an mini 2, and now this?! ;)
Sadly swedish prices seems closer to 600$ since the european amazon stores aint got it. Although great tip, never heard of Laowa before
Jonas, this thing is awesome!! Laowa is an excellent company, they are know for lenses no one else made, or lenses no one else wanted to make because they were too complicated and too much work. Superb lenses. Here is a link if you need - amzn.to/3nKImRp I buy most of my stuff from Amazon Germany as they have good prices and deliver for free across most of Europe, so that's an option.
@@PhillipSkraba Ah great 👍 Yeah I use the German store most of the time as well, although we recently got the .se one in sweden^^ but it's just a translated domain hehe.
Gonna check this lens out, might be a good next one. Macro seems sweet, not really tried it out alot. Keep up the great vids!
@@Gute88 We have the same in Poland, we recently got Amazon too but it's not too great, so I use the German one still. Macro is awesome! I love macro, always have, so much creative fun with a lens like that!
Great video! If you had to choose between this lens and the sigma 105 mm Macro which would you choose ?
I was thinking of going with this lens just because of the x2 magnification. I have some macro extension tubes coming in the mail today for my 50 mm. Would love your input !
Здравствуйте Филипп! Мне понравился ваш обзор. У меня не было никогда макрообъектива, но очень люблю макросъемку (телефон + на него объектив), мечтаю об макро объективе. Вопрос у меня в том, не имея опыта с мануальными объективами, справлюсь ли я с ним? Или лучше покупать Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105mm f2.8. Для камеры nikon d810. Буду очень Вам благодарна за ответ и совет. 🙏🏻🙂
Great video, nice work!
Do you think that the Canon EF version can be adapted to both Sony E mount and Panasonic m43 mount, each with specific adapter?
I have Sony a73 and Panasonic Gh5 and i was thinking to buy the Canon EF version and grab the right adapters to use the Laowa lens on both systems.
I saw in the video that you used an adapter from EF to E mount. Was the simple adapter, without electronic contacts? In this case, can you control the aperture only from the ring on the lens? And if the body does`t get information about the lens, will the IBIS still work?
Looking forward for your opinion.
Keep up the good work, you make great content!
Hey Philip. Stumbled on to your channel and subscribed. Love the review. What were those macro sliders that you mentioned in the video? I didn't quite catch them. Thanks!
Thank You! Welcome to the channel. Sure, one is called the Slypod, the other is the Zeapon Micro 2 Plus, very, very smooth macro sliders.
great video..... can i use it with canon 7D mark 2 camera
Sure, there is a Canon version!
If I’m doing purely video do you recommend this one over the canon 100mm l lens or should I just spend the extra cash?
If you need auto focus, get a native lens, but if it’s solely for video macro work, get this. Macro auto focus doesn’t know where you want focus, it’s something I’ve done manually for over 25 years.
@@PhillipSkraba thanks! Last question if you don’t mind.. I see deals where I can get the rf version for $50 cheaper then the ef version.. is it worth it to pay a bit more for the extra electronics in the mount?
Looks like an excellent lens. Too bad it couldn't be used for automatic focus stacking.
It’s a pretty good one, mind you I prefer the Sony 90mm I picked up recently.
@@PhillipSkraba Ive considered switching my platform over to Sony from Nikon for a while now.
Amazing review!! I have a Canon R, is this recomended for a mirrorless camera?
Yes! I use mine with the Sony A7 series.
You mentioned that you needed a converted for the Canon to be able to mount the lens to the body. Do you need a converter to put this lens on a Sony a7ii? Or is it out of the box ready to be mounted onto the Sony?
I had both versions, but I kept the Sony mount, as that's what I have personally. It's excellent, a lens that I use very often. It'll work with Sony right out of the box.
yo! first
Yes you are!
im curious why my Adorama purchase of this lens had what looks like moth holes all through the packaging...
That is a mystery, I hope they didn't eat through the lens coating!
Can you recommend a slider with this lense
Sure! I did a video on the Zeapon slider, well priced, very smooth for macro shots.
Thanks Phillip and now I want one...🙄
Oh you'd love it Karol! I've done macro for so long, and I love the Takumar 50mm for macro, but this 100mm just has this classic, clean look about it, and for such a great price!
How does this hold up against the cine version?
I have no idea, never used the cine version, sorry.
I'm very new to photography so being this is a full frame lens does that mean I couldn't use it on my Canon rebel t7 cause I think the t7 is a crop frame camera
Sure you can, it’ll just be a little closer 🔥
@@PhillipSkraba cool thanks for the reply
You’re welcome!
Hey, can you fly DJI Mini 2 or Air 2S from indoors or from inside a car or does the remote need to be outdoors with the drone pointing at it. Like if it’s a really cold or bright sunny day, can you fly the drone from inside a building or a car?
Sure you can, be careful though.
Nice review and great photos. btw is there a macro full frame lens which does f/2 with at least 1:1 macro, af or not? I havent found it. theres the voigtlander lanthar 110mm f2.5 1:1. not exactly f2. the 65mm voigtlander is f2 but has 1:2 macro.
I haven’t see one, no. What would you need such a shallow depth of field for on a macro?
@@PhillipSkraba not for macro but for portraits. an f2 lens will make for a great portrait lens. we can always stop down for macro.
Sure, mind you, this at f2.8 on portraits is pretty shallow, at 100mm that's wafer thin. I usually don't shoot portraits that wide open, I like when the whole face is in focus anyhow.
Hi Phillip, Is this lens shall be used for Water Doplets/Splash photography
Sure! It's manual focus and very, very sharp!
Are you using a gimbal with the Sony to film this? I’m having a ton of difficulty nailing the focus manually holding this lens. When getting 1:1 or 2:1 the dof is razor thin and when I move back and forth it just misses focus. Probably a practice thing but damn! Haha
All handheld or on a slider, it would be fine on a gimbal if it were at portrait length with a follow focus, sure. It's hard work though!
I own a Canon EOS 3000 D crop sensor. Which lens should I go for LAOWA 100 mm or LAOWA 60 mm?
That really depends how close you want to get and the focal length. I’d personally pick up the 100mm.
I recognise that samsung remote mate 😂
haha, I've had so many of them, I only buy Samsung tvs, love them!
@@PhillipSkraba Stood out to me because I just got my first samsung oled 2 weeks ago, love it!
genuinely debating selling my 90mm macro for this. (Mostly because i never use it in automatic anyways) but I’m scared that once i do, ill regret selling my only lens out of 9 that actually has auto features. I know they are 2 different beasts as one is 2x but will i regret it. (Sony)
I've used macro for about 20 years, maybe a tiny bit more, and I've never turned AF on, well I did a couple of times, but it just didn't know what I wanted to focus on, so I always, always use it on manual. So a manual macro lens, and a 2x at that is heaven. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't regret it.
bro can i use this lens with nikon d7500?
There should be a Nikon version of this lens, sure!
Hi Phillip! I think I’m a year late for this video. 😁 Anyway, is it also a good lens for macro videography? Like for bugs and insects? Thanks!
Hi! Yes, it is. I use it a lot for macro filming, and it's no doubt the best macro I've used.
@@PhillipSkraba Thanks! One more question Phillip. When filming macro outside during daytime, do you still need a heavy light just like in macro photography?
Oh no, this is f2.8 lens, so it’s pretty damn bright. In fact you’d need ND filters for it in some cases.
@@PhillipSkraba Thanks for taking time to respond Phillip! 'appreciate it!! More power to your channel!😊
Anytime! Thanks!
Just think, on an APS-C you’ll get even closer 😐
Yes!! A fair bit!!!
I just ordered one, I'm concerned about having no in-body stabilisation, is it okay? Or is it aided enough by increasing shutter speeds (flash a requirement?)
I wouldn't worry about IBS, I shot for about 20 years without it on macro lenses.
@@PhillipSkraba i changed my mind to get the newer 85mm, have you tried it yet? Seems there's a minimal drop in quality for an insane reduction is size and weight.
@@TreyyDaMenaceFan I wouldn't invest in a Neewer lens to be honest, if you want to go third party, I'd stick with Tamron, Sigma, Laowa, Viltrox, those are affordable and good quality.
@@PhillipSkraba i mean the newer macro lens from Laowa 🤣 the 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO 🤩
Polski złoty?? :D
Polskie Zloty 🍻
Awesome review as always bro! The photos and videos were really stunning man! really enjoyed them. by the way I just posted a video on how to take macro photos without a macro lens in my channel :) If you had time, I'll be glad if you check it out dude! cheers.
Thanks but I'll stick with my Canon 100mm
Sure, that’s a nice one too 👌🏻
@@PhillipSkraba Been a Canon shooter for near 20 years.
Had to give up a loyalty
Hello! Sorry for the question, have you compared these 2 lenses in terms of photo quality, Canon and Laowa? I can’t decide on a choice for macro photography