Macro is so much fun, started it last summer and still learning a lot. Heard good stories of Laowa and in the future I will definitely try a lens from them. I can recommend a raynox dcr 250 for your Nikon macro lens. It is a cheap and quality option to get some extra magnification. I use it on my sony 90mm and absolutely love it.
Your video was a breath of fresh air mostly because you showed images that demonstrated why someone might want to shoot in this high a magnification. I disagree with a few points like suggesting f/16 where I found diffraction more a problem than a solution. I have two Laowa lenses (85mm f/5.6 and 105mm f/2 T3.2 STF) but have never touched the 25mm you review. Instead, I chose the AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 which goes from 2x to 5x (extending a bit from the Laowa 25 and filling the gap left with my Laowa 2:1 macro). Some reviewers often say the Laowa is sharper but I doubt any have actually performed a fair test in this area where correct choices for depth of field and diffraction control is everything. When depth of field is a fraction of a millimeter, 'tests' tend to show faults of the tester more than the gear. Is the Laowa actually better and worth being nearly twice the price? I'll never know. Laowa does not give me gear (neither does anyone else). The bottom line IMHO is that I get excellent results and have a lot of fun with my much cheaper option. Laowa makes fine lenses but they are not cheap unless you are comparing them to the really bloated Canon/Nikon/Sony options. The AstrHori is/was on sale at about $220. Regular price was $249. Some say it is a ripoff of the Laowa but the design is quite different (10 Elements in 7 Groups) and was designed for mirrorless (it is not available for long backfocus DSLR's). The build quality and other features you praised for the Laowa also apply here. I would love to see your comparison of the two but there is no reason for any one person to own both. I regret that UA-cam does not allow me to show images I have taken with it. You mentioned trichomes. If you get closer, you will see that there is detail in their parts. If you want to get ridiculous, run one of your best 5x images through Topaz Gigapixel or Photo AI and crop to something simulating around 30-40x. I use and recommend a WeMacro motorized rail. Yes, there is a learning curve but it is great when you are in the area of 100+ input images. I now use my old manual rail as a way to mount subjects and allow fine angle/distance adjustments. I still use my Laowa 85mm for lesser magnifications but have put away my assorted old microscope lenses (3x to 10x but not the highest quality infinity focus types) in favor of the AstrHori. Another way of playing in Super macro is by adding a plus diopter lens to your ordinary (expensive 1:1) macro. I use the NiSi 49mm lens on my Laowa 85 but the real place for this is with my Canon (I left Nikon 20 years ago) RF 100-400mm. That auxiliary (about +9) on a 400mm give amazing magnification at a much longer working distance. The Laowa and AstrHori 25mm lenses work at about 40mm. The 400 with NiSi give much more working space. I used to enjoy 'wildlife' photography but discovered that life is a lot 'wilder' when you get really close. You may want to take an African safari. I enjoy what I find in my yard. Excellent video!
Great stuff, I always preface macro with "I am not an expert" and try to share my experience with wildlife and relate it to macro. I think you understand that part, so often I will miss intricate details with a focus on simple case use. I try to reach my audience and say "hey this is cool you might want to try this...." (macro, native plants, some related gear) and not as someone sharing the technical details all the time. Thanks again for the comment! If I do any more macro reviews, I will let you know!
so many possibilities but a 100mm macro is a good place to start. Tokina makes a nice affordable lens (I think for Sony too) and Laowa makes nice lens but usually only manual focus.
This is a terrific lens. Laowa make some great lenses. I also have the 100mm 2x. Super sharp and no fringing. Best macro I’ve ever owned. For me, the 2.5 - 5 is best used for stacking - where I can keep it at f/4.
I don't photograph anything dead (unless maybe it was dead when I got there) The Laowa is SUPER hard to do moving objects, and I use it more for flowers than insects.
Also a wildlife photographer that is just recently getting into macro. I ordered this lens a few days ago, to replace my Frankensteined setup that consists of a 1.4x tc, 36mm extension tube + 16mm extension tube, 50mm 1.8 E manual film lense, topped with a Raynox 2.5x clip on. That combo resulted in very similar results, using much less light. The Laowa can also be attached to extension tubes, and the teleconverter! Giving even more magnification! I think. I'm not sure yet, as I haven't tried it. Have you tried this yet??? BTW, laowa also makes a light ring, which many are calling too bright, which indicates to me that they don't know how to use the lense. If it's too bright, then just compensate by raising the aperture, then focus stack the image, but only save the frames for the depth of field that you wish to capture. So you aren't limited to the capabilities of lens, and you need to go full on scientific by having everything in focus. Plus, you lose light with a TC and extension tubes, so my hope is that the bright Laowa ring will be balances once those are added. I'm not sure what that will do to focal distance though. Using the nikkor 40mm micro dx, with the tubes and tc, results in too shallow a focal distance, and becomes unusable. Hopefully that isn't the case with the Laowa (cross my fingers).
Thanks for the sample images. These images look surprisingly natural. I'm new to macro so I guess when I saw the 25mm focal length I expected the results to have more of a wide angle look to them. Maybe the magnification is effectively cropping off the parts of the light circle that would normally show distortion at the edges.
leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-mp-180s-np-50-linear-motion-lead-screw-macro-focusing-stage-rail-with-plate?_pos=1&_sid=c70e69c46&_ss=r&sca_ref=4152737.cczJ4cT24o use that and the wildlife20 will get you 20% off!
I got into macro probably just over a decade ago though rarely post it was / is an absolute blast but wow can it be frustrating too. You should do a video on using your 100mm prime with a reverse mount adapter on it and a second lens backwards mounted. It’s another way to do it at a lower cost. You’re gonna be hooked esp if you do a mini indoor table. So much easier to control lighting inside. Wait till you start stacking holy heck the details are insane.
I'll definitely have to check this out. I am like you tho I am a wildlife photog first and foremost, but I do like to dabble in macro at times. I have the Sigma 105 Macro and almost grabbed the Canon 180mm 3.5 macro a while back but instead bought a new strobe (Westcott FJ80). In the middle of this move right now so the budget is thin, but this thing looks like it could be fun! Thanks a bunch for the time you spend and the experiences you share with product and so much more!
Last winter I started working on snowflakes with my 105 MC. Not ideal, I am considering the Laowa. I used an old darkroom enlarger and a V bracket to mount my camera as a copy stand sort of. Made it easier to see the rear screen and run the controls. It really helped me avoid bending over and a sore back, so be sure to take this into account when constructing your bench/desk. . I can see the advantage of using the focusing rail. If I had a rail I would try focus stacking.
Well Scott, I'm sure you've discovered that the Nikon 105mm lens is really only usable in AF for static images. Let's just say that any true Macro lens should be used in MF mode. Additionally, macro images only excite a small audience, the shooter being one. As you know, Dynamic light excites most people, (audience). You might sell prints to a Biology teacher but then what? It's the fun factor and something new to you with that magnification. Scott, do you have a link to where you got the AK Diffuser?
definitely a fun factor for me. No art here yet (yet!). The AK diffusers may offer me a discount, great guys. Email me and I'll message them about a discount code. skeysimages@gmail.com
I own this lens and Yes you are REALLY going to want flash and diffusion. Focusing rail and/or focus stacking recommended because of the super shallow depth of field. Also, this lens because of the small front element and entrance pupil will experience diffraction at narrower apertures than most conventional lenses. For best results, with non-moving subjects I recommend an aperture of F5.6- F8. Focus Stacking with this lens would be highly encouraged. Definitely a specialized piece of kit, but also incredible. The results this lens provides are very hard to get if not impossible without this lens or even more expensive and specialized gear.
I bought the 100x2 Laowa best VFM by far .. blows the Sigma 105 out of the water .. and weighs less than the sigma and recently used the laowa for night sky astro ..and have used it for LS imo it's a very versatile lense .. especially for the money
Waiting on the 90mm laowa to come in today. I'm so excited. I got some extension tubes and did some testing with my 50mm 1.4 gm. I almost dropped it switching out tubes. So I figured $500 for the laowa was worth the investment. 😂
I have this Laowa 25mm 2.5-5x macro lens. I eventually realized that there are no shortcuts if you want to get the best out of this lens: get ready for focus stacking and added light (flash or continuous). That said, I recently got a mirrorless camera after using this lens with a DSLR, and the difference in ease of use is huge . . . focusing is so much easier using the mirrorless body because the viewfinder/back panel brightens to make viewing the subject much easier, and focus peaking really helps too. I'm considering taking this lens off the tripod and focusing rail, and out in the field handheld (especially once the weather warms up and insects are around again).
I agree. The DOF is so shallow stacking helps. There are some very unique images that you can achieve with shallow single frame pics, but definitely need light regardless of how you work it.
When I do macro I do it the same way you do: I take a lot of shots that are very close to focus and pick the one that captures what I wanted to show. I have been using a canon 105 macro, manual focus, have found with time I am able to do some nice work with it. I like the idea of this lens and the price. It's just amazing to see the detail that is in nature that we don't see ! Working distance is small and depth of field is too. And of course getting enough light is critical. I also do underwater macro - all the same limitations and challenges. Thanks for this post
Been using Laowa 60mm ultra macro for 3 years and absolute love it. My macro is a bit scenic so never picked this one up but really cool to see you do a review on it!
I love this lens! I find it quite difficult to use in the field, especially on a crop sensor body, due to the narrow field of view. Despite the difficulties of using this lens, it is worth all the effort to be able to see tiny world (live, not just through a microscope). Beware tho, some units can have build quality problem with the mount. My EF mount unit does not lock onto the camera, friction can keep it in mostly place, just need to remember not to rotate the lens when I pick it up with camera attached.
To do macro in the field consider using a Plamp. It can hold a flower or leaf in one spot in light wind. Another alternate macro lens, comparing to the Nikon 105mm, is a Lensbaby Velvet 85mm. However, I am curious about the Laowa after watching your video and seeing your photos! The magnification is very tempting!
Got it and have used it but it requires a LOT of light just to set the focus right. As the DOF is so shallow, focus stacking is a preferred method. I use Cognisys stackshot macro rail, just to get decent results. So if you buy this les, you have to buy light, sturdy Equipment and a focus slide to get good results.
Wow that's super fascinating. I feel like I'm in the same boat where I take 99% wildlife, but wow I find macro stuff interesting and I do like taking macro shots of plants.
F4 is the sweet spot of this lens.😉
You keep showing me things that I want to buy. 😆 I have the Laowa 100mm f2.8 1-2X macro. I love it! So sharp!
That is awesome!
Macro is so much fun, started it last summer and still learning a lot. Heard good stories of Laowa and in the future I will definitely try a lens from them.
I can recommend a raynox dcr 250 for your Nikon macro lens. It is a cheap and quality option to get some extra magnification. I use it on my sony 90mm and absolutely love it.
Multiple people advising. I will check it out. Maybe do a comparison between Laowa and raynox
Your video was a breath of fresh air mostly because you showed images that demonstrated why someone might want to shoot in this high a magnification. I disagree with a few points like suggesting f/16 where I found diffraction more a problem than a solution. I have two Laowa lenses (85mm f/5.6 and 105mm f/2 T3.2 STF) but have never touched the 25mm you review. Instead, I chose the AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 which goes from 2x to 5x (extending a bit from the Laowa 25 and filling the gap left with my Laowa 2:1 macro). Some reviewers often say the Laowa is sharper but I doubt any have actually performed a fair test in this area where correct choices for depth of field and diffraction control is everything. When depth of field is a fraction of a millimeter, 'tests' tend to show faults of the tester more than the gear. Is the Laowa actually better and worth being nearly twice the price? I'll never know. Laowa does not give me gear (neither does anyone else). The bottom line IMHO is that I get excellent results and have a lot of fun with my much cheaper option. Laowa makes fine lenses but they are not cheap unless you are comparing them to the really bloated Canon/Nikon/Sony options.
The AstrHori is/was on sale at about $220. Regular price was $249. Some say it is a ripoff of the Laowa but the design is quite different (10 Elements in 7 Groups) and was designed for mirrorless (it is not available for long backfocus DSLR's). The build quality and other features you praised for the Laowa also apply here. I would love to see your comparison of the two but there is no reason for any one person to own both. I regret that UA-cam does not allow me to show images I have taken with it. You mentioned trichomes. If you get closer, you will see that there is detail in their parts. If you want to get ridiculous, run one of your best 5x images through Topaz Gigapixel or Photo AI and crop to something simulating around 30-40x.
I use and recommend a WeMacro motorized rail. Yes, there is a learning curve but it is great when you are in the area of 100+ input images. I now use my old manual rail as a way to mount subjects and allow fine angle/distance adjustments. I still use my Laowa 85mm for lesser magnifications but have put away my assorted old microscope lenses (3x to 10x but not the highest quality infinity focus types) in favor of the AstrHori.
Another way of playing in Super macro is by adding a plus diopter lens to your ordinary (expensive 1:1) macro. I use the NiSi 49mm lens on my Laowa 85 but the real place for this is with my Canon (I left Nikon 20 years ago) RF 100-400mm. That auxiliary (about +9) on a 400mm give amazing magnification at a much longer working distance. The Laowa and AstrHori 25mm lenses work at about 40mm. The 400 with NiSi give much more working space.
I used to enjoy 'wildlife' photography but discovered that life is a lot 'wilder' when you get really close. You may want to take an African safari. I enjoy what I find in my yard.
Excellent video!
Great stuff, I always preface macro with "I am not an expert" and try to share my experience with wildlife and relate it to macro. I think you understand that part, so often I will miss intricate details with a focus on simple case use. I try to reach my audience and say "hey this is cool you might want to try this...." (macro, native plants, some related gear) and not as someone sharing the technical details all the time.
Thanks again for the comment! If I do any more macro reviews, I will let you know!
If you don't already have one, try using a retort stand when in a controlled environment.
All advice appreciated. I feel like learning in my first couple years in bird photography!
Mine arrives tomorrow. I can't wait to play. Thanks for the excellent video.
Thanks for this video, what lens do you recommend to start taking macro photos of insects? I have a Sony A7R IV ?
Thanks
so many possibilities but a 100mm macro is a good place to start. Tokina makes a nice affordable lens (I think for Sony too) and Laowa makes nice lens but usually only manual focus.
This is a terrific lens. Laowa make some great lenses. I also have the 100mm 2x. Super sharp and no fringing. Best macro I’ve ever owned. For me, the 2.5 - 5 is best used for stacking - where I can keep it at f/4.
I am working on my stack game...... but I can see it being helpful, these DoFs are microns
I'm curious about the 25mm vs 100mm...what's the deal?
you need to be hella close. this one isnt my favorite for handheld roaming around, but you can get incredible close ups in controlled situtions.
Good job reviewing the lens! And appreciate encouraging us to try other types of photography. Macro is a lot of fun!
It really is!
I have made custom godox flash lights ring fits On lens , waiting when I can test it out 😊
very cool!
How do you get such close up macro shots of bugs? Are they dead and mounted? How do you procure them?
I don't photograph anything dead (unless maybe it was dead when I got there) The Laowa is SUPER hard to do moving objects, and I use it more for flowers than insects.
Also a wildlife photographer that is just recently getting into macro. I ordered this lens a few days ago, to replace my Frankensteined setup that consists of a 1.4x tc, 36mm extension tube + 16mm extension tube, 50mm 1.8 E manual film lense, topped with a Raynox 2.5x clip on. That combo resulted in very similar results, using much less light.
The Laowa can also be attached to extension tubes, and the teleconverter! Giving even more magnification! I think. I'm not sure yet, as I haven't tried it. Have you tried this yet???
BTW, laowa also makes a light ring, which many are calling too bright, which indicates to me that they don't know how to use the lense.
If it's too bright, then just compensate by raising the aperture, then focus stack the image, but only save the frames for the depth of field that you wish to capture.
So you aren't limited to the capabilities of lens, and you need to go full on scientific by having everything in focus.
Plus, you lose light with a TC and extension tubes, so my hope is that the bright Laowa ring will be balances once those are added. I'm not sure what that will do to focal distance though. Using the nikkor 40mm micro dx, with the tubes and tc, results in too shallow a focal distance, and becomes unusable. Hopefully that isn't the case with the Laowa (cross my fingers).
~aloha! thanks for the discount.
Any time!
Thanks for the sample images. These images look surprisingly natural. I'm new to macro so I guess when I saw the 25mm focal length I expected the results to have more of a wide angle look to them. Maybe the magnification is effectively cropping off the parts of the light circle that would normally show distortion at the edges.
Well, I guess macro experiment will feel the gap between migration and winter ducks ! Thank you for this great review.
Hi ... what slider / rail is that ?
leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-mp-180s-np-50-linear-motion-lead-screw-macro-focusing-stage-rail-with-plate?_pos=1&_sid=c70e69c46&_ss=r&sca_ref=4152737.cczJ4cT24o
use that and the wildlife20 will get you 20% off!
I got into macro probably just over a decade ago though rarely post it was / is an absolute blast but wow can it be frustrating too. You should do a video on using your 100mm prime with a reverse mount adapter on it and a second lens backwards mounted. It’s another way to do it at a lower cost.
You’re gonna be hooked esp if you do a mini indoor table. So much easier to control lighting inside. Wait till you start stacking holy heck the details are insane.
I'll definitely have to check this out. I am like you tho I am a wildlife photog first and foremost, but I do like to dabble in macro at times. I have the Sigma 105 Macro and almost grabbed the Canon 180mm 3.5 macro a while back but instead bought a new strobe (Westcott FJ80). In the middle of this move right now so the budget is thin, but this thing looks like it could be fun! Thanks a bunch for the time you spend and the experiences you share with product and so much more!
Last winter I started working on snowflakes with my 105 MC. Not ideal, I am considering the Laowa. I used an old darkroom enlarger and a V bracket to mount my camera as a copy stand sort of. Made it easier to see the rear screen and run the controls. It really helped me avoid bending over and a sore back, so be sure to take this into account when constructing your bench/desk. . I can see the advantage of using the focusing rail. If I had a rail I would try focus stacking.
Feel free to take a pic and email skeysimages@gmail.com. Curious
Nice job on that tiny ant. I am very much into looking at insect eyes!
Well Scott, I'm sure you've discovered that the Nikon 105mm lens is really only usable in AF for static images. Let's just say that any true Macro lens should be used in MF mode. Additionally, macro images only excite a small audience, the shooter being one. As you know, Dynamic light excites most people, (audience). You might sell prints to a Biology teacher but then what? It's the fun factor and something new to you with that magnification. Scott, do you have a link to where you got the AK Diffuser?
definitely a fun factor for me. No art here yet (yet!). The AK diffusers may offer me a discount, great guys. Email me and I'll message them about a discount code. skeysimages@gmail.com
What do you think the MAX working distance is?
I own this lens and Yes you are REALLY going to want flash and diffusion. Focusing rail and/or focus stacking recommended because of the super shallow depth of field. Also, this lens because of the small front element and entrance pupil will experience diffraction at narrower apertures than most conventional lenses. For best results, with non-moving subjects I recommend an aperture of F5.6- F8. Focus Stacking with this lens would be highly encouraged. Definitely a specialized piece of kit, but also incredible. The results this lens provides are very hard to get if not impossible without this lens or even more expensive and specialized gear.
I am finding the same as your comments and have an indoor set up now with a geared head and focusing rail.
I bought the 100x2 Laowa best VFM by far .. blows the Sigma 105 out of the water .. and weighs less than the sigma and recently used the laowa for night sky astro ..and have used it for LS imo it's a very versatile lense .. especially for the money
awesome
Waiting on the 90mm laowa to come in today. I'm so excited. I got some extension tubes and did some testing with my 50mm 1.4 gm. I almost dropped it switching out tubes. So I figured $500 for the laowa was worth the investment. 😂
Have fun!
I have this Laowa 25mm 2.5-5x macro lens. I eventually realized that there are no shortcuts if you want to get the best out of this lens: get ready for focus stacking and added light (flash or continuous).
That said, I recently got a mirrorless camera after using this lens with a DSLR, and the difference in ease of use is huge . . . focusing is so much easier using the mirrorless body because the viewfinder/back panel brightens to make viewing the subject much easier, and focus peaking really helps too. I'm considering taking this lens off the tripod and focusing rail, and out in the field handheld (especially once the weather warms up and insects are around again).
I agree. The DOF is so shallow stacking helps. There are some very unique images that you can achieve with shallow single frame pics, but definitely need light regardless of how you work it.
When I do macro I do it the same way you do: I take a lot of shots that are very close to focus and pick the one that captures what I wanted to show. I have been using a canon 105 macro, manual focus, have found with time I am able to do some nice work with it. I like the idea of this lens and the price. It's just amazing to see the detail that is in nature that we don't see !
Working distance is small and depth of field is too. And of course getting enough light is critical. I also do underwater macro - all the same limitations and challenges.
Thanks for this post
Ive really been enjoying this !
Been using Laowa 60mm ultra macro for 3 years and absolute love it. My macro is a bit scenic so never picked this one up but really cool to see you do a review on it!
I may try to get my hands in that as well lol
I love this lens! I find it quite difficult to use in the field, especially on a crop sensor body, due to the narrow field of view. Despite the difficulties of using this lens, it is worth all the effort to be able to see tiny world (live, not just through a microscope).
Beware tho, some units can have build quality problem with the mount. My EF mount unit does not lock onto the camera, friction can keep it in mostly place, just need to remember not to rotate the lens when I pick it up with camera attached.
yikes! no issues on the zmount so far, ill watch for it!
I’ve contemplated getting a laowa lens for a while as I do tons of macro work but the lack of weather sealing in concerning.
Good point, I usually do macro in fairly conservative environments
To do macro in the field consider using a Plamp. It can hold a flower or leaf in one spot in light wind. Another alternate macro lens, comparing to the Nikon 105mm, is a Lensbaby Velvet 85mm. However, I am curious about the Laowa after watching your video and seeing your photos! The magnification is very tempting!
Try the Laowa 100mm f2.8 1-2:1 macro. It’s so good!
i think I had a copy for a couple weeks, was nice! I would like to try the 60mm soon!
why would I go for 25MM vs. the 65MM? Thx!
This 25mm has two and a half times the magnification of the 65mm.
Great video
Got it and have used it but it requires a LOT of light just to set the focus right. As the DOF is so shallow, focus stacking is a preferred method. I use Cognisys stackshot macro rail, just to get decent results. So if you buy this les, you have to buy light, sturdy Equipment and a focus slide to get good results.
It is a sweet lens, I have it in my collection.
You have all the gear!!!
Awsome video my guy thanks for the advice I’m grabbing one
Is this a APSC or full frame lens?
I shoot this Full frame (they make lenses for most camera systems). I shoot with the nikon Z-mount lenses now.
Wow that's super fascinating. I feel like I'm in the same boat where I take 99% wildlife, but wow I find macro stuff interesting and I do like taking macro shots of plants.
You and me both!