Laowa 6mm f/2 M4/3 Lens for Dramatic Landscapes
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- DISCOUNT CODE: FEYFAH6D at www.venuslens....
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In this landscape photography video I'm taking a look at the new Venus Optics Laowa 6mm f/2 zero-distortion ultra wide angle lens. I'll give you my honest opinions and, try it out on locations for mountain landscapes and show you some images I made with this lens to demonstrate its capabilities.
Jimmy's review on Red35: • Laowa 6mm f2 Zero-D C&...
Link to my website with full res images from this video: dgriff.gallery...
My Facebook group "Mostly Micro 4/3 Landscape Photography": / m43landscapephotography
If you'd like to learn more about the Anglesey, Snowdonia/Eryri and North Wales places I visit for my landscape photography, you can see full details on my website in my Location Guides section at: dgriff.gallery...
To join me for landscape photography workshops, personal tuition or guiding in the mountains have a look over this page: dgriff.gallery...
I get asked a lot about the equipment I use. As I’ve typed up countless replies and links and lists for friends and viewers, I’ve now set it all out definitively here: dgriff.gallery...
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Edited, mixed and produced with DaVinci Resolve 17.
Music by Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsou...)
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I bought this lens. The OM 8mm f1.8 fisheye is considerably wider AFTER de-fishing. Resolution wise they are about the same but the 8mm has more even lighting that allows me to see into the shadows better. The OM1 in camera fisheye correction lets me use it like a normal wide angle lens. The lightroom Rikinon 8mm f2.8 fisheye profile does a perfect job of correcting the raw images.
That was a good revue David and I am so glad you used it in the field and not sitting behind your desk, the images looked very good and that's all that matters. The bad news is I shall not be buying one, I don't use 4 thirds...... and I am not about to change but I still do the lotto and still hoping....thank you for the revue....
Venus Optics Laowa makes lenses for the larger sensors as well. Considering the crop factor, a 9mm for the Cannon EF may be about the same. A 6mm equivalent for a full frame would be 12mm.
Hi Des, I know that some of the gear I review isn't for everyone. To be honest that's what I like to try and not just sit behind the desk so that I can at least show a bit of being out and about and some real world photography. Especially for people like yourself who I've been good enough to follow my channel and support my work for such a long time 😊👍
It’s on my bucket list since some time 😊
Every one I know who has one swears by it 😊👍
Good video David. I am quite interested in that lens, so your video is well timed.
Thanks a lot for watching, Roger, hope it proves helpful in your decision making process! 😁👍
Andy Clee great video ,it looks a great lens put to good use too ,i like the no distortion aspect, its 1 less faff in post ,also those fir trees to your left whilst photographing the old cottage beg an image too .
Hi Andy, yes you're definitely right about those trees, but they need better light to present themselves as a suitable subject. 😊👍
I've looked at this lens several times Dave & Ummed & Arrged over purchasing it, I've got their 10mm which amazes me every time I use it & after seeing your image of the tummbledown farmhouse I was going to message you for your thoughts on it, but hey presto you did this mini review which has now made my mind up...many thanks & keep up with your great channel 📸👍😉
Thanks a lot for watching, Paul, I think you'll quite enjoy this extra few millimetres of width. Of course, it's not a simple point it out the landscape sort of lens, it does need to be used with its particular attributes in mind in terms of creating engaging images. But I'm sure that with your experience of the 10 mm you will be able to get the best from it 😊👍
Great Review!!! I'm going to get one. You really have to know how to use this lens and see the compositions that it is good for. The waterfall picture is so perfect. You can take a very compressed scene and expand it out with beautiful leading lines and foreground objects. I hike in very steep mountains and I often need to shot in portrait (+pano) with my PL 8-18 to get the whole scene in the picture. This lens should allow me to capture the entire scene including the near foreground in a single shot.
Looks like a great very wide lens Dave and your images seem to pop with it . Thanks for the excellent video review
Many thanks for watching. I can certainly confirm that the optical quality is superb, but of course as with all ultra wide lenses, they really only work well when used with a carefully considered approach to their perspective characteristics. 😊👍
You went! The last shot was right on the money. What a lovely glade that is. Thanks for posting
Thanks so much for watching, so glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
I've been on the fence about this lens. Great job & Well Done!
I think the thing is it all depends on whether you are interested in making use of the exaggerated perspective of such a wide angle lens. If that's the case then this is as good as it gets for micro 4/3 at the widest field of view. But if it's just something that you think you might want to have a go at every now and then, it might be a little expensive as a speculative purchase 😊👍
Great review, great photos, great work, great tiny lens, thanks for the video
Thanks so much for watching, I really appreciate it. Also thank you for taking the time to leave such generous feedback. Really glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
Hi Dave, some more fantastic shots with the new lens, that makes a big difference. Very compact.
Thank you so much for watching, Michael, much appreciated. And many thanks for taking the time to comment 😊👍
Breathtaking photos
😊👍
Excellent review and seeing first hand the lens in action in testing conditions with great results that speak volumes thank you for sharing
Many thanks for watching, John, and being good enough to take the time to comment 😊👍
Thanks David, great photos. My wife and I are spending two months in Greece next year and this lens would be a good contender for my travel kit. Thanks
Hello Peter, thank you so much for watching. Really hope you found it helpful 😊👍
Great images with the new lens!
Many thanks, really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated 😊👍
Thanks for an interesting vlog and timely too as I have been thinking of getting this lens. Also started watching your early vlogs from when you started and enjoying them.
Many thanks for supporting my channel, much appreciated. I do hope my thoughts are helpful in your decision-making on whether to go ahead with buying this lens. 😊👍
A nice video again - thanks much for sharing and the great images
Thanks a lot for watching Michael, and being good enough to take the time to comment. I really appreciate it 😊👍
Good results. Thanks, David.
Thanks for watching, George, much appreciated 😊👍
Fab video Dave. Really enjoyed seeing just how those cascades looked with that Laowa. Cracking little lens, it seems. 👌🏻
Hi, thanks so much for watching. I'm not sure I would've used it for those cascades if I wasn't deliberately testing it, although I was pretty pleased with the results 😊👍
I bought one a few months back and really enjoying it so far, it does take a bit of getting use to done cityscape and not landscape
Yes, I can imagine it would be more of a learning curve to get the best from it with cityscapes, and it's probably something I will have a go at the next time I find myself in an urban location. Although, I tend to avoid that sort of thing as much as possible these days! 😊👍
Same energy as "Trent Crimm. Independent." 😁 Thank you for your review. I'm looking for this lens
Hahaha D Griff, Completely Independent! 😂👍
Great shots and a great little lens, loving mine 👍
Thanks a lot for watching, so glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
Top Drawer
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I've not seen that one for the Canon EF must have missed that one tho i have the Laowa 100mm x2 macro .. blows the sigma 105 into oblivion.
Recently bought the Samyang 135mm F2 ..Fantastic VFM .. ..
Hi Colin, I think they currently only offer an MFT option for this lens 😊👍
Great shots and a lovely countryside for photography around you, encourages one to visit Wales. For those with a preference for pure manual aperture, there is a sister model by the name of LAOWA 6mm t/2.1 Zero-D Cine. It adds about 25% to the price though...like most things branded "cine".
Yes that one came out first, but it's quite a bit bigger and has the focus pull gearing on it so I didn't consider that for stills work 😊👍
Thanks for interesting video - and, of course, great images!
Thanks a lot for tuning in, Steve 😊👍
Seems to be very good!❤ I have the 8mm Olympus and really likes her. Quality film as always!
Thanks so much, really appreciate you watching and commenting as always 😊👍
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. This lens was recommended me by another photographer and now I see why. Will I add this or Panny 9mm now?. Will be watching for sales or a used copy Catching up on some of your older vids since subscribing . Great stuff, thank you
Well, I can't help you on that decision. Mine certainly isn't for sale. Anyway, so glad you enjoyed the video and many thanks for watching 😊👍
I use both Lumix M4/3 and FF Canon. I live in the USA but spent this afternoon at the National Botanical Garden in Dublin, Ireland. I usually travel with my M4/3 kit but this time I have my RP and my latest lens, the RF16mm f/2.8. What a lot of fun this lens is! It was fantastic in the beautiful greenhouses here today (BTW - best botanical garden I have ever visited) and a couple of weeks ago, up close to the stage in a big concert I was covering. I was missing my G100 and GX9 today - I even spent some time thinking about the PL 9mm. But this or the Laowa 7.5mm could be a great option too. Inexpensive, high quality ultra wides are wonderful toys, I'm sorry, tools!
Hello Kevin, I have enjoyed using the PL 9mm for landscapes, but that has now been relegated to my studio camera and probably won't be out in the field again. This 6mm lens gives me everything I need for ultra-wide purposes 😊👍
Great Dave. Really like the time you put into these.
I look forward to your video's, so please keep them coming.
No problem, Paul, thanks so much for watching. I'm sure I'll be able to keep you entertained 😁👍
Nice subjects. I just got back from a cruising the Douro in Portugal where I wish I had brought something wider then a 14mm for g9. Sometimes, getting a little more angle would have been nice. Thanks.
Cheers Steve. 😊👍
Beautiful pictures.
Many thanks 😊👍
Interesting looking lens David. I have missed my 16-35 a few times but it's still early days, I'll have a review after next year's trip to Oz. Sorry I missed the outing, in spite of the weather there were some nice images from you and the group.
Thanks for tuning in, mate, I can see that you're enjoying the new system, though. I think that given the glass you have invested in so far you'd probably enjoy something as wide as this for those odd moments when it makes sense in terms of creative expression, but not from a day-to-day perspective because shooting ultrawide for the sake of it diminishes many compositions. 😊👍
@@DGriffGallery Certainly so far, stitching a couple of frames has worked.
Thank you so much for this report, which complements perfectly the review of Jimmy. This lens is also on my radar. But until now I have been hesitating, because I already owe the very versatile 8-25 F4 PRO. But as a landscape photographer it seems to me that the 2mm between 6 and 8mm make a much bigger difference in the field that one may think. In many situations hitherto I missed some more wide angle, so the Laowa 6mm/2 will climb upwards on my already crowded wish-list 😜🤣 Kind regards from Switzeland
😊👍
12 minutes well spent David 😁enjoyed it, when I started years ago it was only wide angle for me. Just had this passion for it. I was crap when I started but once I understood what I was doing i was ok.
Cheers mate, thanks for tuning in. Hope you're doing well these days? 😊👍
@@DGriffGallery getting there DAVID just had an op and its taking time healing
@@davidhirst1007 hope you get well soon. That offer from years ago still stands, you know. If you ever want to change of scenery and a couple of days away you're very welcome 😊👍
@@DGriffGallery I know mate I never forgot the offer,one day,thanks David 😁
Really lovely images that looks like a brilliant bit of kit looking forward to seeing more of what you can do with it thank you Burt
Many thanks, Burt. Really glad you enjoyed this even if perhaps it was a little bit specific to one topic! 😊👍
Thanks for the review, the lens works great on landcapes. What is the map you'are using at 5:00 ?
Hi, it's UK Ordnance Survey, Explorer 1:25000 series, I think, screen-shot from their web app. But you have to subscribe for this series, and Landranger series 😊👍
Nice review and photo's! I also had the chance to test this lens. It is a great lens as you mentioned. For architecture this lens also shines, I think it is even harder to use 6mm for interesting landscape photography. Depending on where you living ofcourse. I found it to wide for most occasions. The 2 extra mm from my 7-14 really matters and makes architecture a lot easier. As the 6mm is not an all purpose lens I only would recommend to the more experienced photographers for whom 16mm equivalent isn't wide enough. As 12mm could be overwhelming.
Yes, that's very good advice. I can imagine this would be difficult to get to grips with four less experienced landscape photographers 😊👍
Great review Dave and I'm definitely keen on getting one of these (or the 7.5 - loss of electronics doesn't bother me). But I think I'll wait till the Photography Show next March where I can try them on my own camera (assuming Laowa have a stand/distributer there).
I did check your gear page and it struck me that you seem to have ditched most zooms and now have an arsenal of primes. Quite a change from when you first got the Olympus and "only one lens" - the 12-100! Has your kit bag got heavier or lihter with the switch to primes?
Hi Alan, actually my bag is quite a lot lighter as I just tend to take one or two primes with me on most shoots. Of course I do have a longer telephoto, the 40 to 150 F4 pro. I enjoyed my first couple of years with the 12 to 100, but I have much more flexibility these days and with the primes, much better optical results 😊👍
I thought your shot of the old farm building was particularly good. For those of us already invested in the 7.5mm, the question that surely comes to mind is whether this 6mm offers more than the extra 1.5mm of width. The 7.5mm is a great lens but the certain knowledge that the 6mm really did offer the zero linear distortion suggested by its Zero D name and/or a reduction in the fairly extreme vignetting of the older lens would push me towards trying the new lens.
I think that if I still had the 7.5 I would probably be moving it on in favour of the 6. Although there'd be no need to keep both of them 😊👍
Cracking images Dave despite the weather and I just love those big skies. Yep I'm pretty impressed by the lens but with my MZ 8-25mm f/4 Pro and the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 I'm never going to sneak one past Ali (oh and she's the financial fat controller)
Hi Pete, I think you've hit the nail right on the head there. It's definitely the sort of thing that I would use to exaggerate skies in the hills and especially for seascapes, the use case is quite specific and there will be clearly many occasions when I'll be certainly sticking to more standard focal lengths. But it's nice to have something like this in the bag for something a little different every now and then 😊👍
Great presentation 👏 👌
Thanks a lot 😊👍
Hi David. How would you say that this lens compares to the OM 8-25mm? I currently have 8-25 for landscapes and the Sigma 16mm mainly for astro, might the Laowa be a replacement for both?
Hi Lesley, I also had the 8-25 for a while, but I didn't really use it very often as I found it was a bit of a lump to carry about. And since I was more likely to shoot between 12 and 150 often stayed at home. The thing is, ultra wide angles really only come into play for quite specific compositions. So I didn't wanna carry about on the off chance. However, with this land it will live in my bag because it is so small and light so I suppose you could argue that I'm more likely to make wide-angle images since I have an easy to carry lens with me at all times. And even though most of my images will still be somewhere beyond 12 mm, at least I now have the option to do something with a more exaggerated perspective every now and then. 😊👍
Great video, Which do you prefer laowa 6mm or panasonic 9mm 1.7, i have dude about which one to buy for landscape photography..thanks
I don't think it's really a question of a favourite, rather it's a case of using the right lens for the circumstances and what you're trying to achieve. In terms of which I would use most frequently that's the 6 mm because I tend to leave the 9mm at hoime on my studio camera. In terms of image quality there's absolutely nothing in it it's just a matter of which focal length you're likely to make more use of 😊👍
Excellent review, lens looks great, The piggy bank will be broken.
Hello Brendan, it's not often I can quite so categorically recommend gear, but in this case I would certainly stand by my suggestion that anyone interested in making use of the exaggerated perspective of ultra wide angle lens is would be very happy with this particular lens 😊👍
Do you recommend this for video recording as well, or is it suitable only for taking photos?
I would most certainly have no qualms about using it for video work, as long as you are prepared for the ultrawide perspective which is of course on a par with action cameras. But you will get it infinitely better image quality with this, of course 😊👍
I've had the lens for a bit now. It is rather special and a great value proposition. If you want a super wide angle with rectangular rendering, this is the one.
Hi, yes, the general feedback I've had from other photographers who use this lens is that they tend to agree with my quite positive reaction to it 😊👍
I have the lens for the last month and it is a great lens. I’m just finding limited use for it with my style of photography
I think that's a pretty fair description of many photographers. There are relatively limited use cases for such a wide angle. Of course, during my review I set out to emphasise those instances where it can be helpful. But for the most part I would probably not be using it for a whole day and every image as I did in this case. That said, it will certainly live in my bag and I'm sure there will be times when an ultra wide interpretation is the best approach to whatever I'm looking to achieve at the time. 😊👍
I have this lens as well. Manual focus is not an issue for me. It can be a lot quicker than telling an auto focus lens to refocus on what you want. Being a very wide angle lens, the depth of field is good anyway. The lens works great for indoor architectural as well. I see it being used for real estate sales, (just as one example).
Hello Danny, thank you so much for watching. And taking the time to comment. Of course, you are quite right there are better use cases for it than for landscapes. And I would expect to only be deploying it for maybe one in 10 images when they specifically call for something this extreme. 😊👍
I've the 7.5 mm version and the only draw back is that the lens hood is not secure, when used. However at f5.6 everything is sharp
I use mf3 mostly for street and my D800 for landscapes but must try this lens out for said?
Cheers 📷👍
No problems with the lens hood on this particular example, and having had the 7.5 mm I didn't have issues with that one either. I wonder if you've just happened to have a rogue example? 😊👍
Fabulous B Roll! 😁😁 Nice Vlog and really interesting stuff with such a wide lens, looks a cracking bit of kit.
If you find locksmithing too dull, there's a job for you as my cameraman!! 😁👍
@@DGriffGallery I'd move up there tomorrow but the wife is firmly set down here.
The video is a great advert for your microphone. What is it?
Hello. It's a DJI Wireless Mic v2. Currently only available bundled and paired with their Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera. However, I understand will be available to buy as a dual unit before too long as an upgrade from the mk1 version. The mk1 version isn't as capable of reducing wind noise as this one though, so if you're in the market it's well worth waiting for its release. Or, of course, get it with the OP3 😊👍
Mr DG, Excellent vid, but I can't buy one because you have all the UK stock...😅
I could let this go for, shall we say, £850 😂👍
@@DGriffGallery that is such a kind offer. £8.50 you say
@@evolvingphotons 😂👍
Maybe too expensive, compare to the 11mm TTartisan 24*36 that is 3 times less expensive, what do you think ?
I guess I have a couple of responses to your comment, firstly I haven't had any experience using TT Artisan equipment, although I have seen a number of reviews of their gear which do tend to suggest that the quality it is in line with their price points. But the main thing is that a difference of 5 mm between six and 11 is absolutely colossal when you are at that wide end of the focal range for optics. They would bear no comparison whatsoever. In fact I carry a 9 mm lens in addition to the 6 mm and the difference between those two, only 3 mm makes a huge difference to the perspective. So, in the words of Robin Wong, it looks like you're comparing oranges with cats!! 😁👍
@@DGriffGallery Maybe you forget that 11mm in 24*36 is equivalent to 5,5mm in MFT, so a little bit larger than the 6mm. That's was my suggestion, to have equivalent field of view.
On a given systeme, 6mm and 9mm is huge, agree with you. Even 1mm at this so large view is noticeable in term of angle of view.
How does it compare to the old Four Thirds 7 - 14 mm which I have apart from it not weighing a ton?
I'm afraid I can't give you any direct comparison, because for the exact reason that it weighs a ton I have never tried out the 7-14mm. What I can say though is that as someone who doesn't have any wide angle zoom lenses, I use a series of prime lenses and this six mil is absolutely fabulous. It's the widest that I have and doesn't get used that much because of its speciality nature, but when I do use it I'm always really pleased with the results 😊👍
@@DGriffGallery Thanks, I just buy the old lenses as they are cheap. I only paid about £280 for the 7 - 14mm f4. But yea it's large and heavy. I see Laowa do a lot of small primes so may try to pick one up second hand.
@@zarrow50 another good secondhand prime option is the Laowa 7.5mm f/2, although it's entirely manual the optical quality is every bit as good as the 6 mm
The camera on the shelf in the background made me a bit nervous 😬😅
Why is that, Patrick? It's perfectly safe there. I've been storing it like that for a very long time 😁👍
@@DGriffGallery Haha I'd be too scared of dropping it 😁
How do I join your patreon ?
Thanks so much, Don. I was just about to reply and then spotted you'd beaten me to it! 😊👍
Can I know which pouch use for your filter?
Hi, if you're referring to the bag I had round my waist and which doubles as a sling bag, it's the Code of Bell X-Pod 2: www.codeofbell.com/products/x-pod-sling-pack?variant=46568150401342
@@DGriffGallery hi there , so sorry for the misunderstanding , I meant the pouch on the tripod. Is that for filter ?
@@foorichard1712 Ah yes I see what you mean. That's the Wandrd Medium Tech Bag in Yuma Tan colourway. (they do a smaller one and larger one too) I do actually keep some ND filters in that one. But my EDC bag which I mentioned in my last reply also carries a CPL and 3stop grad as I never leave home without camera gear, so that's why I thought that was the one you were asking about. The tripod pouch only carries stuff I would use if I actually had the tripod with me. Hope that clears it up 😊👍
@@DGriffGallery thank you
Find it difficult to shoot at 18mm not much hope of 6mm
I think that actually is a very reasonable reaction. To get the best from a tool like this does take a bit of work otherwise you just end up with wide angles for the sake of it and features in the landscape pushed into the background unnecessarily. I'm sure that if you wanted to explore that type of creativity you'd soon be able to pick up the basics and enjoy an extra string to your bow 😊👍
@@DGriffGallery Just gets too complicated to get a good composition. Images seem really lackluster regarding the subject. Maybe someday..
@@minisla Ultra-wide is always about either a really dominant foreground feature, as in the case of my derelict image, and the waterfall image and the heather / gorse combo. Or a large area to emphasise such as a dramatic skies. There were lots of other images I could've got on the day, but they wouldn't have worked at all with this lens 😊👍
Grad NDs are obsolete.
That's a strident position to take without expansion. And I don't care what you think, there are many reasons I use them and will continue to do so, but thanks for your input. 😊👍
@@DGriffGallery Their uses can be replaced by applying ND filters or masks in post. Software has made this so simple and much more effective. In Lightroom, usually just a simple button click and you’re done. In complicated lighting situations, I simply snap a few brackets and again, one click in Lightroom. Combined with the increased dynamic range in modern cameras, expensive, bulky, and complicated NDs and their attachments are simply not worth the effort. Many old schoolers just don’t want to give them up. I did the same for a while but ditching them has made the process soooo much more enjoyable. I get the argument of wanting to do as much in the field as possible, but it makes no sense to not want to go the lighter, faster, and cheaper route.