I recommend ordering the lens from Venus Optics website - free and fast worldwide shipping www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-15mm-f/ref/708/ The camera: amzn.to/2nR9Q9Q - Rest of the stuff in description ^
After seeing your photos it seems like this lens actually works quite well. Of course you don't get the highest image quality but that's why it is not a $1000+ lens. I say this because I saw a review by a guy saying it sucks and it's not worthy, but I think he just didn't know how to get the most out of it. Thanks for your great work man, I really enjoy your videos and Swedish accent lol
Thanks! Yeah the lens is not optically perfect, but it is definitely good enough to take beautiful and interesting photos that are sharp where it matters. And that is what counts if you ask me :)
Loved the ant crawling onto the lens. Looks like a fun lens. Only just started my macro stuff as an in-between landscape trips. Maybe one day I'll treat myself to this. Great video
A very good lens ! Good for street photography....because it is manual, I just have to click the bouton when the sujet is at the good distance...like in the old day
Just a little warning. I had this Laowa for a while now, recently I've noticed significant wobble. On the lens barrel, just past shift mechanism there is four tiny screws. Tighten them up if your copy developes same movement on the lens body.
Thanks for the discovering Micael, I really really like the perspective and the bokeh. Oh, btw, steal a baby to do some photos was a good idea too, hahaha ;P
Hello Micael! In one of your recent videos you said you were considering buying this lens, so I went back to watch your review. I have not seen all of your videos (recent subscriber), but something I enjoyed a lot in this video was the footage "through the lens" of you lining up your macro shots etc. I was heavily into high magnification macro in 2013, and built a tabletop rig with microscope objectives etc. to do focus stacks of 100+ images at 10x magnifications. Recently I have gotten back into macro, but focussing mainly on insect videos! I was wondering if you have experimented with insect macro video and if so why you decided to not to pursue it more actively? I am having a hard time finding examples of of peoples setups for continuous lighting and diffusion for mobile/handheld video. Based on your reviews I have recently acquired the Laowa 65mm F2.8 for fuji x-mount, but won't get to use it until my birthday in a couple weeks. Keep up the great work! Discovering your account has been great inspiration and motivation for me!
If I'm not a specs chaser but want practical and fun experience and going to shoot manual lenses in mind like Laowa 15mm macro, TTArtisan 50mm Tilt and TTArtisan 100mm 2X Macro, would you suggest me to get Sony A7RV for the 4 ways screen which can be use for videos sometime or Nikon ZF for the full manual dials experiences? Which one has the easiest reliable set it once and forget profiles setting for each lens to produce SOOC real life color? I shoot video mainly ith Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder but when I do specialised videos I will use the camera as well. I hope there will be a true rangefinder full frame hybrid camera with EVF when you need it plus come with the A7RV 4 ways screen!
Can you provide an updated link to the bracket you had your flash on? The link above no longer works. I have been looking at this lens for quite a while, and may take the leap to get it. Thank you for your macro videos!
Great video 👍 it very useful. I m looking a good macro lens. I can’t decide between laowa 100mm 2x and this lens. But I prefer the 100mm I guess 😆 Anyway I need a flash and diffusion as well. Please recommend? I have Nikon D90 and lens kit 15-108mm f3.5-5.6.
Thanks for the nice video. The perspective is indeed very unique. While watching it, I was wondering if you could replicate the results with the Canon EF-S 10-18mm and a 12mm extension tube, which should give you 1:1 magnification in theory. But maybe the focus point would lay inside the lens then. I will try it out tomorrow.
Okay, quick update. You can do it. On the 18mm setting you can almost get to 1:1 with a 13mm tube. I calculated it to be 1:1.15. On 15mm you can even get to 1:1. I took photos of a ruler to test it. Funny thing though: since the lens has such big distortion (well its an ultra wide angle) you only get a sharp image in the center and the sides aren't sharp. Does the LAOWA have this problem, too? But the great thing is, that you have Image Stabilization, which is great for someone like me who doesn't have a Sony. After 15mm it's almost impossible to focus, you need to touch the front element to get sharp focus at 13mm. Below this the focus point is behind the front element and focusing isn't possible anymore.
Anybody have experience or insight into how well this lens works with an EF to RF mount adapter on a Canon full-frame mirrorless camera and whether the adapter will affect use of the lens in some way?
Nice video, but I would have liked to have seen the aperture value alongside the other camera settings listed below the still photos you showed in this video
Hi! Yeah usually I include the aperture, but since this is a lens without any electronics whatsoever, I did not get that value, and I am bad at remembering aperture for each shot. In general I use a very low f-number when I am shooting without flash, and as high f-number as possible if I have a flash.
@@MicaelWidell Thanks for your reply =) I have never tried wide angle Macro before. Do you have to rely on taking a single image or will photostacking work as well?
hey micael, there is no option of this lense for fujifilm x mount. can i just use an adapter for canon ef to fujifilm x mount for example; or does it have any disadvantages, cause its a macro lens? idk
Tbh n one that pictures look good. They have too much unsharpness. I see that all the time. Makcro shots which have like 10% sharp. and claiming this a good shot. No its not. Good shots are when the whole insect is clear.
You can get SAME lens (without name LAOWA, without shift) for ONE THIRD of price, also 15mm/4, 12 elements in 9 groups, filter 77mm etc. --- Search aliexpress.com "lens 15mm 4 macro"--- Laowa price is >600€ in EU, in China 440€, "not Laowa" is less than 200€
Are you really sure it is exactly the same lens? When I read forums online it seems these pirate versions have cheaper parts (rubber instead of metal focusing ring for example) and terrible build quality. But I haven't tried myself.
No, it's identical lens (without shift). Noooo rubber, noooo terrible built quality! I think it's no "fake", but built by a big Chinese OEM manufacturer - who says Laowa built all lens self? I also have a 60mm/2.8 macro 2:1 (!) which you also get from Laowa, but 3x price!---- i.imgur.com/s7e1tib.jpg ---- i.imgur.com/cT9ybW5.jpg ---- i.imgur.com/RCu3D42.jpg
I recommend ordering the lens from Venus Optics website - free and fast worldwide shipping
www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-15mm-f/ref/708/
The camera: amzn.to/2nR9Q9Q - Rest of the stuff in description ^
Love using this lens. Your composition, both still and video, are the among the best I've seen done with this lens.
Thank you ☺️
those last two shots - wow - you saved the best to the end
After seeing your photos it seems like this lens actually works quite well. Of course you don't get the highest image quality but that's why it is not a $1000+ lens. I say this because I saw a review by a guy saying it sucks and it's not worthy, but I think he just didn't know how to get the most out of it.
Thanks for your great work man, I really enjoy your videos and Swedish accent lol
Thanks! Yeah the lens is not optically perfect, but it is definitely good enough to take beautiful and interesting photos that are sharp where it matters. And that is what counts if you ask me :)
I bought one of these with a Canon mount, took the slider off and CNC'd a PL mount for it. Great fun lens to have in the kit.
these are really some amazing pictures!
nice and up close, what an interesting lens
thanks for sharing your thoughts with us
loved watching this
Thanks for your kind comment :)
thank you for your commitment in posting videos of your great photos. i am learning a lot and I am sure a lot of other newbies too.
Loved the ant crawling onto the lens. Looks like a fun lens. Only just started my macro stuff as an in-between landscape trips. Maybe one day I'll treat myself to this. Great video
Lovely photos in this video!
I just picked mine up yesterday, so I especially enjoyed your review. Will be fun to shoot with!
Excellent review...thank you!
Tack så mycket - väldigt bra och informativ video :) var jättenyfiken på den :)
Awesome lens and review. Thx!
Glad it was helpful! I want to buy this lens so I can play with it again, so much fun!
A very good lens ! Good for street photography....because it is manual, I just have to click the bouton when the sujet is at the good distance...like in the old day
Super helpful. Thanks!
Just a little warning. I had this Laowa for a while now, recently I've noticed significant wobble. On the lens barrel, just past shift mechanism there is four tiny screws. Tighten them up if your copy developes same movement on the lens body.
Yesterday I orderd this lens. Since it came on the market I want to have it
Thanks for the discovering Micael, I really really like the perspective and the bokeh. Oh, btw, steal a baby to do some photos was a good idea too, hahaha ;P
Thank you !
Kinda mix of macro and landscape
좋아요. 좋은 정보입니다.
Excellent photos!!!
I dream of that lens... but don't even have a full-frame camera yet...
You don't need a full frame camera. The tilt funktion is only für APSC .
Amazing video!
cool! I've been wanting to try this lens. :)
Hello Micael! In one of your recent videos you said you were considering buying this lens, so I went back to watch your review. I have not seen all of your videos (recent subscriber), but something I enjoyed a lot in this video was the footage "through the lens" of you lining up your macro shots etc. I was heavily into high magnification macro in 2013, and built a tabletop rig with microscope objectives etc. to do focus stacks of 100+ images at 10x magnifications. Recently I have gotten back into macro, but focussing mainly on insect videos! I was wondering if you have experimented with insect macro video and if so why you decided to not to pursue it more actively? I am having a hard time finding examples of of peoples setups for continuous lighting and diffusion for mobile/handheld video. Based on your reviews I have recently acquired the Laowa 65mm F2.8 for fuji x-mount, but won't get to use it until my birthday in a couple weeks. Keep up the great work! Discovering your account has been great inspiration and motivation for me!
If I'm not a specs chaser but want practical and fun experience and going to shoot manual lenses in mind like Laowa 15mm macro, TTArtisan 50mm Tilt and TTArtisan 100mm 2X Macro, would you suggest me to get Sony A7RV for the 4 ways screen which can be use for videos sometime or Nikon ZF for the full manual dials experiences? Which one has the easiest reliable set it once and forget profiles setting for each lens to produce SOOC real life color? I shoot video mainly ith Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder but when I do specialised videos I will use the camera as well. I hope there will be a true rangefinder full frame hybrid camera with EVF when you need it plus come with the A7RV 4 ways screen!
Great video.
Thank you
Can you provide an updated link to the bracket you had your flash on? The link above no longer works. I have been looking at this lens for quite a while, and may take the leap to get it. Thank you for your macro videos!
Check my video "$230 macro rig" to see the details about bracket etc. Hopefully that should help you find it.
@@MicaelWidell Got it, thank you! I will check around for one.
Great video 👍 it very useful. I m looking a good macro lens. I can’t decide between laowa 100mm 2x and this lens. But I prefer the 100mm I guess 😆
Anyway I need a flash and diffusion as well. Please recommend? I have Nikon D90 and lens kit 15-108mm f3.5-5.6.
Thanks for the nice video. The perspective is indeed very unique. While watching it, I was wondering if you could replicate the results with the Canon EF-S 10-18mm and a 12mm extension tube, which should give you 1:1 magnification in theory. But maybe the focus point would lay inside the lens then. I will try it out tomorrow.
Okay, quick update. You can do it. On the 18mm setting you can almost get to 1:1 with a 13mm tube. I calculated it to be 1:1.15. On 15mm you can even get to 1:1. I took photos of a ruler to test it. Funny thing though: since the lens has such big distortion (well its an ultra wide angle) you only get a sharp image in the center and the sides aren't sharp. Does the LAOWA have this problem, too?
But the great thing is, that you have Image Stabilization, which is great for someone like me who doesn't have a Sony. After 15mm it's almost impossible to focus, you need to touch the front element to get sharp focus at 13mm. Below this the focus point is behind the front element and focusing isn't possible anymore.
Cool! I will try this with my 8-15mm Fisheye :)
Laowa mark this lense as being for astrophotography as well, have you tried using it for that if so how did it perform?
Anybody have experience or insight into how well this lens works with an EF to RF mount adapter on a Canon full-frame mirrorless camera and whether the adapter will affect use of the lens in some way?
Very interesting video. I wonder what effect you'd get by shooting with extension tubes attached.
I think that would move the focus point inside the lens unfortunately.
Get you a 77mm b+w clear filter
Nice video, but I would have liked to have seen the aperture value alongside the other camera settings listed below the still photos you showed in this video
Hi! Yeah usually I include the aperture, but since this is a lens without any electronics whatsoever, I did not get that value, and I am bad at remembering aperture for each shot. In general I use a very low f-number when I am shooting without flash, and as high f-number as possible if I have a flash.
@@MicaelWidell Thanks for your reply =) I have never tried wide angle Macro before. Do you have to rely on taking a single image or will photostacking work as well?
@@thethreeislands All photos in this video are single shots, I did not try stacking. Not sure how well it would work.
Hi ,😉
Thank you for tutorial ..how is it for video .. bib y recomend for it ??
Thnx bro 👌
What is that diffuser I see you using at 5:47; Is it something you adapted or purchased?
Is it good to use it on MFT Camera !?
Nice Review. Do you test Magnification Rings on this lens to get more macro?
I did not try it. But I think it would move the focus point inside the lens.
Great video, I want that setup for my Sony A7RII, How did you adapt the flash from eos to sony's hot shoe?
Some cheap adapter I found on eBay.
hey micael,
there is no option of this lense for fujifilm x mount.
can i just use an adapter for canon ef to fujifilm x mount for example; or does it have any disadvantages, cause its a macro lens? idk
Should work fine. However it will not be as wide as on full frame
How do you work out the shutter speed
Is this available for M 4/3 cameras?
have you used the 15mm f/2 zero d lens?
No
I hate Stink did you kill it
No
Fitt Skola.....hahahaha
Tbh n one that pictures look good. They have too much unsharpness. I see that all the time. Makcro shots which have like 10% sharp. and claiming this a good shot. No its not. Good shots are when the whole insect is clear.
You can get SAME lens (without name LAOWA, without shift) for ONE THIRD of price, also 15mm/4, 12 elements in 9 groups, filter 77mm etc. --- Search aliexpress.com "lens 15mm 4 macro"--- Laowa price is >600€ in EU, in China 440€, "not Laowa" is less than 200€
Are you really sure it is exactly the same lens? When I read forums online it seems these pirate versions have cheaper parts (rubber instead of metal focusing ring for example) and terrible build quality. But I haven't tried myself.
No, it's identical lens (without shift). Noooo rubber, noooo terrible built quality! I think it's no "fake", but built by a big Chinese OEM manufacturer - who says Laowa built all lens self? I also have a 60mm/2.8 macro 2:1 (!) which you also get from Laowa, but 3x price!---- i.imgur.com/s7e1tib.jpg ---- i.imgur.com/cT9ybW5.jpg ---- i.imgur.com/RCu3D42.jpg
Thank you.