Inexpensive Macro - Venus (Laowa) 60mm f/2.8 Lens
Jan 18, 2016 20:11:45 #
I've used extension tubes (tubes, bellows and helical), pseudo-macro lenses, lens reverse adapters and front mounted closeup lenses for macro photography but could never justify mega$$$'s for a REAL macro lens. The Venus (Laowa) 60mm meets my amateur demands perfectly with its 2:1 magnification (2x life-size) and relatively low cost (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/351447830085).
At present I'm using and totally enjoying the Venus 60mm. It is a 2:1 macro and works quite well with a full frame sensor. I do get some vignetting with a full frame camera when using the lens as a normal 60mm lens. A few pictures shot with the lens are shown at: https://goo.gl/photos/xhGg2anENUsGeyJP8. It is a fun lens. One image attached.
P.S.: I also use Zerene Focus Stacker for macro image processing where necessary. I've found almost all macro imaging can benefit from focus stacking unless the object has no depth.
At present I'm using and totally enjoying the Venus 60mm. It is a 2:1 macro and works quite well with a full frame sensor. I do get some vignetting with a full frame camera when using the lens as a normal 60mm lens. A few pictures shot with the lens are shown at: https://goo.gl/photos/xhGg2anENUsGeyJP8. It is a fun lens. One image attached.
P.S.: I also use Zerene Focus Stacker for macro image processing where necessary. I've found almost all macro imaging can benefit from focus stacking unless the object has no depth.
Deer Skull Sutures
Jan 18, 2016 20:57:07 #
Interesting shot. Hope you continue to enjoy your Laowa.. Nice looking rock shots too.
Jan 18, 2016 21:08:12 #
Are all of the photos in the linked website yours? There is no data on the website photos.
We really want your to post your own photos, so we can ask questions about this special lens, and see your results.
Also, please check the (store original) box, so we can enlarge, and view exif info.
We really want your to post your own photos, so we can ask questions about this special lens, and see your results.
Also, please check the (store original) box, so we can enlarge, and view exif info.
Jan 18, 2016 21:14:43 #
Jan 18, 2016 22:19:48 #
It is also a great walkaround 60mm on APS-C, with no vignetting. One of 3 lenses that stay on the camera most of the time.
Jan 18, 2016 22:52:28 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I trust you're referring to my macro link. If so, click on a photo in the album and if you want photo info click the "i" icon in top menu.Are all of the photos in the linked website yours? There is no data on the website photos.
We really want your to post your own photos, so we can ask questions about this special lens, and see your results.
We really want your to post your own photos, so we can ask questions about this special lens, and see your results.
If you want more details, you'll have to access the images off my Picasa link: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TTE8UKx97Bcu5B-IB4Nb7tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
Select a picture then click the Full Details Page link off the right menu for the EXIF info carried with the picture.
Yes, they are definitely all mine. I probably have another hundred or so that have not been uploaded.
Jan 19, 2016 03:12:13 #
Jan 19, 2016 08:32:32 #
Looks interesting. What is the minimum focus distance ? Are you able to use additional light sources ? I ask as 60mm puts you very close to the front of the lens. Went to the eBay link & most of my true macro lenses cost less than that (I have 9 of them, some MF others AF). I bought them used. Granted, I shoot Nikon & the link goes to a Canon mount lens. Only my Tamron 180mm F3.5 was more expensive.
Jan 19, 2016 13:17:49 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
Minimum focus distance for 2:1 is 3/4-1 inch; 1:1 is 3-6 inches. Looks interesting. What is the minimum focus distance ? Are you able to use additional light sources ? I ask as 60mm puts you very close to the front of the lens. Went to the eBay link & most of my true macro lenses cost less than that (I have 9 of them, some MF others AF). I bought them used. Granted, I shoot Nikon & the link goes to a Canon mount lens. Only my Tamron 180mm F3.5 was more expensive.
I use use flood lights aligned at a very low angle to illuminate the object being shot. I also use spot LED lights off our microscope.
I was looking at new macro lenses and most were in the $500-1,500 range, so the Venus 60mm was a bargain!
Jan 19, 2016 14:12:52 #
Jan 19, 2016 14:47:17 #
bwana wrote:
Minimum Focusing Distance is NEVER a variable, as it measures the distance between the camera SENSOR to subject needed to capture 1:1 magnification, or 2:1 mag. I am sure that the MFD is LONGER than 1-inch to capture 2:1 mag. Do not confuse MFD with Minimum Working Distance (lens front element to subject). To a macro-photographer, Working Distance is more important than Focusing Distance.Minimum focus distance for 2:1 is 3/4-1 inch; 1:1 is 3-6 inches.
WD is mathematically calculable. I suspect that WD of your lens to acheive 1:1 is 90-mm (3.5-inches). I do not know formula to calculate WD to acheive 2:1 mag, but you can confirm BOTH Working Distances quite easily.
Jan 19, 2016 14:48:43 #
bwana wrote:
As I thought. Good for studio type work but a bit impractical in the field for live insects as they would be hard to light.. It appears you use Canon. Both of the Nikons I use allow me to use older manual focus macro lenses plus I can get metering with them. That said, I shoot entirely in manual modes anyway. The older macro lenses allow me to save lots over the current crop of lenses. You should be able to find suitable AF macro lenses for your Canon though in the used market. They may not have the latest features like vibration reduction, but at anything closer than 1/2 life size, that is a moot feature anyway. Here is a link to a Canon AF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens at $299.99:Minimum focus distance for 2:1 is 3/4-1 inch; 1:1 is 3-6 inches.
I use use flood lights aligned at a very low angle to illuminate the object being shot. I also use spot LED lights off our microscope.
I was looking at new macro lenses and most were in the $500-1,500 range, so the Venus 60mm was a bargain!
I use use flood lights aligned at a very low angle to illuminate the object being shot. I also use spot LED lights off our microscope.
I was looking at new macro lenses and most were in the $500-1,500 range, so the Venus 60mm was a bargain!
http://www.keh.com/shop/canon-100mm-f-2-8-macro-ef-mount-lens-52-canon-100mm-f-2-8-macro-ef-mount-lens-52.html
All this said, the 2X life size is a nice feature the other macro lenses do not have.
Jan 19, 2016 20:45:02 #
FWIW: Kurt (OrionMystery) has used this lens-- as well as it's wide angle "cousin".
Jan 19, 2016 20:51:00 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
I actually use the Canon lens on Sony A7 series bodies using adapters. I also adapt Pentax, Minolta, Canon FD & EF, Sigma, Tamron, M42 and T2 lenses to the same bodies.All this said, the 2X life size is a nice feature the other macro lenses do not have.
I've found autofocus is sort of a waste on a macro lens.
Jan 19, 2016 21:17:53 #
bwana wrote:
I suspect those Sonys, particularly the hi rez, are killers at macro. But.. If you have older eyes, a good auto focus can get you many winners!I actually use the Canon lens on Sony A7 series bodies using adapters. I also adapt Pentax, Minolta, Canon FD & EF, Sigma, Tamron, M42 and T2 lenses to the same bodies.
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