Great video on a great lens. I'm playing with the idea of picking one up myself but not really sure If i can justify since I already have the 105mm Micro-Nikkor along with both the 1.4 and 2x tellies. Any input? lol And how are you making out with doing hand held stacks with this? Some have said how a rail is necessary but that's very difficult when doing bugs.
Thank so much for the comment. The first big difference is that the 105mm Micro Nikkor with a 2x teleconverter would get you 2x magnification and the Laowa lowest magnification is 2.5X so you are getting much closer with the Laowa. Before I got the Laowa, I used older manual focus 24mm and 28mm Nikkor lenses mounted backwards using a BR2A (www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37171-REG/Nikon_2657_BR_2A_Lens_Reversing_Ring.html). I have also added extension tubes to get more magnification.The great thing about the Laowa is that I can adjust the magnification really easily by extending the lens which I really like. I bought my Laowa lens second hand which saved me a bunch of money. Otherwise, you could look into getting an older 20mm, 24mm or 28mm manual lens and a reversing ring to get you beyond 2x magnification. I haven't tried handheld stacks but that is definitely something I will be trying out.
initially, I loved this lens...however, now I hate it. This lens is very poorly sealed. Mine acquired enough dust to where I can't even use it any longer. Have you attempted to disassemble yours?
@@thephotographytoolkit No I have not disassembled mine yet, but try shooting at F22 and then import into Lightroom for inspection... Find it hard to believe that I got this much dust in such a short period of time, especially when I'm not really shooting in Dusty environments. I suspect that what I thought was dust might actually be fungal growth caused by the crazy heat that the 25mm light ring puts out. My lens is only 5 or 6 months old.
@@psi-ops1397 That REALLY sucks. Do any of your other lenses have problems with fungal growth? I live in a humid environment so I have to keep all of my lenses in humidity control boxes. You can get the fungus cleaned - I wonder if that might be worth it in your situation.
@@thephotographytoolkit nope, this lens was purchased this year. It's in a stable environment, and in this short a period of time, there shouldn't be any possible way for that to happen. Even at F11 it's really bad. Pretty sure that it's dust.
That’s fascinating!
I am glad you liked it!
Great video on a great lens. I'm playing with the idea of picking one up myself but not really sure If i can justify since I already have the 105mm Micro-Nikkor along with both the 1.4 and 2x tellies. Any input? lol
And how are you making out with doing hand held stacks with this? Some have said how a rail is necessary but that's very difficult when doing bugs.
Thank so much for the comment. The first big difference is that the 105mm Micro Nikkor with a 2x teleconverter would get you 2x magnification and the Laowa lowest magnification is 2.5X so you are getting much closer with the Laowa. Before I got the Laowa, I used older manual focus 24mm and 28mm Nikkor lenses mounted backwards using a BR2A (www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37171-REG/Nikon_2657_BR_2A_Lens_Reversing_Ring.html). I have also added extension tubes to get more magnification.The great thing about the Laowa is that I can adjust the magnification really easily by extending the lens which I really like. I bought my Laowa lens second hand which saved me a bunch of money.
Otherwise, you could look into getting an older 20mm, 24mm or 28mm manual lens and a reversing ring to get you beyond 2x magnification.
I haven't tried handheld stacks but that is definitely something I will be trying out.
@@thephotographytoolkit Thank you for the feedback! Let me know you end up making out with the stacks.
@@AlexanderSogliero I'll definitely let you know when I make one.
initially, I loved this lens...however, now I hate it. This lens is very poorly sealed. Mine acquired enough dust to where I can't even use it any longer. Have you attempted to disassemble yours?
Oh that really sucks! I haven't had problems with dust ...yet. I hope I don't in the future. Did you disassemble yours?
@@thephotographytoolkit
No I have not disassembled mine yet, but try shooting at F22 and then import into Lightroom for inspection... Find it hard to believe that I got this much dust in such a short period of time, especially when I'm not really shooting in Dusty environments. I suspect that what I thought was dust might actually be fungal growth caused by the crazy heat that the 25mm light ring puts out. My lens is only 5 or 6 months old.
@@psi-ops1397 That REALLY sucks. Do any of your other lenses have problems with fungal growth? I live in a humid environment so I have to keep all of my lenses in humidity control boxes. You can get the fungus cleaned - I wonder if that might be worth it in your situation.
@@thephotographytoolkit nope, this lens was purchased this year. It's in a stable environment, and in this short a period of time, there shouldn't be any possible way for that to happen. Even at F11 it's really bad. Pretty sure that it's dust.
@@psi-ops1397 I totally agree with you. It is completely unacceptable.