Equipment like this is a perfect example of an old adage. Better equipment doesn't allow you to take better photos, it allows good photographers to take good photos more easily. You talk about how using this lens feels like cheating. From my perspective I just see a great photographer demonstrating his skill with all limitations lifted. Your work inspires me a lot!
I have watched this video several times...Finally got the Laowa 100mm and it did not disappoint...Man this lens is sharp!! Thanks for the great video Thomas.
Best video yet! I've been envious of your photography skill in the past, but now as someone who has had to do online instruction due to the pandemic, I'm envious of your on-screen presence.
I've seen multiple reviews of this lens. It clearly is superb. On my short list of future acquisitions. Coupled with Thomas's absolute genius for stunning macro images, and gentle humility: a beautiful combination.
the video is such a joy to watch. The silence of the woods. The slow walk, when looking for little critters is something i do as well. Still waiting on my laowa 100. Thanks for sharing such wonderful images. Greetings from Austria
This lens is an absolute bargain at a mere $449, and even though I'm happy with my Canon 100mm f/2.8 I am sorely tempted to get one. Fantastic photos as usual Thomas, and I never tire of jumping spiders.
It sure does look good. I have the Sigma 70mm macro, which is fantastic, but is limited to 1:1. It does have autofocus and such though. The 2:1 the Laowa offers looks great and makes it super tempting.
Thank you for sharing your appreciation for this lens and the tiny world at your feet. I'm very anxious to try it out, even knowing I won't be getting the images that you do, it may work to get me closer to my subjects. Thumbs UP and I wish you all the best. Every bee hive seems to have its own resident jumping spider, so I have lots of access to them.
One good thing about you is that you truly prove it is not about the gear. You use an old Pentax camera and third party lenses but your images stand head and shoulders above most others. It does show that there is no substitute for skill.
I recently bought the Laowa 100mm f2.8 & absolutely love it! The quality of the build is excellent. I shoot mine on a Canon EOS R with the EF adapter. I can't say enough good things about the Laowa.
Fabulous video Thomas. You may not think your macro photography has improved, but let me say these images in this video are the best macro images of their type I have ever seen. By their type, I mean field macro photographs, of inverts, usually in situ. Top class mastery of lighting. This is exactly how I envisaged perfect lighting when I set out on the odyssey to trying to improve one the horrible specular highlights, which used to be the norm in macro flash photography. Not only was it distracting, but you couldn't see the texture and features of the inverts very well. Great clarity, along with top class framing and composition. And of course the real secret of macro photography, perfect placement of the plane of focus relative to the subject. Lovely colours and perfect processing. I've been thinking about getting this lens. Not been getting too much with the MP-E 65mm lately. Probably old age and not finding it so easy to get into all the awkward spots, but could do with more magnification than your average 1:1 macro lens. I use the Canon 100mm L IS a lot. It's a nice sharp lens, but unfortunately suffers from bad LoCA, so you can get this weird fringing on out of focus elements, that is difficult to get rid of.
Thanks Stephen! Thanks as always for the kind words and support, I appreciate it! I've used the MPE and Canon 100mm quite a bit in the past for work - fine lenses in their own right and I'd probably have them if I was a Canon-user. Having infinity focus + 2x magnification is a real nice combo though for field-use and I'd be lost without it now!
Shooting 100mm at 2:1 magnification at 1/100? Are you a robot? That is incredible steadyness. I can barely do a 60mm at 1:1 at that speed. Thanks for the video Mr. Shahan. I love results you get with older, cheaper gear and some creative setups. Also, Kudos to Laowa for getting you a Pentax mount!
The main illumination is from a flash with a short enough duration to freeze subject motion. A shutter duration of 1/100 was enough to prevent the background from exposing as black. Well diffused flash lighting is one of the key elements to great insect macro photography, as displayed by one of the masters here.
The other great technique he is using, is resting his hand against the lens. So when the camera moves, his hand and the spider follow right in step. It is like the spider is sitting on the glass when you do this.
@@bewbtewb As David Reece describes, another useful technique is to hold the insect's 'perch' in your left hand, then rest the lens against that hand and make tiny adjustment to focus the subject by flexing that connection.
Love IT!!! Ordering one for myself.. Thank you Thomas you have been so informative, great and beautiful video, all freshen up now seeing the green and all the great macro / micro pics you have shared.. .Thank you so much for sharing this .!
@@d.k.1394 What does it matter if its such a great lens, If thats all you have to do to keep some money getting in, youtube doesnt pay that well at 68k subs
Thanks for a fantastic review of this fantastic lens. I’ve had my eye on a few macro lenses but this one looks like a definite candidate for my Christmas wish list.
Always such a great pleasure watching these behind the scenes videos. Thanks for sharing Thomas. I’m itching to go out and shoot now. If only we weren’t still in lockdown here :(
Just Wow ! My L-Mount version of this lens arrives tomorrow and I stumbled across your channel while refreshing my mind about the lens (ordered last August !). such beautiful images - thanks for sharing.
Wow, I didn't think I was into macro photography until RUclips made me stumble upon your video! The colours of the compound eyes have totally hooked me! I need to take a picture like yours at all costs.
I was having trouble choosing between the 7artisans macro and the meike macro lenses to photograph my jumping spiders... I think you solidified my choice to go with this Laowa 100mm 2x. Stunning photos!
Thank you Thomas, after much research I had kind of plumped for this lens for my beautiful ladies birthday present. Having watched you creating such sublime photography with it, it's a no-brainer. Canny move by Venus Optics, gifting the gifted of this world with the lens, to hopefully inspire and motivate mere mortals into aspiring for equal greatness.
Yikes, I gasped at 1:17 eek! Top-notch images as always, and it's awesome that they put your name on the lens. Your woodlands look very similar to ours but I tend to stay out of them in the summer months, so hot and full of mosquitos LOL But, now I want to go!
I have this lens too, its soo much fun and quite easy to use. Fieldtrips to the woods have increased by 1000%. Also had alot of fun in a toymuseum and Märklin exhibit.
Amazing work Thomas! Your results with this lens are spectacular and have convinced me to by the 100 2x. They remind me of what I would (very rarely) achieve with the Canon MP-E 65mm - which was such a pain to use it put me off macro!
Spider sex doesn't look as much fun as I imagined :)). Gorgeous photos and what a lens! So interesting to see your setup. I have fantasised about doing macro photography, but have really never looked into it. I always thought you needed a tripod and always wondered how you could get the shot without the insect moving away. Now I know, a steady hand is all you need and a steady hand I have so, yay!
Hi Thomas. Your macro images are stunning! I started testing the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro for the Nikon Z mount, and have a question please...How do you achieve pin sharp focus exactly where you want it?? On my Laowa, while it IS indeed razor sharp when I DO achieve optimal focus, I find that the focus ring "throw" is quite small/short, meaning that even a very small turn results in the focus point moving closer or further on the subject! I find that it takes several attempt, with super-fine rotation of the focus ring, before I achieve what I feel is optimal focus/sharpness. Thank you sir, and again, your images are superb!! Regards, SteveTQP
Those spiders are simply beautiful, I love the fact that you know your subjects, well a lot about them is what I mean! This lens looks pretty cool, mind you-you are a very good photographer, well, very very good tbf! So I’ve started to take notice of what’s around me close up when out landscape shooting and shooting closeups with my Panasonic 24-105 which has some macro credentials, although I’ve also invested in a Nisi macro filter which I’m absolutely loving as its ligh5 and easy to attach and detach. Those shots are incredible btw, so lovely because they’re taken in nature garden and not pinheaded. For that reason I’m now a subscriber, got a feeling I may just learn a lot from you! 👏📸
Very nice video, thank you. As I am just in the process of looking for macro lens, was about to purchase Pentax 100mm 2.8 1:1, I went immediately to Laowa web site. The price for other mounts is competitive, but the pentax is not available as of now. They didn't mention the timeline of the pentax release by any chance? Thank you.
Thank a lot Thomas! Like ever, your videos are so nice and clear. i have been considering this lens to grow up my gear, over the MP-E 65 mm that is only a macro lens. After seeing your video, all my doubts were clarified. It's definitely a must-have lens. Thank a lot Thomas! I hope we can share a macro travel in Colombia some day! You have a friend here!! Best regards
I think I can easily say this the best review of a product I have ever seen. I envy your calmness.
Incredible - stacking with free handed shots, what a steady hand
1/100s exposure freehand macro is wizardry.
Equipment like this is a perfect example of an old adage.
Better equipment doesn't allow you to take better photos, it allows good photographers to take good photos more easily.
You talk about how using this lens feels like cheating. From my perspective I just see a great photographer demonstrating his skill with all limitations lifted.
Your work inspires me a lot!
It's always a joy to watch your videos!
Thank's for all! (Especially for the impact you made on my photography years ago!)
Beautiful photos. Beautiful video footage. 👍
Thanks Micael!
I have watched this video several times...Finally got the Laowa 100mm and it did not disappoint...Man this lens is sharp!! Thanks for the great video Thomas.
Not the usual content I watch but really enjoyed this and subscribed!
Always a treat to receive notification that you’ve uploaded video. Lens looks like it’s something I should consider!
Amazing job!
Best video yet! I've been envious of your photography skill in the past, but now as someone who has had to do online instruction due to the pandemic, I'm envious of your on-screen presence.
Amazing. A very relaxing and informative experience - beautiful pictures, soothing voice, lovely music, factual review, zen bushland ... really, really good. 😀😀
Incredible set of photos.
Nice work! Impressive! Just bought one of these 2nd hand.
I've seen multiple reviews of this lens. It clearly is superb. On my short list of future acquisitions. Coupled with Thomas's absolute genius for stunning macro images, and gentle humility: a beautiful combination.
Love what you do, and how you do it your way -regardless of the tools you have tried all along. You are truly talented.
Magnificent shots!
the video is such a joy to watch. The silence of the woods. The slow walk, when looking for little critters is something i do as well. Still waiting on my laowa 100. Thanks for sharing such wonderful images. Greetings from Austria
This lens is an absolute bargain at a mere $449, and even though I'm happy with my Canon 100mm f/2.8 I am sorely tempted to get one. Fantastic photos as usual Thomas, and I never tire of jumping spiders.
It sure does look good. I have the Sigma 70mm macro, which is fantastic, but is limited to 1:1. It does have autofocus and such though. The 2:1 the Laowa offers looks great and makes it super tempting.
This is my dream macro lens.🔥 Such a calm and relaxing video as always..👍
Because of your videos, I was encouraged to buy my first professional camera, now saving for my first macro lens. Greetings from Mexico.
Great to hear - thank you Sergio!
Thank you for sharing your appreciation for this lens and the tiny world at your feet. I'm very anxious to try it out, even knowing I won't be getting the images that you do, it may work to get me closer to my subjects. Thumbs UP and I wish you all the best. Every bee hive seems to have its own resident jumping spider, so I have lots of access to them.
One good thing about you is that you truly prove it is not about the gear. You use an old Pentax camera and third party lenses but your images stand head and shoulders above most others. It does show that there is no substitute for skill.
What a lovely video, full of amazing shots and pleasant, gentle narration. Thanks a lot!
I am one of your biggest fan...love your work sir
Great work, supreme talent.
Spiders are amazing animals! I love them so much! Thanks for nice photos
I recently bought the Laowa 100mm f2.8 & absolutely love it! The quality of the build is excellent. I shoot mine on a Canon EOS R with the EF adapter. I can't say enough good things about the Laowa.
Post some pics
Remarkable photography. Thanks for the video.
I have bought this lens, but still can’t skip any of your videos. As always, incredible work!
I have absolutely no use for this lens atm but this video makes me want to purchase it. This is beautiful and a must have…just because this video.
Love your photos and sharing sir!
I came to see a review of a Laowa lens... and yet here I am watching a nature documentary. What an unexpected delight. Thank you!!
Beautiful! Wow! Thanks!
What a great presentation! Thank you! Just got the lens today and can’t wait to use it!
Videos so good I have to watch them twice. Please keep it up!
Fabulous video Thomas. You may not think your macro photography has improved, but let me say these images in this video are the best macro images of their type I have ever seen. By their type, I mean field macro photographs, of inverts, usually in situ. Top class mastery of lighting. This is exactly how I envisaged perfect lighting when I set out on the odyssey to trying to improve one the horrible specular highlights, which used to be the norm in macro flash photography. Not only was it distracting, but you couldn't see the texture and features of the inverts very well. Great clarity, along with top class framing and composition. And of course the real secret of macro photography, perfect placement of the plane of focus relative to the subject. Lovely colours and perfect processing.
I've been thinking about getting this lens. Not been getting too much with the MP-E 65mm lately. Probably old age and not finding it so easy to get into all the awkward spots, but could do with more magnification than your average 1:1 macro lens. I use the Canon 100mm L IS a lot. It's a nice sharp lens, but unfortunately suffers from bad LoCA, so you can get this weird fringing on out of focus elements, that is difficult to get rid of.
Thanks Stephen! Thanks as always for the kind words and support, I appreciate it!
I've used the MPE and Canon 100mm quite a bit in the past for work - fine lenses in their own right and I'd probably have them if I was a Canon-user. Having infinity focus + 2x magnification is a real nice combo though for field-use and I'd be lost without it now!
your videos are perfect, i am very grateful to have access to such good content, it inspires me too much, thanks
Shooting 100mm at 2:1 magnification at 1/100? Are you a robot? That is incredible steadyness. I can barely do a 60mm at 1:1 at that speed. Thanks for the video Mr. Shahan. I love results you get with older, cheaper gear and some creative setups. Also, Kudos to Laowa for getting you a Pentax mount!
The main illumination is from a flash with a short enough duration to freeze subject motion. A shutter duration of 1/100 was enough to prevent the background from exposing as black. Well diffused flash lighting is one of the key elements to great insect macro photography, as displayed by one of the masters here.
@@rogeryoung3587 Good call. I'm rookie at macro work, didn't even consider the short flash duration. Thanks for the education.
The other great technique he is using, is resting his hand against the lens. So when the camera moves, his hand and the spider follow right in step. It is like the spider is sitting on the glass when you do this.
Seriously I still can’t imagine getting sharp shots handheld. Still working on my technique.
@@bewbtewb As David Reece describes, another useful technique is to hold the insect's 'perch' in your left hand, then rest the lens against that hand and make tiny adjustment to focus the subject by flexing that connection.
Incredible, incredible work! You are gifted in this art
OMG, that springtail on that weevil's head was just amazing.
Love IT!!! Ordering one for myself.. Thank you Thomas you have been so informative, great and beautiful video, all freshen up now seeing the green and all the great macro / micro pics you have shared.. .Thank you so much for sharing this .!
What lovely place and effort to take shots incredible iam being still watching this
smart move, Laowa. He just sold this lens.
Yes...he sold out
@@d.k.1394 What does it matter if its such a great lens, If thats all you have to do to keep some money getting in, youtube doesnt pay that
well at 68k subs
@@MP1MP1MP ok
WOW, Superb video.
Gorgeous! Thank you
This was amazing, Thomas! Great work with the lens. I've been wanting to try this lens since using their probe lens for filming wildlife.
WOW... what a beauty and relaxing video.
David Attenborough would be proud of this. Well done.
Absolutely enjoyed this video. Great photos and nicely narrated. 👍👍👍
Most relaxing and informative video ever! I need this lens now and looking forward to more videos like these from you 💚
Stunning stuff. FANTASTIC
Wow I will get this lens for sure
luv the shots w/ your reflection in the arachnid's eyes. thank you for this channel!
Beautiful work as always
Incredibly beautiful photos and loved the way you've put the video together: slow-paced and calming, just like a walk in the forest.
Thanks for a fantastic review of this fantastic lens. I’ve had my eye on a few macro lenses but this one looks like a definite candidate for my Christmas wish list.
Great video and review as always :)
Thanks Stewart!
This is amazing!!!
Thank for making this video! I ordered the lens today. I am amazed that you hold a spider on your skin!
Stunningly beautiful images
Always such a great pleasure watching these behind the scenes videos. Thanks for sharing Thomas. I’m itching to go out and shoot now. If only we weren’t still in lockdown here :(
Are u in vic
@@d.k.1394 yep, in Melbourne
@@JordanDeanFilms I thought so, we are just out of it now!
Fantastic work!
A privilege to have your name on the lens.
Just Wow ! My L-Mount version of this lens arrives tomorrow and I stumbled across your channel while refreshing my mind about the lens (ordered last August !). such beautiful images - thanks for sharing.
Always enjoyed your videos
fabulous
Beautiful 😍
THANKS A LOT! Awesome movie, really nice work.
Wow, I didn't think I was into macro photography until RUclips made me stumble upon your video! The colours of the compound eyes have totally hooked me! I need to take a picture like yours at all costs.
I was having trouble choosing between the 7artisans macro and the meike macro lenses to photograph my jumping spiders... I think you solidified my choice to go with this Laowa 100mm 2x. Stunning photos!
Thank you Thomas, after much research I had kind of plumped for this lens for my beautiful ladies birthday present.
Having watched you creating such sublime photography with it, it's a no-brainer.
Canny move by Venus Optics, gifting the gifted of this world with the lens, to hopefully inspire and motivate mere mortals into aspiring for equal greatness.
WooooOOW ! 56*/3 Thank you Thomas, so beautiful! (Thanks Venus Optics for the clever move & acknowledgement)
Yikes, I gasped at 1:17 eek! Top-notch images as always, and it's awesome that they put your name on the lens. Your woodlands look very similar to ours but I tend to stay out of them in the summer months, so hot and full of mosquitos LOL But, now I want to go!
Thanks Liesl! Woodlands are the best! This video is the product of a summer full of poison ivy rashes, ticks, mosquito bites, horse-flies...
Great video!!
I have this lens, and while I'm nothing like as good as Thomas, I love it, and it's even replaced my Tokina 100mm 2.8 as my go-to macro
How it compares to the Tamron 90mm?
Answer him!
I have this lens too, its soo much fun and quite easy to use.
Fieldtrips to the woods have increased by 1000%.
Also had alot of fun in a toymuseum and Märklin exhibit.
Amazing work Thomas! Your results with this lens are spectacular and have convinced me to by the 100 2x. They remind me of what I would (very rarely) achieve with the Canon MP-E 65mm - which was such a pain to use it put me off macro!
The pics look great. The lens may be relatively expensive, but for something that gives you years of satisfaction it is a bargain
Nice relaxing video. I was looking for a new lens 👌
Thank you so much.
Your diffuser is wonderful.
The best macro lens I own ❤
What a beautiful set of photos! I would like to know how you stack pictures hand held. Thanks for sharing 😀
Ого, именной объектив! Круто!
Spider sex doesn't look as much fun as I imagined :)). Gorgeous photos and what a lens! So interesting to see your setup. I have fantasised about doing macro photography, but have really never looked into it. I always thought you needed a tripod and always wondered how you could get the shot without the insect moving away. Now I know, a steady hand is all you need and a steady hand I have so, yay!
Hi Thomas. Your macro images are stunning! I started testing the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro for the Nikon Z mount, and have a question please...How do you achieve pin sharp focus exactly where you want it?? On my Laowa, while it IS indeed razor sharp when I DO achieve optimal focus, I find that the focus ring "throw" is quite small/short, meaning that even a very small turn results in the focus point moving closer or further on the subject! I find that it takes several attempt, with super-fine rotation of the focus ring, before I achieve what I feel is optimal focus/sharpness. Thank you sir, and again, your images are superb!! Regards, SteveTQP
Those spiders are simply beautiful, I love the fact that you know your subjects, well a lot about them is what I mean! This lens looks pretty cool, mind you-you are a very good photographer, well, very very good tbf! So I’ve started to take notice of what’s around me close up when out landscape shooting and shooting closeups with my Panasonic 24-105 which has some macro credentials, although I’ve also invested in a Nisi macro filter which I’m absolutely loving as its ligh5 and easy to attach and detach. Those shots are incredible btw, so lovely because they’re taken in nature garden and not pinheaded. For that reason I’m now a subscriber, got a feeling I may just learn a lot from you! 👏📸
Very nice video, thank you. As I am just in the process of looking for macro lens, was about to purchase Pentax 100mm 2.8 1:1, I went immediately to Laowa web site. The price for other mounts is competitive, but the pentax is not available as of now. They didn't mention the timeline of the pentax release by any chance? Thank you.
I to have been waiting for a Pentax mount as I prefer doing macro with my K1ii over my Sony A7Riv but noticed there is no K mount option.
Totally amazing pics and vlog as always! 🙏🏻❤️😉 what a gift eh 😜
wow that laowa is a rockin lense- wish i had known about this lense earlier- very impressive-
You are the true master.
Thanks!
This was so awesome and relaxing.
Thank a lot Thomas! Like ever, your videos are so nice and clear. i have been considering this lens to grow up my gear, over the MP-E 65 mm that is only a macro lens. After seeing your video, all my doubts were clarified. It's definitely a must-have lens.
Thank a lot Thomas! I hope we can share a macro travel in Colombia some day! You have a friend here!!
Best regards
Amazing!
So happy I stumbled upon this channel! Awesome work, can’t wait to look through your videos! I’m sure I’ll learn a lot as an amateur photographer!
OMG! I MUST have this lens!!!!! I thought I had a nice macro lens. I was gravely mistaken!!! Incredible video! Thank you!
Wot lens do u own...
@@d.k.1394 I have the Tokina AT X Pro D Macro 100mm f/2.8
That is reported to be a great 1:1 macro
@@d.k.1394 It is. But this one... this blows it out of the water.
I have the 65mm version for fuji and love it.
Nice! Considering Fuji if/when I have to leave Pentax
Amazing footage! Very inspiration to go out there!
Thanks another made me have to have one.