Laowa 90mm f2.8 APO 2:1 macro lens for mirrorless cameras.

RichardC · Jul 3, 2023

I've had this lens for about a week. I wanted the option to go in closer than 1:1 without resorting to tubes or auxilliary lenses.

It's completely manual with no electronic coupling. Image quality is superb.

Panasonic - DC-S1R
1/60 sec
Pattern
Manual exposure
ISO 400

Jayneboo · Jul 3, 2023

That's a wow, cracking image.

Richard Wong · Jul 3, 2023

What a beautiful shot, and yes that is an amazing lens!! Actually, all Laowa macro lenses are great!

RichardC · Jul 3, 2023

Jayneboo said:
That's a wow, cracking image.

Richard Wong said:
What a beautiful shot, and yes that is an amazing lens!! Actually, all Laowa macro lenses are great!

Thank you both very much.

I am very pleased with it.

Vale46 · Jul 3, 2023

Great image. How close have you been to the fly with the front lens?

RichardC · Jul 3, 2023

Vale46 said:
Great image. How close have you been to the fly with the front lens?

Thank you.

I preset the magnification to 1.5:1, so a little larger than life size on the sensor.

At that magnification, the focus point is about 80mm forward of the front lens element.

Lighting is ambient and flash. I use the Meike MK320 which has a flat profile - the flash tube is about mid-way along the lens barrel. There is a Dorr collapsible flash diffuser attached to the lens. Other attachments are Ezybounce bounce card and the Meike diffuser.

Apple - iPhone X
iPhone X back dual camera 4mm f/1.8
4.0 mm
ƒ/1.8
1/19 sec
Pattern
Auto exposure
ISO 25

RichardC · May 16, 2024

Macro season is here in the Midlands. Still using and loving the Laowa 90mm. Same set up as above.

Thanks to ACR 'enhance' AI noise reduction, I've changed my workflow though. Mode is manual, I no longer bother about ISO and only change my lens aperture to increase or reduce depth of field. Without flash I just set ISO to auto. With flash, I'm varying ISO according to the previews in the viewfinder.

These are from the last week or so.

Although I found macro easier with micro four thirds, I don't like the 'crunchy' appearance of MFT images. So glad I made the change to the S1R - even with the weight!