Macro Photography for Beginners: Laowa 2X Macro Lens Review

[@Chrispitchwildlife]

Laowa 65 with X-T5, simply the best! 👍😀

[@Carbonisation]

I have this lens, too. I don't do a lot of macro currently, but when I do, I appreciate the extra magnification for small insects. When I used Sony FE, I had the Laowa 85mm f/5.6. This Laowa 65mm f/2.8 is quite similiar, but it's more appealing to me, as it's a 3x in full frame terms. It's faster, too, but I always stop down anyway. I bought one used for $233, which I think is a steal. I'm not sure which flash to buy yet, but I used the Godox TT350 on Sony, which I found quite decent. It was small and light. The batteries would drain fast, though, and I got a lot of black frames (the flash didn't go off every shut) when doing small bursts. I need one where I at least can do a few frames.

[@JackieDElia]

You did get a good deal on the lens. I am using Godox TT350 for my Fujifilm camera. I do find the battery drains quickly, but I like the size of it and for the amount of times I use it. I think it’s well suited for my needs. Thanks so much for watching.

[@Carbonisation]

And thank for you posting this video! I think, I'll get that flash again, but now for Fujifilm. What diffuser(s) do you use? I just use a cheap collapsable one, but I want to invest in a "shield". Do you do bursts with the TT350, and have you noticed any black frames?

[@JackieDElia]

@@Carbonisation I could use a cheap diffuser and I put a link to it on my 80 mm macro review. But I believe it’s out of stock on Amazon. As far as the burst rate with the flash, I do notice a few misses as the flash charges up. But for the price and the size, I think it is a good fit for my needs.

[@rdtstudios]

Jackie,also the mount adapter settings work for stabilization information

[@armeniocavaco]

Hello . Thanks a lot for your videos. I have that Laowa 65 and it's hard to use. I think it's good for ultra macro with more tubes and a focus rail, for bee 🐝 s eyes etc. so o ordered the 80mm from e infinity I buy lots from them. 800€ it didn't arrived yet. ALSO I ISE CAPTURE ONE I think you did not noticed buy C1 as a focus mask button that shows you exactly the focus peaking in camera 😅you can had the shortcut on top right where you have the tools exp. warning ,grid etc. Just right click THERE. hugs 🤗

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for sharing that tip. I'll look for it in C1.

[@JackieDElia]

I agree on the Laowa 65, it is a bit hard to use. I prefer the 80 mm myself.

[@dominiqueloubet]

Bonjour, vidéo bien interessante. J’utilise le Fuji 30 mm macro qui a l’avantage de communiquer avec le boîtier mais dont la focale est parfois un peu courte … J’apprécie beaucoup vos vidéos qui sont « vraies » et sincères Bonne continuation

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you for watching!

[@lasseberis]

Thanks for a great review. I have some doubts about how difficult it is to use in macro, do you have any suggestions for a flash to this?

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks, I’ve been using this flash and it works well with my X-T5 amzn.to/3XmhCsG

[@lasseberis]

@@JackieDElia Thanks, but do you even use a ring flash?

[@JackieDElia]

@lasseberis I've not tried one yet. I’ve been looking at some, but haven’t found anything for Fuji that has TTL.

[@user-sk4dv4kn2m]

Thanks for great video. I have this lens, but often use the 90mm and extension (or raynox instead), as i like the option of autofocus stacking (in manual setting, fujis auto takes way too many overlaps). Stacking with the laowa at high mag needs a tripod and macro rail (and plenty of time) for me to be successful. Whats your view on this versus the 80mm? Do you stack with either?

[@JackieDElia]

I haven’t tried stacking with the Laowa yet. I do agree that Fuji takes a lot of images when stacking with the 80 mm automatically. I tried stacking manually with the 80 mm and that worked fine. I need a macro rail but don’t have the budget right now.

[@user-sk4dv4kn2m]

@@JackieDElia I bought a cheap/old eBay one. Seems to do the job (but I am not an expert. How do you find the handling and image? I would be really interested in a comparison video. I think the 80 is probably too big, as most of the time I am grabbing a shots while herding my small kids(the lack of time hinders my use of the loawa).

[@jitsantan]

thanks for the info

[@perigee1275]

I have both this lens and the Fuji 80mm. Believe it or not the Laowa is way better for photographing insects. The 80mm is only 1:1 so you have to get much closer and neither the IOS or the autofocus help at that distance. Plus it's huge and weighs a flippin' ton. Getting a flash diffusor on the thing is almost impossible. And...the Laowa is sharper. Beginner lens? Not so. I only wish they made the 100mm for Fuji.

[@JackieDElia]

Good points! I agree. It is a really nice lens and the price does make it great for beginners too. Thanks for watching.

[@nadinecrausaz7679]

what about the time of exposition ?

[@JackieDElia]

You do not get Aperature setting. You get Camera Model, ISO, Shutter Speed, Focal Length, WB, Metering Mode. Exposure Comp - what from I can see looking in Capture One EXIF data. Hope that helps!

[@alavallee2]

Has anyone been able to get the ibis to work with the xt5 for this lens. I’ve adjusted my lens mount adapter setting but doesn’t seem to help with the stabilization. Tripod is a must unfortunately…

[@JackieDElia]

This might prove helpful www.reddit.com/r/fujifilm/comments/144nlwx/is_there_any_way_to_use_ibis_with_a_manual_lens/

[@Aliveinsideink]

I have a question, hope it's not a dumb one, but does live view work with this lens?

[@JackieDElia]

The rear display and the LCD both show a live view, so most likely I see no reason why that wouldn’t be transferred to the app. I don’t have any way to test that right now though. Good question.