Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Full Review | Best Macro Lens?

In this video, I'll be giving you my full review of the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO - Is this the best macro lens?
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#macrophotography #review #stewartwood

[@annieglendinning9827]

Great review thank you! I've had mine for a couple of months now and love love love it!

[@FrederickDunn]

Very nicely presented. Sold. I can't wait to get this lens on my Z-Mount Body and run some tests. Nice tip regarding the need for that front filter. All the best to you!

[@blankslatecreative9153]

I just picked one of these up second hand. Absolutely love it!

[@gilleswalther5964]

Mine will be delivered on Monday... can't wait! And great review by the way, you got a new subscriber

[@JB-ou6fl]

Great review! Thanks for making this video.

[@janmartin4864]

I’m convinced getting one for Xmas thank you for your fantastic review

[@ahngao]

just bought the laowa 65mm for my Fuji X-mount. can't wait to test it!

[@CharlesMrdbCFrancis]

AMAZING REVIEW of this lens. Way better then other reviews ive searched for!

[@groges7999]

Thank you for a great review, you've persuaded me to buy it tomorrow

[@ghananatgeo]

Great video Wood. I have also joined your Facebook group and is getting this lens. Thanks man

[@CarlConstantine]

Yep I LOVE my EF mount version of this lens.

[@KerstenPhoto]

Saw some good things about this lens. One day i'm going to get this lens. Thank you sharing you video Stewart.

[@stoffa2543]

Good rewiev. Im now officially tempted to get this lens.

[@rosasgonzales9524]

I have been eyeing the Z mount/FX version of this lens for weeks now...decisions...decisions... thanks for the detailed and balanced video, as always Stewart!

[@danielgoldberg2129]

I just got into Macro photography and enjoyed your video. I use a LUMIX M4/3 camera and I bought the Laowa 50mm lens. I just used it for the first time two days ago and I’m waiting for a flash and diffuser. Anyway, even with the camera’s built in flash I have taken a few nice photos. They seem to have fixed the front lens sealing, but the focus ring is still metal and a bit stiff. (The one trick I have learned so far is to set the focal distance I want and then move the whole camera back and forth to focus rather than chasing the focus with the ring.) Cheers!

[@FTropper]

I'm quite curious what they do next. I have the 100mm 2x and I really enjoy it. Also some of the other "weird" lenses are quite appealing to me.

[@23wewee]

Nice review to this amazing lens!

[@celko889]

Great review man! Does the focus ring have hard stops or is it the same as 100L?

[@theletterm14]

Just bought it! Looking forward to using it!!

[@marianodemiguel3442]

great review. SO helpful

[@GrahamGphotoParker]

Great video.I would like to get into water drop photography. Would you recommend it for that and the distance you need to shoot? Cheers

[@alanwood5590]

Thanks for the helpful review Stewart. I’m thinking of this lens for my Canon R5. With the manual aperture on the RF mount version do you need to compose/focus with the lens wide open and then close down to the shooting aperture to take the image or does the brightness of the viewfinder adjust to compensate for different apertures?

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

Thanks for the review. Maybe. I special ordered it today. You spent my money.

[@markattardo]

I hope they make a micro 4/3 auto aperture version. Aside from macro, I really miss manual focus in some situations. Focus by wire doesn't cut it after you use a good old fashioned hard coupled focus ring.

[@stevendmercado1783]

Amazing reviews on this lens!! I just got a new Canon R, is this lens not compatible with mirrorless ??

[@jemenesk]

7:45 image, wow!👏👏👏 You just sold me the lens🤓

[@MattMarcio]

Laowa is the game changer of macro photography !!

[@elisabethlafontaine8979]

About to buy this lens. Stewart please would you make a video on getting and keeping jumping spiders! Absolutely fascinated with this! Thanks!

[@aussiecoastie72]

Great review, I think I want one

[@douglasstemke2444]

I got one. Lovely lens. I use it on Pentax bodies. It is heavy relative to the Pentax DFA f2.8 and it lacks weather sealing which is the only reason it isn't always in my bag.

[@zac2669]

Amazing stuff, God bless

[@huntersmoon9724]

Brilliant review. Love the strong warning to other lens producers at the end. I'm a newbie and "need" this lens now.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I tell it like it is :)

[@thehungryman-]

@@StewartWoodArt this lens good for macro video or not ? Thanks

[@tkermi]

@@thehungryman- Well it's fully manual - so no AF and also no IS - but otherwise I can't see why not...

[@PJCC_BAISH]

That is where the user's proficiency and creativity kicks in.

[@martinhogarth3862]

Hi, I just found your channel, and can I ask how do you do all these Macro images I have a Panasonic Lumix G9, i.e. micro 4/3 as I can't get a good shallow DoF ...love the vlogs by the way..

[@flyjofly5393]

Waoooooo I loved this video the best video I have seeing on youtube you got e big like from me. I have e cuestion ( I have a sony 6600 APS-C can I use it? Mi job is doing commercial video B- Roll to product . Thank you

[@diaryofcreation582]

I have been wanting to get this for a while now. But at this point I'm moving over to mirrorless so I'll be going for the Laowa 90mm. I am incredibly curious to see how it performs compared to my Tokina 100mm macro.

[@TheSpitfire10]

Fantastic review. I am changing my camera and was looking at the Canon 760d. Would /what you recommend this lens. EF would be my preferred option

[@StewartWoodArt]

Yes, I would recommend this lens :)

[@mcvideoeditingandphotograp4560]

Hi Stewart nice video 👍 I thinking to get Laowa macro lens I have Canon M50 can you recommend this lens or 65mm Laowa 2.8 EOS M ??? Thank you 😊

[@BrandonSoum]

Thanks for showing the APSC comparisons and review!! I currently use extension tubes and may be consider this lens as I progress for when Christmas arrives as a gift to myself 😃

[@mb-hb1fr]

Hi Brandon I own a canon EOS 3000D could you please tell me if this lens is compatible with my camera?

[@BrandonSoum]

@@mb-hb1fr If you're looking to purchase the EF version; Yes. EF and EF-S mounts will fit your camera. Hope that helps!

[@mb-hb1fr]

@@BrandonSoum thanks for your reply, which would you suggest for a crop sensor camera 100mm or 60 mm

[@BrandonSoum]

@@mb-hb1fr I'd consider what focal length you're looking for, esp. if you have aspc; you must factor the Canon 1.6x crop. 100*1.6 = 160mm 60x1.6 = 96mm

[@mb-hb1fr]

@@BrandonSoum thanks for the reply. I do have an idea of crop factor on telephoto lens but no clue about how does it affect macro photography? However, I feel that 160 mm focal length is a bit more versatile. What do you think please suggest?

[@stp182314343]

I own a Nikon z6, so I don’t need image stabilization and it has a nice feature to focus manually. So I think I will buy one.The other option I was thinking of,was the Zeiss Milivus 100mm macro. But it is f mount, so I would have to use the ftz adapter... and it’s double in price

[@withmeuntiltheend]

Great video. I've been eyeing this lens for some time now. Does the EF version work with an RF/EF Canon adapter? Was thinking of snagging the EF version for my EOS R if the auto aperture still worked.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I've had no issue using it with my EOS R, I use the control ring adapter.

[@windsskat]

Yes, I love it, it works really well with Sony A7R4

[@1986Patric]

I ordered it two days ago. Using a Canon RP but thanks to your live video a few weeks ago I went with the EF mount as well. Looking forward!

[@walterhaase]

I just got mine and am trying to figure something out. If I got into manual mode on my RP with a flash, the preview ends up being so dark and when I take the picture it is over exposed. Trying to figure out the setting and what I am missing.

[@1986Patric]

@@walterhaase On the RP, you can disable the Exposure simulation (or set it on a button for when you need it). Click Camera Menu, third page of settings on the bottom.

[@walterhaase]

@@1986Patric ah thank you!! It was my first mirrorless lol works so much better now!

[@magnusterminus4728]

My euro 70,- Vivitar manual 90mm 2.8 "Komine" version from the late 70 ties is extremely sharp (D800). Komine is serialnr starting with 22.

[@Fotografia-moja-pasja]

Super !!! Stewart, please provide a link to the filter that protects this lens. Enter its full name with symbols. I can't find it on the internet. Thank you. Greetings.

[@RicardoGomezToro]

Thank you for this review. You weren't kidding. The Laowa 100mm 2x is sharp. I shoot Sony and have a Sony 90mm Macro G. Yes, it is sharper than the Sony by far. Which one do I choose? Both. For most things macro I don't need AF but the Sony lens has decent AF so it tends to be my go to walk around lens. When I know I'm going to target small macro subjects I will pick the Laowa.

[@ALWH1314]

The lens is bright and sharp, the focus ring travel is not very smooth and a bit short for me, also it is pretty heavy for hand held. The 2x is the primary reason for me and it came with a filter was a pleasant surprise. It’s a good buy for the price.

[@virendhumal]

Hey, can you please compare this lens with Irix 150mm. I want a comparison mainly in the manual focus region, as I plan to shoot macro video.

[@cescobianchi]

Hey Stew! In your opinion it is better the 50mm on micro 4/3 (Panasonic GH5) or the 100mm on FF (Canon 6D). I have both cameras. The photos I have to take are jewels and precious stones inside a lightbox. Photos that I will then use on my website. Thanks so much!

[@MrGflan]

Hey Stewart. I’m using the youngno twin flash with the magnetic diffuser plastic custom bits that fella sold a few years ago. What are you using for your flash now? Do you find that the youngno setup diffusers didn’t soften the light as much as other things you have used? Thanks.

[@rtm2763]

An Interesting macro lens ......what is the minimum working distance to get 2x magnification? Thanks

[@ReflectingMe2024]

Stewart - would this 100mm lens be worth putting on my Sony a6500 instead of the 65mm APSC version? Appreciate it is a large lens but that doesn't put me off. What's your thoughts please?

[@volcaniadread]

great review! and a happy ending:)

[@carlossantini]

great vid! Whats your take on Voigtlander macro lenses?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I’ve not used that lens I’m afraid.

[@photonomist6345]

Hi Stewart and thanks for all your great videos. If you had a moment to give a view on which of the Laowa ultra macros would be best for me I'd be mega-grateful. I have the superb Tamron 90mm x1 but want the extra magnification to shoot very small creatures, so not that interested in focussing to infinity etc. So I just can't decide between this 100mm, the 60mm x2 and finally the x2.5-5. They all seem to be superb so any thoughts you had would be very interesting to me! Thanks again...

[@liamoneill536]

📌

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

Great review, mate! You showed the strengths of this lens quite well. I'm curious to know if it has aperture detents (or half, even thirds)? The shortcomings are important, too, though having a sharp, general use lens that goes ∞ to 2:1 is impressive, to say the least. As a Nikon DSLR shooter, I would miss out on the benefit of auto-aperture, or even just aperture-preset (and a lens CPU to communicate which lens and the manual settings used to the camera.) Maybe they'll do right by us Nikon folks in the future! Meanwhile, interesting lens and company, one to watch. Best of luck

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you :)

[@wcsdiaries]

@@StewartWoodArt Should I get the laowa or canon lens for jewelry photography?

[@jeromeThailande]

I don't have the ais 105 but the af105 is sharper with af on my camera in live view even hand hold, but I love the Laowa

[@WMedl]

I am an MFT shooter and consider to buy a fully manual macro lens, though there is a dedicated MFT version (50mm) with electronic contacts I consider to by either the 60 mm version or the 100 mm both for Nikon F to be able to upgrade to another brand. From the point of distance I would prefer the 100 mm because of more DoF. For my experiences so far shooting very small objects from a very tiny distance it is extremely difficult hand held to get acceptably sharp images. With the old Nikon F 85 mm and a Marumi close up of 5 diopter I had less problems than with the Olympus 60mm macro set the latter to 0,5 magnification f8r comparison. Would you advice to choose the 100 mm?

[@althahabiya]

Hello Stewart, how it works with the Nikon Z6 camera?

[@saabvanderlinden9214]

is this a good choice for my nikon d7500 ? .......i wanted de 65mm but there not for nikon i believe

[@patprop74]

My question for you is, Where are you finding all the different species of those jumping spiders? i am very much into outdoor handheld macro and never seen more than two different kinds of Jumping spiders natively.

[@jamalbenjabbou3163]

I am new to macrophotography and i just want to ask you if the LOAWA 100 mm 2X works for Nikon D700. Thanks

[@rosasgonzales9524]

Now that I have decided to buy a Laowa macro lens, I'm torn between the 100mm f/2.8 2x and 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x. I love the versatility and working distance that the 100mm can give but I cannot ignore the 5x capability of the 25mm. Do I really need 5x? Can I achieve 5x with 100 mm by adding extension tubes with less hassle? Most of my macro subjects are inanimate but wanted to try insects as well.

[@lltysonll]

Is the laowa100mm 2x better choice over a sony90mm macro with raynox dcr-250?

[@virtualfitnesstv]

nice one,i wonder the irix 150 mm will produce more less the same size image result life size wisew?

[@StewartWoodArt]

The Irix 150mm is a good lens and is built very well but is not as sharp.

[@TheMarceloBandito]

With a Nikon D5600 good choice to make ultra macro photos? What quality will be with it?

[@AmeanAbdelfattah]

How does this compare to the Sony FE 90mm f2.8 Macro II lens? Was looking for a good one for my zv-e10.

[@MikeBeltMikeBelt]

I'm debating between this lens or the Canon 85mm Macro RF. If I add extension tubes to it, would it be a good option compared to this lens?

[@DinaSaeedy]

Hiya Steward loved the review! I'm a newbie photographer and I am looking to get a 100mm macro lens. Do you think the Laowa will fit on my ancient Canon EOS 450D camera body?

[@unaiarts]

I'm using it on my ancient 500D handheld and without flash and it's OK. However i'm waiting for a EOS R as I think time has come to retire this old camera :P

[@grantpeier]

Excellent review and thanks for the APS-C demonstration which applies to my X-T4... You are really hurting my wallet, haha. I'm sold

[@rightword]

Question. Will this lens fit on a Nikon D700 camera?

[@nathanquintanilla8633]

For an EOS-R, would you go EF mount or RF?

[@robertgoodwin2456]

Got one of these, one positive point of the removable filter; if you ding it or scratch it, just swap it out. Awesome bit of kit. Although not as good at infinity focal distances. And focus indicator doesn't work on 7DII.

[@kevywilliams3304]

You have to manually focus infinity

[@robertgoodwin2456]

@@kevywilliams3304 You have to manually this lens at all distances. I was referring to the actual optical performance when focussed at or near infinity. i.e it's not as good. Plus it's harder to identify where the focus is at it's peak in such a scenario.

[@RobBowesPhotography]

Bought one of these for my Nikon Z and its an awesome lens

[@jimstirling7223]

Rob, does it have a coupled aperture ?

[@walkermack7139]

Jim Stirling the Nikon Z mount does not

[@alancampbell22003]

other top video I like the idea of the lens but still no sure if be better than the sigma 105

[@smooth111012]

How would this compare to the Tt artisan 100mm tilt n shift macro?

[@rblast1]

Nice video

[@Imhotep397]

I know this is old, but I’m wondering if at infinity the lens front is deep down in the body or at the front.

[@sureshlokre4742]

Hello Stewart I did buy this lens after watching your video, however as it not auto focus I was not able to take same subject pictures with different focus points, which ultimately not possible for photo stacking. How did you do the spider pic with stacking? Please!

[@StewartWoodArt]

I did it manually by moving the camera forward.

[@Andy1076]

oh wow i used to own the 100 macro for Canon and i miss it even now that I own a Sony a7r3, i would definitely have to learn manual focus when depending on the screen oof!

[@StewartWoodArt]

You can do it!

[@ptaf92]

My Laowa lens is set automatically to crop mode on the R6 and i can't change it to full. any help ?

[@Voliere-infoNl]

whats the difference between this "open" lens vs a lens that expands out from the original closed state?

[@ALEGARDE2012]

Can i use this lens in crop frame camera?

[@proartwork7189]

Do you like this better than the loawa 65mm?

[@stevelink21]

Nice review, Stewart, but I'm curious...Does that Canon version of this lens have a very short focus "throw", like my Nikon version does? In other words, I find that when rotating the Focus ring even SLIGHTLY, the point of focus immediately shifts! This makes "precise" focusing a bit difficult and time-consuming, requiring several back and forth movements to obtain sharp/optimum focus! That's my only nitpick...otherwise, as you stated, the sharpness is superb! Thanks!

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

Interesting, good additional info! Quite often macro lenses have a longer 'focus throw' and you'll need to twist more, but have more precision for magnified shooting. It would be real interesting to have a lens which adjusts this to greater throw at closer distances to less throw at longer distances. That's a pretty big ask - I'm not aware of any lens that does this

[@stevetqp9152]

@@TSPhotoAtlanta Yes, that would be great indeed, sir. My only issue with this lens on my Nikon Z7 is that too short focus throw. As I mentioned above, the sharpness I obtain is absolutely fantastic, especially when I do focus merge, in which I take many dozen images of a small product at different focus points, and then combine in post-processing. The detail obtained in this fashion is stunning, and indeed, rivals that of medium format images. Thanks for your comment!

[@merlinbernese]

Hi. Thanks in advance for your comments. I am fuji x mount user so I am wondering how Will perform this lens in fuji tx2?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I haven’t used the Fuji so I can’t comment.

[@shahriar73]

What was the sound it makes you were talking about at the end of the video. I didnt hear anything

[@frod116]

Getting my start in macro now that we’re inside most of the time. I shoot Sony and have the budget for their 90mm macro 2.8 with 1:1 magnification, I understand this lens has 2:1 seems like you would still recommend the 1:1 Canon lens for build quality would it be the same for the Sony and don’t gain much from the 2:1?

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

Could you even use the Canon lens on your Sony camera? Also, I thought he said the Laowa was sharper; it probably costs less; and I'm guessing that it's available, as I think the Canon 100/2.8 macro went out of production years ago! The Laowa is 2:1 macro, vs the Canon's maximum native macro magnification of 1:1. For the sake of comparing these two....

[@SteveSSBB]

Hi Stewart. There were initial reports about problems with the grease used inside the lens as it was not temperature stable and was causing a mess when it got hot. Have you noticed any such issues with your units or do you have any insight about changes to the materials used?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I've not had any issues.

[@p5eudo883]

That's something I noticed in Amazon reviews, and it put me off quickly. This video is making me reconsider. But it seems like this lens has a few weak points that could turn it into a serious regret if triggered.

[@mb-hb1fr]

Can I use it with my CANON EOS 3000D DSLR?

[@kaiyankwong1465]

Just gets the EF version of this lens, it works fine in my EOS-M body via Canon adapter. However, it doesn't work with sigma MC-11 in my Sony A7R4, the aperture dose not work and stays open. Hope that laowa can fix this problem so that I can enjoy my 60M macro photos.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I would say it's properly more an issue with your adapter than the lens.

[@zytr0x108]

I hope they’ll make an Automatic IS version for RF. Would be a killer lens

[@StewartWoodArt]

If canon would release the mount info for third party lenses they can.

[@mkh8771]

Hi Stewart. Thank you for the video. Do you think this lens works with Canon 6D mark II for jewelry photography?

[@StewartWoodArt]

Yes it does!

[@mkh8771]

@@StewartWoodArt thank you! :)

[@kienobimedia]

Great review thanks for sharing! I have a question I tried to put my circular polarize filter into this lens and it doesn’t fit for some reason. Do you have a solution?

[@StewartWoodArt]

Step up/down rings.

[@kienobimedia]

@@StewartWoodArt i tried the same size filter (67mm) but it still doesn't fit. Were you able to do that? Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

[@StewartWoodArt]

@@kienobimedia It should fit, are the threads ok?

[@kienobimedia]

@@StewartWoodArt Ahh it works today! I think it is because i accidentally used the step down rings instead of step up ones. Silly me. Thanks for your response!

[@waroflightsphotography]

Is this autofocus? Please help Im planning to shift with this lens I am having a canon eos R

[@Roar.]

Weird that the RF version has no automatic aperture and only 7 blades vs 9 on the EF... I guess I will go for the EF version then.

[@gizzmosaurusfpv35]

What sort of flash do you use. I use a ring flash which would require me removing the filter.

[@StewartWoodArt]

The filter on the lens has a thread so you can still use your flash. I use a twin macro flash.

[@ulfhethnar3687]

is that lens filter what you mentioned in the video comes with the lens or thats extra? thanks

[@MindzEyz]

It comes with it.

[@binomair9326]

Hi which one best for close detail laowa 100mm or canon mpe 65mm!!

[@StewartWoodArt]

For close up detail I would have to go for the Canon MP-E 65mm.

[@messylaura]

next up laowa 600mm f2? :). Stewart have you tried a x2 converter on this lens?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'm afraid I don't have any 2x converters to try it.

[@garyloader1416]

Heya Laura, I just tried my 1.4 converter with this lens on my Sony FF in APS-C mode.... it becomes a 4x macro!

[@lifeinluxe5300]

It works in bodies Nikon D3400 ?🙏