It looks like it's simply a reversed lens. I modified a 18-55 kit lens to attach the lens backwards for macro work, and as you mention, focusing is very frustrating. I even conected wires externally to keep electronic communication but the autofocus is pretty much useless. I recorded the whole process as a video tutorial. I may upload it sometime soon in case someone is interested.
@speake77777775 жыл бұрын
I'm interested. there are at least 3 versions of the 18-55mm which did you use?
@peeperpawsmcgee5 жыл бұрын
I just love your review style, its literally the most useful format I've ever encountered!
@becool3656 жыл бұрын
At this point this is a microscope........ I dare you to put macro tubes on it :D
@torbenlysholm16 жыл бұрын
Hahaha :-D
@SONYAdicto6 жыл бұрын
becool365 It would focus the dirt inside the lens lol
@Pastronomer696 жыл бұрын
I have no need for it, but I want it.
@DigitalNinja36 жыл бұрын
You are my one-stop KZbin Channel when I look for a lens.
@valdemarjrgensen80725 жыл бұрын
It's twice as expensive, but if you want something like this I think you should maybe consider the laowa ultra macra www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-25mm-f-2-8-2-5-5x-ultra-macro-2/
@danielaargandonalowe97645 жыл бұрын
@@valdemarjrgensen8072 what a nice lens the Laowa is! THanks for the suggestion!
@DanielM12245 жыл бұрын
I can relate
@Tw1x50004 жыл бұрын
me either, no need, but i bought it just a few days ago! great toy :-)
@ej_tech6 жыл бұрын
What if you took a picture of your test charts using the lowest ISO film you can find then using the processed 35mm film itself as the test chart for macro lenses.
@7evive5 жыл бұрын
There is iso 20 B&W film! They say it's equivalent to 435mp...
@wombatandoli32223 жыл бұрын
Love these reviews of more esoteric lenses! Good work!
@petrisara22336 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this great review! I´ve been thinking of getting this lens for a while now and tried to look for a decent review of it. :)
@slammermx6 жыл бұрын
It goes for about $169 at B&H, very temping and it has a mount for my camera!
@karafuru76666 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this. I've always wondered about this lens and you've answered all of the main points I wondered about.
@gnz-art6 жыл бұрын
I have that lens in my collection and I've gotta say it's pretty cool but also hard to nail focus. Overall a fun lens to use.
@alerijillo6 жыл бұрын
Nice. A proper review of this lens. Thanks!
@bulwynkl5 жыл бұрын
I've been contemplating this lens for mineral photography for a while. Definitely requires image stacking. When that is done, the results are astounding.
@enochcastleberry51974 жыл бұрын
I tried taking photos with this lens of my gf's engagement ring. single frames came out like shit. Thought about focus stacking but the problem changing focus changes the composition because the lens protrudes when focusing closer....
@darkhelmet165 жыл бұрын
As another commenter already said, you'll be better off just using a $6 reverser ring with a lens you already own... the experience is the same, but you'll save $200. Note that the wider the lens is when attached normally, the larger the magnification you'll get when it's attached backwards (e.g. my 10-18mm lens gets HUGE magnification when reversed, while my 55-250 gets only moderate magnification).
@EposVox6 жыл бұрын
This is amazing.
@GarbageKnight3 жыл бұрын
I got the Zhong yi super macro on ebay for 60 dollars. Took some looking, but they rented it for special project, and did not return it in time, so they company ate the cost. So they did not need it, and sold it on ebay to recoup some of the money. They took my offer, and i will be getting one of these in about 7 days from now.
@jjk99996 жыл бұрын
I think it was made with focus stacking in mind. Instead of changing focus. One would put it on a macro use tripod head that would allow you to move the camera forwards or back by tiny degrees. Then you take a bunch of photos and focus stack them.
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
I think you're right!
@cameraconspiracies6 жыл бұрын
I wish it was just a regular 20mm f2.
@chirag46 жыл бұрын
#MeToo ..... #MeThinks the same, 20/2 (non-macro) would be Perfect for (your) Vlogging, i am not a vlogger nor i intend to become one. GRACIAS !
@JackVolpe3 жыл бұрын
LOL young Kasey at the beginning of the almighty perfect camera/lens search :) didn't expect to find you here 😂
@jjk99996 жыл бұрын
Re lighting. One would use macro flash (either a ring light that would be around the lens, or two small lights to either side of the lens) or other macro lighting technique so I don't don't think the exposure times would be as long as in your video.
@MikeFyxdt5 жыл бұрын
Nicely done review on a tough lens to demo. Thanks!
@akashpradeep57486 жыл бұрын
saw weird lens review notification... clicked immediately . long time is last weird lens review
@valdemarjrgensen80725 жыл бұрын
I reckon the laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X ultra macro would be a preferable alternative to this lens.
@stever15142 жыл бұрын
Great review. can't believe you took those long exposures they seem crazy long. Seems like this is a Lens begging for a macro flash or ring light.. I wonder if that will help or if it's still barely enough
@ragnarocking4 жыл бұрын
I wonder if this is any different than just slapping a $5 reversal ring on a 50mm lens?
@fcolpz2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the review! Would it work for film scanning? Does it have a maximum focusing distance? Like can you get far enough from subject to photograph a 35mm or 6x6 frame?
@aleksituononen2235 Жыл бұрын
You couldn't focus far enough On full frame camera you would need a macro lens with 1:1 magnification to scan film.
@ricex25 жыл бұрын
frankly, i m intrigued by the triangular bokeh
@gpdu576 жыл бұрын
I'm wondering how the pictures would look like with extension tubes, how close we can get. Interesting lens, I haven't seen this one before.
@BeetleBuns2 жыл бұрын
I'm definitely going to try this
@Kolomy245 жыл бұрын
For macro photography you supposed to use diffused flash or even two of them,then no tripod needed since flash freezes image as it was shot at 1/1000 s
@naoyukisasanami5 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Nice hobby to collect textures and details
@st.michaelthearchangel77743 жыл бұрын
Is it possible to reverse this lens to do reverse macro with it? 😄
@kpbendeguz5 жыл бұрын
I'm looking for a cheap macro lens for scanning super 8mm film with my Fuji X-T3. The subject is 8mm wide (obviously) and the closer I can get the better. Light is not an issues since I'll use leds behind the celluloid. Do you thing this lens would fit for this need or should I go for a macro ring + some old manual fix?
@mhsvz67354 жыл бұрын
Thank you for another excellent review!
@lucasm80164 жыл бұрын
That lens can be quite interesting for focus stacking shots with a rail and tripod!
@Michael-Hammerschmidt5 ай бұрын
Would this lens be able to do film scanning, or is it too macro to capture a 35mm film slide?
@JeremyGalloway6 жыл бұрын
Chris, if you start doing Fujifilm lenses again now, your channel will explode! Everyone is dying to see you test them! Allow me to suggest the fantastic 18-55 f2.8-f4 😁
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure about that, but I have been very tempted recently to get a 24mp Fuji camera. Unfortunately I simply don't have the free time to branch out yet
@JeremyGalloway5 жыл бұрын
Christopher Frost Photography Understandable! I’ll stick around to watch whatever you put out, for curiosity’s sake. But Fuji lenses really are under-tested on youtube. You’d be filling a very valuable niche :)
@HS-fk6hb6 жыл бұрын
Great review as always!!
@jonnyraul31666 жыл бұрын
I waited for this video so long... thank you
@MeykTaruka2 жыл бұрын
The picture of the pen. It's right out of the box right?
@MrCROBosanceros5 жыл бұрын
This is microscope magnification territory. Did you use electronic first shutter curtain mode to eliminate image blur due to shutter vibration?
@mahook Жыл бұрын
I use 5x microscope lens with threads adapters +extension tube and it is similar to that design much cheaper
@jeffbird29836 жыл бұрын
I've been curious about this lens for a while. After seeing your great review video. I think I'll get one. Thank you Christopher. For this video and all the others that you have made.
@cheebawobanu3 жыл бұрын
I kinda like that triangular bokeh.
@gavinwade3496 жыл бұрын
I love weird lens reviews!
@MetalSlugzMaster5 жыл бұрын
The Zenit factory has recently updated its Zenitar 85mm f1.4 (Helios 40-3). Could you possibly do a review? I can find some examples online, but no comprehensive reviews yet.
@christopherfrost5 жыл бұрын
Maybe - I'll try to get in touch with them and request a review copy
@MetalSlugzMaster5 жыл бұрын
@@christopherfrost Great! thank you!
@saopaulosoul87145 жыл бұрын
but wouldn't you be using flash considering its a macro lens. I am sure that would then negate the dark images. like a macro flash ring
@maxbouvatte2 жыл бұрын
great video thank you
@MarcinP26 жыл бұрын
"It's a totally manual lens" Well, buying macro rings will be much cheaper then. :/
@s87343jim6 жыл бұрын
But you probably won't get 4.5X, extension tube really tests the resolving power of the lens.
@MarcinP26 жыл бұрын
@@s87343jim You are correct. Tested at +40mm extenson resulted in ~2.0x. A 24mm lens at f/4 looks softer than this. Cannot really get ot the 4.5x because the lens cannot focus even if the object is touching it.
@mihailmorozov34565 жыл бұрын
Canon MP-E Gives 5X... the same difficulties but it,s a beast, and quality is very good
@InterMaus6 жыл бұрын
Do you usually keep these cheap/weird lenses you review? (I'm assuming these are not loan review copies.)
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
I bought this one and I will sell it. I can't afford to keep all these lenses!
@InterMaus6 жыл бұрын
@@christopherfrost Makes sense, i was just wondering, appreciate your answer. Were there any you fell in love with though? Say that Helios 44-2 for example?
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
@@InterMaus Only on very rare occasions. I did keep hold of the Helios lens for a while but I never seemed to use it so that got sold, too! Remember, I'm testing new lenses all the time - so that's entertainment enough for me :-)
@octaviomoran84755 жыл бұрын
This one vs the new 7artisans 60mm f2.8 macro 1:1???
@Deathwing89665 жыл бұрын
Hi Chris, hope you can review the new Canon EFM 32mm 1.4!
@christopherfrost5 жыл бұрын
It will happen soon in the new year - I can't wait to try it :-)
@dopamining76216 жыл бұрын
Weren't you tempted to try the ibis in your Sony with this lens?
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
At such close distances it won't be very effective I'm afraid
@Dragonheng6 жыл бұрын
7min + okey i hold a Cup of Tea in my left hand and wait.. 5 min later the Cat need fun wiht the 20mm lens, so a wait again.
@hipstercrab58864 жыл бұрын
triangular bokeh isn't ugly ! it's unique !
@collinmclaren66086 жыл бұрын
So what I'm getting is this is pretty much useless unless you have some extreme specialty use for it. You'd just be better off spending a few extra hundred dollars on a proper macro lens and pair it up with some extension tubes or close-up filters. I will disagree with you on the bokeh complaint. I don't understand why whenever a lens produces anything other than the standard bokeh balls, people think its ugly. I've heard the complaint with mirror lenses as well. If anything, that should give the images even more character. You don't typically see bokeh shaped like triangles or donuts. I view that as a unique quality.
@EdHunter555 жыл бұрын
why would this not be a proper macro lens as that is exactly what it does? And even if you get yourself a "proper" macro lens to get to 4.5 times magnification you'd need quite a stack of macro tubes. 370mm worth of macro tubes for a 105mm to be precise. You'd end up with a 500mm+ long monstrosity. If you need these kinds of magnifications idd pick the Mitakon over your suggestion any day.
@TheJudge0645 жыл бұрын
I think it's because bokeh is supposed to melt away in the background and help bring the subject into focus. Interesting bokeh doesn't really do that now does it?
@Station9.754 жыл бұрын
The further to focal distance, the less benefit you get from extension tubes. Tubes aren’t going to get you as close as this thing will even with a long macro lens. It’s pretty much a weak microscope.
@Bikash_Jana6 жыл бұрын
Please please review Tamron 17-35 f 2.8 OSD lense. It would be great to see.
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
One day, yes
@pepponeskie3 жыл бұрын
I think the concept of this is closely the same with the reverse lens macro set up.
@chrisrockt90646 жыл бұрын
Nice Review of a nice lens! Greetings from Chris to Chris 🤗
@ubuechsenschuetz63563 жыл бұрын
Just watched the review and am desperately missing a word about focus stacking, which is what you normally do with images produced by such macro lenses.
@photohounds3 жыл бұрын
Try ZERENE stacker - all PC platforms supported ...
@jamesohara42956 жыл бұрын
Are you suggesting Counterfeiters would find it more than useful :)
@sclogse12 жыл бұрын
I'd rather get a Toshiba closeup set I can use on a fast vintage and crop at low ISO..
@lazerman1216 жыл бұрын
Man I have been eyeing this lens ever since my USB microscope kicked the bucket I may pic one up soon. Definitely better image quality.
@shroominion75295 жыл бұрын
Can anybody tell me for the sony if the 90 mm had better macro capabilities than this?
@henryD93636 жыл бұрын
Is this a completely fixed focus lens?
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
Watch the review, and you'll find out!
5 жыл бұрын
no F mount?
@adi39076 жыл бұрын
Why not use an external flash for macro?
@christopherfrost6 жыл бұрын
Go for it!
@adi39076 жыл бұрын
Cool👍
@hiresmusic5 жыл бұрын
It is microscopic lens. Who used microscope knows how much light it needs for bright image, and this lens work on same principle. Good magnification but very bad light properties. Canon 65 2.8 of course much better but cost 6x times more.
@wesleycwagner5 жыл бұрын
Is there a way to mute the piano solo?
@christopherfrost5 жыл бұрын
Nope!
@LuckyLooser6665 жыл бұрын
For the cost of this lens, it is very cool. :)
@SoFloShylockPrankstv6 жыл бұрын
You guys ever wonder what an octopus based vehicle will look like?
@Optidorf5 жыл бұрын
Doesn't seem very practical with a focus distance of 1.5 cm.
@topsecret39266 жыл бұрын
What a funny thing 😂
@pterois59144 жыл бұрын
i just turned my 18-135 mm canon lens by 180 degrees to achieve this
@RandomLifeProductions6 жыл бұрын
I think I’ll stick to me cannon m macro lens...... not flexible enough this lens....
@snol3 жыл бұрын
This dude just called triangular bokeh ugly
@oldcreepyhouseexplorersclu36575 жыл бұрын
Great Lens if you know how to use it!
@patrickdelafon86182 жыл бұрын
I wonder if anybody has tried this lens with extension tubes or bellows...
@hipphipphurra773 жыл бұрын
Seems very much like a microscope lens.
@MacM5455 жыл бұрын
I have been using one for my Fuji XT2. I have no complaints over sharpness, at least at around f/5.6. But even stopping down further, I might be able to have some luck with deconvolution in post. I want to post a video of my setup, which is essentially a microscope, made from my camera. I do wish that the lens had special lens elements to improve clarity and maybe even infinity focus would be great. I took some focus stacked photos with the lens: www.flickr.com/photos/160246804@N08/ Requires a rather extremely large amount of light
@limyohwan3 жыл бұрын
thats not bokeh, thats a ufo
@torbenlysholm16 жыл бұрын
Wow, that's one specialized lens.
@witono5866 жыл бұрын
Looks like a copy of the Olympus 20mm f2 x4.2 macro
@Josechpruiz6 жыл бұрын
It looks like a normal lens that has been reversed. And essentially that's what it is
@freundlee5 жыл бұрын
Just a copy of Olympus om 20mm/f2
@dragonaut42085 жыл бұрын
it's just a backward lens
@ariantoonly53605 жыл бұрын
to small coverage area...and it's not cheap for china's product.
@schregen6 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Chris. I hope GOD will help you find enlightenment and unity with all beings in the universe! 🍄🏳️🌈🍄🏳️🌈🍄
@billmcdonald43356 жыл бұрын
That's what LSD does.
6 жыл бұрын
What an unnecessary remark.
@blender_wiki3 жыл бұрын
Macro photographers use flash, maybe you must do some home work before expose yourself.