Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Now Available For the Canon EOS R

Laowa 100mm F/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
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Venus Optics has released the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens for the Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts.

At a glance:

  • 2:1 Magnification at same physical size – All of the 100mm macro lenses in the market can only reproduce 1:1 magnificati on (life-size) image only. The extended 2x magnification means more details ca n be seen through the lens. Photographers can now take advantage of the wider magnification range to capture bugs at different sizes.
  • Apochromat APO design (invisible CA)- The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 has a Apochromat (APO) design where the chromatic aberration (CA) at BOTH in-focus & out-of-focus area is controlled to the minimal. CA has long been one of the most annoying aberrations for macro photography and now you can forget about this and focus more on taking a great shot.
  • Similar size as 1:1 macro lens – Despite the extended magnification range, the size of our Laowa 100mm is actually comparable to other macro lenses in the market.
  • Outstanding Sharpness
  • Smooth Bokeh rendering
  • Outstanding Portrait lens with crystal sharpness – Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro APO is not only a exceptionally macro lens. It can also focus to infinity and is a very decent telephoto portrait lens.

The new Laowa 100mm Macro is now available at major retailers at $449: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

More Laowa lenses coverage is listed here.

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

Venus Optics press release:

Venus Optics announce the availability of Canon RF & Nikon Z
options for the awards-winning Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens

Anhui China, Apr 20, 2020 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer
specializes in making unique camera lenses, is proud to announce that the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens was awarded with the ‘Best DSLR Macro Lens’ TIPA World Awards 2020 by Technical Image Press Association. Venus Optics is the first Chinese lens manufacturer getting this prestigious award in TIPA history. This is also the second international award received by this macro lens. (Previously been awarded with Lucie Technical Award ‘Best Special Purpose Lens” by Lucie Foundation) Venus Optics is also pleased to announce the new Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts are now ready to ship.

Launched in June 2019, the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens is the 2nd 2:1 Macro lens with infinity focus in Laowa Macro Lens lineup. It can achieve double life-sized magnification where most telephoto macro lens in the market can only focus up to 1:1. Unlike other ultra-macro lenses in the market, the Laowa 100mm can also focus to infinity, making it one of the most versatile lens in macro photography, product and portrait photography.

The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens has adopted an apochromatic (APO) design. Both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration has been controlled to the minimal through a carefully designed optics system with 2pcs of extra-low dispersion elements in use.

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens can cover full frame sensor and is available in 5 different mounts (Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Canon RF & Nikon Z).
Pricing & Availability: The suggested retail selling price in US of the new Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens is USD 449/pc (ex-VAT). Pricing varies in different countries.

RF Mount Macro Lenses For The EOS R Might Be In The Works, Patents Suggest

RF Mount Macro
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I think it’s just logic to expect that Canon will continuously release RF mount versions of most of the lenses currently existing for the EF mount. RF mount macro lenses for sure too.

Two Canon patent applications in Japan (2020-60660A and 2020-60661A, spotted by Hi Lows Note), show that Canon R&D departments are working on such lenses, and we think here too we have a patent application that might hit the market sooner or later. Optical formulas for RF mount macro lenses with focal lengths of 90mm, 100mm and 180mm, all f/2.8, are discussed in the patent applications.

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

Save 30% On All DxO Photo Editing Software (Nik Collection included)

Nik Collection
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DxO has their photo editing software discounted until April 26, 2020.

You can save up to 30% on all DxO photo editing applications.

My favorite has always been Nik Collection, and here are a lot of lessons and tutorials available.

More hand-picked deals are listed here.

Today’s Gold Box and one day only deals at Amazon US, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, B&H Photo, eBay, Adorama.

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals might be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

Canon Rumor: IBIS On Canon EOS M Cameras Mentioned Again

Canon Eos M6 Mark Ii Firmware Canon Rumor
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Here is a new Canon rumor, suggesting again that Canon might feature IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) on the EOS M lineup.

This refers two the rumored EOS M cameras, the replacement for the EOS M50 (EOS M60 or EOS M50 II) and the EOS M5 Mark II. Both of these cameras were also already rumored before. However, the mew rumor suggests that at least one of the two upcoming EOS M cameras will have IBIS. We think this is possible.

We also know that IBIS will be featured on the EOS R5 and EOS R6.

Upcoming Canon announcements:

We expect Canon to announce a new Cinema camera on April 20, 2020, during a livestreamed conference, most likely the Canon Cinema EOS C300 Mark III. The EOS R5 will not be announced on April 20, 2020, we expect the EOS R5 announcement before Summer 2020.

More Canon rumor stuff is listed here. Stay safe.

Here Is Another Canon Patent For IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization)

In Body Image Stabilization
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Here is one more Canon patent dealing with IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization). We’ll see this technology soon on the upcoming Canon EOS R5.

Canon patent application US20200120251 discusses technology and means of implementation of IBIS. Although the images in the patent literature depict a DSLR, we have no doubt IBIS will first be seen on a Canon mirrorless camera.

From the patent abstract:

An image pickup apparatus which makes the load applied to a movable unit when it is displaced nearly uniform. The movable unit controlled by a control unit is capable of being in at least a predetermined direction. A first flexible board has a first connecting portion connected to the movable unit, a first wiring portion extended from the first connecting portion in a first direction different from a direction of an optical axis, and a second connecting portion placed at an end of the first wiring portion and connected to the control unit. A second flexible board has a third connecting portion connected to the movable unit, a second wiring portion extended from the third connecting portion in a second direction different from the direction of the optical axis, and a fourth connecting portion placed at an end of the second wiring portion and connected to the control unit.

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

How To Make A Working Lens Out Of A Toilet Paper Roll

Toilet Paper
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Toilet paper seems to be one of the most sought after items during the Coronavirus pandemic, at least in certain regions of the world.

Maybe bored by the social isolation, Mathieu Stern decided to build a working lens out of a roll of toilet paper. Yep. He says:

There is no concrete reason why we need more toilet paper than usual during this Pandemic but maybe one good reason is that everyone want’s to make camera lenses?

The 2 minutes video below shows how it is done.

Photos are a bit crappy but I guess this fits with a toilet paper roll lens. And given how expensive toilet paper got in some places, it might even be a somewhat expensive lens.

Stay safe, stay at home, and don’t use too much toilet paper.