Laowa 58mm f/2.8 APO 2x Macro Review (great value, D. Abbott)

Laowa 58mm F/2.8

Here is a Laowa 58mm f/2.8 APO 2x Macro review by one of the most serious and professional gear reviewers you may find. The The Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO has been just announced, and sells at $499 at Venus Optics.

Dustin Abbott posted his exhaustive and complete Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO review. From Mr. Abbott’s conclusion:

[…] I’m delighted with the Laowa 58mm F2.8 APO 2x Macro. While it is very similar in many ways to the 90mm F2.8 APO 2x Macro, the wider focal length opens up a lot of different and unique opportunities. Very close macro is a little more difficult due to the closer working distance, but I do think that is compensated for by the versatility of the focal length for other subjects.

It is that versatility that makes this such an appealing option, much like my Voigtländer 65mm but with more macro capabilities […]

When you look at the price tag (about $500 USD) relative to the competing lenses, the Laowa really starts to feel like a great value, particularly if you tend to do your macro work utilizing manual focus anyway. Modern mirrorless bodies eliminate a lot of the sting of doing macro work, and you can’t argue with the kinds of results you can get from this lens. This is a top-notch value lens, and should be near the top of your macro list if you own a Canon, Sony, Nikon, or Leica mirrorless body and would prefer a slightly wider angle of view in your macro lens.

Read the full review on Dustin Abbott’s website…

The review comes with test charts, sample pics, and much more. As usual, D. Abbott also posts a video-review that someone might prefer to the written review. It’s here for your viewing pleasure.

More reviews by Dustin Abbott are listed here.

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Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO Lens Announced

Laowa 58mm F/2.8

Venus Optics announced a new lens, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO, RF mount version available among other mount types.

The Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO sells at $499 and is available at Venus Optics.

Press release:

Anhui China, 22 September, 2022 – Venus Optics, the lens manufacturer that has been always endeavouring to invent unique lenses, is stoked to release the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO. This mirrorless-designed macro lens offers a 40.9° angle of view on full frame sensors. And like many other Laowa macro lenses, it can focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity which makes it suitable for professional macro, portrait or a walk-around lens. It features an apochromatic (APO) design that chromatic aberration is compressed to the minimum. With 3 ED elements and 3 Ultra-High Refractive Index elements, the lens delivers an outstanding sharpness. Despite its metal housing, the lens only weighs 595g which is extremely portable. It comes with 4 mount options: Sony E / Canon R / Nikon Z / L mount and a price of USD499.

Up to 2x magnification 

This new 58mm lens has the capability to focus from 2X magnification to infinity. The minimum focusing distance is 7.29” (18.5cm). Giving you more flexibility in subject selection. From tiny ant to larger dragonfly, you can capture it with one single lens.

More than a macro lens

Being able to focus infinity, the 58mm focal length (40.9° AoV) pair with the f/2.8 aperture give the lens more usage than just a macro lens. You can also use it for portrait, product photography or use as walk-around lens.

Apochromat (APO) design

The lens is engineered to suppress both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration across in-focus & out-of-focus areas. Purple fringing and ghosting are controlled to the minimum throughout the aperture range. The APO design greatly reduces your post-editing time substantially especially in macro photography.

Outstanding sharpness and image quality

Specially designed for mirrorless system, the lens packed 3 ED elements and 3 Ultra-High Refractive Index elements. With a shorter flange distance, it is not only improving the image sharpness but also makes the lens more compact. It brings you a whole new macro shooting experience.

Deeper depth of field 

The shorter focal length relative to 100mm would give greater depth of field. You can get more in-focus details from your subject under the same aperture. This gives you more control when creating unique visual narratives.

Smooth and Pleasant Bokeh

The 13 aperture blades would create smooth and pleasing bokeh. A stunning background can easily achieve.

Compact size

This lens weighs only 595g with the dimensions of Ø74 x 117mm, making it much smaller than other main-stream option in the market. You can carry it around without burden.

Internal Focusing

The internal focusing design avoids collision of the lens and your subject. It also reduces the chance for dust particles getting into the lens.

Today Only: Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro (Canon EF) – $149 (reg. $239)

Zhongyi 20mm

Only for today (8/31/2022) B&H Photo has a $90 discount on the Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro for Canon EF mount.

At a glance:

  • Canon EF Mount/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to f/16
  • Magnification Range: 4.5x to 4x
  • Minimum Working Distance: 0.8″
  • Manual Focus Operation
  • Metal Lens Barrel
  • 3-Blade Diaphragm

Get the Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro for Canon EF mount on sale at $149. Compare at $239.

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Venus Optics Announces Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO For MILCs

Laowa 90mm

A new Laowa lens has been announced, and it is for mirrorless cameras.

Venus Optics announced the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens. The video below introduces the new Laowa lens.

Click here to learn more about the new Laowa lens.

Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO is specifically designed for mirrorless cameras with full-frame sensors size. With its fascinating 2:1 magnification capability and focus to infinity, the lens can capture subjects in any size, making it very versatile for different applications including macro, commercial and portrait photography. It is super compact and lightweight, the size of the lens is significantly smaller than other equivalents on the market. An apochromatic (APO) characteristic is equipped even in high magnification to provide outstanding image quality.

The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Review (great lens with some added weirdness)

RF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS Review

Here is a new Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Review. The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro is a lens getting many positive reviews. A rather interesting lens for any EOS R owner.

At a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • 1.4x Magnification with Autofocus
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 10.2″
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus
  • Optical Image Stabilization; Hybrid IS
  • Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes
  • 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

The experts at Optical Limits posted their Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro review. From their conclusion:

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L USM macro IS is a great lens with some added weirdness. Optically, it is capable of delivering very sharp images straight from f/2.8 – just as you would expect from a moderately fast macro lens. Image distortions are basically negligible even without correction. Lateral CAs are on the low side as well and can be easily corrected anyway. This can’t be said of the raw vignetting which is comparatively high at f/2.8 so auto-correction should remain activated. The quality of the bokeh is generally pleasing with a smooth background blur and nicely rendered highlights. The foreground blur isn’t ideally rendered but that’s usually of lesser concern. Bokeh lovers may also like the SA feature on the lens but, to be honest, for most of us, it’ll remain an oddity that you have to pay for without using it. Maybe video makers can appreciate it more than photographers. That being said – the massive focus-breathing doesn’t help with videos. A bit concerning are the RSAs when stopping down – focus shifts aren’t helpful at very close focus distances. It’s something to keep in mind when shooting at least.

More coverage of this outstanding lens is listed here.

Preorders in USA are open at $1,399: B&H Photo | Adorama. If you are based in UK we recommend Park Cameras. More worldwide preorders:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

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Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Review (DPReview TV)

RF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS Review

DPReview TV’s Chris and Jordan review the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro lens. This a very interesting lens, with lots of positive reviews.

At a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • 1.4x Magnification with Autofocus
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 10.2″
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus
  • Optical Image Stabilization; Hybrid IS
  • Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes
  • 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

Chris and Jordan say:

Over a year after it was announced, Chris and Jordan had the chance to play with the Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L IS Macro! Alongside the expected improvements in autofocus speed and optical performance, this lens feature Spherical Aberration Correction, which allows you to change the look of out-of-focus areas. Is this new lens worth the premium price?

More coverage of this outstanding lens is listed here.

Preorders in USA are open at $1,399: B&H Photo | Adorama. If you are based in UK we recommend Park Cameras. More worldwide preorders:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

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