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Review on πŸ” Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 Nikon F Mount: Ultra-Macro Lens with 2.5-5X Magnification for Stunning Close-ups by Danny Crowder

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Incredible with the right exercise

This is my first macro lens and I am new to macro photography. At first I did not dare to buy it due to the lack of reviews, but I decided to try anyway. The build quality is surprisingly solid. Maybe the best lens I have. Very tight tolerances. Macros of this magnitude require training, and this lens is fully manual. This means you set the aperture manually and need a focus guide to get everything in focus. Manual is preferable in person at this magnification. At first I didn't know how to use it properly and had to invest in additional equipment (e.g. focus guide/macro slider, very strong tripod, 3rd party clips) to get results I was happy with. Once I figured this thing out, it could take incredible pictures. I use mine with a full frame DSLR. A DSLR with a crop sensor will definitely increase the magnification. If you're looking for something to roam the desert with, the shallow depth of field can make that a bit tricky to manage. It's incredibly thin at this zoom level and you need to get really close to your subject at 1:1 magnification. In the attached photo, I took it in a studio with a completely static subject. But if you want EXTREME macro photography on par with a low magnification microscope, then this is the lens for you. When shooting, try to keep light sources behind the lens; otherwise he gets an evil look. I also recommend using good lighting and a solid base for your subject, even very subtle movements can blur. You definitely need a delayed shutter or remote shutter. All of the above issues are based on user performance, not the engine itself. This is fantastic glass, you just have to use it properly. Attachment used in this shot: Nikon D850 + this lens (x2)

Pros
  • Everything great!
Cons
  • Hello