The following photograph is among the first set of shots taken using my new Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro lens mounted on my Fujifilm X-T1 APS-C digital camera using the Laowa Lens Mount Adapter (Canon EF – Fuji X).
25mm (2.5x magnification) | ISO 200 | f/5.6 | 1/15 s | 0 ev
The lens is all manual all the time, so it doesn’t really matter that the adapter features no electronic contacts for the lens to communicate with the camera. The lens doesn’t have a focus ring — the user sets the aperture and magnification on the lens and moves the camera/lens rig back-and-forth until focus is achieved.
Among my first impressions, the lens is a “light hog” meaning it requires light and a lot of it for good exposure! Depth of field is extremely shallow, as expected. “One-off” photos like this one are a little disappointing — for best results this lens should be used to create focus stacked composite images.
By now you may be wondering “Why did you buy this Laowa lens?” The two-part answer is simple and straightforward: 1) For the modest price-point of approximately $400 I have a lens that increases the magnification possible using my Fujifilm cameras by a factor of five. 2) I bought the Laowa lens with a Canon mount, so it can be used with either my Canon- or Fujifilm camera bodies. The Laowa Ultra Macro lens/X-T1 kit is significantly smaller and lighter than my Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens/Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
I’m looking forward to further testing of the Laowa lens in the studio as well as in the field.
Related Resources (subject)
- MYN – Anisoptera exuvia (species unknown). [Face-head-dorsal view of the same specimen featured in this blog post.]
- MYN – Anisoptera exuvia (dorsal view). [Dorsal view of the same specimen featured in this blog post.]
Tech Tips
This subject was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique.
The power ratios for an array of four external flash units were as follows: Group A = 1/2 +0.3 (primary backlight); Group B = off (secondary backlight); Group C = 1/32 (subject, stage right); Group D = 1/32 (subject, stage left).
Related Resources (Laowa 25mm Ultra Macro lens)
- High Magnification Macro Photography w/ the Laowa 25mm 2.5-5x, by Thomas Shahan (11:09)
- Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro Lens Review with Sample Photos, by Micael Widell (8:06)
- Laowa 25mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro 5x lens review, by Camerahoarder (8:40)
Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: BoG Photo Studio, exuvia, Meet Your Neighbours, studio photography
walter sanford's photoblog 
March 18, 2020 at 9:05 am |
It looks like there’s a steep learning curve in figuring out how to use this lens. I am intrigued to see how well it will work in the field.
March 18, 2020 at 11:31 am |
I remember a time when shooting in manual mode was daunting. Ditto for using external flash units set for Manual mode rather than TTL. I expect learning to use/getting comfortable with the Laowa ultra macro will be a similar experience.
October 2, 2020 at 10:32 am |
Which adapter did you use for the Fujifilm adaptation from a Canon mount?
October 2, 2020 at 12:12 pm |
Go to… https://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-25mm-f-2-8-2-5-5x-ultra-macro-2/ …and scroll down the page until you see “Upgrade Options.” I bought the “Laowa Lens Mount Adapter (Canon EF – Fuji X) $30.00” directly from Laowa. Essentially the adapter is nothing more than an extension tube, and a rather long one at that. (Of course, that adds to the magnification of the lens.) You can purchase the adapter directly from Laowa: https://www.venuslens.net/product/spare-parts/ FWIW, it looks like the “Vello Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Fujifilm X-Mount Camera Lens Adapter BH #VELAFXCEF • MFR #LA-FX-CEF $22.50” would work the same as the Laowa adapter. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1349618-REG/vello_la_fx_cef_eos_lens_mount_adapter.html Both of these adapters are “dumb,” that is, there is no pass-thru of electronic info.