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Laowa 100mm f2.8, Irix 150mm or alternative?

Started Sep 25, 2019 | Polls thread
John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Depends on the light source...

...if shooting with a flash as the primary light source then look for a lens in the 60mm range. You'll need to get the flash close to the subject to get good diffusion, and to keep the flash duration to a minimum (easier to freeze motion).

If using natural light as the primary light source then get a long focus length lens, one in the 150mm or greater range. You'll appreciate the extra working distance cause you don't want to shadow or spook the subject.

Macro lenses in the 100mm range are kind of a "Jack of all trades, masters of none" since the increase in working distance works against you with a flash, and you'll wish you had more working distance when using natural light.

I've been using macro lenses in the 60mm range for insect macro, shooting the critters in a wide variety of conditions, even in the heat of the day...

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.

Your knowledge of the subject's habits and quirks, and their willingness to let you get close, will determine if you get the shot. So there is no such thing as a "bug lens".

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Also known as Dalantech
My Book: http://nocroppingzone.blogspot.com/2010/01/extreme-macro-art-of-patience.html
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Macro Tutorials: http://dalantech.deviantart.com/gallery/4122501/Tutorials
Always minimal post processing and no cropping -unless you count the viewfinder...

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