DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

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

Started Sep 25, 2019 | Polls
tonyz1 Contributing Member • Posts: 667
Laowa 100mm f2.8, Irix 150mm or alternative?

Trying to add a true macro lens for my Sony A7R III (had used extension tubes and close up lenses previously). Don't want to spend too much so the Sony 90mm is out - I have 5 Batis lenses that I do my non-macro photography with so this would be dedicated to macro.

Which would you pick? Narrowed it down to Laowa 100mm or Irix 150mm?

 tonyz1's gear list:tonyz1's gear list
Sony a7R V Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
POLL
Laowa 100mm
66.7% 2  votes
Irix 150mm
33.3% 1  vote
Other?
0.0% 0  votes
  Show results
Leswick II Senior Member • Posts: 2,192
Re: Laowa 100mm f2.8, Irix 150mm or alternative?

Much depends on what you shoot.  If that was me, I'd rent them both.....or in my case the 100mm, since I always shoot close to that (90).  Sigma 150 or 180 might be alt (?).

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".

-- hide signature --

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

OP tonyz1 Contributing Member • Posts: 667
Re: Depends on the light source...

Thanks for the feedback. I ended up grabbing an Irix 150mm - mostly doing natural light photography either outdoors or on a tripod and a really cheap canon adapter for Sony.

I've never owned a true macro lens so trying to see if I enjoy macro photography so wanted something affordable.

I thought about the Nikon 200mm f4 ai-s which gets to 1:2 but the chromatic aberration is horrible. I decided to get a macro lens partly to photography some jewelry for my significant other.

John K wrote:

...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".

 tonyz1's gear list:tonyz1's gear list
Sony a7R V Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Re: Depends on the light source...

tonyz1 wrote:

Thanks for the feedback. I ended up grabbing an Irix 150mm - mostly doing natural light photography either outdoors or on a tripod and a really cheap canon adapter for Sony.

Now the key is going to be shooting in good light. So look for something to photograph late in the evening or early in the morning (the "golden hours") or when there are some light clouds overhead acting as a diffuser for the big yellow ball. A tripod is probably gonna be on your must have list, and you might also want to invest in a focusing rail if you want to shoot at life size or higher with the lens. Curious to see what you create with that glass!

-- hide signature --

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

jwazzz Regular Member • Posts: 154
Re: Depends on the light source...

Does focus peeking work with these lenses?

Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads