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Help me choose between laowa 60mm and laowa 100mm

Started Jul 5, 2020 | Polls
Mech314
Mech314 Forum Member • Posts: 79
Help me choose between laowa 60mm and laowa 100mm

Hi everyone, I recently joined you guys here on forum and I just started doing macro photography and I love it!

I'm using Nikon Z6 with SB-300 either on a hot shoe or extended via TTL cord. I'm having a hard time decided what lens to chose for my rig and I ask you guys to express your opinion. I will appreciate any input!

So here is some input data: a) laowa 60mm + FTZ weights the same as laowa 100mm Z mount, b) 100mm 3cm longer that 60mm+FTZ.

My problem with 60mm is that a) cannot be used non macro since it is APS-c lens, b) focusing distance is pretty low so I'm limited with the shooting angels and I have higher chance to scare insect photomodel.

What I like about 60mm: easy to get the object on focus compared to 100mm (assuming that the object wasn't scared away)

My problems with 100mm: since the lens is longer and the focusing distance is longer the camera and object shaking is more dramatic now. It seems that the angle speed of the shaking is higher so I have harder time focusing on the object.

What I like about 100mm: long enough focusing distance so the model is not disturbed, I have more freedom to experiment with angles, do not need to bend and move surrounding plants\leaves\etc.

I have uploaded the photos to two albums on Flickr so you can take a look and maybe help me with your advice. (I hope I'm not violating the rules)

100mm: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmPenvsE

60mm: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmPeeZS9

Personally I think that 100mm photos more "interesting" but not ideally focused while 60mm photos have better focus but less "interesting". Sorry, I do not know how to express this better...

So my question to you is: What album you like more?

I thank you for your help and time!

Anton

 Mech314's gear list:Mech314's gear list
Nikon Z7 Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 Macro Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 Nikon Z 14-24mm F2.8
POLL
laowa 100mm
50% 1  vote
laowa 60mm
50% 1  vote
I do not see a meaningful difference
0% 0  votes
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Nikon Z6
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John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Re: Help me choose between laowa 60mm and laowa 100mm

Mech314 wrote:

Hi everyone, I recently joined you guys here on forum and I just started doing macro photography and I love it!

I'm using Nikon Z6 with SB-300 either on a hot shoe or extended via TTL cord. I'm having a hard time decided what lens to chose for my rig and I ask you guys to express your opinion. I will appreciate any input!

For flash based macro the 60mm is the better choice. Easier to get good specular highlights due to the shorter working distance. Gotta get that flash off of the camera's hot shoe and out toward the end of the lens though.

So here is some input data: a) laowa 60mm + FTZ weights the same as laowa 100mm Z mount, b) 100mm 3cm longer that 60mm+FTZ.

My problem with 60mm is that a) cannot be used non macro since it is APS-c lens, b) focusing distance is pretty low so I'm limited with the shooting angels and I have higher chance to scare insect photomodel.

What I like about 60mm: easy to get the object on focus compared to 100mm (assuming that the object wasn't scared away)

My problems with 100mm: since the lens is longer and the focusing distance is longer the camera and object shaking is more dramatic now. It seems that the angle speed of the shaking is higher so I have harder time focusing on the object.

What I like about 100mm: long enough focusing distance so the model is not disturbed, I have more freedom to experiment with angles, do not need to bend and move surrounding plants\leaves\etc.

The difference in working distance isn't helping you to get close to the subject, at least not as much as you think it is. I do all of my macro with lenses in the 60mm range and you just have to learn the habits and quirks of the subjects that you want to photograph.

Another shot taken in the heat of the day (28C/86F) and the critter was hyperactive. Fortunately this beetle was more hungry than afraid, and I'm getting better at tracking moving subjects with the camera and had several frames to choose from. I don't focus stack and it's images like this one that are one of the reasons why.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.

-- 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...

Mech314
OP Mech314 Forum Member • Posts: 79
Re: Help me choose between laowa 60mm and laowa 100mm

Hi John,

Thank you for your opinion! I do not see any significant difference in lightning with both of the lenses.. do you? Or all the lightning is not good here?

I realize that it would be better to use something like Nikon R1C1 system for macro but I'm not sure that I can invest that much money right now.

 Mech314's gear list:Mech314's gear list
Nikon Z7 Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 Macro Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 Nikon Z 14-24mm F2.8
John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Re: Help me choose between laowa 60mm and laowa 100mm

Mech314 wrote:

Hi John,

Thank you for your opinion! I do not see any significant difference in lightning with both of the lenses.. do you? Or all the lightning is not good here?

The specular highlights look worse in the 100mm images due to the increase in working distance (flash/diffuser closer to the subject with the 60mm lens, so the light looks better).

I realize that it would be better to use something like Nikon R1C1 system for macro but I'm not sure that I can invest that much money right now.

Can use anything for macro -just don't leave a standard camera flash on the camera's hot shoe.

-- 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...

Mech314
OP Mech314 Forum Member • Posts: 79
Re: Help me choose between laowa 60mm and laowa 100mm

Okay, I see what you mean now. Thanks again, your input is more meaningful than just "oh I like these pictures more" and I appreciate it!

I'm pretty pleased that small SB-300 works fine with such long lens. This flash light weights only 96g, which makes my life much easier

 Mech314's gear list:Mech314's gear list
Nikon Z7 Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 Macro Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 Nikon Z 14-24mm F2.8
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