steveTQP

Being Zeiss, I have no doubt that the image quality obtained is excellent, but IMHO the ergonomics and features leave much to be desired. Zeiss, stick with what you know best…Lenses!!

Hi Borami. I too, agree that one cannot tell how truly sharp this lens is, based on these random images. Please refer to my earlier post. As for the Z System in general though, I’ve been most...

IMHO, what would more clearly demonstrate the sharpness of this lens would be a side-by-side controlled image comparison between it and the known sharpest macros, I.e., the Sony GM 105, Tamron 90,...

Well, regarding manual focus on this lens, I would hope that Nikon makes use of the much larger Focus Ring for that, rather than the narrower Control Ring. Currently I use the very sharp Laowa 100 ...

Yes, I would first try setting aperture, but since there are several allowable options, it will come down to what works best with your style of photography. In any case, good luck with that lens! ...

Hi Shaun. You want a macro that goes to 2:1? Aside from the short focus throw, and all MF, I can recommend checking out the Laowa 100 f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Ultra-Macro lens for the Nikon Z Mount. When...

Nice comparison, and really no surprise on the conclusion, as the Fujifilm X-System is their main "focus", and their equally superb MF GFX System is also expanding, and recognized as a superior...

Hi Sylverphoto. Not sure about that new 50, but I have the Z Nikkor S 50 f/1.8, and not only does it seem very well-built, but it's the sharpest dang lens I've ever used in 45 years of photography!...

As a user of the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra Macro with a Nikon Z7, while it has proven to be indeed, ULTRA-sharp, I find that the Focus "throw" is quite short, making it a bit time-consuming to achieve...

Ah yes, I too, have the Laowa 100 f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Ultra-Macro lens on a Z7. While that combination is indeed Ultra-sharp, I find that the Laowa lens is a bit hard to achieve critical focus where...

Nice comments, Jay and awy. As for the Laowa 100 f/2.8 CA Dreamer Ultra-Macro, yes, it get you 2x ratio, and is ultra-sharp too. However, it’s a MF lens with an irritatingly short focus throw,...

Hi Shelly. Your comments about modern lenses giving "less sharpness" may indeed be true for some lenses, however in my experience over 45 years in photography, three of the sharpest lenses I've...

Carey, a very well done and interesting review! First, I was surprised to hear that you ALSO had the "stuck aperture blades" issue with this lens!! I too, had the problem, which obviously made the...

Greetings! While I agree with most of your comments regarding the Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO, did you not find that the "focus throw" is quite short? I do find that it takes a bit of ...

The Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is among the sharpest lenses I've used in 45 years of photography! IMHO, that is its' main strength. It's also built like a tank, and works seamlessly ...

I've been using the monopod leg option on my Leofoto tripod when I had a smallAPS-C system (Fuji X-T3), but since moving to a FF (Nikon Z7) system, I thought I'd get a decent monopod/tilt-head ...

Hi Sirhawkeye64, As a landscape and product photographer using even the first gen Z7, I find the AF speed is quite enough for my type of photography. (And that's even with a non-Z mount AP-S 70-300...

Well said, Perhort and Brownie314! Though I acquired the Z7 about a month before the Z7 II came out, I was thankful to see that the image sensor was basically the same, i.e., same IQ (except for...

Hello ogarber. I use the Kirk L-bracket on my Z7, and it works as designed. It is light, yet extremely strong, robust, and highly recommended!  I just wanted to mention that if you prefer to use a ...

Amazing images indeed! As one who has dabbled in photomicrography several decades back, I was curious as to the process by which Mr. Myhrvold goes from obtaining the subject, to loading onto the...