Summer Fungi Collection with the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens

Courtney Victoria
10 Sept 202312:24

TLDRThe video features a photographer's exploration of fungi in the forest using the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO lens. Despite an initial plan to postpone such photography until autumn, the abundance of fungi has inspired the photographer to capture their beauty. The Nikon D750 camera and a variety of Vanguard tripods are used, along with an LED light for insufficient natural light. The photographer discusses the manual focus of the lens, its versatility, and the ability to capture fine details without cropping. The video also touches on macro photography techniques such as 'gardening' the scene to eliminate distractions. The photographer is impressed with the lens's sharpness and the APO designation, which prevents chromatic aberration. The video concludes with the photographer's appreciation for the lens and a hint at trying out more Laowa lenses in the future.

Takeaways

  • πŸ“· The speaker is enjoying photographing fungi in the forest as Autumn approaches.
  • 🌳 The Nikon D750 camera with a Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO lens is used for capturing detailed images of fungi.
  • πŸ” The Laowa lens allows for a versatile range from infinity to 2x magnification, making it suitable for a variety of subjects.
  • πŸ’‘ An LED light is used to enhance the colors and details of the fungi when natural light is insufficient.
  • 🌟 Macro photography reveals a fascinating world of small subjects and intimate stories on the forest floor.
  • 🎨 The translucent caps of mushrooms can display magical and ethereal colors when illuminated with different light tones.
  • 🌿 'Gardening' the scene around the subject is crucial in macro photography to eliminate distractions and simplify the composition.
  • πŸ“‰ Focus stacking is used to capture maximum detail in mushroom caps and gills, which is a time-consuming but rewarding process.
  • πŸ”¬ The APO designation of the lens indicates it should have no chromatic aberration, ensuring high image quality.
  • 🌈 The lens has a UV filter that should be kept on to protect the lens and prevent dust and moisture from damaging the elements.
  • β˜‚οΈ The lens is not weather sealed, so it's not advisable to use it in heavy rain or rough conditions.

Q & A

  • What is the title of the video?

    -The title of the video is 'Summer Fungi Collection with the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens'.

  • What type of photography is the speaker focusing on in the video?

    -The speaker is focusing on macro photography, specifically photographing fungi and mushrooms in the forest.

  • What camera and lens setup is used in the video?

    -The camera setup used is a Nikon D750 with a Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO lens. The lens is manual focus only, and the aperture is controlled via the lens itself.

  • What are the benefits of using the Laowa 100mm lens for macro photography?

    -The Laowa 100mm lens allows for focusing from infinity to two times magnification, making it versatile for capturing both large and tiny subjects without needing to change lenses or use extension tubes. It also has an APO designation, which means it should show no chromatic aberration in the images.

  • Why does the speaker mention the need for 'gardening' in macro photography?

    -The speaker mentions 'gardening' as a technique to remove distracting elements from the scene, simplifying it and allowing the subject to stand out more clearly in the photograph.

  • What challenges did the speaker face while using the Laowa lens?

    -The speaker faced challenges with focusing on very tiny mushrooms due to the close proximity and the manual focus nature of the lens. There was also mention of the focus ring being stiffer than what the speaker is used to with their Sigma macro lens.

  • How does the speaker describe the process of focusing and stacking images?

    -The speaker describes the process as time-consuming but enjoyable and meditative. It involves studying and exploring the mushrooms up close, looking at textures, shapes, and colors in detail.

  • What is the significance of the UV filter that comes with the Laowa lens?

    -The UV filter that comes with the Laowa lens is recommended to be kept on to protect the lens elements, which are slightly exposed. It prevents particles like pollen, dust, or rain from getting onto the lens elements.

  • What additional equipment is used in the video apart from the camera and lens?

    -Apart from the camera and lens, the speaker uses a Vanguard tripod with options for travel and larger setups, LED lighting for situations with insufficient natural light, and a three-legged thing Ellie Universal bracket.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on the Laowa lens for macro photography?

    -The speaker is quite impressed with the sharpness of the lens and finds it a fun macro lens to use, especially for those who do not require autofocus or image stabilization.

  • What future plans does the speaker mention regarding macro photography?

    -The speaker expresses interest in trying out more lenses from the Laowa lineup, specifically mentioning a 15mm wide-angle macro lens that could be interesting for future projects.

  • What is the speaker's final advice regarding the use of the Laowa lens in different weather conditions?

    -The speaker advises against using the Laowa lens in heavy rain or rough conditions due to the lack of weather sealing and the risk of exposing the lens elements to dust, pollen, or rain.

Outlines

00:00

πŸ“Έ Exploring Fungi Photography

The speaker expresses their enthusiasm for being in the forest and the inspiration it provides for photography. Despite an initial plan to wait until autumn for fungi and mushroom photography, they find the emerging fungi too compelling to ignore. The video showcases the gear used, including the Nikon D750 camera, a three-legged thing Ellie Universal bracket, and a 100mm F 2.8 two times Ultra Macro APO lens from Lower Reach. The speaker also discusses their limited experience with macro photography and how focusing on smaller scenes has enriched their appreciation of nature. They highlight the versatility of the lens, which allows for a wide range of magnification without needing to change lenses or use extension tubes. The video also touches on the creative process of using LED lighting to enhance the colors of mushrooms and the importance of 'gardening' around the subject to remove distractions and simplify the scene.

05:01

🌳 The Art of Macro Fungi Photography

The speaker continues to discuss their macro photography journey, emphasizing the need for 'gardening' around the subject to enhance the composition. They mention the challenges of focusing on very small subjects and the importance of a stable setup, such as a tripod, to avoid camera shake. The video includes a review of the images captured with the lens, noting the sharpness and detail achievable with precise focusing. The speaker also talks about the lens's APO designation, which indicates the absence of chromatic aberration, and their experience with the lens's focus ring, which is stiffer compared to their previous Sigma macro lens. They describe the process of focus stacking to capture maximum detail and the physical design of the lens, which includes a UV filter and an inner tube that moves for focusing, protecting the lens elements from dust and moisture.

10:03

πŸ” Concluding Thoughts on Macro Photography

The speaker wraps up the video by discussing their search for a visually appealing final shot, expressing a desire to find clusters of mushrooms for a more dynamic image. They mention a particularly appealing purple mushroom, which they were drawn to due to their fondness for the color. However, they decide against removing the surrounding grass, which they find too distracting and time-consuming to clear. The video concludes with a note on the weather and the decision to end the session, given the approaching poor conditions and the lack of weather sealing on the lens. The speaker reflects positively on their experience with the lens, suggesting interest in trying out other lenses from the same manufacturer, such as a 15mm wide-angle macro lens, in the future.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Fungi

Fungi are a group of organisms that include mushrooms, yeasts, and molds. They are characterized by their ability to decompose organic matter and play a crucial role in ecosystems as decomposers. In the video, the speaker is inspired by the increasing presence of fungi in the forest as the season transitions towards autumn, which prompts them to engage in fungi photography despite their initial plan to wait until the season was fully underway.

πŸ’‘Macro Photography

Macro photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing small subjects at a very close range, often with a 1:1 or greater scale. It allows photographers to explore the intricate details of small organisms or objects. In the video, the speaker discusses their limited experience with macro photography and how they have been making a conscious effort to focus on smaller scenes and subjects, which has led to a deeper appreciation for the details of nature.

πŸ’‘Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens

The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens is a specialized lens designed for extreme close-up photography. It offers a 2x magnification ratio, allowing photographers to capture details of small subjects without the need for extension tubes. The lens is manual focus only and has an aperture control on the lens itself. In the video, the speaker uses this lens to photograph various fungi and appreciates its versatility and ability to capture fine details.

πŸ’‘Nikon D750

The Nikon D750 is a full-frame DSLR camera known for its high image quality and versatility. It is often used by photographers for a variety of subjects due to its combination of features, including a high-resolution sensor and robust low-light performance. In the video, the speaker mentions using the Nikon D750 with the Laowa lens for their photography.

πŸ’‘Vanguard Tripod

A Vanguard tripod is a type of camera support that provides stability and allows for precise positioning during photography. The speaker mentions using a Vanguard travel tripod with a reversible column and a larger tripod with a multi-angle column for their macro photography, highlighting the importance of a stable setup when working with close-up subjects.

πŸ’‘LED Light

An LED light is a type of lighting that uses light-emitting diodes to produce illumination. In photography, LED lights can be used to enhance or modify the lighting conditions, especially in situations where natural light is insufficient. The speaker mentions using an LED light in case the natural light under the trees is not enough for their macro photography.

πŸ’‘Manual Focus

Manual focus refers to the process of manually adjusting the focus of a camera lens to achieve sharp images. This is in contrast to autofocus, which is automated. The speaker discusses using the manual focus on the Laowa lens, noting the importance of precision when photographing small subjects at close distances.

πŸ’‘Magnification

Magnification in photography refers to the size of the subject in the captured image relative to its actual size. A higher magnification ratio allows for closer and larger representations of small subjects. The Laowa lens can focus from infinity to two times magnification, which is significant for macro photography as it enables the photographer to capture both large and very small subjects with the same lens.

πŸ’‘Chromatic Aberration

Chromatic aberration is an optical phenomenon where different wavelengths of light are not focused at the same point after passing through a lens, resulting in a loss of image sharpness and color fringes. The APO (Achromatic Phase) designation on the Laowa lens indicates that it is designed to minimize this effect, ensuring that the images produced are sharp and free from color aberrations. The speaker discusses the lens's APO designation and its implications for image quality.

πŸ’‘Focus Stacking

Focus stacking is a photography technique that involves taking multiple images at different focus points and then combining them to create a single image with a greater depth of field. This technique is particularly useful in macro photography to capture as much detail as possible. The speaker mentions using focus stacking to capture detailed images of the mushrooms' caps and gills.

πŸ’‘UV Filter

A UV filter is a type of transparent filter that is placed over the lens to protect it from dust, scratches, and other potential damage while also blocking ultraviolet light, which can cause a hazy appearance in photos. The speaker mentions that the Laowa lens comes with a UV filter and recommends keeping it on to protect the lens and prevent contaminants from reaching the lens elements.

Highlights

Exploring and photographing fungi in the forest as autumn approaches.

Using the Nikon D750 camera with a three-legged thing Ellie Universal brackets.

Testing out the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO lens for macro photography.

Utilizing a Vanguard tripod and an LED light for sufficient natural light.

The shift from landscape to macro photography for a detailed view of nature.

The lens's ability to focus from infinity to two times magnification without changing lenses.

Capturing minute subjects in the forest with high detail without cropping.

Creating magical and ethereal colors by using an LED light on translucent mushroom caps.

The importance of 'gardening' around the subject in macro photography to remove distractions.

The challenge of composing images without distracting background elements.

Impressive sharpness of the lens when accurate focusing is achieved.

The manual focus nature of the lens and the control of aperture via the lens.

The focus ring on the Laowa lens is stiffer compared to other lenses.

Focus stacking to capture maximum detail in mushroom caps and gills.

The APO designation of the lens indicating no chromatic aberration in images.

The lens comes with a UV filter that should be kept on to protect the lens elements.

The lens is not weather sealed, so it's not suitable for rough or rainy conditions.

The lens's inner tube moves for focusing, keeping the length of the lens constant.

Considering trying out Laowa's 15mm wide-angle macro lens for future projects.

The enjoyment of using the Laowa lens and its suitability for those who don't need autofocus or image stabilization.

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