Summer Fungi Collection with the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens
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
- 📷 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.
- 🔍 The Laowa lens allows for a versatile range from infinity to 2x magnification, making it suitable for a variety of subjects.
- 💡 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.
- 📉 Focus stacking is used to capture maximum detail in mushroom caps and gills, which is a time-consuming but rewarding process.
- 🔬 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.
- ☂️ 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
📸 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.
🌳 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.
🔍 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
💡Fungi
💡Macro Photography
💡Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens
💡Nikon D750
💡Vanguard Tripod
💡LED Light
💡Manual Focus
💡Magnification
💡Chromatic Aberration
💡Focus Stacking
💡UV Filter
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.