Laowa introduces 100mm f/2.8 2x Macro APO

Chris S. · Post by **Chris S.** » Mon May 06, 2019 6:05 pm

Looks intriguing: Laowa introduces 100mm f/2.8 2x Macro APO

100mm f/2.8 lens
Magnification from infinity through 2X
Covers full-frame DSLR sensors
Available in Canon, Nikon, and Sony mounts
$450 USD

I hope someone good will give this a thorough review. A 100mm "standard macro" lens that goes to 2X could find a place in many bags--especially if the "apo" designation is well-warranted.

--Chris S.

--fixed typo

Deanimator · Post by **Deanimator** » Mon May 06, 2019 6:11 pm

Price-wise, it's a direct competitor to the Tokina 100mm macro.

Chris S. · Post by **Chris S.** » Mon May 06, 2019 7:35 pm

Is there a Tokina macro that goes to 2X? The only ones I know stop at 1x. So far as I know, this Laowa lens is the first lens in the 100mm range that goes from infinity to 2x.

If quality is maintained down to 2X, without too much shortening of focal length and with decent working distance (three unknowns, at present), this could give the Laowa a leg up on every lens of its type of which I'm aware. My micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AF-D has been a workhorse for 23 years, but a lens with double the maximum magnification (effectively quartering the minimum field of view) would tempt me greatly.

--Chris S.

TheDocAUS · Post by **TheDocAUS** » Mon May 06, 2019 7:52 pm

Just note the lens do differ depending on the mount. For example, the aperture of Canon version is controlled by the electronic motor in the lens.

I would buy a MFT mount if the lens was AF, to use with Post Focus. No MFT mount at present.

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Mon May 06, 2019 8:34 pm

I really love my 60mm so the 100mm sounds like it will be worth checking out. Many of my best walkaround macro and portrait shots were taken with the 60mm. Hope the 100mm has the same "look" to it...

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Mon May 06, 2019 9:30 pm

That's very exciting, especially if it really is an apo lens. I like the Laowa 2.5-5x lens very much. This would be a great companion for it.

Edit: I just looked at the slanted-ruler test for LoCA on their website, and it really has no LoCA. That is very impressive.

Chris S. · Post by **Chris S.** » Mon May 06, 2019 10:04 pm

TheDocAUS wrote:Just note the lens do differ depending on the mount. For example, the aperture of Canon version is controlled by the electronic motor in the lens.

That particular difference seems necessary for the lens to work with Canon cameras. A less obviously-necessitated difference between versions is the number of aperture blades: "9 (Canon), 7 (Nikon), 13 (Sony FE)." As a Nikon shooter, I'm a bit put off by this, as bokeh is important both to macro and portraiture; if I'm traveling light and don't bring a dedicated portrait lens, I use my 105mm macro for portraits. And generally, more aperture blades is one ingredient for better bokeh, especially when there are bright spots out of focus behind the subject. But I'll wait and see. (I do wonder why the different mounts necessitated different numbers of aperture blades, but suspect Laowa's engineers had good reasons.)

I just noticed that the Laowa page for this lens includes a stacked shot by our own John Hallmèn. Wonder if he is at liberty to comment?

--Chris S.

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Tue May 07, 2019 5:54 am

Ever since the first images of this lens were distributed I've been marveling that no one has commented on the DOF markings. Will the production lenses be the same?

Not to mention the curious approach to marking distances in feet.

dickb · Post by **dickb** » Tue May 07, 2019 6:45 am

Steve S wrote:Ever since the first images of this lens were distributed I've been marveling that no one has commented on the DOF markings. Will the production lenses be the same?

You mean te apparent descrepancy between the spacing of the DoF markers and the relatively short focus throw? It is unlikely that at f/11 a 100mm lens would have a DoF of say 40cm to infinity.

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:28 am

dickb wrote:It is unlikely that at f/11 a 100mm lens would have a DoF of say 40cm to infinity.

Um, yeah. https://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html calculates that even on FF (CoC=0.03mm), f/11 and 100 mm has a hyperfocal distance of 97 feet, sharp from 48.5 feet to infinity. Perhaps a particularly egregious units problem?

--Rik

rolsen · Post by **rolsen** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:40 am

rjlittlefield wrote:
dickb wrote:It is unlikely that at f/11 a 100mm lens would have a DoF of say 40cm to infinity.
Um, yeah. https://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html calculates that even on FF (CoC=0.03mm), f/11 and 100 mm has a hyperfocal distance of 97 feet, sharp from 48.5 feet to infinity. Perhaps a particularly egregious units problem?

--Rik

Mayhaps those are just decorations

TheDocAUS · Post by **TheDocAUS** » Tue May 07, 2019 1:34 pm

A review of the Canon version: http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/laow ... ro-review/

Yawns · Post by **Yawns** » Tue May 07, 2019 2:05 pm

What's the big diference to the 60mm 2:1 unit they have?

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Tue May 07, 2019 2:07 pm

I see the reviewer noticed the depth-of-field marks. He politely calls them "generous"....

chris_ma · Post by **chris_ma** » Tue May 07, 2019 2:34 pm

here's another review:
https://www.opticallimits.com/canon_eos ... aowa100f28

maybe surprising is the rather high vignetting at 2.8 (over 2EV) and also that this review finds resolution peaking at F5.6 (maybe because they measured at lower magnification)