thanks for this, amazing detailed comparison, saved my ass! Would loved to have seen some more tests comparisons or beauty shots to see what these lenses are capable of
Wonderful review, mate. I'm feeling like paying the extra for Laowa is worth it, but the price for the new combo from AstrHori that just got released with the 90 degree barrel + direct view is really tempting. The extra sharpness in the Laowa and versatility of turning it around can be handy in the wild especially when crop in 1.5x in video. Simply based, you pay what you get and the AstrHori is wonderfully priced.
Have you tried the 18mm APSC version? Wonder if it has the ghosting issue. Its the only thing holding me back and I am going to be using it in a lit studio. What do you think?
It looks like the budget lens comes with budget solutions that aren’t very friendly. What I’d like to see now is an f/6.3 solution from someone for close to the Laowa price. I’d love to throw less light in there.
Yeah same here. The super skinny probes are useful, but honestly it would be killer to get one with a barrel thickness of maybe 40mm and open that sucker up. The AstrHori is about the same as the probe in image quality if you don't need macro focus pulls or don't need to backlight the subjects. I am still glad I got it, but the laowa is certainly a more refined lens.
This comparison is so well timed for me! I've been considering buying the Laowa and have noticed the AstrHori. Even before seeing your review I don't think I'd have gone for the AstrHori. For what it is, I think the Laowa is a pretty good deal! Something I would like to know is, is it possible to buy individual parts for the probe lens. Can you just buy the tube section for example? It's possible that the built in LED ring wouldn't get much use (and I've read that the light quality is not that great), but these things have a habit of not being quite as long lived as people think. If the LED ring was to fail, do you think there's a way of servicing it? I suspect not, but the Laowa website doesn't seem to list the tube as a seperate item. By the way, thanks for taking the time to put stuff out there. It's great to find someone who I can relate to! You tell it as it is, don't pull your punches and clearly deal with real world issues (like me) in order to try to scrape a living! :-) You definitely helped me in my decision to get some eMotimo kit! If you are just flogging product like the rest of them, then you've got me fooled!! Thanks again, please keep going even if it doesn't pay! :-)
I reached out to Astrhori a while back and asked if they planned to make a 90 degree tube and they confirmed they plan to release one. Not sure if they will sell the parts individually or not. As for the LED Ring light, not sure. I hardly use mine, but i suspect they would repair it if under warrantry. Thanks for you kind words. I only have one video that was sponsored, and that will be releasing in the next day about a robot retrofit where I used KesslerCrane gear. They did spot me a display and some motors but I already feel great about that equipment, I would never promote anything i feel is sub par. The eMotimo ST4 is definatly a rock solid system, you will not regret it at all. One more mention of the AstrHori, I do use it in my next video and I was perfectly happy with the results. It has been in use almost non stop since the comparison video. As long as you know how to work within its limitations its still a pretty darn fun lens to use with very comparably image quality, just got to watch the light reflections.
Excellent video comparison. I think I will stick with my original Laowa for now. Do you have any of the lens hoods mentioned in the video? Have you considered designing a modified lens hood or cap which will cover up the LEDs so they don't show up as reflections for applications where they are not needed? Also, what type of lighting do you use for your close up 2X shots if you don't use the built-in LEDs?
Generally to cover the LEDs i just use thin strips of gaffers tape. For the lens hood, it is just a small 3d printed part that clips onto the end of the lens. When it comes to lighting, the probe lenses are a small enough profile that i can add a little light from the side or top if needed
Hi Chris! Great review!!! Looks like Laowa keeps the crown of the proble lenses but the competition is growing! Have you heard of the Ttartisan 105mm 2.8 2Xmacro tilt shift lens? It's been announced in December. I would be VERY curious to hear someone like you with a ton of experience giving your opiniom on it. All the best in the new year! Cheers!
Unless you really need ultra high magnification either the laowa or the astrhori are better options as a probe. I've had the t160 robusto light for about 5 years now. There is a real love hate. I generally will not use it unless a last resort. But it will let you focus up to 16mag to infinity. It can do things no other lens can, but there is an image quality loss. So if I have an alternative I would usually use it. Laowa 2.5x5 is pretty nice, no focus though. I dont want to sound like a laowa fan boy, but they have a very solid macro lineup. Their innovation will hopefully drive good competition in the macro department.
@darren wilch probably. It just sucks that the gears are not right from the get go. I gotta say though, I have used this lens non stop since that video and I can certainly get good work with it. Just gotta know the limitations, In most cases it's every nit as good as laowa. I think I should do another video on it.
After using the AstrHori for a few months almost non stop, I would say that the biggest problem is the light reflecting intenrally, but if you are careful not to shoot directly into an LED panel its a very useful and capable lens. IQ is about on point with laowa. For the price, i still feel it is a pretty good lens.
I think it is affordable to me. here is $739 equal 77000/- BDT. But Laowa probe is high price. It is my choice list. But maximum Aperture: f/13 to minimum Aperture: f/40. Canon EF 100 mm macro 2.8 Image quality is very similiar with AstrHori 28 mm macro sometimes more better in focus Stacking.
