@@jimchung5710 True, but focus stacking is pointless in the field. It is useful if you do macro photography in a controlled environment, but if it is the case, you can buy a macro slider.
The Olympus is weather sealed and obviously has auto focus. At first glance manual focus only doesn't seem like a problem with a macro lens, but when you consider loosing the automatic focus bracketing because of that, it becomes a real bummer. On the other hand, having twice the magnification is a pretty nice thing to gain for the trade offs.
Hi, for those who find this lens produce noticeable pincushion distortion, you may be using Panasonic machine which applied a incorrect lens profile. You may need to shoot raw and disable the lens correction in some raw editing software.
I would've liked to see a longer macro rather than a 50mm 2x, but I'm still excited about Laowa now having M4/3 lenses with EXIF. I would totally buy a second 7.5mm f2 (or a 9/2.8) if they re-released a chipped version!
50mm is 100mm full frame equivalent so that's probably the most popular macro focal length. Having said that, i would like to see longer macro too, but maybe there is already some prototype in the laowa R&D lab! haha Chipped version of their existing m43 lens is a good idea!
That Laowa 7.5 f2 is on may list too, truly beautiful little lens. I guess that 100mm or 120mm for the Oly macro is OK, in my experience trying to shoot handheld macro with longer than 150mm makes things quite difficult to focus, because of shaking, even with great in camera IBIS. I'm currently shooting form 180-200mm equivalent using an EM10 plus Oly 14-150mm ii zoom with attached Raynox M250 converter, it is great to keep a distance from insects but I get a good focus about 50% of the time (I use manual focus and rock back and forth until I get it)
Thank you. Slight problem - the Laowa is Manual Focus which not only means the focusing is not as precise and easy ducking and diving any movement in focus distance with the AFC, but no focus-bracketing and no focus-stacking to get around the inherently shallow DoF of macro.
Thanks Richard for a very comprehensive test. I'd love Laowa to create a 100 mm plus focal length macro lens like this 50 mm and I hope they continue with more m 4/3 rds lenses.
I am looking for a macro lens and it has led me to this video, maybe it is a bit late to comment. I think the in-camera focus stacking could be a bit over-rated for macro shots due to focus breathing. This is not a noticeable issue if the focusses are on a relatively small part of the subject, head of an insect, for eg, otherwise the artifacts could be quite easily seen along the edges. Stacking in post should yield better results. I think manual focussing is still the easiest way to focus, esp in the field with no tripod or slider, one can push the lever on the Oly lense to 1:1, or preset the Laowa to 1:1, and then move the camera forward or backward for the perfect focus. Fire away and hope that at least one is good. The distortion that you saw on the Laowa could be unique to a couple of Panasonic bodies. In the meantime it has been be fixed via a software update from Laowa or Panasonic, DPreview has a lengthy discussion on this issue. Please check Laowa to confirm that it is indeed the case.
Thank you for the review, Richard ! Olympus cameras have focus stacking in camera. This makes Olympus 60mm F/2.8 a better choice. The magnification can be increased by mounting an close-up lens (ex. Raynox) or even a an teleconvertor (ex. MC-20). Some people mounted MC-20 on 60mm lens by using extensions rings and autofocus stil works.
hey Toni, yes the focus stacking feature is definitely one great thing if you use the Olympus 60mm. But re close up lens or TC, i would argue you can do the same with the Laowa and that would give you more than 2x magnification :)
A very comprehensive and clearly explained review. Thank you. On the minus side, the background music is very irritating and completely unnecessary. Please don't use it.
Thanks for the feedback berry! I have tune down the background music since then. But there is a reason for the background music. I got quite a bit of annoying background noise, kids yelling, traffic etc so need it to mask/hide them
The most significant advantage of the Olympus lens unfortunately was completely ignored in this video: It allows automated in-camera focus bracketing which gives you the opportunity of precise focus stacking for increased depth of field in macro shots. And this can be achieved on Olympus bodies with the highest speed in the whole camera market. If you want to do focus bracketing with the Laowa you need to do it manually by either twisting the focus ring or changing the distance to subject (by hand or stepwise via a motorized rail) while shooting in a High or Low burst mode. As this is inaccurate by hand you will often create areas that are not in focus, (especially when at 2:1), making it very challenging to get good image sequences for focus stacking.
Richard, thank you for a good review. I would definitely be interested but I'm worried about working distance at 2X for a 50mm -- hard to light the subject if the distance is too close. Could you comment on the approximate working distance? (and I'd also prefer no music in reviews)
thanks for the feedback Wes! Working distance at 2x from memory is about 5cm / 2inch from the front of the lens. I found it "OK" mainly because of the small diameter of the lens barrel.
You pretty much summed up all the major concerns a potential buyer would like to know. Good to see some electronics being introduced by Laowa. I have a Lumix 30mm macro and a Leica 45 mm macro and most likely I wouldn't be in the market for one unless doing x2 magnification shoots.
This is very detailed and well-organized, thanks! I enjoy your sample photos and attention to details of usability. This also feels very un-biased, which I appreciate. The lens does seem a *little* pricey compared to the Oly, especially without autofocus, but I've also come to realize that autofocus when doing macro photography is a bit of a joke anyways. The ability to do 2x would be nice.
Hi Brian thank you for watching and glad to hear you like the review. Re the price, it's always the hardest part. Laowa is not cheap but it's image quality is really not too bad. Let me know if you end up buying either one of these two lenses!
Richard thanks for another great video & I hope you can review the Laowa 17mm f1.8 & also include a brief summary on exposure & focus on a MFT camera. Also FYI while the Olympus 60mm does have a suggested retail price of $499 in United States, it has been selling for $399 over the past 3-4 months.
Hi Rick, i have actually reviewed the Laowa 17mm ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-y0c2JeM5w8Y.html&ab_channel=RichardWong and a photo vlog shot with Laowa 17mm as one of the lens ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--8TUki-j8Z4.html&ab_channel=RichardWong Focus is not too hard, i usually use magnification (mapped to one of the button) to confirm focus. Exposure i usually shoot in Aperture priority mode and let the camera handle for me... and dial in a bit of exposure compensation if needed. And thanks for the info re the Olympus price in US! :)
@@TheRealRichardWong my bad & thanks for the tips. My health has been a challenge although I recently began a new medication but--senior moment--forgot that I previously watched your review of the Laowa 17mm. 😒 Another 1 of your videos helped persuade me to make a decision for the G95, as I plan to keep it a long time, even if it's only incrementally better than the G85 & costs several hundred dollar more.
Very good review, as always. Thanks a lot for that. I already have the Olympus lens, using it with a Raynox supplementary lens and 2 extension rings for focus bracketing/stacking. In my case there does not seem to be a justification for purchasing the Loawa as well, right?
I haven't done much video with this lens. But in terms of image quality it's great, the only thing is there would be a bit if focus breathing but it's pretty much the same for all the macro lenses
Thanks for this excellent review Richard. I'm undecided between those two. Like the U$100 cheaper all metal Laowa but at the same time the extra money goes for olympus autofocus, weather sealing and incamera auto-focus stacking with some Oly cameras, plus I guess you are right regarding the general purpose lens use favoring Oly lens. I intend to use it as macro and portrait. Lens flare looks distracting on the Laowa, distortion was noticeable in those photos and in Micael Widell's review couple of portraits seemed hazy and milky on the Laowa, did you get that too with your lens ?
hey Ed, I found flare control "OK" with the Laowa. Yes it's not perfect and as mentioned in the review I found the Olympus slightly better. But when shoot under the similar strong backlit situation, the difference isn't really that big. To choose between these two lenses, for macro + portrait use.. to me it's really about how comfortable (and practical) is it to shooting portrait in manual focus mode?
Richard Wong, thanks. My OMD EM10 doesn't allow incamera focus stacking (good for static macro with such a shallow dof) but I'm planning to upgrade to an EM5 III so because of that and the fact that for portraits I really enjoy having the fast autofocus and eye detection It is probably worth it to pay the extra U$100. Really like you review, keep the good work 👏🏻
Thanks for the review, Richard. I recently purchased this lens (love it), but one thing people should be aware of is that it does NOT work with Panasonic's IBIS system. That should be something they can fix with a firmware update, or maybe it's something Panasonic has to add to their firmware?
@@TheRealRichardWong Sure. I'm using a G9. Normally with electrically connected, non-IS lenses, the stabilization kicks in when I half-press the shutter release. I noticed that wasn't happening with the Laowa. To be sure I compared it to the Olympus 45mm lens and the difference was very clear, both in the stability of the viewport and in my ability to get clear shots at low shutter speeds. I definitely have IBIS turned on in the camera.
Thanks for your review. I'm considering the 45mm Leica F2.8 Macro which seems to have advantages on the other 4:3 Macro lenses, other than no weather sealing and higher cost. What do you think?
Thanks for another insightful review! Looks like a nice lens. The electronic contacts are great and I would like them on my loved 7.5mm F2, because setting the stabilizer every time can be annoying. I hope they keep doing this and upgrade their old lenses in the future.
Hey Tea Jay! thank you! yeah having to see the focal length pop up is a bit annoying, and even worst when you are switching between a few lenses and you forgot to change the value! hopefully they will re-update their old lenses..
Does Laowa, or anyone else, make a wide angle macro lens for micro four thirds? I love the Laowa 15mm macro for my big Canon DSLR, but want to get into micro four thirds ... but I haven't been able to find a true wide angle, true macro lens for the system so I haven't bought a M4/3 body yet.
Hi Richard, thank you for another excellent review. I like how you go about your reviews, your choice/idea of what is relevant, and your summation of what a product is good for. And you seem very fair. This Laowa lens seems to be an excellent lens, one that I might well choose if I were to buy into micro four thirds. Cheers. Clarke Jones
@@TheRealRichardWong My only complaint that I think I mentioned before is the background music is a touch too loud, more of you, less of that, it's distracting at times and not subtle enough. Otherwise agreed with Clarke!
Great video great review and advice. I’m going to come back and watch it again before making my final decision on which of these two lenses. So far I am leaning toward the Olympus 60mm. Thanks
i wrote olympus and 2 different departments replied one of them wrote they have no informations about projects with macro lenses and the other wrote they planing a 100mm pro but they have no more informations about price and release, so i don't know haha
Hey Richard..thanks for the video! In your opinion it is better the 50mm on micro 4/3 (Panasonic GH5) or the 100mm on FF (Canon 6D). I have both cameras. The photos I have to take are jewels and precious stones inside a lightbox. Photos that I will then use on my web site. Thanks so much!
It's almost the same... With a full frame you get better high ISO, but because of the more shallow depth of field, you will quite likely need to stop down to get enough dof. With a micro 43 you can shoot two stop faster because of that which means the image quality would be very similar. However mirrorless camera with it's electronic viewfinder makes it much easier to preview the results when shooting photo.. you can zoom in, see the picture easily.. etc
Many thanks for a very helpful video Richard. I am just getting started in macro photography and am trying to decide between these two lenses. In the UK the Laowa lens is advertised as costing £409, which is comparable to what the Olympus lens costs here. I am torn between the benefits of 2:1 magnification and autofocus (which would be useful for other types of photography). As others have said it would be nice to have a longer working distance.
Hi John glad to hear the video helped. I agree it is hard to choose especially if you want it to be a bit more suitable for general purpose use. Let me know if you decided to go for the laowa... Or the Olympus in the end :)
@@TheRealRichardWong Hi Richard, In the end I went for the Olympus because I thought autofocus would be useful for close ups of flowers and butterflies etc. when full 1:1 macro magnification was not required. Also, the Olympus has a greater working distance (approx. 8 cm at 1:1) than the Laowa (5.6 cm at 1:1) and I thought this would be helpful when photographing insects that are easily scared away.
LOL sorry my friend, i feel like i keep making you spend more money! But you should like it!! Let me know what you think after you received it! (btw, better to make a seperate comment as Google always failed to notify me when someone response to a message thread)
@@TheRealRichardWong Not a problem. The list of lenses I want mostly already exists, and this was already on it as I saw the APSC versions and contacted them and learned about it very early on :-) Did not know it would come with electronics, though, bonus! :-)
Did you break the news on this release btw? I know it'd been leaked but I can't find a specs page or anything on their site, or an official announcement...
haha, I think every manufacturer i work with would tell you i always follow very strictly the date/time they gave me in terms of when I can release the review :) For example, the Laowa 9mm f/5.6 review I've done the review back in Jan/Feb but end up one of the last to release for that reason.. :)
@@TheRealRichardWong Yeah, and they think they know better. I remember a quiet month a year or two ago when they changed from sub meant sub to sub meant nearly nothing and I had to go through all my subs and update the notification bell setting. Super annoying.
@@TheRealRichardWong Mate, you, and all the other people to whom I subscribe have just been shafted, dated 7th August 2020 this is what happened: support.google.com/youtube/thread/63269933?hl=en "Heads up: If you’re opted in to get emails about new uploads, live streams, and premieres from channels you’re subscribed to, these emails are going away on August 13th, 2020. You’ll still get notified on mobile via the RU-vid app, or on desktop via your Chrome browser if you’ve turned these notifications on. If you haven’t turned these on yet, you can do so in notification Settings." #Fail - horrible.
@@TheRealRichardWong I think enough people have asked now ;-) at least reduce the volume to 1/3 of what it is now, or less, if you don't want to remove it. Try that in the next vid before removing it, maybe?
Heard about the useless bokeh but not about weather sealing, compatibility with Panasonic/Olympus systems and other usefull informations, stop this bokeh thing please, is like publicizing trash food.
