I’m adding the Laowa 9/2.8 to my Fuji 16/2.8, 23/2, and 35/2. Now I have to only buy clothes with three pockets or more!!! Added bonus is the 9/2.8 has same filter size (49mm) as the 16/2.8.
Those compact and light lenses are so useful when you want to save on weight or need to bring a long tele but would like some small primes in case something comes up. I've seen many good pictures taken with this particular one that I would seriously consider one if I still had a aps-c system.
Bought this gem in Hong Kong and took it to my trip to Kyoto and Osaka and it was one of my most used lenses. I was thinking to wait for XF8-16mm but that lens is pretty big. I travel quite a lot these days so weight is a huge concern....Laowa9mm can easily fit into my side pocket :D
Hello, I liked your video. I have a Laowa 9mm lens for Fuji and I would like to use it on my BMPCC 4K. Maybe you know if there is an adapter for it? or is it impossible?
Hey Ken, as a landscape and product photographer using the Nikon Z7 with several Nikkor S lenses, as well as the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro, I'd like to offer my opinions on a few comments you made regarding Laowa build and image quality. First, IMHO, the Nikkor S lenses, while obviously not an all-metal design, are of sufficiently high build quality to handle most situations easily. They are weather-sealed and seem to have tight tolerances on moving parts, i.e., smooth rotation, no "wiggles", and an overall feel of precision in manufacture. I can say the same about my Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro lens, which is all-metal. However, I have 2 criticisms of the Laowa design that I feel are quite important to mention...First, the focus throw of the 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro lens all-manual lens is Extremely SHORT! This means that when trying to make critical focus adjustments on ones' subject, it's quite frustrating, because you must SLOWLY rack focus ever-so-slightly back and forth, until that "pinpoint focus" is achieved precisely where you want it! I simply fail to understand why Laowa didn't make the focus throw as large as, say, the Micro-NIkkors, which are MUCH better in that regard. Secondly, the aperture ring, while very smooth, offers too small/light clicks between f-stops, meaning that one must visually confirm which aperture one is on, rather than relying on counting clicks. That said, I must also say that the image quality of the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro lens is STELLAR! The sharpness obtained (assuming one nails the focus!) is superb indeed, which is the main reason I got this lens. Thank you.
@@KenTheoriaApophasis Well, Ken, I certainly agree that you have Much more lens "testing" experience than I do. However, I do have 45+ years' experience in photography, from processing 16mm ATM film to 35mm to 4x5 and 8x10 studio work, using several manufacturers' gear, and I do recognize image sharpness when I see it. That's a main reason I went with Fuji in the first place, as I know their history of lens making, up to large format. However, I also believe that any "perceptual" evaluation of a lens must rely on a subjective interpretation IN ADDITION to MTF charts and empirical observation (testing). And from what I've seen with the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro, it is an Ultra-sharp optic that, just IMHO, would rival any of the aforementioned lenses, at least in terms of sharpness, though admittedly, I'm in no position to validate that assertion.
Interesting video as always, Ken! Regarding your comment that "Samyang is junk", I agree that Samyang/Rokinon isn't Fujinon Quality, however, I do think that one can create "art", or at the very least, thought-provoking images with "junk" lenses. I do own one non-Fujinon lens (because Fuji didn't make an Ultra-Wide Angle at the time)...a Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide lens. While not quite as sharp as my Fujinon optics, it does produce quite usable images with some careful post-processing! I have a black and white image of backlit trees with the sun even in the upper right corner of the frame, (taken with an X-Pro2 on a very sturdy tripod of course), and it looks quite sharp indeed.
As an upcoming wildlife photographer would you recommend the d7100 with the 200-500mm or the d500 with the 70-300? In the summer i am interested in mostly birds and for the winter, fall and spring it consists more of mammals
Did you play around with mft cameras? i wonder if you have an unbiased opinion about them, because they have some serious appeal to amateurs and pros aswell
Thanks :D I wasn't sure which to get between these two in the "cheap wide angle for Fuji X" category. I was told the Samyang had way less vignetting but I guess the Samyang is inferior in all other aspects, IQ and build. Will you be testing the probably gorgeous 08-16mm? :)
I don't own it because of all the Fuji primes I own but I have seen nothing but stunning images with the Samyang 12mm from my friends who own it. Especially landscapes & astro photography. If I would've known about the Samyang earlier I wouldn't have bought my 14mm Fujinon.
I got the Samyang 12 a few months ago and it has blown my mind optically and has far exceeded my expectations. I lent it to my daughter and she now owns one as well.
I'm interested in this lens vs the Samyang 12 f2.0 (for Sony E mount). But thanks for the review. Honestly, you should think about scripting or editing. You're a bit repetitive and meandering.
Theoria Apophasis really compact and under $600. I know the 16mm f1.4 is awesome but I want something more compact. Like 12mm f2 would be great . I want something really wide and and low f stop.
Thanks. Looking for an ultra wide angle for an upcoming trip overseas. Right now I only have the Fuji XF 10-24mm for a wide angle. Might have to look at the Laowa.
@@KenTheoriaApophasis ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-z2rYTt-QBtQ.html what about you in the past? just joking, I agree on samyang is junk
