p.2 #1 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
phuang3 wrote:
IMHO, the best part of this lens is the deep DoF at close up which you won't get with longer macro lenses.
The DoF isn't bigger because you have to get much closer to get the same magnification.
p.2 #2 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
My main concern is the softness in the corners, especially with FF. I'll wait for more reviews. Sure would be sweet to have a decent UWA lens with tilt correction for architecture and interiors and for only $500. I suspect based on blogs I've read that the corners maybe lacking, shame.
p.2 #3 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
U.C. wrote:
The DoF isn't bigger because you have to get much closer to get the same magnification.
This is correct.
The only difference between macro lenses of varying focal lengths is that the longer ones compress the background more, resulting in better subject isolation due to the appearance of a more blurred background (assuming the same subject framing/magnification, of course).
p.2 #4 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
atwl77 wrote:
The only difference between macro lenses of varying focal lengths is that the longer ones compress the background more, resulting in better subject isolation due to the appearance of a more blurred background (assuming the same subject framing/magnification, of course).
Compression isn't a correct term. A long lens only makes a smaller crop out of the total FoV. What happens in this situation is a difference in perspective due to a difference in distance between camera and subject and a difference in pupil size. Pupil size = focal length : aperture number. A 100mm lens @ f/4 has a pupil of 25mm and a 15mm lens @ f/4 has a pupil of 3.75mm.
p.2 #5 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
I played around using my CV 15 with a hawk's helicoid adapter to get the mfd into macro territory. Really fun results. This was with a NEX-5n, so not full frame.
p.2 #6 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
U.C. wrote:
Compression isn't a correct term. A long lens only makes a smaller crop out of the total FoV. What happens in this situation is a difference in perspective due to a difference in distance between camera and subject and a difference in pupil size. Pupil size = focal length : aperture number. A 100mm lens @ f/4 has a pupil of 25mm and a 15mm lens @ f/4 has a pupil of 3.75mm.
p.2 #7 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
From the Venus website : Q: Can this SHIFT feature be used with a full frame camera body?
A: Yes but there will be mild vignetting when shift to the maximum under FF sensor. See below sample image. Lens hood + Filter have to be removed and aperture size to be reduced for easier shooting. No vignetting will be seen in APS-C sensor.
p.2 #8 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
That vignetting isn't bad at all on FF. If it's even decent across the frame, it'll be a must buy. cropping that above is still like a 16-17mm TS for $500. Interested to see full size samples.
p.2 #9 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
Landscape pictures appear to be quite good, even on full-frame. I wish we could see full resolution samples of the landscape pictures though.
First picture is a single shot, the second is a 3-shot pano (both on full frame).Vignetting is evident on the second shot, even though it is a 3-shot pano. Perhaps it's not as evident on the first one because of the dark sky, perhaps it was not shifted.
p.2 #11 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
Very interesting comparison of this lens on the A7 vs the 16-35 on the A7, and then the Venus again on a Canonbody. The length of exposure is the same on all pictures so I can only assume that they were all shot at the same aperture (f8) despite the information listed on flickr. Given how sharp the Venus lens is on the Canon vs the A7, I can only assume that the picture of the Venus on the A7 is misfocused.
The comparison of the 16-35 on the A7 vs Venus on the Canon suggests that the Venus is indeed quite good.
p.2 #13 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
LightShow wrote:
I see there is a touch of flare with the Venus to the left of the tall buildings and bottom right corner.
And way more distortion. Looks sharp though.
p.2 #14 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
Really shows the barrel distortion on the light posts, the buildings, not so much.
The 16-35 outclasses it, but it should since it's a more expensive lens.
I won't be getting it, though it is an interesting lens, maybe if they had brought it out a year or two ago I'd have jumped at it, now that I have my CV15III I don't really see the point, perhaps if it had tilt and less distortion.
The Canon's sensor is dirty....
p.2 #15 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
I really want to see properly focused full-frame shifted images, full resolution. If they look decent, even with distortion, I'll probably get one of these (Even if cropping brings it to 17mm-18mm or so FOV). Having a UWA shift lens for 1/5 the price of the TS-E 17mm would be great. I can't justify the TS-E 17mm, both for price and size, but this I could swing.
p.2 #16 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
I just bought this lens. It seems interesting. Will take some time to learn.
But one thing I seem unable to do: shifting. The instruction is not clear. Can some one help?
p.2 #17 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
It will be interesting to see other (user) images with this lens.
What happens when you move the lever on the side at the mount end of the lens? Is the mechanism stiff perhaps?
PS : A lot of the cheaper mechanisms don't have a geared mechanism, just 2 friction plates, so that when the clamp is released you can "push" the lens one way or another ...
p.2 #19 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
Did you look at the videos on this website? http://www.venuslens.net/
~36 seconds into the 1st video and ~25 secs in the 2nd and again at 1.15 where he says that is sticks sometimes and only has 3 positions
It looks like you push the lever which is spring loaded, ie you have to hold it while pushing the lens to adjust the shift
p.2 #20 · Venus Optics Laowa 15/4 1:1 macro, did I mention it has Shift too?
mcbroomf wrote:
Did you look at the videos on this website? http://www.venuslens.net/
~36 seconds into the 1st video and ~25 secs in the 2nd and again at 1.15 where he says that is sticks sometimes and only has 3 positions
It looks like you push the lever which is spring loaded, ie you have to hold it while pushing the lens to adjust the shift