Venus Optics are a new, Chinese lens manufacturer who are specializing in manual focus, macro lenses…often with special capabilities. This particular macro lens can focus twice as closely as a normal 1:1 macro lens, without the need for extension tubes. With the overall quality of lenses manufactured in China greatly increasing these days – this could be a really interesting offering.
As always, this is a totally independent review.
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This video includes my new test chart, as I’ve moved to a new place far away from all my old shooting locations. I’ve tried to make it a colourful one.
My Canon 70D had to be sold as I was saving up for my wedding/ honeymoon, so I’m still using my old Canon 60D. It’s kind of falling to pieces by now! All pictures and footage shot by me on Canon 6D and 60D cameras.
Here’s a link to Venus’s site: http://www.venuslens.net/laowa60/
Be sure to follow my Photostream on Flickr, to see sample pictures of lenses I’ve reviewed and to see previews of upcoming lenses, too! https://www.flickr.com/photos/56334263@N07/
Music:
‘Opportunity Walks’, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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I think you missed an important issue, I believe that there is no mechanical link to the aperture of the lens so you have to shoot through whatever aperture you choose. Meaning if you choose to shoot stopped down as you normally would in macro, the image would be dark and difficult to focus.
I am looking around for a macro lens, so this review was of great interest to me. Thank you for such a thorough review. By the way I would also buy that T shirt.
Is this lens sensitive for dust? It seems to me that the design of the lens is sucking dust between the glass elements.
Getting one of these for Christmas to add to my Nikon macro glass arsenal!!! Thanks for the review!!!
Could you compare this product to Canon MP-E65mm f/2.8 (Macro 1-5X)?
Hi! Have you consider to review their Twin Flash?? I’m sure your methods will give good results on it, think about it, thanks!
I really like your lens reviews, please keep up the good work! Did you think about reviewing this (china) lens?
Zonlai 25mm f1.8
m requesting lot please look once my request. brother can you make a comparison video between Laowa 60mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro with canon 100mm Macro f/2.8 L
Venus should send you their 15mm f/4 1:1. I’d love to see a review of it.
I’m trying to decide between this and the Laowa 15mm. I want the wide angle and tilt shift of the 15mm, but the super macro ability of the 60mm is equally attractive.
Hey Chris, good video, what is the blueish – green at 6:00-6:10 (all over that shot) then went away at f/11. ?? Thanks man and God bless.
Some manual lenses still have electronic communication, allowing focus confirmation, exif information etc. Is this the case with this lens too? It would have been interesting with a comparison with Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro, which was a lens that I loved when I was using APS-C .
I don’t see sample pictures on Flickr…….
I allready own a Sigma 105 macro, is it worth to add the Laowa 60mm to my collection?
Big difference between 60mm 2:1 and 105mm 1:1? Can’t find much comparisons between those two.. hope you can help!
I’m thinking about this lens instead of the Nikon 60mm 2.8D lens
How about the Oshiro 60mm 2:1 macro? Is it the same, just as good for half the price?
a very nice lens.
i am planning to buy one. but meanwhile, i am using a magnifying glass . works well, just a bit cumbersome and hard to hold camera, magnifying glass and wide torchlight emergency lamp.
is it good for filming as well? How much does it “breathe” during focus move? I’m looking for full manual lens for stop-motion.Thanks!
I’ve been waiting for someone to review this lens properly! Thank you so much Christopher for your great work as per usual!!
Nicely described. So far i brought every lens which is in 500$ range & you recommended highly. This will be in my bag within 10-15 days.
for my 70d which best Venus Optics ‘Laowa’ 60mm ? 15mm… which you liked the most?
Hi Christopher, I have got a good deal for a Sony a600 with 16-50mm + 55-210mm and the Minolta MD 50mm 1.7.
After looking at some review I wanted to get the sigma 60mm 2.8 dn art and samyang 12mm f/2. But do I really need them or the the deal I got will be enough for travel?
Great images!
If you sold a t-shirt that said “Very Sharp Indeed” on it, I’d probably buy it.
music was too loud
This is a great lens
Yesterday Saturday I shot a few teenagers going to their high homecoming dance. The shots were outside and I was really happy with the sharpness. It was absolutely AMAZING I’m glad I heard about this lens.
Try the 15mm Laowa Pleaaaaaase!
that lens looks exactly like my Oshiro version………and it was less than $400
how do you like your fujifilm xt10?