Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro lens review with samples (Full-frame & APS-C)

Another lens with a difference from Venus Optics - this one was a lot of fun to test out.

Find it here (Amazon affiliate link - I earn a commission on purchases. Be sure to buy the right lens for your system):

All pictures taken by me on Canon 6D, EOS M3, and Sony a7R II cameras.

...or on YouTube Memberships:

Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate link - I earn a commission on purchases):

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Music:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

[ioandragulescu]

@2:52 a small addition, from the venus optics site :
"Only Canon EF version is equipped with a CPU chip and motor for aperture control via the camera. All other mounts are manual and aperture is controlled by the aperture ring on the lens."

Also another difference, the Cannon EF version has only 9 aperture blades while the other versions have 13 ....

[DustinAbbottTWI]

A very interesting lens, and a great review. I've got a copy in transit to me right now for review, so I look forward to playing with it. Spring is a great time for macro.

[Marcos-eent]

The CA control on this lens is crazy! the best that I have seen.

[Illuminationsfromtheattic]

I pre-ordered this lens earlier this month after my old macro lens broke - can't wait to get my hands on it!
I was looking forward to your review - I really value your opinion on lenses, and enjoy your videos immensely!

[victorkhong]

Christopher, I just discovered your channel and thank you for the quality of the reviews you deliver. For me, your charts, explanation without long-winded side stories are the perfect blend of reviews I seek. Much, much appreciation for your work and sharing it with us.

[weiliu]

I basically wait your review before buying any lens. :)

[funtrain]

This lens looks like a dream. So sharp, great color, great background blur, great bokeh balls, no fringing, metal design, reasonably priced. I so want one.

[Nrdman]

Laowa is making great strides; who would have thought that a Chinese lens maker would be on the wish list for many photographers twenty or even ten years ago.

[mexmax]

Your reviews are the most reliable. No bullshiting, no "bought reviews" no "woooow, this lens is a must have, wow!!! the best ever! Such a bokeh!!" blabla, just objective, real, pure information and samples. I love it.

[kenttam]

I have been waiting different YouTubers to test this lens, turns out you are the first few YouTuber to test it, lovely :)

[whoyoum]

Hi Christopher. Great video as always! I would love to hear your opinion on Color Rendering and Contrast of this lens compare to Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens. Thank you!

[villemononen]

It seems Laowa is starting to become a great lens manufacturer, similarly how Sigma stepped up. Except Laowa lenses (to me) are far more interesting as options, and they optimize their lens sizes (Laowa 7.5mm f2.0 on m4/3 for example). Great lens by the look of it!

[TheMetalButcher]

Laowa never fails to deliver. Amazing sharpness and low CA everytime.

[hoggif]

That manufacturer has so many very interesting/unique products!

[ViktorKotschy]

Hi Christopher, I really hoped that you make this lens review and you did it! Thank you very much it was very useful!

[sandb]

6:50 it's been observed by other lens reviewers that mid-frame performance can be worse than edge performance. So the slightly softer corner performance on APS-c may reflect this phenomenon rather than the sensor's higher pixel density.

[alpcns]

This is incredible performance for a lens at this price point. Great review!

[kgoans]

Great review as always! This will be the next lens I buy! And congratulations on Laowa posting your review on their website! Keep up the awesome work!

[LaowaByVenusOptics]

Thank you so much Chris! Your reviews are just the best.

[JeffDvrx]

I'm from Argentina, and boy... I did not see 7:14 coming. I 100% don't mean to start a political argument or anything like that (I completely understand that, having won a war, the UK's claim on the islands is perfectly legitimate). It's just that, having grown up here, I'm used to hearing the opposite claims. Political statements; public places, schools, hospitals, whole counties named after the islands; you know the drill. It's interesting seeing the subject approached from the other side.

I love your videos :) I check them out as soon as I see a new one is up! And this lens is just wonderful, I've been looking for a decent macro lens for a while and at this price this one looks like an amazing alternative.