Mastering Macro Photography: Choosing the Right Focal Length | Laowa Macro Master Class

Welcome to the 9th episode of the Laowa Macro Master Class. In this episode, we'll guide you through the essential process of selecting the perfect focal length for your macro shots.

Join our expert host, Scott Walker @WalksOnTheWildSide, as he uncovers the secrets of choosing the perfect focal length. Discover how your choice of focal length can influence the perspective, depth of field, and creative possibilities in your macro photography.

Featured lenses:
Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO
Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO

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About Laowa:
Laowa is an innovative camera lens brand that offers distinctive photo and cine optics. We strive to enhance our products and inspire a new generation of filmmakers and photographers.

Venus Optics produces photo and cine lenses with passion and innovation. The company designs and manufactures its lenses in Hefei, and operates sales and marketing offices in Hong Kong and the USA.

[karlgunterwunsch]

A very comprehensive look at the differences between focal lengths in macro photography. The only thing missing IMHO is the information that at a given magnification ratio and aperture all of these lenses will have the same DOF.

[willembezuidenhout]

I've just started off with macro photography and this is (by far) the most helpful video I've encountered yet. I live on the West Coast of Scotland with so many forest trails in close proximity.

[Patto]

A longer focal lenght both changes the angle of view AND increases magnification (i.e. zooms in).

[photonomist]

You have a great channel and you have a clear and engaging manner and put over complex ideas simply and your enthusiasm is infectious. I do a lot of macro but still learned some stuff - so thank you! Very wide angle macro photography is hard though and the subject is almost touching the front of the lens, but I have got some nice images with my Opteka, which is I believe a rip-off of the Laowa 15mm, but it took a while to get the hang of. My Tamron 90mm is great and the possibility of autofocus is very useful with creatures that move around a lot. I have used my x2 Laowa using focus bracketing and a rail and got some amazing shots, and using it at x1 gives me that intermediate focal length which will get more in, something you've just reminded me of, so I'll be going out trying that out, though of course that one has not got autofocus for creatures that don't stand still for long! Anyway, many thanks for the great video.

[pedzsan]

Very nicely done. I really like the part with the mushroom and the three focal lengths. I “knew” everything that you said but seeing it helps tremendously.

The problem is… now I want ALL of the different focal lengths 😂

[stanleystevens]

Thank you for this Master Class. I finally understand the effects of the different focal lengths from your examples. I'm leaning towards getting the 58mm.

[Paidoguto]

Very good class for someone considering macro, thank you!

[canvasst]

Splendid description of focal length vs. magnification! Thank you for such clear and informative content!

[GregWilson]

Thank You, That was very informative. Here all I was thinking is that I only needed one macro lens. You really clarified a lot. Great images too.

[ajaydeshpande]

Hey Scott, thanks for these insights! I've been using the 90mm and the 25mm over about 3 months and loving them both. By far, it has always been about the subject in my pictures. However, after watching this, I am very excited to explore "stories" and composition in macro. Thanks Venus and you Scott, for providing great content!

[martinoberstein]

What a detailed explanation/presentation! Thank you ever so much, Scott - great stuff!

[gr-osgd]

Hey, Scott, good to see you over here! 👍
I have Laowa's 85mm f/5.6 2x macro lens and it's very nice, and small enough to add to my carry-around kit for "just in case." I'd be very interested in trying out that 25mm 2x-5x...

[bbredewold]

Amazing! Thanks for this very clear and enjoying video!

[resinn]

Very impressive introduction to the use of macro photography. Thank you.

[jakemurphy]

Thank you for a most informative video. I believe this is the first time I have come across your channel. I'm trying to decide which Laowa to go for, to go with a 90mm Tamron I already have.

[muskratdove]

Thank you. This video answers questions I didn't even know I had.

[tonybaker]

You remind me of the great David Bellamy. Great vid on macro skills.

[sharvo]

Great introduction, just what i needed!

[jacsbill]

This is one of THE BEST informative videos I've seen on macro- thanks!

[philipwilson]

This is the absolute clearest exposition of macro photography principles. Thanks for this video. Having tried various ways of adding light to macro scenes inc. ring flash led lighting etc.) I generally use a single diffuser covering my flash and this produces generally very good results. There seem so many alternatives that people use though, but now I am very interested in the one you are using here, giving two moveable light sources with diffusers and then the small light to help with focus, which I can see is going to be extremely useful, as when I use a small aperture especially it is hard to have enough light to see clearly. I am thinking of getting one of these flashes, but wanted to know whether you have found any disadvantages/snags using this, or if you had any further thoughts on the matter. Thank you very much in advance.