Tubular barrel, Waterproof & built-in LED design unlock shooting possibilities.
Anhui China, Aug 1, 2018 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique Laowa camera lenses, are proud to announce the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe Lens, a unique & revolutionary macro tool.
Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe is the world’s first consumer-grade probe lens that was developed to provide photographers and videographers with a new perspective and remove their shooting barriers while using conventional macro lenses. Below are the key features of this lens.
Bug-Eye Perspective
The new Laowa 24mm Probe lens can create a Bug-Eye perspective that cannot be done by conventional macro lens. Not only can it focus really close (2cm @ 2:1) and show a great amount of detail and texture, but also achieve a compelling wide angle ‘Bug Eye' view (84.1°). More background details can then be included into the shots to create a very informative and stunning macro bug-eye perspective. For telephoto macro lenses, the subject will fill most of the frame and appear isolated from the surrounding environment instead.
2:1 Magnification to Infinity Focus
The new Laowa Probe covers a focusing range from 2:1 macro magnification to Infinity Focus. Photographers can take advantage of the 2:1 maximum magnification to shoot really small bugs/objects and reveal details that cannot be seen by naked eye. The wide focusing range (from Macro to infinity) is also particularly useful for videography as both finer details and environmental background can be captured in one shot.
2:1 Macro to Infinity Focus
Deep Depth-of-Field
The wide angle design also means much more depth of field at close distance (compared to the telephoto macro lens) so that more background details will now be visible. Being able to focus so close but still having a deep depth of field is a BIG advantage for both studio and wildlife shooting. The less blurry background allows the habitat of the subject to be visible in your photo.
DOF Comparison vs Tele-macro lens
Waterproof front lens barrel
The front barrel of the lens is waterproof and it can be used to shoot in any environment. This makes shooting in liquid no longer a limitation. The waterproof design also implies that shooting in super dusty environment or with fine powders are not going to be a problem.
Waterproof Front Barrel enables a lot of possibilities
40cm long & Tubular Lens Barrel
Thanks to the 40cm (15.7″) long barrel, photographers can focus really close to the subject but still keep themselves and cameras distance away. This unlocks the possibility of shooting in areas which were not accessible in the past. E.g. Shooting a frog hiding in the bushes using our Probe lens, compared to getting a telephoto macro lens super close to avoid leaves blocking your subject. The long lens barrel also allows photographers to keep a safe distance away when shooting lethal animals. The big camera body and lens will no longer ‘alert' the subject too.
Shooting at areas which were not accessible in the past
Tiny 2cm lens tip
The tiny 0.2cm-in-diameter lens tip unlocks the possibility to get very low to the ground level to capture a ‘delicious' perspective and maximize the visual impact. The viewers will be like walking on your shooting subject (e.g. Pizza) now. Moreover, you can insert the lens into tiny caves, bottle or burrows to shoot. The smaller lens tip also enables proper lighting hitting onto the subject whereas typical macro lenses with larger lens barrels will block most of the light.
Get very low to the ground level to capture a ‘delicious' perspective
LED Ring Light at the tip
A LED ring light (powered through the micro-USB slot on the barrel) is mounted at the tip of the lens to provide additional lighting for focus assistance and video shooting.
Provide lighting for videography / focus assistance
Full frame coverage
The Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe can cover both the standard 35mm full frame and Super35 image sensor.
Lightweight
The new Laowa weighs only 1.04 pounds (474 grams) and it’s super light and easy to carry.
The lens has one of the most complicated optics design and houses with 27 elements in 19 groups to deliver the exceptional image quality. Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony FE mounts are currently available for standard version. A cine version with click-less aperture and focus gears in Arri PL mount is also available to order.
Availability
The lens is expected to retail at USD 1,499/pc (ex-VAT). It is currently available to pre- order via Kickstarter at a discounted price. The earliest expected delivery date is September. The lens will also be available via authorized resellers from October onwards.
Supplementary Materials
- Sample Footages
- Youtube Playlist
- Wildlife
- Table-top Videography
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7TMhhQvU0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjPnwGOgcAE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07P7aDw9xfI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9JpwZzaSgI
- Creative Shooting
- Venus Optics Official Website http://www.venuslens.net/
Specifications
| Focal Length | 24mm |
| Max. Aperture | f/14 |
| Min. Aperture | f/40 |
| Angle of View | 85° |
| Format Compatibility | Full Frame |
| Lens Structure | 27 elements in 19 groups
(High Index Glass x 1, ED Glass x 2 & Prism x 2) |
| Aperture Blades | 7 |
| Min. Focusing Distance | 470mm |
| Min. Working Distance | 20mm |
| Max. Magnification | 2:1 |
| Infinity Focus | Yes |
| Focusing | Manual Focus |
| Dimensions (Approx.) | 38 x 408mm |
| Weight (Approx.) | 474g (1.04 lb) |
| Mount (Standard Version) | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE |
| Mount (Cine Version) | Arri PL |
About Us
Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics) is a new Chinese camera lens manufacturer based in Hefei, Anhui. We currently manufacture and distribute camera lenses under the brand name of ‘Laowa’.
For more information about Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited and our products information, visit http://www.venuslens.net/
For review request or other enquiries, please kindly contact us at [email protected]
Shame I don't shoot macro...
As regards the OP this looks like a fun piece of kit if you engage in insect photography as I do and the performance & price is right. One observation though is that when poking it through foliage as suggested in the image that whilst the lens tip may get close an on camera or hand held flash will likely be blocked by the foliage so ISO will be really high.
As much as I want one, I now want a roll of brightly coloured adhesive tape to go along with it.
Jim
Also, the small LED array at end, while seemingly a good idea, appears to be creating harsh, blown-out videos in their sample videos in burrows. I wonder if the LED strength can be adjusted and how useful it actually would be in Macro photo shooting.
https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?threads/venus-laowa-24mm-relay-lens-preview.35468/
Because Kai is, in fact, Kai.
When you build two different social media presences to over 500k followers, advanced access to schwag tends to follow.
- A
In Kai's review, he shows the cable that attaches to the lens to connect to a USB power source. In addition to the cable's On/Off switch, it has Up and Down switches to increase/decrease the lights' intensity.
https://www.dpreview.com/videos/867...f14-probe-may-look-strange-but-it-sure-is-fun