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Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-macro APO - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict |
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Lens Reviews -
Canon EOS (Full Format)
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Page 3 of 3
Sample Images
Click on an image to download the full-size variant.
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 320 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 1.6s |
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 320 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 2.5s |
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 320 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 1/4s |
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 320 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 1/160s |
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 320 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 1/2500s |
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 400 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 1/1000s |
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 800 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 1/800s |
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| Make | Canon |
| Model | Canon EOS R5 |
| ISO Speed | 800 |
| Focal Length | |
| Aperture: | f/ |
| Exposure | 1/640s |
Competition
There are no direct competitors to the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO in Canon R-mount and this specific focal-length class (there are, of course, several in Sony E-mount). Canon R-mount is a closed system and Canon has been fiercely defending its "properties" here. If you include EF-R adapter options, the closest thing may be the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro ART. It provides good ol' AF but only provides a max magnification of 1:1. Canon has, of course, macro lenses as well. The RF 85mm f/2 STM IS macro is actually in the same price bracket and longer still - but it only features a max magnification of 1:2. The RF 100mm f/2.8 USM L IS macro can give you 1.4:1. However, besides being in a different price class, it's way more expensive and suffers from LoCAs and RSAs (focus shifts).
Verdict
Overall, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO delivers the impressive results that we are used to from their APO macro lens lineup. The lens is tack sharp at relevant aperture settings and across the image field. Both lateral and axial color fringing is next to non-existing. Image distortions are also absent. The quality of the bokeh is very smooth, both with respect to out-of-focus highlights as well as the general out-of-focus blur.
The amount of vignetting is comparatively high even when stopped down but that's easily correctable in post. Flare is a weakness in difficult backlit situations, though.
Typical for most fully manual lenses, the build quality is excellent. The lens body is made of metal with a smooth focus ring and a clicked aperture ring. The lens is on the big side relative to other 50mm-ish macro lenses.
However, unlike those, the Laowa lens uses an inner focusing system so there are no moving outer parts here. The Laowa lens has no electronic coupling whatsoever. While not all that unusual, Laowa is positioning itself as a sort-of premium manufacturer - and we'd really like to see some progress on this front. Also, if you go for the lens - remember to check for optical consistency (centering) when receiving the lens. Such niche players aren't quite up there with the big boys.
You may argue that $499 isn't exactly cheap for such a lens. However, besides the APO design and the high sharpness, you also pay for the max 2:1 macro capability. Such a high object magnification is still very unusual, and rare things simply have a higher price tag. So if you like going to the max with your macro photography, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO is worth a look. That being said, Laowa is offering the 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra-macro APO for the same price. Unless you are specifically interested in the wider field of view, a 90mm macro lens is generally more desirable due to the longer working distance.
Mechanical Quality:
★★★★★
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