Venus Optics Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro Samples

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It is not the best time of year for macro photography but I have been doing my best to showcase the Venus Optics 60mm f/2.8 2x macro. Most true macros are capable of achieving 1:1. The Venus Optics can go 2:1 "Ultra-macro" is the term they used, maybe made up? Either way I have been really impressed with this affordable lens. It is completely manual- AF and aperture and does not communicate with camera so you don't get aperture data but the lens is sharp and at 60m fairly easy to work with. I have been mostly using it on a Sony A7RII with E-mount to EF Adapter. Most of the samples below are straight out of camera.Would you like to see a full hands-on review? Leave a comment below.Venus Optics 60mm f/2.8 Ultra MacroBuy the Venus Optics 60mm from B&H or Direct From Venus Optics $379 available in Canon, Nikon and Pentax mounts.Click any image in the slideshow to see a larger version. Full resolution RAW images are available below.

Canon T6s Earlier Image Samples

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Here are a few samples from the Canon T6s - Scroll down for a link to Dropbox where you can download the full resolution images and read some early thoughts.[gallery link="file" ids="8448,8449,8450,8452,8453,8454,8455,8456,8457,8451"]Full Resolution Sample T6s files in Dropbox Early Thoughts on the T6s

  • Live view focus and AI-Servo is almost as fast and smooth as the 70D, very good!
  • Higher ISO images are quite good, I don't think they are as good as Nikon D5500 but close
  • Having the small dial on the back for aperture and exposure adjustments is a nice touch - it is small but quite useful.
  • I wish you could adjust exposure while still using AUTO ISO.
  • Touchscreen is nice and responsive
  • The focus select mode button is a little random stuck up on top- luckily they provide a custom setting to avoid needing to use it.
    • Custom Functions(C.fn) > Page 5 C.fnIII: Autofocus/Drive AF Selection Area Selection Method Set to 1.  This lets you press the AF select button on the back corner of the camera and then rotate main dial (top dial) to change the AF mode.  You have three options Manual Selection 1pt, Manual Selection Zone AF, Auto Selection: 19pt.

More soon - what would you like to know about the Canon T6s 

D7100 Sample Images

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I spent a day wandering around Brattleboro, Vermont shooting with the D7100. My initial thoughts, Nice Camera! My thoughts after seeing the higher ISO images I shot, especially the bolts in the hardware store, Wow! Clearly the king of DX sensors at this time. I will have a more complete review as well as a video tour of its features soon. Video Tour is UpThese images are untouched, they may report that they were taken with a D5200 as I had to hack the Exif data to get LR to open
 Original Files, including NEFs can be found https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B57q1XmfhPgfMHpsYjV0bEw2ajA/edit?usp=sharing Helpful?  Order your Nikon D7100 via Amazon or B&HVideo Tour

Nikon D5200 HDR Samples

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Sample images using the built in HDR function on the Nikon D5200 - Options are HDR OFF, Auto HDR,  Extra High, High, Norm, and Low.  In my testing there was often very little difference between auto, normal and low.    Notice the serious Halos around your higher contrast areas when HDR was set to Extra High.  Compare the options and results to the HDR feature built into the Canon T4i and it is clear that Nikon offers some real potential here but it still is not going to beat bracketing three shots on your own and combining in Photomatix or Photoshop.HDR OFF - Mouse over for HDR Extra High[himage]HDR OFFHDR Extra High - Notice the halo around the building[/himage]HDR OFF - Mouse over for HDR Auto[himage]HDR OffHDR Auto - Very Little difference from the HDR off[/himage]Viewing tip - Open up the photos and use the arrow keys to navigate through - once you have been through all of the photos once you can use the arrow keys to easily pop back and forth to compare the HDR on and off.

High ISO Samples - Nikon D5200 vs Canon T4i (650D)

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UPDATE: My final review- Nikon D5200 vs Canon T4i(650D) Comparison

The T5i has been released. It performs identically in low light to the T4i. There are other slight differences between the T4i and T5i.   Watch my T5i (700D) vs D5200 video.Buying the Nikon or Canon through my links supports this site and costs you nothing extra.

I have a video comparison of the physical difference/similarities and a video with sample 1080P video from both cameras showing autofocus ability(Canon wins) and a video/audio test Canon t4i vs Nikon D5200(Winner-Toss up?) and low light - high iso video samples from both cameras.  - Scroll down for embedded videos.A few thoughts/comparisons:

  • Both cameras are capable of producing excellent images but the kit lens(18-55) for the Nikon is not great and that sensor shows it, high quality sensors need higher quality lenses.
  • Nikon image quality in lower light is noticeably better and overall image quality is better but it is very close.
  • Canon seems to be better at focusing and refocusing during video that coupled with a STM makes for smooth and fairly painless auto focus suitable for family and vacation videos.
  • Both cameras, with 18-55 kit lens, produce sound during focus that is picked up by the on board stereo mic while filming.  Canon does offer the silent 18-135 STM lens, Nikon does not have a comparably silent lens but the 18-55 on the Nikon is quiet, just not silent. UPDATE: With the T5i Canon now offers an 18-55 STM lens that is also silent.
  • The touchscreen and button layout of the Canon makes the camera more friendly to operate.  Worth repeating, the touchscreen is NICE!
  • The Nikon has a few more effect options under the effect dial
  • The Nikon offers a quiet shutter mode, two different burst speeds(low & high) and intervalometer and a few more features.
  • The Canon offers wireless external flash control.
  • The Canon gives someone with larger hands just a bit more space.
  • The Nikon has a few quirks
  • Nikon offers a $60 wireless dongle utility.

Complete Review of the T4i and Nikon D5200 is now available.

Have a question you want answered now or in the video review?  Leave it on my Facebook page or a comment below. 
Nikon D5200 low light test. from Hans zijffers on Vimeo.Video clips all shot with the Tamron 17-55 F2.8. ISO 1600 - 3200. Denoising was done on all shots to make it look as clean and crisp as possible.* Keep in mind that the raw video footage out of the D5200 can be noisy at ISO 1600 and above, especially in dark areas with little light available. (although I shot at ISO 4000 and saw very little noise due to the fact that there was enough light coming from a street lantern) The footage you see in this video is not colour corrected, very basic, I only added some brightness to pull details out of dark areas (the dynamic range is absolutely stunning in this camera!), then denoised it and added some sharpness. The camera picture style was set to Neutral with zero contrast and very little sharpening.Download the 720p file to see the best result.Canon T4i vs Nikon D5200