Laowa Aurogon – 10x-50x Macro Lens 🤯

Micael Widell
26 Sept 202314:28

TLDRThe Laowa Aurogon 10x-50x Macro Lens Kit is a groundbreaking tool for extreme macro photography, offering unprecedented magnification for both mirrorless and DSLR cameras. The kit includes a base lens and four interchangeable rear segments, allowing for 10x, 20x, 35x, and 50x magnifications. Despite its niche market, the kit is praised for its convenience, ease of use, and potential value for money compared to traditional microscope lenses. The video provides a detailed look at the kit's features, setup requirements, and sample images, highlighting the need for focus stacking and the use of a flash due to the shallow depth of field at such high magnifications.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 The Laowa Aurogon is an extreme macro lens with 10x to 50x magnification capabilities.
  • 📦 It comes as a kit with a suitcase, including the main lens part and four additional back parts for different magnifications.
  • 🔄 The lens is compatible with various camera mounts and can be easily attached to mirrorless or DSLR cameras.
  • 💡 The lens offers a numerical aperture range from 0.15 to 0.5, which is considered very good for high magnification photography.
  • 📸 To achieve sharp images at such high magnifications, photographers need to stack hundreds of photos using software like Helicon Focus.
  • 🛠️ A steady setup with a focusing rail is required, preferably a motorized one, to ensure precise focusing at these magnifications.
  • 💡 The lens is a convenient alternative to traditional microscope lenses, offering a more accessible way to do high magnification macro photography.
  • 🔦 Due to the darkness at high magnifications, using a flash is almost mandatory, as are low ISO settings and fast shutter speeds.
  • 👁️ The lens kit would benefit from a tripod collar to help with balance and stability when mounted on a focus slider.
  • 💰 At around 1500 US Dollars, the Laowa Aurogon kit offers good value for money compared to purchasing individual microscope lenses.

Q & A

  • What is the Laowa Aurogon lens capable of?

    -The Laowa Aurogon lens is capable of extreme macro photography, offering magnifications ranging from 10 times to 50 times.

  • How does the Laowa Aurogon lens kit differ from traditional macro lenses?

    -The Laowa Aurogon lens kit differs as it can be directly attached to a mirrorless or DSLR camera and includes a variety of magnification options (10x, 20x, 35x, 50x) through interchangeable parts, making it highly versatile and convenient for high magnification macro photography.

  • What is the significance of numerical aperture in the context of the Laowa Aurogon lens?

    -Numerical aperture is significant because it represents the absolute aperture at high magnifications. The Laowa Aurogon lens has a numerical aperture ranging from 0.15 to 0.5, which is considered very good and allows for better light gathering at higher magnifications.

  • What are the challenges of using the Laowa Aurogon lens at extreme magnifications?

    -At extreme magnifications, the depth of field becomes extremely shallow, requiring the stacking of numerous photos (often hundreds) to achieve a fully sharp image. Additionally, extreme magnifications result in darker conditions, making the use of flash or very long shutter speeds necessary.

  • What equipment is recommended for use with the Laowa Aurogon lens kit?

    -A steady setup with a focusing rail, preferably a motorized one, is recommended for precise control and to minimize vibrations. A flash unit is also recommended due to the darkness encountered at high magnifications.

  • What are the drawbacks mentioned in the script regarding the Laowa Aurogon lens kit?

    -The script mentions the lack of a tripod collar, which would help balance the lens and camera setup, and the absence of a manual, which would provide necessary instructions for optimal use of the kit.

  • How does the Laowa Aurogon lens kit compare to other options in terms of value for money?

    -The Laowa Aurogon lens kit offers four different magnifications for around $1500, which is considered good value for money when compared to the cost of high-quality microscope lenses and the additional accessories they would require.

  • Who is the target audience for the Laowa Aurogon lens kit?

    -The target audience for the Laowa Aurogon lens kit includes those interested in extreme microphotography who want a convenient and easy-to-use kit without needing to invest in multiple microscope lenses and adapters.

  • What are some sample subjects the reviewer photographed with the Laowa Aurogon lens kit?

    -The reviewer photographed a ballpoint pen, a coin, a hair from their beard, and details of a beetle's eye and shell at various magnifications from 10x to 50x.

  • What was the reviewer's overall assessment of the image quality produced by the Laowa Aurogon lens kit?

    -The reviewer felt that the image quality was good, with the blurring observed likely due to diffraction at such high magnifications. They noted a slight vignette in the corners but were overall pleased with the results.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to the Lava Aragon Macro Lens Kit

The Lava Aragon macro lens kit is introduced as an extreme macro lens with a magnification range of 10 to 50 times. It is designed to be attached directly to mirrorless or DSLR cameras and comes in a kit with four different back parts for varying magnifications. The lens is praised for targeting a niche market and for its convenience in high magnification macro photography, as it eliminates the need for multiple microscope lenses, adapters, extension tubes, or bellows. The price of around 1500 US Dollars is considered good value for money, and the lens's numerical aperture ranges from 0.15 to 0.5, which is comparable to high magnification microscope lenses.

05:02

📸 Practical Usage and Challenges of the Lava Aragon Lens Kit

The paragraph discusses the practical aspects of using the Lava Aragon lens kit, including the challenges of achieving a sharp image at high magnifications due to the extremely shallow depth of field. It emphasizes the need for stacking hundreds of photos using software like Helicon Focus and the importance of a steady setup with a motorized focusing rail. The video creator recommends using a flash due to the darkness at higher magnifications and shares personal experiences with the kit, including the issue of front-heavy equipment and the need for a tripod collar. The absence of a manual and the necessity of expert knowledge for optimal use are also mentioned.

10:03

🔍 Showcasing the Lava Aragon Lens Kit's Capabilities

The creator showcases the capabilities of the Lava Aragon lens kit by presenting various sample photos taken at different magnifications. These include a ballpoint pen at 10x magnification, a coin and a hair from the creator's beard at 20x and 50x magnification, and the eye of a gecko (George) at 10x and 35x magnification. The images are detailed and demonstrate the lens kit's ability to capture fine details, despite the effects of diffraction. The summary also touches on the slight vignetting observed on a full-frame camera and the necessity of cropping to eliminate this issue. The video ends with the creator's overall positive impression of the kit, its ease of use, and its value for money for those interested in extreme microphotography.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Laowa Aurogon

Laowa Aurogon refers to a brand and series of extreme macro lenses produced by the company Laowa. These lenses are designed for high magnification photography, allowing photographers to capture intricate details of small subjects. In the context of the video, the Laowa Aurogon 10x-50x Macro Lens is discussed as an innovative tool that reaches unprecedented magnification levels for a camera lens, making it a unique product in the market.

💡Magnification

Magnification in the context of the video refers to the ability of the Laowa Aurogon lens to enlarge the appearance of small subjects in the resulting photograph. The lens offers variable magnification from 10 times to 50 times, which is a significant range for macro photography. High magnification is crucial for capturing fine details that are not visible to the naked eye, and it is a central theme of the video as it showcases the capabilities of the lens in extreme macro photography scenarios.

💡DSLR

DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera, which is a type of camera that uses a mirror and prism system to allow the photographer to view through the lens directly. In the video, the Laowa Aurogon lens is mentioned as being compatible with DSLR cameras, indicating that it can be attached to these popular devices to achieve extreme macro photography without the need for specialized microscope equipment.

💡Kit

In the context of the video, a kit refers to the complete set of components provided by Laowa for extreme macro photography. The Laowa Aurogon kit includes the main lens body and four different back parts that enable the user to achieve the desired magnification levels. The kit approach simplifies the process of high magnification photography by offering a range of capabilities in one convenient package.

💡Numerical Aperture

Numerical Aperture (NA) is a term used in optics to describe the light-gathering ability of a lens or optical fiber. In the video, it is mentioned that the Laowa Aurogon lens has a numerical aperture ranging from 0.15 to 0.5, which is significant for high magnification photography. A higher NA allows more light to enter the lens and reach the camera sensor, which is crucial for capturing clear images of small subjects at such extreme magnifications where light can be limited.

💡Focus Stacking

Focus stacking is a photographic technique that involves taking multiple images at different focus distances and then combining them into a single image with a greater depth of field. In the video, the presenter discusses using focus stacking software like Helicon Focus to combine hundreds of images taken with the Laowa Aurogon lens to achieve a sharp image with a high level of detail. This technique is essential for macro photography at high magnifications where the depth of field is extremely shallow.

💡Motorized Focusing Rail

A motorized focusing rail is a piece of equipment used in macro photography to move the camera or lens in small, precise increments during focus stacking. In the video, the presenter recommends using a motorized focusing rail, such as their Miops slider, to facilitate the focus stacking process with the Laowa Aurogon lens. This type of equipment ensures smooth and accurate focus adjustments, which are critical for creating sharp, well-defined images at high magnifications.

💡Diffraction

Diffraction is a phenomenon in physics where light waves bend around the edges of objects, leading to a decrease in image sharpness. In the context of the video, the presenter mentions that diffraction becomes more pronounced at high magnifications, affecting the quality of the images captured with the Laowa Aurogon lens. To mitigate the effects of diffraction, the lens is used with its widest numerical aperture (0.5), and the presenter takes multiple photos at different focus points to combine later through focus stacking.

💡Macro Photography

Macro photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing small subjects at very close range, often to showcase intricate details that are not visible to the naked eye. The video centers around the Laowa Aurogon lens, which is designed specifically for extreme macro photography, allowing photographers to achieve high magnifications and capture the minute details of their subjects. The video discusses the unique challenges and techniques associated with this specialized form of photography.

💡Depth of Field

Depth of field refers to the range of distance within a scene that appears acceptably sharp in a photograph. In macro photography, especially at high magnifications like those achievable with the Laowa Aurogon lens, the depth of field becomes extremely shallow. This means that only a small portion of the subject may be in focus at any one time. The video highlights the importance of understanding and managing depth of field when using the lens for extreme macro photography, often requiring focus stacking to capture the entire subject in sharp detail.

💡Vignetting

Vignetting is a reduction in an image's brightness or saturation at the periphery compared to the image center. In the video, the presenter notes a slight vignette in the corners of the images captured with the Laowa Aurogon lens on a full-frame camera. This optical effect can be mitigated by adjusting the image or using techniques such as cropping to remove the affected areas, ensuring that the final image is evenly illuminated and sharp across the entire frame.

Highlights

The Laowa Aurogon 10x-50x Macro Lens is an extreme macro lens with unprecedented magnification capabilities.

It is the first lens of its kind that can be directly attached to mirrorless or DSLR cameras for extreme magnification macro photography.

The lens kit includes a variety of attachments, allowing for 10x, 20x, 35x, and 50x magnifications.

Laowa has catered to a niche market with this innovative lens, despite the limited demand for such extreme magnification.

The kit offers a more cost-effective solution compared to purchasing individual microscope lenses, which are often more expensive.

The convenience of the Laowa Aurogon kit lies in its easy attachment and magnification switching, simplifying the macro photography process.

The lens features a numerical aperture range from 0.15 to 0.5, which is considered excellent for high magnification lenses.

The kit is compatible with various camera mounts, expanding its usability across different camera systems.

To achieve sharp focus at these magnifications, photographers need to stack hundreds of photos using software like Helicon Focus.

A steady setup with a focusing rail is essential for successful macro photography at high magnifications to avoid blurry images.

The lens requires a very narrow depth of field, making it necessary to use techniques like focus stacking to capture sharp images.

Diffraction limits the sharpness of images at high magnifications, regardless of the lens used.

The Laowa Aurogon lens kit is recommended for those interested in extreme microphotography, offering a convenient and efficient setup.

Despite the lack of a manual, the lens kit's performance is impressive, providing high-quality optics for detailed macro photography.

The kit is valued at around 1500 US Dollars, which is considered good value for money given the range of magnifications offered.

Laowa is working on a tripod collar to improve the balance and usability of the lens kit, which is highly recommended for users.

The lens's innovative design and extreme magnification capabilities make it a unique tool for macro photographers seeking to capture fine details.

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