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 magnifications from 10x to 50x with a variety of lens parts. Designed for ease of use, it can be mounted on mirrorless or DSLR cameras and includes a motorized focusing rail for precise focusing. Despite the high magnification, the lens delivers sharp images, though some vignetting may occur. Priced at around $1500, it's a valuable option for those venturing into the world of microphotography.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 The Laowa Aurogon is an extreme macro lens offering magnifications from 10x to 50x, a first in the market for such capabilities.
  • 📦 The lens kit comes in a suitcase with the main lens body and four different back parts for varying magnifications (10x, 20x, 35x, 50x).
  • 💰 Laowa Aurogon is priced at around 1500 US Dollars, which could be a good value compared to the cost of a high-quality microscope lens.
  • 🔧 The kit is convenient for high magnification macro photography as it eliminates the need for a microscope lens, adapter, extension tubes, or bellows.
  • 📐 The lens uses numerical aperture (NA) from 0.15 to 0.5, which is a dimensionless number indicating the effective aperture at high magnifications.
  • 🖼 To achieve sharp images at these magnifications, photographers need to stack hundreds of photos using software like Helicon Focus.
  • 🛠️ A steady setup with a focusing rail, preferably motorized, is recommended for precise focus stacking at such high magnifications.
  • 💡 Due to the darkness at high magnifications, using a flash is almost mandatory, as are low ISO settings and fast shutter speeds to minimize blur.
  • 📷 The lens is available for various camera mounts, making it adaptable for different camera systems.
  • 👁️ The reviewer suggests that a tripod collar should be included with the kit for better balance and ease of use on a focus slider.

Q & A

  • What is the range of magnification provided by the Laowa Aurogon lens kit?

    -The Laowa Aurogon lens kit offers a magnification range from 10x to 50x.

  • What does the Laowa Aurogon kit include?

    -The Laowa Aurogon kit includes a main lens and four interchangeable rear parts that provide different magnifications (10x, 20x, 35x, and 50x). It comes in a suitcase for convenient packaging and transport.

  • How does the numerical aperture of the Laowa Aurogon compare to typical camera lenses?

    -The Laowa Aurogon uses a numerical aperture range from 0.15 to 0.5, which is different from typical camera lenses that use standard f-stop values. Numerical aperture is a dimensionless number important in high magnification settings, indicating the lens's ability to gather light.

  • What are the challenges of using the Laowa Aurogon for macro photography?

    -Challenges include extremely shallow depth of field at high magnifications requiring the use of focus stacking techniques, potentially hundreds of images to achieve sharpness. Also, the setup needs to be very steady, often necessitating a motorized focusing rail.

  • Why is a flash or long shutter speeds often necessary when using the Laowa Aurogon at high magnifications?

    -At high magnifications, such as 35x or 50x, the amount of light reaching the sensor is significantly reduced, making the image very dark. Using a flash or long shutter speeds helps to adequately expose the image.

  • What is the price of the Laowa Aurogon lens kit and how does it compare to similar high-magnification systems?

    -The Laowa Aurogon lens kit costs around $1,500 USD, which is potentially more affordable compared to high-quality microscope lenses that often cost more.

  • What additional equipment is recommended for effective use of the Laowa Aurogon?

    -For effective use, a steady setup with a motorized focusing rail is recommended to handle the high magnification. A tripod collar is also suggested to balance the setup and reduce vibration during shooting.

  • How does the Laowa Aurogon facilitate the process of changing magnifications?

    -The Laowa Aurogon kit allows easy switching between different magnifications by simply changing the rear parts of the lens, making it convenient compared to setups that require multiple adapters or lenses.

  • What kind of subjects did the reviewer shoot with the Laowa Aurogon to test its capabilities?

    -The reviewer tested the Laowa Aurogon on a variety of subjects including a ballpoint pen, a coin, and a hair from their beard at different magnifications to demonstrate the lens's capabilities.

  • What feedback did the reviewer provide to Laowa regarding the Aurogon lens kit?

    -The reviewer suggested that Laowa should include a tripod collar to help stabilize the setup due to its front-heavy nature and provide a manual or instructions for users unfamiliar with high-magnification macro photography.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to the Lava Aragon Macro Lens Kit

The Lava Aragon macro lens kit is introduced as an extreme macro lens offering 10 to 50 times magnification. It is a unique product as it can be mounted directly onto mirrorless cameras or DSLRs. The kit includes a main lens and four additional parts for different magnifications. The Lava Aragon stands out for its convenience and value for money compared to traditional microscope lenses and setups. The lens also features a numerical aperture range from 0.15 to 0.5, which is considered good in comparison to high magnification microscope lenses.

05:02

📸 Practical Use and Challenges of the Lava Aragon Lens Kit

The practical use of the Lava Aragon lens kit involves stacking numerous photos (hundreds in some cases) to achieve sharp images at such high magnifications. A steady setup with a focusing rail is recommended, and motorized options are preferred. The kit's lack of a tripod collar and manual are noted as areas for improvement. The extreme magnifications result in very dark conditions, making flash usage almost mandatory. The presenter shares their experience using the kit for various sample photos, emphasizing the small depth of field and the need for precise focusing techniques.

10:03

💡 Results and Recommendations for the Lava Aragon Macro Lens Kit

The presenter shares their results using the Lava Aragon lens kit for various subjects, including a ballpoint pen, a coin, a hair from their beard, and the eye of a gecko named George. The images produced are sharp and detailed, despite the challenges of diffraction at high magnifications. The presenter suggests that the kit is well-suited for those interested in extreme microphotography and appreciates the convenience and value of the kit. They also note the slight vignetting on full-frame cameras and suggest that the kit could be an excellent investment for its price and versatility.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Laowa Aurogon

Laowa Aurogon is the brand and model name of an extreme macro lens discussed in the video. It is a unique lens that offers an unprecedented range of magnification from 10x to 50x, allowing photographers to capture intricate details at a level typically only possible with microscope lenses. The lens is notable for its adaptability to mirrorless cameras and DSLRs, and it comes in a kit that includes different parts to achieve the desired magnification. This product is targeted at a niche market of macro photographers who require high magnification for their work.

💡Magnification

Magnification in the context of the video refers to the ability of the Laowa Aurogon lens to enlarge the appearance of small subjects, making it possible to capture details that are not visible to the naked eye. The lens offers four levels of magnification (10x, 20x, 35x, and 50x), which is a significant range and allows photographers to choose the appropriate setting for their subject. For instance, a 50x magnification would be suitable for capturing the fine details of a small insect or a single strand of hair. The concept is central to the video as it showcases the lens's capability to explore the微观世界 (microscopic world).

💡DSLR

DSLR, or Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera, is a type of camera that uses a mirror and prism system to allow the photographer to view the scene through the lens. In the video, the Laowa Aurogon lens is described as being compatible with both DSLR and mirrorless cameras, which means it can be attached to a wide variety of camera bodies. This compatibility is important because it makes the lens versatile and accessible to photographers who may already own different types of camera equipment.

💡Macro Photography

Macro photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing small subjects at very close range, often to showcase intricate details and textures. The video centers around the Laowa Aurogon lens, which is designed specifically for extreme macro photography. This type of photography typically requires specialized lenses or equipment, such as microscope lenses or extension tubes, to achieve the high magnifications needed. The Laowa Aurogon lens kit offers a convenient solution by providing multiple magnification options in one package, making it easier for photographers to capture the微观世界 (microscopic world).

💡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 context of the video, the Laowa Aurogon lens has a variable numerical aperture ranging from 0.15 to 0.5. A higher NA value indicates a greater ability to resolve fine details and to gather light, which is particularly important in macro photography where depth of field is shallow and lighting can be challenging. The lens's maximum NA of 0.5 is considered very good for high magnification lenses, allowing photographers to capture clear and detailed images of their subjects.

💡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 extended depth of field. This technique is essential in macro photography, especially at high magnifications, where the depth of field is extremely shallow. The video mentions using software like Helicon Focus to stack hundreds of photos taken at different focus points to create a fully sharp image. This process is crucial for capturing detailed images of small subjects, as it ensures that every part of the subject is in focus.

💡Motorized Focusing Rail

A motorized focusing rail is a piece of equipment used in macro photography to achieve precise and consistent focus adjustments during the focus stacking process. In the video, the presenter recommends using a motorized rail, such as their Miops slider, to facilitate the stacking of multiple images at different focus points. This equipment is important for achieving high-quality macro images, as it allows for smooth and accurate focus changes, which are necessary for creating sharp, detailed final images through focus stacking.

💡Diffraction

Diffraction is a phenomenon in physics that occurs when light encounters an obstacle or a slit, causing it to spread out and bend. In photography, particularly at high magnifications, diffraction can lead to a decrease in image sharpness because it affects the light's ability to converge at a single point. The video mentions that even at the widest aperture setting (0.5 numerical aperture), diffraction limits the maximum sharpness that can be achieved. This is a fundamental concept in optics and photography, and understanding its impact is crucial for photographers aiming to capture the finest details in their images.

💡Camera Mounts

Camera mounts refer to the mechanisms or accessories that allow a camera to be securely attached to a tripod, rail system, or other support structures. In the context of the video, the Laowa Aurogon lens kit is mentioned to be compatible with a variety of camera mounts, which means it can be adapted to fit different camera systems. This compatibility is important because it ensures that the lens can be used by a broad range of photographers, regardless of the specific camera brand or model they own.

💡Vignette

A vignette in photography is a reduction of 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 when using the Laowa Aurogon lens on a full-frame camera. This optical effect can be undesirable as it may reduce the overall sharpness and contrast of the image. The presenter suggests cropping the photos slightly to eliminate the vignette, ensuring that the final image is evenly illuminated and in focus across the entire frame.

💡Value for Money

Value for money refers to the idea that a product or service provides a good balance between its cost and the benefits or quality it offers to the user. In the video, the presenter discusses the Laowa Aurogon lens kit in terms of its value for money, comparing its price to that of high-quality microscope lenses. The kit's ability to offer multiple magnification options and its convenience in use are highlighted as factors that contribute to its good value for money, especially for photographers interested in extreme macro photography but who may not want to invest in multiple specialized lenses and accessories.

Highlights

The Laowa Aurogon 10x-50x Macro Lens is an extreme macro lens never before seen in the market.

This lens offers magnifications of 10x, 20x, 35x, and 50x,远超standard macro lenses.

The kit includes a variety of lens parts that can be combined to achieve the desired magnification.

Laowa has created a niche product for a small market, filling a gap that didn't exist before.

The Laowa Aurogon is priced at around $1500, which is competitive compared to high-end microscope lenses.

The lens has a numerical aperture range from 0.15 to 0.5, which is considered very good in high magnification lenses.

The kit is compatible with various camera mounts, making it versatile for different photography setups.

To achieve sharp images at high magnification, photographers need to stack hundreds of photos using software like Helicon Focus.

A steady setup with a focusing rail is almost mandatory for shooting at such high magnifications.

The lens is designed for use with a flash due to the darkness encountered at 35x or 50x magnification.

The lens does not come with a tripod collar, which would be beneficial for stabilizing the front-heavy setup.

Laowa is working on a tripod collar, which is highly recommended for use with this lens kit.

The kit does not include a manual, which could be a drawback for those unfamiliar with extreme macro photography.

Diffraction becomes a significant factor at these high magnifications, affecting the sharpness of the images.

The lens performed well in tests, providing detailed and sharp images despite the challenges of extreme macro photography.

This kit is ideal for those interested in extreme microphotography, offering a convenient and easy-to-use solution.

The Laowa Aurogon 10x-50x Macro Lens Kit is a good value for money, considering the range of magnifications and convenience it offers.

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