[johnc]

John,

A couple of unusual, totally manual macro lenses are sold by Laowa. They include a 15mm f4 1:1 macro, and the world's only 2:1 macro, a 60mm f2.8.

Thanks, good point. I'd seen the 60mm but had no idea on the 15mm. Yeah the 60mm is an interesting proposition in particular. Thanks for the video links!

John

[Weevil]

In the meantime, Just saw that nice Vivitar 90mm on ebay for 120$ US
But I thought the 90mm was 1:2 without the adapter ??

Vivitar 90mm f2.8 1:1 Macro- Pentax K Mount -Komine Made- K1 100 2.8 2.5 K-1, K7 | eBay

[mohb]

Pentax DFA100 2.8

This managed to hang on till mid November

[RockvilleBob]

From an outing to Longwood Gardens yesterday. Handheld with flash/diffuser

Attached Images

 

[WPRESTO]

From an outing to Longwood Gardens yesterday. Handheld with flash/diffuser

Should have realized you were near Longwood. My daughter does volunteer work there pretty regularly, mostly out in the meadow area I believe. She's sharp with plant identifications (except maybe species of Carex, which are pretty inscrutable to any but experts on the genus).

[rgknief60]

a lens identitcal to the 60mm 2:1 is sold without the Laowa/Venus branding on ebay for about half of what the branded one is

Most of the listings are selling 5, 10, or more lenses. All of the cardboard boxes are the same. Saw or read unboxing reviews of the
Laowa/Venus coming in padded envelops shrinked wrapped in plastic with no box. Either there is a problem with QC, "night runs" as you put it,
or they need to sell off some stock without making Adorama, B&H or other vendors upset.

---------- Post added 12-08-16 at 11:05 AM ----------

From an outing to Longwood Gardens yesterday. Handheld with flash/diffuser

I've never gotten a satisfactory shot of the pistels. But I've not tried a flash/diffuser yet.

[sculptor666]

ok, fine. i want to go to longwood gardens too!

[WPRESTO]

I know these don't belong on this thread (taken with a shirt-pocket P&S), but here is some of Longwood done up for the holidays

Attached Images

       

[rgknief60]

I know these don't belong on this thread (taken with a shirt-pocket P&S), but here is some of Longwood done up for the holidays

Now why did you have to go off and do that? Now we're all going to want to go...

[Weevil]

I know these don't belong on this thread (taken with a shirt-pocket P&S), but here is some of Longwood done up for the holidays

Now why did you have to go off and do that? Now we're all going to want to go...

At least you should have shot in macro mode (closer)? or with a macro lens ?

[RockvilleBob]

Here's another taken on my Longwood Garden outing. I live 2 hours away but it is well worth the trip. I may try an evening trip there before Christmas.

[WPRESTO]

The lights remain up at Longwood for some weeks after Christmas, and it may be less crowded. As I recall, I was there just about New Year's Eve.

[ehrwien]

Where I could, I did take a few handhelds of hte lights, though. I used an old SOligor 21mm on this one that I knew would create interesting flaring effects

that flare looks like a purposefully added wifi signal, very cool!

[sculptor666]

Well, I ended up going on Saturday, and unfortunately, it seems that a weekend during the Christmas season is NOT the time to go for macro shooting. The conservatory was completely packed, and rather than give visitors freedom to roam like they usually do, we were all shuttled through the various rooms in a line reminiscent of the wait for attractions at Disneyland.

I couldn't in good conscience subject the people packed around me to the constant flashing of my macro setup, so I eschewed it and simply spent time enjoying the decorations.

were there many insects inside?

[RockvilleBob]

Well, I ended up going on Saturday, and unfortunately, it seems that a weekend during the Christmas season is NOT the time to go for macro shooting. The conservatory was completely packed, and rather than give visitors freedom to roam like they usually do, we were all shuttled through the various rooms in a line reminiscent of the wait for attractions at Disneyland.

I couldn't in good conscience subject the people packed around me to the constant flashing of my macro setup, so I eschewed it and simply spent time enjoying the decorations.


Long story short, if you are looking to take macros this time of year, you'd probably do yourself a favor by going during the day on a weekday.

Also, one piece of information useful for any time of year: tripods are only allowed before noontime in the Conservatory, and you have to get a special permit (which is free, but limited in number). Plan accordingly.

During Christmas you probably need to arrive when it opens at 9 on a weekday and that will give you about one hour before it starts to get too busy for a tripod. I am planning another outing and will use a monopod and a ring flash instead of the flash with diffuse. These were done handheld with flash and diffuser.