But what you get here is something truly unique, in philosophy, design, and the results it provides. While its physical operation is little different to a more conventional fully-manual lens, you will need to think more carefully about lighting and especially composition to fully exploit its potential. One of the primary physical design changes with this new 24mm T8 2X Macro Pro2be lens is that there are actually three different styles. There is a standard straight tubular design, much like the original Probe lens, which Laowa calls the 'Direct View Lens'. However, there are now two other angled versions, a 35-degree View and a Periscope version, which gives creators additional versatility to get unique shots and get the camera into even more difficult shooting angles. In all three versions of the 24mm T8 2X Macro Pro2be lens, the barrel is also 10cm (3.9 in.) longer than the original version, allowing for even deeper, closer shooting possibilities. Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography The first thing that strikes you when you see the Probe lens in person is its sheer length. 40cm is long for any lens, but the Probe's mostly narrow diameter creates the optical illusion that it's longer still: this is a lens like nothing else you've seen attached to a lens mount. But while certainly large, it isn't overly heavy. At 474g the Probe is lighter than most conventional full-frame macro lenses.

The front barrel of the lens is waterproof and it can be used to shoot in any environment. This makes shooting in liquid no longer a limitation. The waterproof design also implies that shooting in super dusty environment or with fine powders are not going to be a problem. A LED ring light (powered through the micro-USB slot on the barrel) is mounted at the tip of the lens to provide additional lighting for focus assistance and video shooting. Though capable of capturing compelling close-ups, the niche nature of this slender beast and its very narrow aperture mean it's unlikely to replace a traditional macro lens. Factor the not insignificant price tag in, and this is therefore one serious novelty lens, but one that is far from just a toy. The new Laowa 24mm T8 2X Macro Pro2be lens maintains this same 24mm focal length and full-frame image format. However, the new version has a much brighter aperture than before. The new cine-focused Pro2be lens opens up to a T-stop of T8, whereas the original photo-centric Probe Lens had a maximum aperture of F14. The aperture is adjustable and, like before, closes down to a minimum T-stop of T40. The brighter maximum aperture on the new version allows for more depth-of-field control as well as more flexibility in lower-lighting situations, such as outdoor macro shooting and high-speed photography applications. The aperture diaphragm has also been upgraded to a 10-blade design over the 7-blade aperture design of the original, which should improve the smoothness and look of out-of-focus areas. The tip of the lens measures just 2cm across and houses a ring of USB-powered LED lights for focus assistance and for lighting the subject. Animals in burrows and underwater can be photographed as the end of the probe lens is water and dust proof, and the LED lights can be used in those conditions. The closest focus-distance is 2cm at which distance the maximum reproduction ratio of 2:1 is achieved. Constructed using 27 elements in 19 groups this is quite a complex optical arrangementA wide angle focal length has been chosen to deliver more depth of field and more environment, while the size of the front element allows users to get truly ground-level view. For architecture, interiors and landscape photography, we also offer ZERO distortion Shift lenses, available for several camera brands including Laowa Sony FE lenses. Whichever style of photography or videography you enjoy, this brand has a unique option to push your creativity to the limit. As the name suggests, the Periscope version has an angled design on both ends of the lens barrel. This design is helpful for a variety of shooting situations, especially when shooting at high and low angles, such as getting ground-level shots while keeping the camera at a higher position. The Periscope version also features the same 360-degree rotating mechanism as the 35-degree lens. The Laowa 24mm T8 2X Macro Pro2be 'Periscope View' model, with its angled lens mount design, angled front element, as well as 360-degree rotating lens mount, allows cinematographers to place their camera into even more challenging and unique filming situations. The Periscope version is great for getting close, ground-level shots while keeping the camera up at an easy-to-use height. Giving you heaps of versatility, the end of the barrel is also waterproof. This means you can submerge the lens for stunning underwater shots.

Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe is the world’s first consumer-grade probe lens that was developed to provide photographers and videographers with a new perspective and remove their shooting barriers while using conventional macro lenses. Below are the key features of this lens. Venus Optics has also improved the waterproof capabilities of the front barrel of the lens. The distance at which the lens barrel can be submerged in water is now up to 36.6cm (14.4 inches). Get your angle rightA probe lens is an elongated barrel that attaches to the lens of a camera. It offers a unique perspective and extreme close up shots. As the name suggests, you are able to get up close and personal with your subject, whilst maintaining a “bug-eyed” wide angle image. The Laowa 24mm T8 2X Macro Pro2be lens set now comes in three different designs: a straight 'Direct View' model (center), a straight barrel with a 35-degree angled front element (bottom), and a 'Periscope View' design with an angled tilt at the front and rear of the lens (top). The 35-Degree View and Periscope View models have 360-degree rotating mechanisms at the lens mount for additional shooting angle adjustments. of In addition to the three barrel design options, the Laowa 24mm T8 2X Macro Pro2be will be offered in seven different lens mount versions: Arri PL, Canon EF, Canon RF, Nikon F, Nikon Z, Sony E and L mount. The bayonet mounts are also user-interchangeable, allowing cinematographers to switch between different camera systems easily. Pricing and Availability Life is better when you stop to take in the little details. That’s why you should play with a probe lens whilst creating content this year!

In 2021/2022 Laowa collected prestigious EISA best product awards, which include best special purpose lens and best manual lens. This is testament not just to the unique capabilities their lenses provide, but to the high optical quality which they have achieved in a few years since forming. The original Laowa Probe lens was comprised of 27 elements situated in 19 groups, while the new version increases the total number of elements significantly. The Direct View version features 33 elements in 24 groups, as does the 35-degree View model. The Periscope View flavor adds complexity to the design and uses 34 total elements and 25 optical lens groupings. Venus Optics states that this new 24mm T8 2X Macro Pro2be lens features an improved optical design with better overall image quality and color rendition. The new lens includes multiple high-refractive-index glass and Extra-Low Dispersion elements, providing sharper image quality across the frame and suppressing chromatic aberrations. Venus Optics has announced a new probe-shaped macro lens that captures 2x life size images down a 40cm/15.7in barrel. The Laowa 24mm f/14 Macro Probe lens is designed to produce extreme macro on full frame bodies, and to reach subjects that are hard to approach with conventional macro lenses.

Venus Optics officially announces the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens, a weird but revolutionary lens for macro videography

With the recent release of the iPhone 13 Pro, and Apple‘s Shot on iPhone Challenge, it’s all about macro right now. The allure of seeing the weft and warp of a piece of cloth, or every pigment in a cat’s eye, has taken hold of many creators.