{"id":68318,"date":"2020-07-11T09:58:19","date_gmt":"2020-07-11T13:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=68318"},"modified":"2025-03-07T11:45:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T15:45:50","slug":"macro-plan-b-part-i-venus-optics-laowa-100mm-f-2-8-2x-ultra-macro-apo-lenses-the-very-good-and-the-very-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2020\/07\/11\/macro-plan-b-part-i-venus-optics-laowa-100mm-f-2-8-2x-ultra-macro-apo-lenses-the-very-good-and-the-very-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"Macro Plan B, Part I: Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f\/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lenses: the very good and the very bad …"},"content":{"rendered":"

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

Several days a week I receive e-mails like this:<\/p>\n

I just got some new (fill-in-the-blank) gear. I love the blog. I learn so much. I have been visiting every day for (fill-in-the-blank) years.<\/em><\/p>\n

I reply:<\/p>\n

Thanks for your kind words. Congrats on the new gear. Be careful not to drop it! Did you remember to use my B&H affiliate link or get your new stuff from Steve Elkins?<\/em><\/p>\n

The replies (if any), usually go like this:<\/p>\n

Sorry. I forgot. I will use one of your links next time. <\/p>\n

Please Remember<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you enjoy the blog, please remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so will not cost you a single penny and if you use Bedfords, you will save at least $50.00 on all orders greater than $1000.00. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and will be greatly appreciated. <\/p>\n

Read today’s blog to learn of my Macro Plan B, Part I. Part II will be along soon. <\/p>\n

BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. <\/p>\n

SONY e-Guide Discount Program<\/h3>\n

Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f\/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos. <\/p>\n

Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail<\/a> to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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101 sold to rave reviews.<\/p>\n

The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)<\/h3>\n

Click here<\/a> to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here<\/A> to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video. <\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here<\/A> to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.<\/h2>\n

Click here<\/a> to learn more about the SONY e-Guide. <\/p>\n

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Money Saving Reminder<\/h3>\n

If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here<\/a> to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail<\/a> or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f\/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please. <\/p>\n


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Gear Questions and Advice<\/h3>\n

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN<\/a>, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail<\/a>. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and\/or lens choices and decisions. <\/p>\n\n
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This image was created on the morning of 9 JULY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates. I used the Induro<\/a> GIT 404L\/FlexShooter Pro<\/a>-mounted Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f\/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens for Sony E<\/a> and the 61MP monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body<\/a> ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1\/80 sec. at f\/? in Manual mode; the exposure was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger. AWB at 7:23am early on a barely sunny morning. <\/p>\n

Manual focus using the combination of Manual Focus Toggle and Focus Magnifier tips from the SONY e-guide along with the 2-second timer. <\/p>\n

Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.<\/p>\n

Image #1: Grassleaf Barbara’s Buttons (Marshallia graminifolia) blossom and friendly spider\n