Handheld Focus-Stacking w/ the Mitakon 20mm 4.5x Macro Lens

Ғылым және технология

Some quick impressions of the ZHONGYI Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5X Super Macro Lens and using it for handheld focus stacking of LIVE insects and spiders in the field!
More info: zyoptics.net
Follow me on twitter @thomasshahan because my website is super outdated

Пікірлер: 121

  • @FrederickDunn
    @FrederickDunn4 жыл бұрын

    Excellent in every possible way! Thank YOU for sharing your interesting process.

  • @JayMacroPhotos
    @JayMacroPhotos4 жыл бұрын

    That spider photo is amazing

  • @slbarsness
    @slbarsness11 ай бұрын

    I just got this lens, and I am fascinated with it! But it is also really a challenge to use. This was very helpful and inspirational.

  • @chengteh
    @chengteh4 жыл бұрын

    Excellent photos! Thanks for sharing!

  • @cappin6937
    @cappin69374 жыл бұрын

    amazing production value Thomas.

  • @Epicdps
    @Epicdps4 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video, lovely background music

  • @MrAbhilashsv
    @MrAbhilashsv4 жыл бұрын

    Right time you put it on your channel. I am planning to buy this on coming Thanksgiving day! Thanks for good review -- Thomas Shahan aka King of small world!!

  • @keystonebrotherb
    @keystonebrotherb4 жыл бұрын

    Just got the Laowa 25. So excited.

  • @LieslHuddleston
    @LieslHuddleston4 жыл бұрын

    Looks like a great little lens, especially in the hands of a skilled photographer. Great review and beautiful shots, thanks!

  • @superheaton
    @superheaton4 жыл бұрын

    4:30 man this insect is just chilling with a nice pair of Sennheiser HD 600 headphones. 🎧😎

  • @tkermi

    @tkermi

    3 жыл бұрын

    😂 Yeah

  • @photobizmethod
    @photobizmethod Жыл бұрын

    This is a great video, I can't believe I didn't see it.

  • @kevinnewsome5767
    @kevinnewsome57674 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful review with fantastic photos!

  • @HeadShotMGOO
    @HeadShotMGOO4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Thomas. Your vids are always great. Please do more

  • @GyanPrakash
    @GyanPrakash4 жыл бұрын

    That gave us a whole new perspective of the micro world. Awesome!

  • @chorton53
    @chorton533 жыл бұрын

    Your photos are so amazing. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @actstuntcam
    @actstuntcam2 жыл бұрын

    Amazing.

  • @kookvision9295
    @kookvision92954 жыл бұрын

    Those photos are nuts.. thank you

  • @christophahlbrecht7622
    @christophahlbrecht76224 жыл бұрын

    thx you for the video. After watching it I bought a used one. It´s really difficult to find the hot spot. Which flash and diffuser you´re using in the video?

  • @PetraAnimalPhotographer
    @PetraAnimalPhotographer4 жыл бұрын

    Interesting! Thank you.😊

  • @MicaelWidell
    @MicaelWidell4 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful video as always Thomas. Might try some handheld stacks next summer :)

  • @matusgergely1369
    @matusgergely13694 жыл бұрын

    Amazing photos. Informative review. Thanks! :)

  • @sonicytb
    @sonicytb Жыл бұрын

    thanks for the review! where can I buy the goose neck clamp for holding the diffusion?

  • @kc266
    @kc2664 жыл бұрын

    Hi . Great reviews. Which is better option. my Sony 90mm 2.8 macro + Raynox dcr 250? Or this mitakon? Invest in Raynox or spend a bit more on this with even higher magnification..? Love to hear ur opinion

  • @Trident_Media7104
    @Trident_Media71042 ай бұрын

    I’m looking at getting a dedicated macro lens as I’m using extension tubes on my Sony at the moment. I made myself a WeMacro style job from parts at work. I want to do some crazy close ups on insects, would this lens fit the bill? ❤

  • @Sean_Coyne
    @Sean_Coyne4 жыл бұрын

    I really envy your steady hands for macro work. No way I could do a focus stack manually in the field, especially at 4X. Beautiful images as usual. Thanks for posting this review.

  • @DaveHaynie
    @DaveHaynie4 жыл бұрын

    It's a microscope for your camera! Beautiful shots! I have a lens mount adapter for my trinocular microscope, but I kind of want this having seen it!

  • @roxbittman
    @roxbittman3 жыл бұрын

    I’d think you really have to know what you’re doing to use this well, which you obviously DO! Your macro shots are amazing. Watching your video, I saw some things I’ve never seen before and I look at nature for a living. Well done!

  • @samsen3965
    @samsen39653 жыл бұрын

    1:20 That is all I wanted to know and then a comparison to Laowa 25mm. You did a perfect job to answer me, even without hearing me first! Thank you and obviously, you have a new subscriber, in addition to a Thumbs Up.

  • @Orionnm
    @Orionnm4 жыл бұрын

    That's look like a paper sheet that you use for the flash, is it? or what kind of material do you use?

  • @mexmax1657
    @mexmax16572 жыл бұрын

    How/what did you use for 2x tele converter? Thinking about buying this for my Sony full frame.

  • @paolobonaccorso2879
    @paolobonaccorso28794 жыл бұрын

    Hi @Thomas Shahan, can you explain how you make postproduction of macro photography?

  • @thinriches

    @thinriches

    4 жыл бұрын

    look up photo stacking methods, photoshop does fine. The short of it is you take all those photos you did put them in as layers in photoshop then auto align layer. Then there's a process you use i forget exactly so look it up! :D But if you want it to look super good you're basically gonna have to just mask in all the sharp parts by hand.

  • @paolobonaccorso2879

    @paolobonaccorso2879

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@thinriches can you link me a tutorial were is explained how masking by hand? thank you. I have stack my photo but no by hand.

  • @WastedTalentStudio
    @WastedTalentStudio2 жыл бұрын

    images are real nice

  • @jcims
    @jcims4 жыл бұрын

    Wow that last series makes me think we're really missing out on an entire realm of beauty in the world. I don't even know what that thing at 4:30 is but those tufts on the back are gorgeously colored and the bedhead is adorable. 3:55 reminds me of some kind of painted tin toy from the 50's and I never cease to be amazed at the optically perfect eyes of a jumping spider (and their comical ren and stimpy wiggly hairs)

  • @Epicdps

    @Epicdps

    4 жыл бұрын

    So agree 😊

  • @BrettHondow

    @BrettHondow

    4 жыл бұрын

    Great shots from a master macro photgrapher. The critter at 4:30 is a webworm moth. We get a few around here in Houston. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailanthus_webworm

  • @bonecaliber15
    @bonecaliber154 жыл бұрын

    I bought this lens about a week ago and man the quality of the pictures a phenomenal! For a price of 200 usd you couldn’t ask for a better micro lens. I definitely would recommend it if your interested in close up photography!

  • @ceylondollars

    @ceylondollars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Can I use for canon cammera

  • @bonecaliber15

    @bonecaliber15

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ceylon Dollars the one I have purchased yes it will work for most Ef canon, it should come with a mount for it as well

  • @Clebrush2
    @Clebrush24 жыл бұрын

    You are the Bob Ross of macro photography. Thanks again for sharing. Would you rather the this Mitakon lens or the Laowa 60mm 2X lens?

  • @aidanjavier5714

    @aidanjavier5714

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sorry to be so off topic but does anyone know of a way to get back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly lost the account password. I would love any tricks you can give me!

  • @madduxtroy8619

    @madduxtroy8619

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Aidan Javier instablaster ;)

  • @aidanjavier5714

    @aidanjavier5714

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Maddux Troy i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

  • @aidanjavier5714

    @aidanjavier5714

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Maddux Troy It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass :D

  • @madduxtroy8619

    @madduxtroy8619

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Aidan Javier Happy to help xD

  • @Sooch900
    @Sooch9003 жыл бұрын

    The biggest thing I am surprised about watching all your videos is how many times you can be that close to bugs without them fleeing. I’ve always felt like I look at them the wrong way and they would jump or fly away. Amazing videos and even more amazing shots my friend!

  • @RaymondUpenieks
    @RaymondUpenieks4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! There are so many products and two things I love, a functional product and saving money. After that software can take care of any areas that the hardware is lacking. Never would have heard of this lens and checked the website..plan to buy one.

  • @stevenparker7946
    @stevenparker79464 жыл бұрын

    Gorgeous work and hugely informative review! BTW who / what / where about the elegant background music.

  • @terser

    @terser

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! It's me messing around with the chord progression from Neil Young's "On the Beach".

  • @stevenparker7946

    @stevenparker7946

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@terser Awesome! :-)

  • @underwherewhore
    @underwherewhore4 жыл бұрын

    Greetings Thomas, For some reason this video is the first time you've come up in my feed since I saw your introduction to macro photography video 9 years ago! It has been great getting back into your content, and just wanted you to know you inspired me to get into macro shooting back then. I still have quite a few janked together lens stacks that it might be time to dust off.

  • @macmac1934
    @macmac19344 жыл бұрын

    Thomas Does this lenses work on NIKON D300s body?

  • @BeetleBuns
    @BeetleBuns2 жыл бұрын

    wow, that is really nice for the price. Just picked up a used one for 100 bucks, looks like it will be worth every penny. Can't wait to put it to use!

  • @ceylondollars
    @ceylondollars3 жыл бұрын

    Can I use this lense for jewelry photography

  • @ragewise6377
    @ragewise63772 жыл бұрын

    how to stack photos ? and with what application, sorry noob question

  • @rwithoutq
    @rwithoutq2 жыл бұрын

    You can see the reflection of the spiders legs in its own eyes. Amazing!

  • @Gman1044
    @Gman1044 Жыл бұрын

    Wow. At f16 you DOF will extend from .005mm to .006mm.

  • @mike0rr
    @mike0rr4 жыл бұрын

    I bought the 15mm macro after you reviewed it and I have to admit, I'm buying this one too. It seemed ok, but the final spider shot... I have to try this out. And for only 200$ I'm not to afraid to give it a go.

  • @terser

    @terser

    4 жыл бұрын

    Don't forget about reversing old lenses - even cheaper with great results!

  • @mike0rr

    @mike0rr

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@terser So far I've been in love with this lens. But I've only ever shot at 1:1. It's like discovering macro all over again. Just waiting to come across a spider now...

  • @julieberryhill6977
    @julieberryhill69773 жыл бұрын

    Amazing photos - thanks for the video. Given a choice between the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x lens, which would you choose? Thanks.

  • @4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse
    @4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse Жыл бұрын

    Ooh the bug at the end has 4 left eyes! 😂💀

  • @user-vn7ce5ig1z
    @user-vn7ce5ig1z4 жыл бұрын

    I'm always amazed by what you and Igor manage to do with consumer products; you'd think the shots you guys get would need a SEM. 👍😲

  • @macmac1934
    @macmac19344 жыл бұрын

    Great, where did get the holding for the flash&the cam?

  • @oneeyedphotographer

    @oneeyedphotographer

    4 жыл бұрын

    Looks home made. I have found a speedlight to top of camera, a strap-on softbox works, my lens is an MP-E 65.

  • @xavidub
    @xavidub4 жыл бұрын

    I have this lens but have struggled to get much use from it. I need to create a similar lighting rig to yours

  • @majun26
    @majun264 жыл бұрын

    I've been eyeing this lens myself, glad to see you do a review, love your macro photography, and lens reviews. I got an opteka 15mm f4, it seems like it might be a copy of the laowa 15mm f4, without the shift function. It was super cheap, i love it, its worth a try for anybody who wants that wide macro view, without spending the price of the laowa. Mine's a bit decentered and the focus markings aren't 100% accurate, but i still get very cool pictures with it. Did i mention its super cheap? Your review of the real mccoy was what made me decide to get that. Cheers.

  • @terser

    @terser

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ah - I kinda wish mine didn't have the shift function -I find myself accidentally shifting it when jamming the lens down to get low ground angles.

  • @the40thstep
    @the40thstep4 жыл бұрын

    Which Pentax are you using?

  • @royortega3216
    @royortega32163 жыл бұрын

    Hello Thomas! I plan to go into macro photography, to work on preserved or freshly caught aquatic specimens, in part or whole. Currently, I'm using a Lumix G85 (MFT). Kindly suggest what lens and lighting set-up I should invest on.Thank you very much.

  • @princeharbinger
    @princeharbinger4 жыл бұрын

    I was on the fence about this lens. Due to all the horrible reviews. Seems like Stacking at F/5.6 would be the sweet spot for this lens. I'll have to take a crack at it soon. Thanks for this review.👍🏼

  • @terser

    @terser

    4 жыл бұрын

    It's actually a pretty nice lens - just super difficult to use due to extreme magnification and tight working distance combo. Using it's a similar experience to reversing a 28mm for me.

  • @TheOne-2023
    @TheOne-20234 жыл бұрын

    wow🥰

  • @josephhargrove4319
    @josephhargrove43194 жыл бұрын

    I really like the pseudo-pupil the reflection of your rig makes in the eye shot of jumping spider. richard hargrove -- Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. - Frank Zappa

  • @terriplays1726
    @terriplays17264 жыл бұрын

    The last photo of the spider eyes was just wow - AMAZING! I'm considering this as a cheap microscope alternative, do you know how big the smallest features are that you can resolve?

  • @Anunclespaceout
    @Anunclespaceout4 жыл бұрын

    Can i canon carmera?

  • @htobias6361
    @htobias63614 жыл бұрын

    How quickly did you change the focus position when you were shooting without letting the worm run away?

  • @benjamindbailey
    @benjamindbailey4 жыл бұрын

    Would this work well on the Sony A7III?

  • @cristian_c

    @cristian_c

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes :)

  • @adamL58
    @adamL584 жыл бұрын

    Sub ! Can I use this lens on a Canon 90D?

  • @thinriches

    @thinriches

    4 жыл бұрын

    yes you can. and with aps-c crop sensor lenses you get an even tighter magnification i hear.

  • @oliverbates8846
    @oliverbates88464 жыл бұрын

    Can you do a set up tour really want to know what lens you use to get such close up shots

  • @lucafvideo
    @lucafvideo2 жыл бұрын

    O heya! Great video. I'm looking at this lens on sale right now at B&H and I can't help but compare it to the Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens. Lots of advantages to this lens (Price, Size, Aperture). Here's a noob question. What's your opinion on just using a 20mm normal focal length lens with a macro extension tube? Couldn't I get almost identical shots?

  • @sukoshikanatomo
    @sukoshikanatomo4 жыл бұрын

    The photo from the thumbnail brought me in, the rest weren't disappointing!

  • @banaz5018
    @banaz50184 жыл бұрын

    Bug didn't fear when you get so close 🤔

  • @gesangramadhan7626
    @gesangramadhan76264 жыл бұрын

    Is it for apsc or m4/3 ?

  • @SKInoue626
    @SKInoue6264 жыл бұрын

    Do you prefer the twin head flashes over speedlites/ring lights?

  • @Challenge.your.self.
    @Challenge.your.self.4 жыл бұрын

    If you put links to gear you use like an amazon link, when someone clicks on that link and buys the product you get a commission. at least that's what I heard.

  • @leechurchill1965
    @leechurchill19654 жыл бұрын

    More depth of field, but less sharpness due to defraction 🤔 Gotta try this focus stacking at wide apertures. Faster shutter, and greater depth.

  • @patprop74
    @patprop744 жыл бұрын

    3:43 what is the name of that bug, please?

  • @patprop74

    @patprop74

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@terser Thank you, this summer was the first summer i have seen them in my area.

  • @sebjulien3
    @sebjulien34 жыл бұрын

    I wonder if there is an adapter to use that lens on a Canon

  • @josemenjivar4336

    @josemenjivar4336

    4 жыл бұрын

    Lens come for Nikon F , canon And sony mounts adorama have it

  • @sebjulien3

    @sebjulien3

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@josemenjivar4336 Thank you for the reply I really appreciate. Have a good day.

  • @PJCC_BAISH
    @PJCC_BAISH3 жыл бұрын

    Hi.. I just want to validate this theory i think is good for macro photography.. I have a d5600 i wanted to get real into macro world...the Fx lenses that are used in dx body becomes x1.5 closer to the subject..which means if i used fx macro lens on a dx body I will have a wider depth of field?..

  • @austinjones7676
    @austinjones76764 жыл бұрын

    The photos look very great you must have some skill.

  • @romanchukanov4454

    @romanchukanov4454

    4 жыл бұрын

    This comment is hilarious. "Some skill". 😆

  • @austinjones7676

    @austinjones7676

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@romanchukanov4454 I might not be great with expressing

  • @josemenjivar4336

    @josemenjivar4336

    4 жыл бұрын

    Just need " patience skills " believe me that little but jumping away so often

  • @stakand3972
    @stakand39724 жыл бұрын

    Is not the lens great..is the photographer!!

  • @RonnelCuison
    @RonnelCuison4 жыл бұрын

    Ho do you stack?

  • @user-yb3tx5db4e
    @user-yb3tx5db4e4 жыл бұрын

    Hi Thomas, how do you do the stacks?

  • @feraudyh
    @feraudyh4 жыл бұрын

    Would it be appropriate to shoot tardigrades?

  • @georginelapoint8281
    @georginelapoint82814 жыл бұрын

    03:11 0:11 03:20

  • @tkermi
    @tkermi3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the great video! One thing I don't completely understand is why lens manufacturers don't put the actual effective aperture readings for different magnifications to their lenses. I found it easier to think the real aperture values because they give the information about the DoF and diffraction.

  • @stever1514
    @stever15142 жыл бұрын

    beautiful review and compelling technique. most people say handheld macro is impossible with this lens but you really pulled it off

  • @s1xthsennse
    @s1xthsennse4 жыл бұрын

    1:33 Rinnegan

  • @CaseyGray58

    @CaseyGray58

    4 жыл бұрын

    s1xthsennse boruto’s dads best friend has a version of that

  • @samsen3965
    @samsen39653 жыл бұрын

    Though this is not a lens for any (Especially the beginner) macro-photographer but for the price, in this high magnification range, you can't wish for more. Or am I wrong?

  • @FedericoLucifredi0xF2
    @FedericoLucifredi0xF22 жыл бұрын

    That last shot was AMAZING! Subscribed just on that. What software do you use to process the stacks?

  • @acanthosaura7018
    @acanthosaura70184 жыл бұрын

    Dude do u have Facebook page?

  • @EleanorPeterson
    @EleanorPeterson2 жыл бұрын

    I'm a keen but ignorant macro photographer, so I find it frustrating when a true master like Thomas exhibits a stunning photo and dismisses it as being riddled with faults. Sensor dust, bad lighting, focus fails, aberration issues, vignetting... But my inexperienced eyes can't see a darn thing wrong with it. It would be hugely helpful if the problem areas could be highlighted so that we could see exactly what needs attention. It takes a long time to acquire a sufficiently critical eye (I'm a musician of sorts, and developing a 'musical ear' is much the same); I'd love to learn and improve, but photography is another of those fields where it's almost taboo to admit to ingorance in technical matters. Sometimes I think it should be called macho, not macro photography [just kidding!]. I'm not proud - I'm just stooopid - and I'm not sure what I don't know yet! 🙂

  • @pierreanquet
    @pierreanquet4 жыл бұрын

    I'm using the same technic, it's really effective. I use an external battery for my flash so I can shoot in burst mode without caring about recycling time. Most of my hand held stacks are done like this: facebook.com/PierreAnquetPhotography/

  • @user-fj9rh7vd8l
    @user-fj9rh7vd8l4 жыл бұрын

    这類国產鏡头大多絲印字样,用得不太久就脱色,不太实用

  • @jackmcgonigle9156
    @jackmcgonigle91562 жыл бұрын

    I have this lens and am very satisfied with it. It is every bit as good as my 4X AmScope objective and much, much easier to use.

  • @peteryvr3329
    @peteryvr33294 жыл бұрын

    I didn't believe what I heard, watched twice .... you are reviewing 2019 a lens you received free from 2017. Maybe you should buy the newer version to compare the difference.

  • @bestamerica
    @bestamerica4 жыл бұрын

    ' good macro picture photo on the len... but still bad blur focus depth of field... not perfect clear without blur... why this man use a cap on the head

  • @danielx40
    @danielx403 жыл бұрын

    Insects are disgusting. 😬

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