Most often I take pictures of birds like this Mallard:
However, when I’m not taking pictures of birds with my Nikon D500, my next favourite camera and lens combination is my Panasonic G9 with the Venus Laowa 50mm f/2.8X Macro. This lens is sharp and can take portraits, landscapes, and of course macros. In fact I even wrote a review of it if you want more information.
Here I’d just like to share a few images that I’ve taken with this lens in 2022. Of course, I bought this lens for its unusual 2X macro capabilities—that just means a subject take up twice its size on the sensor at maximum magnification.
Incidentally, I’ve found that at 2X magnification, any aperture from f/2.8 to f/5.6 is good with sharpness peaking at around f/4. Beyond f/5.6 the resolution drops noticeably but this is not so apparent or important unless you are close to maximum magnification. Here is a sample shot that is very close to 2X magnification:
Luckily, this spider remained still for me. I also used a tripod and the timer for this shot. There is simply now way I could get such a low shutter speed at this magnification, and also it would be very difficult to get the plane of focus right. Generally, past 1x magnification, a tripod becomes an even greater asset than with regular macro shooting.
I’ve found this lens to be an endless source of fun. Not only can I get sharp, great shots with it, but it also has let me see tiny parts of the world that I otherwise rarely see.
The Laowa is not only good for macros but any shot where 50mm is appropriate. I like taking pictures of frogs, although sometimes it takes patience to approach them with such a short lens.
I even take landscapes sometimes. Actually, one of the first questions I had before I ever got my first interchangeable lens camera was “can a 50mm lens take landscapes?”, as my beginner’s mind was under the impression that one needed a wide-angle lens for landscapes.
Hi Jason, I started photography only this year but I am also hooked on taking photos of bird life and nature. I am from Western Australia in the Wheatbelt region and I often travel to the Pilbara and it is amazing. I have started with a D7500 NIkon and a range of lenses and I am looking at fine tuning my camera gear to suit my passion of landscapes, flora and fauna. Your photos are really inspiring because it is where my passion is. I’ll probably check in and send you some more comments in a few weeks. Simply love the sharpness you have captured with the Venus Laowa 50mm. I also love taking photos of wildflowers which are especially magnificent in WA. Very inspired to get a website up and running and share. thank you regards Annmarie McWhirter
Hey Ann Marie! Thank you so much for your comment. I am not surprised you are so into nature as Australia is so beautiful. I lived there for two years, but in Victoria and I saw much of the state and I’ve also been to Queensland and Northern Australia as well. Unfortunately, I did not get to to see Western Australia but the wildflowers there sound amazing.
The Nikon D7500 is a very capable camera with an amazing sensor, so I am sure you can get some great shots with it, and I would love to see them so feel free to share your website or a place where you put your photos!