Laowa 15mm herp shots

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
orionmystery
Posts: 674
Joined: December 26th, 2012, 11:48 pm
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact:

Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by orionmystery »

So i have been using the Laowa 15mm 1:1 wide angle macro lens for slightly more than a year. I received my review unit on June 29, 2015. I must admit I knew nothing about wide angle macro at that time, but I have seen quite a few wide angle images that I like, still, it took me a couple of months before I start getting images that I liked.

More about the Laowa 15mm here: http://orionmystery.blogspot.my/2016/05 ... -lens.html

Warning: one year worth of selected herp images. Newest first.

Gonyosoma oxycephalum
ImageGonyosoma oxycephalum_MG_4452 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageGonyosoma oxycephalum_MG_4430 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Ptyas fusca
ImagePtyas fusca_MG_4324 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImagePtyas fusca_MG_4355 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Aeluroscalabotes felinus
ImageAeluroscalabotes felinus_MG_4548 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageAeluroscalabotes felinus_MG_4555 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Melanistic Boiga cynodon
ImageBoiga cynodon_MG_4591 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageBoiga cynodon_MG_4571 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageBoiga cynodon_MG_4602 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Rhacophorus nigropalmatus
ImageRhacophorus nigropalmatus_MG_4466 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Lycodon subcinctus
ImageLycodon subcinctus_MG_3424 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Trimeresurus fucatus
ImageTrimeresurus fucatus_MG_4304 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Dendrelaphis formosus
ImageDendrelaphis formosus_MG_4258 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageDendrelaphis formosus_MG_4232 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Rhacophorus pardalis
ImageRhacophorus pardalis_MG_4203 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Rhacophorus bipunctatus
ImageRhacophorus bipunctatus_MG_4017 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Gekko smithii
ImageGekko smithii_MG_3467 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Ptychozoon kuhli
ImagePtychozoon kuhli_MG_4133 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImagePtychozoon kuhli_MG_4137 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Asthenodipsas lasgalenensis
ImageAsthenodipsas lasgalenensis_MG_4044 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageAsthenodipsas lasgalenensis_MG_4059 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

How lucky was I to have spotted this little cutie?
ImageAsthenodipsas lasgalenensis_MG_4029 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Trimeresurus nebularis
ImageTrimeresurus nebularis_MG_4035 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Dendrelaphis kopsteini, animated gif
ImageDendrelaphis kopsteini gif by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageDendrelaphis kopsteini_MG_3394 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Cyrtodactylus bintangrendah
ImageCyrtodactylus bintangrendah_MG_2951 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Malayodracon robinsonii
ImageMalayodracon robinsonii_MG_2955 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Pseudocalotes flavigula
ImagePseudocalotes flavigula_MG_3075 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Limnonectes khasianus
ImageLimnonectes khasianus_MG_2696 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Limnonectes malesianus
ImageLimnonectes malesianus_MG_2643 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Odorrana hosii
ImageOdorrana hosii_MG_2080 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Leptobrachium hendricksoni
ImageLeptobrachium hendricksoni_MG_2481 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Ingerophrynus gollum
ImageIngerophrynus gollum_MG_3321 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Polypedates macrotis
ImagePolypedates macrotis_MG_2999 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Boiga nigriceps
ImageBoiga nigriceps_MG_3012 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageBoiga nigriceps_MG_3006 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Dogania suplana
ImageDogania suplana_MG_3241 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Amolops larutensis
ImageAmolops larutensis_MG_3113 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Asthenodipsas malaccanus
ImageAsthenodipsas malaccanus_MG_3226 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageAsthenodipsas malaccanus_MG_3216 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Trimeresurus hageni
ImageTrimeresurus hageni_MG_3285 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Dendrelaphis pictus
ImageDendrelaphis pictus_MG_3174 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Gonocephalus grandis
ImageGonocephalus grandis_MG_2706 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageGonocephalus grandis_MG_2605 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Megophrys nasuta
ImageMegophrys nasuta_MG_2487 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Hemidactylus craspedotus
ImageHemidactylus craspedotus_MG_2729 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Ptyas fusca
ImagePtyas fusca_MG_2557 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImagePtyas fusca_MG_2551 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Dendrelaphis haasi
ImageDendrelaphis haasi_MG_2224 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageDendrelaphis haasi_MG_2216 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Rhacophorus pardalis
ImageRhacophorus pardalis_MG_2153 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageRhacophorus pardalis_MG_2158 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Gonocephalus grandis
ImageGonocephalus grandis_MG_1877 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Aphaniotis fusca
ImageAphaniotis fusca_MG_1932 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Cyrtodactylus consobrinus
ImageCyrtodactylus consobrinus_MG_2068 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Bronchocela cristatella
ImageBronchocela cristatella_MG_2105 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr


Gekko smithii
ImageGekko smithii_MG_2088 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageGekko smithii_MG_2097 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Trimeresurus nebularis
ImageTrimeresurus nebularis_MG_2024 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr


Boiga jaspidea
ImageBoiga jaspidea_MG_1783 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageBoiga jaspiedea_MG_1758 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Limnonectes blythii
ImageLimnonectes blythii_MG_1810 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Rhacophorus norhayatii
ImageRhacophorus norhayatii_MG_1849 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageRhacophorus norhayatii_MG_1851 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Rhacophorus nigropalmatus
ImageRhacophorus nigropalmatus_MG_1812 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Tropidolaemus subannulatus
ImageTropidolaemus subannulatus_MG_0700 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageTropidolaemus subannulatus_MG_0679 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageTropidolaemus subannulatus_MG_0675 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Parablepharis kuhlii kuhlii
ImageParablepharis kuhlii kuhlii_MG_0422 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Lesina sp.
ImageDragon-head Katydid Lesina sp. _MG_9784 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Xenochrophis trianguligerus
ImageXenochrophis trianguligerus_MG_1518 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Dryocalamus subannulatus
ImageDryocalamus subannulatus IMG_9001 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageDryocalamus subannulatus IMG_9025 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Working distances of the Laowa 15mm
ImageLaowa 15mm working distances by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Gonocephalus grandis
ImageGonocephalus grandis_MG_7535 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Phrynoidis aspera
ImagePhrynoidis aspera_MG_7434 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Heteropteryx dilatata
ImageHeteropteryx dilatata_MG_6487 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Calliophis intestinalis
ImageCalliophis intestinalis_MG_6134 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageCalliophis intestinalis_MG_6104 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Mushrooms
ImageMushrooms IMG_6894 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Macracantha arcuata
ImageMacracantha arcuata IMG_6877 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Cheirotonus peracanus
ImageVenus 15mm sample shot_MG_1852 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

ImageVenus 15mm sample shot_MG_1848 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr


Odontolabis femolaris
ImageLaowa 15mm sample shot_MG_1509 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

More about the Laowa 15mm here: http://orionmystery.blogspot.my/2016/05 ... -lens.html
User avatar
mtratcliffe
Posts: 533
Joined: January 19th, 2014, 4:34 pm
Location: Mt Laurel, NJ

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by mtratcliffe »

Fantastic shots! Now I know just how close some of you get to your subjects for macro shots. Yet I don't know how you find the courage to do that when it comes to venomous snakes.
User avatar
orionmystery
Posts: 674
Joined: December 26th, 2012, 11:48 pm
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact:

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by orionmystery »

mtratcliffe wrote:Fantastic shots! Now I know just how close some of you get to your subjects for macro shots. Yet I don't know how you find the courage to do that when it comes to venomous snakes.
Thanks mtratcliffe. Only a few venomous snakes there and they were calm and docile. I started with full body shots before getting closer just to be sure.
User avatar
Chad M. Lane
Posts: 567
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:40 pm
Location: Manteca, CA

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by Chad M. Lane »

How bad is the distortion? And do you fix it in PS/LR?


I dig some of the perspectives this lens provides, but dislike how it's basically impossible to get the background in focus in the wider shots (although the Viper with the creek behind it is pleasing).




Cheers,
Chad
FrogO_Oeyes
Posts: 60
Joined: February 4th, 2013, 7:43 pm

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by FrogO_Oeyes »

While most of the shots are striking, I particularly find many of the snake images to be remarkable. The level of sharp detail makes them seem as if they were painted, without regard to real world depth of focus. That is, If I were to look at an animal with my own eyes, less would be in focus than I see in these photos.
User avatar
orionmystery
Posts: 674
Joined: December 26th, 2012, 11:48 pm
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact:

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by orionmystery »

Chad M. Lane wrote:How bad is the distortion? And do you fix it in PS/LR?

I did some of the perspectives this lens provides, but dislike how it's basically impossible to get the background in focus in the wider shots (although the Viper with the creek behind it is pleasing).

Cheers,
Chad
I don't do any correction on distortion. It is possible to get the background in focus, just use really small aperture.
FrogO_Oeyes wrote:While most of the shots are striking, I particularly find many of the snake images to be remarkable. The level of sharp detail makes them seem as if they were painted, without regard to real world depth of focus. That is, If I were to look at an animal with my own eyes, less would be in focus than I see in these photos.
Thanks for the comment. I like the seemingly deeper DOF of wide angle lens too, and of course, the perspective.
User avatar
Chad M. Lane
Posts: 567
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:40 pm
Location: Manteca, CA

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by Chad M. Lane »

orionmystery wrote:
Chad M. Lane wrote:How bad is the distortion? And do you fix it in PS/LR?

I did some of the perspectives this lens provides, but dislike how it's basically impossible to get the background in focus in the wider shots (although the Viper with the creek behind it is pleasing).

Cheers,
Chad
I don't do any correction on distortion. It is possible to get the background in focus, just use really small aperture.

That's odd, other shots from this lens I've seen have noticeable distortion on these it is hardly noticeable. Good work.
User avatar
orionmystery
Posts: 674
Joined: December 26th, 2012, 11:48 pm
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact:

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by orionmystery »

Chad M. Lane wrote:
orionmystery wrote:
Chad M. Lane wrote:How bad is the distortion? And do you fix it in PS/LR?

I did some of the perspectives this lens provides, but dislike how it's basically impossible to get the background in focus in the wider shots (although the Viper with the creek behind it is pleasing).

Cheers,
Chad
I don't do any correction on distortion. It is possible to get the background in focus, just use really small aperture.

That's odd, other shots from this lens I've seen have noticeable distortion on these it is hardly noticeable. Good work.
Most of my shots were taken at night, and the light from a single 270EX speedlite could only go so far. The backgrounds were mostly dark with nothing vertical in the scenes, therefore, not much noticeable distortions there.
User avatar
krisbell
Posts: 220
Joined: September 12th, 2010, 2:20 pm
Location: Jersey, UK
Contact:

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by krisbell »

Chad M. Lane wrote:
I dig some of the perspectives this lens provides, but dislike how it's basically impossible to get the background in focus in the wider shots (although the Viper with the creek behind it is pleasing).


Cheers,
Chad
As well as adjusting the aperture, you can focus stack on still subjects to get the whole scene in crystal sharp focus. However, having everything in sharp focus doesnt seem to work well for this lens as the animal gets lost in the scene (and not in a good way). The blurred background gives the viewer a sense of place while still isolating the subject. Its all down to individual preference of course but I was more of an 'everything in focus' sort but still prefer a shallower DOF for this lens.
User avatar
JBBoiler
Posts: 147
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 11:53 am
Location: NW Indiana

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by JBBoiler »

WOW!!! I have so much to learn about photography. I am an amateur, but really incredible shots. I am amazed at the lighting you achieve in these shots. I have some studying to do over the winter.
User avatar
Chad M. Lane
Posts: 567
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:40 pm
Location: Manteca, CA

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by Chad M. Lane »

krisbell wrote:
Chad M. Lane wrote:
I dig some of the perspectives this lens provides, but dislike how it's basically impossible to get the background in focus in the wider shots (although the Viper with the creek behind it is pleasing).


Cheers,
Chad
As well as adjusting the aperture, you can focus stack on still subjects to get the whole scene in crystal sharp focus. However, having everything in sharp focus doesnt seem to work well for this lens as the animal gets lost in the scene (and not in a good way). The blurred background gives the viewer a sense of place while still isolating the subject. Its all down to individual preference of course but I was more of an 'everything in focus' sort but still prefer a shallower DOF for this lens.
I don't want to distract to much from the OP, however I wasn't referring to "Everything in tack sharp focus". I'm very familiar with wide angle herp photography, and the different ways it can be done. I agree it is up to personal preference and I tend to like wide angle micro-habitat and habitat type shots where the background is recognizable which I've not seen this lens execute, but as stated these are definitely the nicest shots I've seen with this lens.


Sorry to the OP.



Cheers,
Chad
User avatar
orionmystery
Posts: 674
Joined: December 26th, 2012, 11:48 pm
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact:

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by orionmystery »

The main reason why you don't see much of the environment/habitat in these shots is because they were mostly all taken at night. I depend on one single 270EX to light up my subjects. I am not too fond of bagging my subjects for daytime shoots.

You can see the waterfalls in the Tropidolaemus subannulatus and the Dragon Head Katydid shots. Bagged and photographed the following day. It's much easier taking wide angle shots during the day.
User avatar
krisbell
Posts: 220
Joined: September 12th, 2010, 2:20 pm
Location: Jersey, UK
Contact:

Re: Laowa 15mm herp shots

Post by krisbell »

Chad M. Lane wrote:
krisbell wrote:
Chad M. Lane wrote: I dig some of the perspectives this lens provides, but dislike how it's basically impossible to get the background in focus in the wider shots (although the Viper with the creek behind it is pleasing).
As well as adjusting the aperture, you can focus stack on still subjects to get the whole scene in crystal sharp focus. However, having everything in sharp focus doesnt seem to work well for this lens as the animal gets lost in the scene (and not in a good way). The blurred background gives the viewer a sense of place while still isolating the subject. Its all down to individual preference of course but I was more of an 'everything in focus' sort but still prefer a shallower DOF for this lens.
I don't want to distract to much from the OP, however I wasn't referring to "Everything in tack sharp focus". I'm very familiar with wide angle herp photography, and the different ways it can be done. I agree it is up to personal preference and I tend to like wide angle micro-habitat and habitat type shots where the background is recognizable which I've not seen this lens execute, but as stated these are definitely the nicest shots I've seen with this lens.
Hi Chad, my apologies, I was just responding to your comment about it being basically impossible to get the background in focus, which of course it is not, though I must admit does add an extra layer of complexity. Here is a recent photo I took with this lens where I would consider the background recognisable but without distracting from the animal....

ImageMograbin Diadem Snake (Spalerosophis dolichospilus) by Kris Bell, on Flickr
Post Reply