Focus Throw: Laowa 100mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro APO Lens for Nikon Z

[Michael Erlewine]

I’ve had a little more time to play with the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro APO Lens for Nikon Z mount. I show two photos here, one using the Laowa 100mm macro with its short focus throw and the other using the classic Nikkor APO El Nikkor 105mm f/f.6 lenn with reasonable focus throw..

The Laowa does OK, but the problem is, as many pointed out earlier, that the focus throw is too short. This is about the best I could do with the short focus throw, while the APO El Nikkor had much more of a throw.

For most photography, this is not going to be a problem, but for tight focus stacking it certainly is. For me to use the Laowa 100mm APO requires I will have to mount it on a focus rail to get a longer throw. Anyone else have the same problem?

Also, these are DX size photos, not FX. I forgot to change it.

Refer to the file name to distinguish these lenses, please.

[Michael Erlewine]

I add here a FX photo on an Iris, taken with the APO El Nikkor f/5.6 just to remind those interested in what a very high-quality lens is all about. Not putting the Laowa down, because I use it, and it is a heck of a bargain, yet this is why I have spent money are expensive lenses, as well.