Fungi with Different Lenses

I spent a nice afternoon on the 30th October taking some fungi shots.  I took with me my Canon 760d, Canon 100mm USM Macro Lens, Venus Laowa 15mm 1:1 Macro Lens and a Canon 17-40mm lens.  In addition I took an Aputure Amaran video led light to provide some lighting.

First up I was keen to try out the Venus Laowa Macro Lens on some fungi.  The reason being with this lens I would be able to get up close and personal with the fungi – but still have a wider sense of view of the subjects surroundings.

I used the video light leds to provide constant lighting on some of the fungi – to 1) light the shadows 2) speed up the shutter speed a little.  The Aputure Amaran has a nice setting that allows you to alter the warmth ( colour ) of the light from a daylight white to a warmer yellow.

Here are a few shots using this setup and effect.  Note in these shots the lens is not at 1:1, but probably – 1:4 in magnification.

Woodland Fungi
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/5 sec, ISO400)
Woodland Fungi
Wide Above
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1 sec, ISO400)
Wide Above
Mellow Yellow
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/2 sec, ISO400)
Mellow Yellow
Side Wide
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/1.3 sec, ISO400)
Side Wide
Under the Parasols
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/10 sec, ISO400)
Under the Parasols
Fungi Gills
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/2 sec, ISO100)
Fungi Gills

Now to demonstrate the difference with the Venus Laowa wide angle macro lens, and a normal wide angle lens and a 100mm macro lens – I took the same subject a few times.

Firstly with the Venus Laowa not at its closest 1:1 focusing of this fungi scene on an old stump.

Woodstump Fungi - Venus Laowa Wide Angle
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/4 sec, ISO400)
Woodstump Fungi – Venus Laowa Wide Angle

This scene could almost be similarly achieved on a normal wide angle lens, however it cannot get as close.

This next shot is on my Canon 17-40mm at its closest focusing distance.  I.e this is as close you can get with it on its own.

Woodstump Fungi - Closest focus on Canon 17-40mm F4 Lens
Canon EOS 760D (28mm, f/16, 1.6 sec, ISO100)
Woodstump Fungi – Closest focus on Canon 17-40mm F4 Lens

For comparison the closest the Venus Laowa can go is this.  The next two shots are both on the Venus Lens, but using different light temperatures on the led lights.

Woodstump Fungi - Venus Laowa 1:1 - White Light
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/1.3 sec, ISO100)
Woodstump Fungi – Venus Laowa 1:1 – White Light
Woodstump Fungi - Venus Laowa 1:1 - Yellow Light
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1/2 sec, ISO100)
Woodstump Fungi – Venus Laowa 1:1 – Yellow Light

Whereas at 1:1 on the Canon 100mm Macro lens is this.

Woodstump Fungi - Canon 100mm 1:1
Woodstump Fungi – Canon 100mm 1:1

Finally these two puffball shots were taken on the Venus at 1:1

Puffball on Venus Laowa 15mm at 1:1
Canon EOS 760D (0mm, f/0, 1 sec, ISO100)
Puffball on Venus Laowa 15mm at 1:1

And the Canon 100mm Macro lens a little back from full 1:1 macro.

Puffball on Canon 100mm
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/5.6, 1/2 sec, ISO100)
Puffball on Canon 100mm

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