Probe lenses: Why you need one and how to win one!

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It’s time for our first giveaway of 2023 and this is a great opportunity to give your filmmaking kit a serious upgrade! We’ve teamed up with Laowa to give you the chance to win a high quality probe lens together with annual subscriptions to Artlist Max. Learn more about what you can do with a probe lens in this article or skip straight to the competition details.

Have you seen footage where the lens is moving across the pages of a book, or between a scattering of blueberries on a plate, where you’re wondering how they’ve managed to get so close but achieve so much movement? The chances are, it was filmed using a probe lens. Probe lenses are odd-looking things and have quite specific use cases, but when you want their unique footage, they produce incredible results. A probe lens might be something you’d usually hire, but we’re giving you the opportunity to win one!

What is a probe lens?

A probe lens is an elongated macro lens with a focal length usually around 24mm and a maximum aperture in the region of ƒ/14. They measure about 40cm long but only about 4cm wide, which makes them ideal for probing, just as their name suggests! You can move between or even through items easily and get close to subjects with minimal disturbance. The combination of wide angle and close focusing produces a good ‘bug’s-eye view’, too.

The 2 probe lenses you’re most likely to come across are made by Laowa and AstrHori. Here’s how they compare from a technical point of view:

Feature Laowa AstrHori
Focal length 24mm 28mm
Maximum aperture Æ’/14 Æ’/13
Dimensions 38×408mm 60×457mm
Magnification ratio 2:1 2:1
Minimum focusing distance (from sensor) 470mm 480mm
Working distance 20mm 10mm
Weight 474g 689g
Focus mode Fully manual Fully manual
Built-in LED lights Yes Yes
Waterproof Front barrel Front barrel
Mounts Canon EF / Nikon F / Sony FE / Pentax K / Leica L (photo)

Arri PL / Canon EF/ Canon RF/ Sony FE / Nikon Z (Cine)

Canon EF / Canon RF / Cine PL / Fuji X / Leica, Panasonic, Sigma L / Nikon F / Nikon Z / Sony E
Price (USD) $1,449 $739

 

While there is a significant price difference between the two lenses, the Laowa performed stronger on color balance, contrast and clarity on an independent test. It also has a slightly smaller diameter, making it just that bit more maneuverable.

For more expensive probe lenses, look to Infinity, which has the MikroMak line or for the Optex Excellence. However, these might be more suitable for rental than purchase unless you’re very serious about your need for a probe lens.

Ideas for using a probe lens

Intrigued? Wondering how you can make the most out of a probe lens? Well, we have a few ideas for you. However you plan on using it, remember that the combination of wide-angle and macro means that you can get great close-ups with plenty of background detail, too. Probe lenses provide footage that has an immersive feel, so make the most of the sensation of being deep inside your set.

1. Move through things

Use your probe lens to move amongst an arrangement of items, for example berries, sweets, or any props that lead to the main subject, like folds of fabric encasing jewelry.

2. Shoot into bags

If you want to photograph snacks scattered on a surface and inside their bag, use a probe lens!

3. Push your probe lens into small spaces

Go through the opening of a bottle, or move through the hole of a ring doughnut, for example.

4. Shoot over or along items

Mimic the action of eyes moving across a page as someone reads, or follow a hand as it writes, for example.

5. Follow motion

Think about following water as it trickles down a leaf, or mustard as it’s squirted over a hotdog. For even more creative filmmaking, move your camera in the opposite direction to the motion of the subject.

 

6. Move through undergrowth

Use a probe lens to venture into undergrowth or move out and away from plants and flowers.

7. Shoot underwater

Make use of the probe lens’ waterproof capabilities and film beneath the surface of a liquid, whether it’s a glass of champagne or fish in a river.

8. Leave wildlife undisturbed

Get great close-ups of wildlife, for example, birds and insects, without having to get physically too close to them.

9. Shoot from a safe distance

Use a probe lens to record footage of boiling liquids or frying foods without the risk of scalding or burning yourself!

10. Miniatures

Whether you’ve built a miniature set out of necessity or because you love miniatures, capturing them with a probe lens can really bring them to life.

11. Truck and turntable shots

Using a dolly shot is likely the most natural movement for a probe lens, but they’re great for truck and turntable shots, too. You get both a close-up of the subject and plenty of the background in the shot at the same time.

Get unlimited royalty-free 4K footage

Tips for using a probe lens

The unusual design of the probe lens, as well as its 24mm Æ’/14 specs, means that you need to deploy it a little differently from a standard macro lens. Follow these tips to get the best results.

1. Light

Okay, so you need lots of light when you shoot with a regular macro lens, too. Just remember that with an aperture of Æ’/14, you’ll have to ensure that your subject is very well-lit. The built-in LEDs are very useful, but they can also be a little tricky to manage.

2. Stabilization

The nature of the probe lens means that every tiny jiggle and joggle is captured by the lens, so use every means of image stabilization you can. You will need to make use of a motorized slider for motion footage or a tripod for static shots. A motorized slider is best because it offers the smoothest motion.

3. Clear focal point

Be sure to maintain a clear focal point with a probe lens and use your set and props to build up the shot.

4. Plan your shot

Go through a few practice runs before you start to film. If you’re moving amongst items, make sure they’re positioned perfectly for both ease of movement and focus. It might help to reverse engineer your shot, and arrange the props around the motion of the lens rather than arrange the props and then try to maneuver the lens through or around them. If you’re working with an actor, choreograph their movements carefully and clearly explain what you’re trying to achieve.

5. Use a monitor

If you have access to a monitor, use it. It gives you a much better picture so that you can adjust your settings with more accuracy.

6. Speed ramping

Moving at one speed through your set can be a little uninspiring. Think about speeding up and slowing down your probe lens’ motion through the scene.

7. Sound design

You probably won’t be able to record any sound at the same time as filming. Be prepared to edit in your sound after shooting. Fortunately, Artlist has a huge variety of high-quality, royalty-free sound effects that you can add to your video.

8. Remember to tell a story! 

Win a probe lens!

Image of a probe lens with the caption "giveaway"

We mentioned that you could win a Laowa 24mm probe lens. Here’s how:

  1. Check out the competition announcement on Artlist’s social media 
  2. Make sure you’re following both Artlist and Laowa on Instagram
  3. Comment on the competition post as to how you’d use a probe lens
  4. Tag a friend!

The 3 best answers will win a prize. First prize is a Laowa probe lens and a year’s subscription to Artlist Max. Second and third prizes are a year’s subscription to Artlist Max.

Read the full Terms and Conditions for the competition.

Probe lens footage

If you need some more inspiration for probe lens ideas, check out all the gorgeous footage on Artlist. It’s such a fun and creative way to film. And then enter the competition to be in with a chance of winning your very own Laowa probe lens!

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Daniela is a writer and editor based in the UK. Since 2010 she has focused on the photography sector. In this time, she has written three books and contributed to many more, served as the editor for two websites, written thousands of articles for numerous publications, both in print and online and runs the Photocritic Photography School.

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