Venus Optics macro lens with 40cm probe tube, IP67 waterproof front, and integrated LED illumination for extreme close-ups in confined spaces.
The lens features 27 elements in 19 groups and a fixed aperture of f/14. The optical construction includes a waterproof front section (IP67) with integrated LED lighting, controllable via a dimmer. The focus system operates internally without changing length, while the 40 cm long tube is made of anodized aluminum. Available for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, and Pentax K-mounts with a weight of 474 grams. The working distance is a minimum of 25 mm at maximum magnification.
Venus Optics introduced the Probe lens in 2018 as a world first, following the company's previous success with unconventional macro lenses. Development took three years and was inspired by endoscopes from medical technology. In 2020, a cinema version for PL-mount with improved mechanical precision was released. The lens quickly established itself in nature documentaries and experimental cinematography.
Nature filmmakers use the Probe for shots inside beehives, ant nests, or tree hollows without disturbing the animals. In feature films, it allows for shots through keyholes, pipes, or mechanical apparatus. The BBC used it in "Seven Worlds, One Planet" for termite mound footage, while advertising producers employ it for product shots within engines or watches. The waterproof front section allows for underwater shots in aquariums or shallow waters up to 60 cm deep.
Classic macro lenses achieve a maximum magnification of 1:1 and require significantly more working distance. Borescope cameras offer similar flexibility but with greatly reduced image quality. The Probe combines the mechanical advantages of an endoscope with cinematic quality. Alternative solutions such as fiber optic systems or medical endoscopes with camera adapters remain significantly behind the Probe in terms of quality, but are more cost-effective.
Ich schätze die konstante f/14-Blende für durchgehende Schärfentiefe, auch wenn das bei schwachem Licht hohe ISO-Werte erfordert. Das interne Fokussystem verhindert Verwacklungen beim Nachfokussieren in engen Räumen, während die LED-Beleuchtung oft zu hart ist und ich zusätzliche Diffusion brauche.
Das Probe eröffnet völlig neue Perspektiven für surreale oder voyeuristische Sequenzen - der Zuschauer wird zum unsichtbaren Beobachter in unmöglichen Räumen. Besonders effektiv für Thriller oder Sci-Fi, wo die ungewöhnliche Optik die narrative Spannung verstärkt und vertraute Objekte alienierend verfremdet.
Bei 1.400 Euro Anschaffungskosten rechnet sich das Objektiv nur bei spezialisierten Produktionen, da der Einsatzbereich sehr begrenzt ist. Die wasserdichte Konstruktion reduziert Reparaturkosten, aber die Spezialisierung macht es schwer vermietbar - eher ein Tool für Rental-Houses mit Naturdoku-Kunden.
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