REVIEW/COMPARISON: Laowa FF II TS 55mm & 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X

Introduction

Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro on Nikon Z7II
Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro on Nikon Z7II

UPDATE 20.12.2024:
Reworked the close-up sharpness section and added both 1:1 and 1:2 magnification test shots for both lenses.

The Laowa FF II TS 55mm and 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X lenses are true macro lenses, offering 1:1 magnification along with tilt-shift functionality that enhances control over the focal plane.

While major camera and lens manufacturers like Canon, Sony, Nikon, Leica, Panasonic, Hasselblad, Sigma, and Tamron have largely overlooked this niche in mirrorless cameras, Laowa has stepped up to fill the gap. Their lenses, available in almost all major mounts, feature tilt and shift capabilities that open up new creative possibilities for photographers.

The tilt function allows precise control over the focal plane, enabling photographers to either extend or limit the in-focus area. This makes these lenses perfect for capturing intricate product details or adding selective focus for artistic compositions. With such versatility, Laowa’s lenses offer greater creative control over depth of field, making them a valuable tool for specialised photography needs

Since these two lenses are almost identical in shape, build, and handling, and were released simultaneously, I decided to combine my review of both. This way, I can avoid repeating the same points and provide a direct comparison, so you can see them side by side.

camera-icon2I tested these lenses on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in higher resolution here

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/11
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/11
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/5.6 (Shift panorama)
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/5.6 (Shift panorama)
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 No Tilt
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted
Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted

Continue reading REVIEW/COMPARISON: Laowa FF II TS 55mm & 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X

Review: Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF (APS-C)

Introduction

viltrox 35mm 1.7

The APS-C 35mm focal length is equivalent to 52mm on a Fullframe camera, therefore it is in the ‘standard’ focal length category and very close to the classic 50mm lenses on fullframe cameras, with an angle of view offering none of the ‘perspective distortion’ associated with wide angle or telephoto lenses. This lens on an APS-C camera is equivalent to a Nifty Fifty on a fullframe camera. Let’s have a closer look at it!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 26 Mp Fujifilm X-S10.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Most of the sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/10
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/10
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/1.7
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/1.7
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/1.7
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/1.7
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/16
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/16

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF (APS-C)

Analogue Adventures – Part 37: Santa Color 100

santacolor santacolor 100 aerocolor aero 125 review nikon f analogue film italy garda
Santacolor100

Santacolor100 was introduced via a crowdfunding campain run by the guys from Kamerastore.com in Finland and is actually respooled Kodak Aerocolor 125 air surveillance film (not to be mistaken for the Aerochrome, more on that later). This is one of the few affordable color negative films these days, so of course I had to give it a try.
Processing (C-41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany, the pictures in this article are from one roll of film.

santacolor santacolor 100 aerocolor aero 125 review nikon f analogue film italy garda
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Santa Color 100
santacolor santacolor 100 aerocolor aero 125 review nikon f analogue film italy garda
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Santa Color 100
santacolor santacolor 100 aerocolor aero 125 review nikon f analogue film italy garda
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Santa Color 100
santacolor santacolor 100 aerocolor aero 125 review nikon f analogue film italy garda
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Santa Color 100
santacolor santacolor 100 aerocolor aero 125 review nikon f analogue film italy garda
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Santa Color 100

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 37: Santa Color 100

Travel Diary: An Arctic Trip (Day 4)

Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/11
Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/11

This diary entry covers our fourth day of the trip. For details on previous days, see the ‘Further Reading’ section at the end of the article.

Youtube small iconSee the video of An Arctic Trip; Day Four on YouTube
Sample-Image-iconSample images in high resolution here.

On the fourth day of our trip, the weather was clear and at sunrise a beautiful light fell on the snow, so I went out alone to take pictures.

Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/8
Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/8

Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/8

Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/8

Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/8
Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/8

Continue reading Travel Diary: An Arctic Trip (Day 4)

Review: Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton

Introduction

voigtländer vm 35mm 1.5 nokton leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton on Leica M10

I already reviewed several lenses of Cosina’s lineup of fast and compact f/1.5 lenses. So could I say no to having a closer look at this Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton Type I as well? Of course not! Let’s find out more about this cute lens.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton | f/5.6
voigtländer vm 35mm 1.5 nokton leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5
voigtländer vm 35mm 1.5 nokton leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5
nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5
voigtländer vm 35mm 1.5 nokton leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5
voigtländer vm 35mm 1.5 nokton leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton

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