Review, TTArtisan

REVIEW: TTArtisan Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH.

4 Comments

Introduction

TTArtisan has released three tilt-related lenses to date: a tilt-only 35mm APS-C, a tilt-only 50mm full-frame, and a 100mm tilt-and-shift full-frame — none of which are well suited to architectural photography.

This lens changes that: a 17mm full-frame tilt-and-shift with a complex, sophisticated optical and mechanical design. Despite that, it costs just $550.

On paper, that sounds like a bargain — assuming the performance delivers. Let’s find out.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 33 MP Sony a7C II.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Sony a7C II | Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH.
Sony a7C II | Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH.
Sony a7C II | Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH.
Sony a7C II | Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH.
Sony a7C II | Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH.
Sony a7C II | Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH.

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camera, Review

Review: Ricoh GR III

20 Comments

Introduction

rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III

When people think of a fixed lens compact camera with an APS-C sized sensor, most will probably think of the Fuji X100 series first. However, those that are looking for a truly pocketable option may sooner or later come across Ricoh’s GR series. Not long ago the Ricoh GR IV was released, but thanks to a reader I get the chance to have a look at its popular predecessor, the Ricoh GR III.

Sample Pictures

rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III | f/2.8
rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III | f/2.8
rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III | f/2.8
rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III | f/2.8
rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III | f/2.8
rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III | f/2.8
rico gr ii iii 3 gr3 iv gr4 griv compact digital 24mp review contrast resolution sharpness bokeh image quality
Ricoh GR III | f/2.8

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lenses, Meike, Review

REVIEW: Meike 24mm f/1.4 MIX

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Introduction

Today I’m taking a look at another lens from Meike’s high-end MIX series of autofocus primes: the 24mm f/1.4 MIX. I reviewed their 85mm f/1.4 not long ago and was pleasantly surprised—even impressed—by its features and optical quality. Now it’s time to see whether the 24mm can live up to that standard.

camera-icon2I tested this lens 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 high resolution here.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Meike 24mm f/1.4 | f/3.2
Nikon Zf | Meike 24mm f/1.4 | f/11
Nikon Zf | Meike 24mm f/1.4 | f/11
Nikon Zf | Meike 24mm f/1.4 | f/4.5
Nikon Zf | Meike 24mm f/1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Meike 24mm f/1.4 | f/8

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Review, Sigma, Sony E-mount

Review: Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN Contemporary

13 Comments

Introduction

sigma 17mm 4.0 dg dn c contemporarly e fe l small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN C on Sony A7rII

While Sigma is mostly famous for their series of fast and big “Art” lenses they also offer a lineup of more compact and more affordable “Contemporary” lenses. At the time of writing this review, the widest prime entry of that series is this Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN Contemporary. Let’s have a closer look and also see how it compares to the Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 FE Air.

Sample Images

sigma 17mm 4.0 dg dn c contemporarly e fe l small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN C | f/4.0
Sony A7III | Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN C | f/4.0
sigma 17mm 4.0 dg dn c contemporarly e fe l small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN C | f/4.0
sigma 17mm 4.0 dg dn c contemporarly e fe l small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN C | f/4.0
sigma 17mm 4.0 dg dn c contemporarly e fe l small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Nikon Zf | Neewer ETZ | Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN C | f/4.0
sigma 17mm 4.0 dg dn c contemporarly e fe l small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN C | f/4.0

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Comparison, Review

REVIEW/Comparison: Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. (Z) vs Leica Summilux 35/1.4 FLE II

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Introduction

Can a $369 lens really compete with a $6,600 Leica?
Fair warning: some results may surprise Leica fans, for better or worse.

Today I’m taking a closer look at the Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. Thypoch entered the market about two years ago, joining a growing group of Chinese manufacturers initially producing lenses for the Leica M mount. Since then, they’ve expanded their lineup from 21mm to 75mm, mostly with fast f/1.4 apertures, and have begun offering additional mounts beyond M.

In this post, I’ll be testing the Nikon Z version of the 35mm f/1.4—and putting it side by side with Leica’s own Summilux FLE II.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii and a Nikon Zf (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf)

You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 Z | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 Z | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 Z | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 Z | f/1.4

Continue reading REVIEW/Comparison: Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. (Z) vs Leica Summilux 35/1.4 FLE II →

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