Recent Guide Updates

Recent Guide Updates

Over the past weeks I have been updating all these guides once more. This is always a lot of work and not a lot of fun, so I hope you continue to find them useful. It is now finally the moment to complain that your favorite lens is not included 🙂

I also noticed something rather unusual: new lenses used get cheaper over time, but compared to last year many of the Sony and Sigma lenses saw sometimes massive increases of their MSRP in the US thanks to the tariffs. The prices of the Chinese and Korean lenses are mostly stable, sometimes widening the gap even further. Especially some of the older Sony lenses are really bad deals now.

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REVIEW: NIKON NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Z-14-30-2.8-S
Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S on a Nikon Z7II

Introduction

Nikon has a history of producing outstanding ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses, including the long-standing top-tier F-mount 14–24mm f/2.8. They kicked off the mirrorless Z lineup with the excellent 14–30mm f/4, and after a while they really went big by releasing the fast Z 14–24mm f/2.8. It’s fast enough to handle dark indoor scenes or even night photography. While this lens definitely isn’t budget-friendly, its price and Nikon’s track record set the expectation that it should deliver well above-average performance. Let’s check it out!

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 | Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | @21mm f/9
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | @24mm f/5
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | @14mm f/5
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | @14mm f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | @14mm f/9
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | @16mm f/2.8

Continue reading REVIEW: NIKON NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

REVIEW: Viltrox Flash Vintage Z1 Pro

Introduction

Viltrox previously released the retro-styled, fully manual Vintage Z1 flash. Now the company has followed it up with a significantly improved model that adds features such as High-Speed Sync (HSS) and support for both Manual and Auto TTL modes.

Let’s have a look at this new flash.

camera-icon2I tested this flash on a Fujifilm X-S20.  Macros with a Raynox DCR-250 attached to a Viltrox 56mm f/1.2

Sample Images

Fujifilm X-S20 | Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash
Fujifilm X-S20 | Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash | f/2 | 1/4000 sec
Fujifilm X-S20 | Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash | f/11 | 1/60 sec
Fujifilm X-S20 | Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash | f/9 | 1/60 sec

Continue reading REVIEW: Viltrox Flash Vintage Z1 Pro

Review: Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana

Introduction

thypoch ksana 35mm 2.0 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited evf
Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana on Leica M10

As second lens for their “Ksana” series Thypoch decided to release a compact 35mm 2.0 M-mount lens with black paint finish. These Ksana lenses feature vintage coatings – to create a distinct color signature – but are otherwise modern designs. The Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana proved to be a capable yet compact lens, will this Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana follow its footsteps? Let’s find out in this review!
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

thypoch ksana 35mm 2.0 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited evf
Leica M10 | Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana | f/2.0
thypoch ksana 35mm 2.0 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited evf
Leica M10 | Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana | f/2.0
thypoch ksana 35mm 2.0 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited evf
Leica M10 | Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana | f/2.0
thypoch ksana 35mm 2.0 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited evf
Leica M10 | Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana | f/2.0
thypoch ksana 35mm 2.0 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited evf
Leica M10 | Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana | f/2.8
thypoch ksana 35mm 2.0 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited evf
Leica M10 | Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Thypoch 35mm 2.0 Ksana

Lenses I would like to Review

Introduction

There are some lenses I would like to review one day, but the more interesting (read: rare and expensive) they are, the less feasible it is for me to buy them just to write a review.
Thanks to several readers here I already got the opportunity to remove several lenses from this list in the past, but there are still some left:

E-mount:

Sony FE 12-24mm 2.8 GM Review
Sigma 14mm 1.4
Sony FE 14mm 1.8 GM Review
Sigma 17mm 4.0 Review
Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF Review
Sigma 20-200mm 3.5-6.3 C Review
Sony FE 20mm 1.8 G Review
Samyang 24mm 1.8 AF Review
Sony FE 28-70mm 2.0 GM
Sigma 28-45mm 1.8
Sigma 35mm 1.2 II
Sigma 50mm 1.2
Sony FE 50-150mm 2.0 GM
Sony FE 50mm 1.4 GM Review
Samyang 50mm 1.4 AF MKII Review
Sony FE 50mm 1.2 GM Review
Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM MK II Review
Samyang 85mm 1.4 AF MKII
Samyang 135mm 1.8 AF Review

Continue reading Lenses I would like to Review

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