Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB N

May 4, 2026 BastianK 68 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 — Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB on Sony A7rII

Since its release in 2019 I have been using the Sigma 35mm 1.2 Art DG DN as my main lens for any kind of reportage work. It took until 2025 for another manufacturer to challenge Sigma by releasing a 35mm 1.2 lens with autofocus of their own. Actually, there were two at almost the same time: Nikon with their Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S and Viltrox with this Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB. As the Nikon lens sells for 3 grand it is out of reach for most people. This Viltrox lens is way more attractively priced, so let’s find out if it is time to retire my Sigma 35mm 1.2 Art DG DN after 6 years of usage.
Last Update May 2026: information on new “N” version added

Sample Images

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Review, Samyang, Sony E-mount

Review: Samyang AF 14-24mm 2.8 FE

May 2, 2026 BastianK 19 Comments

Introduction

samyang af schneider kreuznach lk 14-24mm 2.8 FE sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight small — Samyang AF 14-24mm 2.8 FE on Sony A7rII

Released in 2007, the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm 2.8G was the first ultra wide angle zoom combining a 14-24mm viewing angle with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. Coming in at almost 1 kg, many people considered it to be too heavy to carry around all day and that bulbous front element didn’t help either. Almost two decades later Samyang decided to show us what the advantages can be, designing a lens with the same specifications, but for today’s mirrorless cameras. Let’s have a look together at the smallest and lightest 14-24mm 2.8 lens – that even comes with a standard 77mm filter thread – the Samyang x Schneider Kreuznach AF 14-24mm 2.8 FE.

Sample Images

Sony A7III | Samyang AF 14-24mm 2.8 FE | 14mm | f/4.0

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Accessories

Review: Kamerakraft LM Grip

April 29, 2026 BastianK 6 Comments

Introduction

kamerakraft lm10 grip leica m m10 handgriff france vincent bihler black aluminium walnut — Leica M10 with Kamerakraft LM10Grip V2.1 attached

Kamerakraft is a small (pretty much one person) company located in France offering grips for M-mount cameras, straps and a few additional accessories. We will be having a look at their LM10Grip V2.1 for the Leica M10 series here.

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Review, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.8 FE EVO Apo

April 26, 2026 BastianK 21 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 35mm 1.8 evo apo fe af bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9 — Viltrox AF 35mm 1.8 FE Evo on Sony A7rII

Not that long ago we reviewed the Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo – the first lens of the Evo series – and it turned out to be a very compelling lens; correcting most optical aberrations very well in a compact, affordable package. It didn’t take long for Viltrox to extend the lineup, so here is the Viltrox AF 35mm 1.8 Evo and this time Viltrox even added an “Apo” tag, hinting at even better optical performance. Did they design the ideal compact autofocussing 35mm lens? Let’s find out in this review.
Update May 4th: new sample pictures added

Sample Images

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Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 20mm 1.8G

April 22, 2026 BastianK 41 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 20mm 1.8 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9 — Nikon AF-S 20mm 1.8G via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

One of the first reviews I wrote here was for the Nikon AF-S 20mm 1.8G in 2016. A lot has happened since: Nikon now has its own mirrorless system, many new ~20mm lenses have been released in the meantime and also my testing methods have improved. A lot of reasons, to have another look at this lens.
Update April 2026: complete rewrite of the review.