Review: Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S Nikkor

October 17, 2026 BastianK 2 Comments

Introduction

z 35mm 1.2 s nikon nikkor prime f/1.2 super fast 42mp 61mp 24mp nikon zf z6iii z8 z7ii z9 review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma AF — Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S Nikkor on Nikon Zf

While Sigma already released a 35mm 1.2 fullframe AF lens in 2019, until early 2025 none of the three major camera manufacturers had a lens matching these specifications in their portfolio. The first (and still the only one by mid 2026) to change that is Nikon with this Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S Nikkor. I cannot say I was impressed by any of Nikon’s 35mm lenses during the AF-S (D)SLR era and the Nikon Z 35mm 1.8 S Nikkor also seems to be the weakest lens in their otherwise compelling f/1.8 Z-mount lineup. Can this huge 35mm 1.2 lens set the record straight? Let’s find out in this review!

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S Nikkor →

lenses, Review, Sirui

REVIEW: SIRUI AURORA 35mm F1.4

October 14, 2026 Martin 1 Comment

Introduction

Sirui entered the AF stills lens market in 2023, after having already established itself with a range of anamorphic lenses. We reviewed the AF Aurora 85mm last year, thanks to a reader who loaned his lens to Bastian. We were impressed by its overall performance, and especially by its bokeh.

The 35mm f/1.4 is the second lens in the Aurora series, and at $549, it appears to be fairly priced. However, 35mm f/1.4 is also one of the most competitive categories in the lens market, with numerous alternatives from both established manufacturers and smaller brands.

In this review, we take a closer look at how the Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 performs, and how it compares with its competition.

camera-icon2 I 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.

Disclosure

Sirui kindly loaned us this lens for a couple of weeks so we could test and review it.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.8

Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.4

Continue reading REVIEW: SIRUI AURORA 35mm F1.4 →

Accessories, Review

REVIEW: Zhiyun FIVERAY M60 Ultra & Molus X100 RGB

October 11, 2026 Martin 2 Comments

Introduction

Many photographers use their still cameras, or sometimes dedicated video cameras to record video as well. Traditionally, still photographers have relied on speedlights or strobes, while videographers have needed large continuous lights.

Today, hybrid photographers and videographers, who often use the same camera for both, can choose from a range of compact, sometimes even pocketable, continuous lights that work for both photography and video. Modern continuous lights also have a major advantage over speedlights, strobes, and traditional video lights: you can adjust their color to match the existing light or balance different light sources in a mixed-lighting setup.

In this review, we’re looking at two such options from Zhiyun: the Fiveray M60 Ultra and the Molus X100 RGB. Both are compact, portable lights, but they take slightly different approaches to providing illumination for photography and video. We’ll look at their features, output, handling and performance in practice. Continue reading REVIEW: Zhiyun FIVERAY M60 Ultra & Molus X100 RGB →

Uncategorized

Prime Day Photoshop+Lightroom offer for Amazon Prime Members (EU/UK) | Update: also at B&H

October 7, 2026 BastianK 7 Comments

It is Prime Day again so a good opportunity to stock up on Lightroom or Lightroom+Photoshop licenses.
The photography plan used to include only 20GB of storage, now it is 1TB but the price sadly increased.
These deals are still better than paying the normal monthly rate though.

Lr+PS + 1TB for 1 year = 115€ (13€ less than last year)
https://amzn.to/4voiLj8

For my US readers also available at B&H for $125
B&H

LRr + 1 TB for 1 year = 66€ (9€ less than last year)
https://amzn.to/4f0g3um

(affiliate links/advertising)

Make sure to tick the “One-Time-Purchase” (“Einmalkauf” in German) box!

Most websites push all kinds of software “deals”, but here you rarely find those. Why is that? Because most of them are not good deals, especially the software related ones. Margins on Preset packages, Tonal mask Addons, Luminar, Topaz and whatnot are huge and this is the sole reason people push those, not because they are actually good products. But I will never recommend you something that I wouldn’t want to use myself.

What I actually am using myself (and constantly so) is Adobe Lightroom + Photoshop.

As was already the case the last years there is a Prime Day offer for all the Amazon Prime members that are using the Lightroom+Photoshop subscription. You can get a one year subscription for 115€ here (affiliate link) instead of the usual 284€. If you are not using Photoshop and only need Lightroom you can get a one year subscription for 66€ here (affiliate link) instead of the usual 142€.

Now probably you are like me and you already have the plan anyway and now comes the highlight: it even works if you already have the subscription. Order, get the discount code, click on “redeem” in the Amazon Email and the next billing month will be December 2027 instead of December 2026. Offer should be valid for everyone in the EU as well as the UK. This is the link where you can redeem your code after you bought it.

If you haven’t done so, this is also a good opportunity to try out the latest AI-based generative fill I already talked about here.

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 18-35mm 3.5-4.5G

October 7, 2026 BastianK 10 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 18-35mm 3.5-4.5G G ed zoom uwa ultra wide angle astro 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness vignetting portrait — Nikon AF-S 18-35mm 3.5-4.5G via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

After serving the professionals first with the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm 2.8G in 2007 and the prosumers afterwards with the Nikon AF-S 16-35mm 4.0G VR in 2010, Nikon came out with this Nikon AF-S 18-35mm 3.5-4.5G aimed at the entry level market in 2013. Overlooked by all those that already owned one of the aforementioned lenses, this one offers surprisingly good image quality in a very lightweight package, so let me tell you more about this now very affordable ultra wide angle zoom for the F-mount in this review.