Review: Ricoh GR III

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

Continue reading Review: Ricoh GR III

REVIEW: Meike 24mm f/1.4 MIX

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

Continue reading REVIEW: Meike 24mm f/1.4 MIX

Review: Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN Contemporary

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

Continue reading Review: Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN Contemporary

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

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

Review: Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit

Introduction

songraw 50mm 1.2 moonlit sony fe gm fullframe fastest lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z6iii nikon
Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit on Sony A7rII

Many of the new manufacturers from China decided to start with all manual lenses and often of moderate specifications. With this Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit the story is different: a complex autofocus 50mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.2, only Sony and Sigma released a lens with these specifications for the E-mount yet. But can a lens as ambitious as this from an unknown manufacturer actually be any good? Let’s find out in this review. 

Sample Images

Sony A7III | Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit | f/1.2
songraw 50mm 1.2 moonlit sony fe gm fullframe fastest lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z6iii nikon
Sony A7III | Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit | f/1.2
songraw 50mm 1.2 moonlit sony fe gm fullframe fastest lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z6iii nikon
Sony A7III | Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit | f/1.2
songraw 50mm 1.2 moonlit sony fe gm fullframe fastest lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z6iii nikon
Sony A7III | Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit | f/1.2
songraw 50mm 1.2 moonlit sony fe gm fullframe fastest lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z6iii nikon
Sony A7III | Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit | f/1.2
songraw 50mm 1.2 moonlit sony fe gm fullframe fastest lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z6iii nikon
Sony A7III | Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Songraw 50mm 1.2 Moonlit

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