REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Introduction

The Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S, designed primarily for demanding professionals and discerning enthusiasts, is one of the fastest autofocus lenses in the Nikkor Z lineup. While Nikon has a legacy of producing ultra-fast f/1.2 standard lenses, this is their first f/1.2 autofocus lens. Nikon’s history with f/1.2 lenses began in 1965 with the introduction of the Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2. This was followed by the legendary Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 in 1977 and the AI-Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 S in 1981. However, after the 1980s, Nikon took a break from producing f/1.2 lenses until the advent of the Z mount system in 2018.

With the larger Z mount, Nikon aimed to overcome the limitations of their previous f/1.2 lenses by incorporating new technology. As a result, the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S was launched in September 2020.

But did Nikon succeed in meeting these high expectations? Let’s find out!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images  taken with Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2

Continue reading REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Review: Viltrox FE 16mm 1.8 AF

Introduction

viltrox af 16mm 1.8 fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7
Viltrox FE 16mm 1.8 AF on Sony A7rII

We all like surprises and this Viltrox 16mm 1.8 AF for fullframe was a big one. We previously reviewed the Viltrox 85mm 1.8 AF MKI and II and they were solid performers while being very affordable. But this 16mm 1.8 sounds way more spectacular on paper than an ordinary 85mm 1.8 lens and it even comes with some technology we haven’t seen anywhere else yet. Let’s have a closer look.

Update Oct 2024:
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
In the video Martin also talks about how the Z-mount version of this lens performs. There have also been further sample images taken on a Nikon Zf added.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 | f/2
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 | f/2
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 | f/1.8
viltrox af 16mm 1.8 fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7
Sony A7III | Viltrox FE 16mm 1.8 AF | f/2.2
viltrox af 16mm 1.8 fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7
Sony A7III | Viltrox FE 16mm 1.8 AF | f/2.8
viltrox af 16mm 1.8 fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7
Sony A7III | Viltrox FE 16mm 1.8 AF | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Viltrox FE 16mm 1.8 AF

Review: Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron

Introduction

voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron on Leica M10

The Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron was Cosina’s first fast 28mm lens when released in 2001 and it should still be the fastest 28mm lens for M39/LTM to this day – not that the difference between f/1.9 and f/2.0 is relevant in any way.
In the meantime there have been two successors (that I already reviewed) and I am really curious, to find out now, how it all started. Let’s have a closer look at this 28mm lens with its odd f/1.9 maximum aperture.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron | f/1.9
voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron | f/8.0
voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron | f/8.0
voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron | f/2.8
voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron | f/1.9
voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron | f/1.9
voigtländer 28mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution m39 ltm thread mount
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron | f/1.9

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer 28mm 1.9 Ultron

Review: Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X – The Most Affordable 2X Macro?

Introduction

Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X
Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X

It seems to have become a trend among Chinese lens manufacturers to produce full-frame macro lenses with 2X magnification. Here, we have one of the most affordable options: the Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X. Let’s dive into its strengths and weaknesses!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf and Nikon Zfc)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zfc | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zfc | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11

Continue reading Review: Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X – The Most Affordable 2X Macro?

Review: Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G

Introduction

fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma
Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G on Sony A7rII

One thing is for sure: the move to fullframe mirrorless led to the boundaries of lens design being pushed further and this Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G is a good example of that, as there has never been a zoom with this range before. As a do-it-all travel lens this range is way more appealing to me than those variable aperture 28-200mm or 24-240mm super zooms. But to realize a lens with these parameters, surely some compromises had to be made. Let’s find out about them in this review.

Sample Images

fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G | 20mm | f/4.0
fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G | 20mm | f/4.0
fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G | 33mm | f/8.0
fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G | 58mm | f/4.0
fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G | 20mm | f/4.0
fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G | 70mm | f/4.0

Continue reading Review: Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G

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