Review: Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 Distagon

Introduction

zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 via Sigma MC-11 on Sony A7rII

About a year after the release of the Zeiss Otus 28mm 1.4 Distagon – to the surprise of many – Zeiss released this Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 Distagon. Almost as complex optical design, almost as big, almost as heavy, but “only” half the price – making it the most expensive lens of the Milvus lineup. What are you giving up in terms of performance compared to the 28mm Otus? Let’s try to find out in this review.

Sample Images

zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/2.8
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 Distagon

Vivo X200 Ultra – The Death of the compact Camera

Introduction

vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra with Photography Kit Case

I am not someone who buys a new smartphone every year – quite the opposite actually – but when I need a new one I always look for the one with the most capable cameras. I did that in 2019 and ended up with the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and when I needed a new phone in 2025, after a lot of research, I decided to go with the Vivo X200 Ultra. On paper this looks like the death of the 1″ sensor compact camera segment, so let’s have a closer look at this intriguing device.
Update 12/25: Extender lens sections added

Sample Images

vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp EXTENDER zeiss 2.35x 2,35 200mm
Vivo X200 Ultra | 2.35x Extender Lens | 200mm f/8.5 equiv
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 14mm f/6.9 equiv | Ai Denoise
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 35mm f/5.9 equiv
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 85mm f/8.5 equiv
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 14mm f/6.9 equiv | Ai Denoise
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 85mm f/8.5 equiv
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 35mm f/5.9 equiv | Landscape & Night Mode | no tripod

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The Rated list of the fast Nikon AF-S f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.0 F-mount Primes

Introduction

All fast Nikon AF-S fullframe primes from 20 to 200mm

From 2004 to 2018 Nikon produced 14 different AF-S primes from 20 to 200mm for fullframe with maximum apertures ranging from f/1.4 to f/2.0. Among those the “Gold Ring” primes were the highlight of the F-mount lens lineup, mostly aimed at professional photographers, who were not satisfied by the light gathering capabilities of the f/2.8 zooms. The f/1.8 primes on the other hand were aimed at consumers looking for more affordable options. Some of these lenses can be found at very attractive prices on the used market today, so after having used all of them personally, I thought it was time to give you this overview.

Continue reading The Rated list of the fast Nikon AF-S f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.0 F-mount Primes

Analogue Photography: Part 4 – Ilford HP5 Plus at a Historical Engine Factory

Introduction

After getting back into film and starting the Analogue Photography series with the iconic Kodak Tri-X, I turned to its European counterpart for this round — the equally legendary Ilford HP5 Plus. Long favored by press photographers, photojournalists, and enthusiasts who needed a reliable workhorse, HP5 Plus has earned its reputation as a versatile and forgiving black-and-white film.

For this installment, I chose a location much older than the film stock itself — a historic engine factory that felt like the perfect match: the Pythagoras Hot-Bulb Engine Factory.

Engine operator Kent-Peder Stiggel
Machine details A
Drilling tool and the factory

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REVIEW: 7Artisans AF 10mm f/2.8 (APS-C)

Introduction

Just two years ago, finding a true ultra wide-angle prime for APS-C cameras felt like chasing a unicorn. But that’s changed fast. A wave of new releases—many from Chinese lens makers—has opened up a lot of new options for APS-C shooters. Now, 7Artisans joins the mix with its 10mm f/2.8, a lens that promises a lot for its price. Can it really stand out in this crowded new field? Let’s find out.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a Nikon Zfc.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/5
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/4Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/13
Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/5
Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/11
Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/11
Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/8

Continue reading REVIEW: 7Artisans AF 10mm f/2.8 (APS-C)

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