All posts by BastianK

My name is Bastian and I am your expert here when it comes to ultra wide angle lenses, super fast portrait lenses (ranging from a 50mm f/0.95 to a 200mm f/1.8) and I also have reviewed way too many 35mm lenses. Don't ask me anything about macro or wildlife shooting though.

Review: Zeiss 18mm 3.5 Distagon ZF.2

Introduction

zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 on Nikon FM2n

Zeiss offered a wide variety of manual focus lenses for Nikon F-mount and Canon EF. Many of these lenses have been famous not only for being purely manual focus lenses, but also for being pretty big compared to the competition. Sitting inbetween the huge Zeiss 15mm 2.8 and 21mm 2.8, this Zeiss 18mm 3.5 was Zeiss’ “compact” ultra wide angle prime. It also has a reputation for being the worst of them, is that justified? Let’s find out in this review!

Sample Images

zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/11
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/11

Continue reading Review: Zeiss 18mm 3.5 Distagon ZF.2

Review: Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar

Introduction

voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar on Leica M10

As only the Leica/Minolta CL and the Minolta CLE feature 40mm framelines, 40mm has never become one of the most popular focal lengths in the M-mount world and the only manufacturer that caters the needs of the 40mm fans these days is Cosina, offering no less than three different 40mm options. The smallest (and slowest) of the three is the Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar. Let’s have a closer look.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar | f/2.8 | Pano from 4 shots
voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar | f/8.0
voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar | f/2.8
voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar | f/2.8
voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar | f/2.8
voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar | f/2.8
voigtländer 40mm 2.8 heliar leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution cosina
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer VM 40mm 2.8 Heliar

Review: Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora

Introduction

sirui 85mm 1.4 aurora fe af gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora on Sony A7rII

Released at the end of 2024, this Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora was Sirui’s first non-cine fullframe lens aimed at photographers. It is one of the most affordable and compact 85mm 1.4 lenses, but is that enough to pick it over the strong competition? Let’s try to find out in this review!

Sample Images

sirui 85mm 1.4 aurora fe af gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora | f/1.4
sirui 85mm 1.4 aurora fe af gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora | f/1.4
sirui 85mm 1.4 aurora fe af gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora | f/1.4
sirui 85mm 1.4 aurora fe af gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora | f/1.4
sirui 85mm 1.4 aurora fe af gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora

Site Update: Gallery

The header bar has a new category called “Gallery”, you can also go there directly here.

This is for those of you that are mainly here for the pictures and less so for the lenses. I am starting with 9 different galleries and before extending those, I first want to see what the feedback looks like. 

So drop a message in the comment section, especially if you encounter any kind of issues.

Review: Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro

Introduction

61mp 42mp high res resolution canon tilt shift ts-e pc-e perspective control TS T/S sony adapter 135mm 4.0 l macro review resolution contrast bokeh makro
Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro via megadap adapter on Nikon Zf

At the end of the DSLR/EF-mount era Canon released a bunch of newly designed extremely high quality TS-E lenses. This Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro is one of them. It is also Canon’s longest Tilt/Shift lens so far. Is this the dream lens for product photography? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

61mp 42mp high res resolution canon tilt shift ts-e pc-e perspective control TS T/S sony adapter 135mm 4.0 l macro review resolution contrast bokeh makro
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro | f/4.0 | unshifted/untilted
61mp 42mp high res resolution canon tilt shift ts-e pc-e perspective control TS T/S sony adapter 135mm 4.0 l macro review resolution contrast bokeh makro
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro | f/4.0 | unshifted/untilted
61mp 42mp high res resolution canon tilt shift ts-e pc-e perspective control TS T/S sony adapter 135mm 4.0 l macro review resolution contrast bokeh makro
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro | f/4.0 | unshifted/untilted
61mp 42mp high res resolution canon tilt shift ts-e pc-e perspective control TS T/S sony adapter 135mm 4.0 l macro review resolution contrast bokeh makro
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro | f/4.0 | unshifted/untilted
61mp 42mp high res resolution canon tilt shift ts-e pc-e perspective control TS T/S sony adapter 135mm 4.0 l macro review resolution contrast bokeh makro
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro | f/4.0 | unshifted/untilted

Continue reading Review: Canon TS-E 135mm 4.0L Macro